Page 66 of Your Second Chance
I held her hands tighter, letting the weight of her words settle between us before speaking. “Do you know how proud I am of you? For getting out of all that? For running when everything in you probably wanted to stay and fix it? That takes strength most people don’t have.”
She tilted her head back and shook it slightly, avoiding my gaze. “If I’d found out I was pregnant while I was there, I wouldn’t have left.”
The confession hit hard, the truth of it clear in her voice. She looked at me briefly, her eyes glassy. “It was all good timing, I guess. Maybe the only good timing I’ve ever had.”
She shook her head again, brushing a stray curl out of her face. “I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant either. I have polycysticovarian syndrome, so it’s... it’s hard for me. It feels kind of like a miracle.”
“Itisa miracle, Nova. And so are you. You survived all of that—everything with him, with your mum, and your own battles. You didn’t just survive. You got out. You’re here now, building a future for yourself and this baby. That’s more than a miracle. That’s you. That’s your strength.”
Her eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time there was a flicker of something else behind them. Relief, maybe. Hope.
I reached out, cupping her cheek again, my thumb brushing away the tears as they fell. “You deserve this. The baby, the life you’re building—it’s yours. You fought for it, and you earned it. Don’t let anyone, least of all yourself, make you feel like you don’t.” I took a deep breath. “I need to apologize for running away. For letting my fear get the better of me. That was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Her eyes searched mine.
“I won’t do that again. I promise you, I won’t run. No matter how hard things get, no matter how complicated they are. We’ll take it slow, figure it out one step at a time. But I’m here.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but I leaned forward slightly. “Even if we don’t work out, even if this doesn’t go the way we want, I will always be here for you. In whatever capacity you need. As a friend, boyfriend, someone you can lean on—I’ll be there, Nova. Always.”
Her eyes welled with tears again, her lips pressing together tightly as she nodded. “T-thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You deserve someone who doesn’t run, who stays no matter what.”
The smallest smile tugged at her lips, soft and uncertain, but it was enough. Enough to feel like we were starting something worth holding onto.
25
nova
I wanted him. Not only in the way I wanted him inside my dress—though, God help me, I wanted that, too. I wanted to crawl inside his skin, bury myself in his safety, his warmth, everything he exuded. I wanted him because when I was around him, I wanted to be better. I wanted to shower, put on fresh clothes, and find joy in small, mundane things like sitting down to dinner or sharing quiet moments by the fire.
God, I wanted him.
I thought I loved Austin. Maybe I did, in my own way. I loved that he gave me the little pear inside my stomach. I loved the fleeting moments when things felt normal, like we were real and untouchable. Everything I’d told Ollie was true—I was always worried about Austin. I was spinning in circles, trying to make sure I was doing enough for him, constantly competing with his addictions. It was a battle I was never going to win.
With Ollie, it wasn’t like that. Nothing with him was a competition. Even when he rolled his eyes at training or grumbled about me pointing the camera at him, it felt effortless. Easy. I could be myself, without having to fight for space in his world.
“Did you see that article about us?” I asked, breaking the quiet.
“I did,” he said, running a hand through his hair, his expression unreadable. “Are you upset?”
I waved my hand dismissively, slicing through the air. “No. I’m in social media. I’ve been in the media for worse. Being photographed withCoach Daddyisn’t exactly the scandal of the year.”
His lips twitched, a reluctant smirk threatening to break through.
“I do need to call Austin.”
His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.
“It’s his right to know about the baby before the media gets a hold of it. One thing I know for sure—one solid decision I feel good about—is that I don’t want baby pear to be anywhere near the media. I can put myself out there, I can deal with the scrutiny of my relationships, but not the banana. That’s where I draw the line.”
Ollie nodded, his expression serious. “I agree. Keep her safe and protected.”
His words settled something in me, a reassurance I hadn’t realized I needed.
“Wait.” He jumped off the sofa, and I shot up straighter.
“What the hell? Is someone robbing us?”
