Page 79 of Power Play
He answers immediately.
"Why is our former social media manager telling the public she's pregnant with your child?"
He growls. "I have no fucking clue, but I never touched her. She tried to sexually assault me, but I promise you, if she's pregnant, it's not mine."
"You promise me?"
"A thousand percent."
I believe Scott. I do, but I need to make sure he understands exactly how serious this accusation is. "You understand how this looks? And how damaging this will be to your career if she is pregnant?"
He sighs. "Look, she's got something wrong upstairs. She takes everything her twin sister has. Lacey has us and is pregnant. She's trying to steal the spotlight. It's her thing. It's what she does. I doubt she's even pregnant, but if she is, I promise you it's not mine. I'm happy to take a paternity test."
I nod, even though he can't see me.
So, I hang up and get to work, protecting the brand and the people I love.
Chapter forty-five
Lacey
Ifeel like a beached whale. Tonight, I've agreed to go with Garrett to his parents’ annual charity gala as his wife and baby mama. His mother started it, and his father kept it going. It's the last thing I want to do. I'm at the stage in my pregnancy where I'm just uncomfortable. The babies are sitting low in my pelvis, making me want to lounge on the couch in the boys' clothes and wallow in self-pity.
I did draw the line and insist on wearing flats instead of heels. My center of gravity is already off with my belly, and the last thing I need is to fall or twist an ankle trying to wear heels.
Instead, I've squeezed my huge belly and tits into this satin gown and just spent the last hour letting a small army of women do my hair and makeup. When they step away, however, and I get my first look in the mirror, I smile. I look gorgeous. The makeup's not over the top. They've accentuated the parts of me I already like - my lips look just a bit larger, and my eyes look brighter. My hair is done in stunning waves that are pinned to lie over one shoulder.
My hand goes to my belly. I look like a fertility goddess.
"Woah," Garrett says as he sees me for the first time. He's in a tux and my eyes drink him up like water. I've seen him in his game-day suits, but the man in a tux is drool worthy. Black fabric encompasses his broad shoulders. He's elegant and classy.
He comes to stand behind me and takes a look at us in the mirror. His hand snakes around my lower back and rests on my hip. We lookgood together. He gives me a small, soft smile before kissing me on the temple.
"I can't thank you enough for this."
I shrug. "Of course."
Scott and Ben wait for us by the front door. Both of them react to seeing me differently. Ben's eyes go soft and adoring. Scott's eyes get dark and heated. I nearly scurry past him on the way out. He looks like a predator and I'm the prey. I do give each of them a kiss on the cheek, though, and wish them a good night.
Garrett's rented a driver and a town car for tonight.
Once the driver's pulled onto the highway, I rub my hands together before resting one of them on Garrett's hard thigh. "So, what can I expect?"
He winces slightly. "You're going to meet my dad, Robert Jones. My grandfather George will probably be there, too. I expect they'll ask you questions. They'll be suspicious. They know the terms of my trust, so they'll be suspicious that I suddenly got married and have a baby on the way without any publicity of me even dating anyone."
"Okay. I can handle that."
We make easy small talk for the rest of the ride. We're both a little nervous, so our hands haven't stopped touching each other. I'm rubbing small circles on his thigh while his arm is wrapped behind my back and he's rubbing the crease of my thigh.
"We're here," says the driver.
"Thank you, Alan. I'll text when we're ready to leave."
"Yes, sir."
Alan gets out and opens the door for us. Garrett holds my hand and helps me navigate my belly and dress in front of a large white luxuryhotel. He wraps my hand around the crease of his arm and guides me inside.
Bright lights flash as the press and paparazzi take our pictures. Garrett tucks me closer under his arm as protection, but waves and smiles at the camera. The picture from our wedding circulated the gossip rags for a bit, but this is our first official sighting out in public together.
