Page 20 of Entangled By You
“I don’t know what he wants from me, and I’m scared. Scared to let myself hope that maybe it’s because he’s forgiven me. Scared because what if it’s some sick scheme to torture me? Because itistorture, having him around, in my space, always over my shoulder. Maybe it’s time to be blunt about it. Maybe this time I’ll let him in on the plan instead of hiding it from him and running.”
An errant breeze blows through the headstones and rustles my hair. I let myself believe it’s him answering me back, letting me know he’s here, and always is.
“Yeah, Dad, I think that’s the right call too.”
Pierce’s sure footfalls crunch the gravel behind me all the way up to the front door. He doesn’t say a word, just waits like an unwavering shadow by my side, as I type the code into the lock and push the door open.
A calm assurance fell over me on the drive back from the cemetery. I think in the back of my mind, I always knew what I was going to do. Perhaps if the doctor had given me different news, the switch in my brain would have flipped, and I’d be choosing differently, but that’s not the case.
I just hope this doesn’t destroy any last shred of possibility for a peaceful future between us.
“We need to talk.” I finally manage to get out as I plop on the sofa and pull my feet under me. Automatically grabbing for my favorite blanket, that’s thrown over the back of the couch, I drag it over my lap for protection.
I expect him to sit across the room in the empty chair,giving me some semblance of space. He doesn’t. His tall frame squeezes between my knees, choosing to sit between them on the small coffee table right in front of me instead. It leaves only mere inches between our bodies, and the closeness sucks the oxygen from my lungs.
It’s fine. I’m fine. Who needs oxygen anyway?
“So, let’s talk,” his husky voice purrs.
“I’m keeping the baby.”
His gaze sharpens, those dark orbs homing in on my face, while he nods, but stays quiet.
Why isn’t he saying anything?
“I just thought you should know,” I continue.
His rough sun-kissed skin pulls tights against his knuckles when he balls his hands into fists. The movement is telling.
I flinch hard, scrambling back across the couch until there’s nowhere left to run. Curling into myself, I tuck my head down and shield my face with my arms, hiding behind the only barrier I have.
“Fuck, Princess, no.”
His soft touch soothes the hair back from my face, and I peek up from behind my arm. “I’m sorry,” I squeak, a sob caught heavy in my throat.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Lexi. I would never lay my hands on you like that.”
“But you’re mad.”
“And? You think anger gives a man the right to put his hands on you? I could be furious with you. Filled with so much rage, my body was quaking with it, and I would never, in a million years, take that out on you. Do you understand me?”
His steady hand in my hair leaves as quickly as his words from his lips, and he pulls back a beat, giving me space. He hasevery right to be angry with me for so many things. This is just another one on the long list of ways I’ve fucked up our lives. Because it won’t just be my life that’s affected by this choice. Keeping our baby will change everything.
“I don’t expect you to stay,” I whisper, holding back the dam of tears that want nothing more than to burst free. Now that I’ve let some fall, they don’t seem to want to stop.
“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care if it’s that asshole’s bab?—”
“Wait, what!? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Listen, Lex, I know we have a messed-up history, but I don’t care that it’s Evan’s. We can keep that from people if it makes things easier for you. It’ll certainly keep his parents from shoving their upturned noses in your business.”
“Stop!”
Now it’s his turn to flinch back at the sharp command in my voice.
“Lexi, I…”
“Will you shut up and let me talk?” I cut in, eyes locked on his. “You think this is Evan’s baby?”
