Page 39 of Jeremy
“Ineed to know what you want from me, Jeremy. I know things aren’t ideal, with mebeing pregnant and everything—”
Asoft kiss halts my words. “I want it all, Mel. I want you with me every day. Iwant the baby you’re carrying to be mine, like I thought he was. I wasterrified when I first found out, but now, you two are the best things in mylife. I know I’m not the father and that he may step back into the picture oncehe has wised up—”
“He’sdead.” It’s my turn to interrupt.
Hisfingers trail through my hair in a tender, comforting gesture. “I’m sorry. Iknow what it’s like to lose someone.”
“It’snot that. He…wasn’t what I thought he was. He was abusive and violent, and gothimself killed for it. It’s a long story I’m not ready to tell yet, but therewas no love there, and my son is better off without him.” I sit up and look himin the eye. “If you want to be in the baby’s life, I’d love that, but you don’thave to be with me to have a family if that’s what you’re looking for.”
I’venever seen anyone with him, except the friends he had come visit from Indianathe first time we met. I can understand how thinking for months that he’s goingto be a father and having it ripped away from him could leave him feeling empty.“You could be his uncle or something.”
Wehaven’t known each other long, and though things started out rocky, he has beenthere for me throughout the pregnancy. No matter how much of a jerk he was inthe beginning, he has compassion for others that can’t be faked. He’s a goodperson who bad things have happened to, and I can relate to that. I’m not goingto talk anyone out of caring for my baby, that’s for sure. He needs more familythan I can give him. Still, I don’t want him to make an impulsive commitmentthat he’ll regret. If he doesn’t follow through, my son will lose a father.He’d be better off never knowing his father than having one only to beabandoned by him.
Hecups my cheek and runs his thumb over my jaw. “I wasn’t looking for a family,Mel. It never even entered my mind before I met you.” He lays a hand on mybelly. “And him.” He plants a soft kiss on my lips. “I tried my best to keep mydistance when I realized I was catching feelings. Not because of you or thebaby, but because of where I am right now. There’s a lot you don’t know aboutme. Things that may chase you away, and I promise I’ll tell you everythingsoon, but right now I just want to be with you.”
Iwrap my arms around him and hug him tightly. “I’d love to be with you. When itcomes to the baby, let’s see how things go, okay? It’s very early. Wait untilhe’s screaming, and we’re covered in spit up and surrounded by piles of dirtydiapers to decide what you want to be to him. I can’t risk you changing yourmind and hurting him.”
Hekisses the side of my neck. “I’d never hurt him or you, but I understand. We’lltake it slow.”
Youknow what really sucks about pregnancy? There are times like this when you’rein a sweet, emotional, or sexual situation, and your bladder doesn’t give onefuck. “Sorry to break the moment, but I really have to pee,” I giggle, climbingoff his lap.
Helaughs, and when I make it to the doorway, I glance back to see him watchingme. A bright smile darts across his face.
“Youhave an amazing ass.”
Hewas serious when he said we’d take it slow. Other than a few kisses andcaresses, we don’t take it any further. Just being close to him, wrapped in hisarms is enough for me…for now. It’s going to kill me that we can’t have sex forso long. I only hope he doesn’t lose interest because of it.
Myeyes grow heavy, and when I open them again, sunlight fills the room. Jeremysleeps beneath me on the couch while I lie sprawled across his body. It’s thebest night’s sleep I’ve had in my life.
#
“Mel?”
“Yeah,”I call back.
Hepeeks his head in the living room. “Justus is with me. He wanted to say hi.”
“Dude,I wanted to surprise her. You know, jump through the doorway with a ta-da!”Justus announces, stopping short as soon as he sees me.
Overthe last couple of weeks, my stomach has kind of popped and my pregnancy isvery obvious. “Holy shit.” His head whirls around. “You knocked her up!”
Jeremyshrugs. “My swimmers were determined. Don’t tell the guys yet. Or Sadie. Halfthe damn world will know.”
Whatthe hell? What happened to taking it slow? We had that conversation two weeksago and he’s telling his friends he’s the father?
Abright smile breaks across Justus’s face and he leans over to hug me. “Congratulations.Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I’ll pray every day that Jeremy didn’t giveyour baby the ugly. Do you know the sex?”
“It’sa boy.”
Justussits across from me as Jeremy takes a seat beside me on the couch. Justusshakes his head. “There’s no hope then. He’ll probably inherit his weird ears.”
Ascrazy as the situation is, Justus can make me laugh. “I didn’t know you werevisiting.”
Justusglances at Jeremy. “Yep. Our buddy Landon and I needed a little getaway. So,we’re staying for a while. Jeremy mentioned he’d be busy in the evenings. Makessense now.”
Ilay my hand on Jeremy’s arm. “I’m fine, and I’ll call or text if I need you.You don’t need to worry about me when you have company.”
“Theyaren’t company. They’re two pains in my ass who are using my place as a resortto escape their wives.”
