Page 34 of Where the Little Birds Are (Little Bird Duet 2)

He lets out a sharp exhale.

“I love you, too.”

His arms wrap around me, curling me against his body as we settle onto our sides. The fire remains the only sound other than our synced heartbeats drumming together. I bury my face in the crook of his neck and soak in the moment.

Words no longer seem necessary.

Just each other’s presence is enough.

And I think, I want to get used to this.

But we don’t.

Chapter Thirteen

Kinley / Present

We sit at the kitchen table in utter silence. My eyes are focused on the way his lock with the floor, his fists tightening and loosening over and over as he thinks. Not one word was spoken as he walked down the stairs, me following him thinking he’d leave.

He stayed.

He’s here.

So, I accept the silence.

It feels like an eternity passes before I blow out a slow breath and reposition on the chair enough to make it creak. Corbin glances up, his attention suddenly on my hidden stomach beneath his old hoodie. His eyes are distant, pained as he studies my torso.

My words are nothing more than a whisper when they escape my lips. “Are you okay?”

A gargled laugh comes from his throat. “I am a lot of things, but that’s not a good word to describe what I am right now.”

Pressing my lips together, I wrap my arms protectively around my midsection. “I didn’t ask for this, Corbin. You of all people know that. If you think—”

“I’m not angry with you, Little Bird.”

I blink, slowly grasping the words I don’t anticipate hearing. “You’re not? Because this is the last thing either of us needs. I don’t want…” Licking my lips, I close my eyes and shake my head. “I’m not forcing you into anything. You said you didn’t want kids, and this is the definition of trouble which we can’t afford to be in—”

Once again, he cuts off my nervous rambling. “When did I say that I didn’t want kids?”

I part my lips, then close them.

“Kinley,” he repeats. His eyes narrow in inquiry, before he scoffs and brushes a hand through his already messy hair. “I said that in high school. Are you going to hold that against me after all this time?”

“Who said I was holding it against you?”

“You’re answering my question with a question,” he accuses, standing up. “That’s deflecting. Tell me, Kinley. Why?”

I put my face in my hands. “I didn’t mean it, okay? I’m tired. I can barely eat. Sleep has become nonexistent. I’m always fucking puking, horny, and miserable. Do you understand the reality of this? I’m pregnant with your baby.”

Footsteps near me before my hands are pulled away from my face. Corbin kneels in front of me, holding my wrists so I can’t cover myself again. “Trust me, Little Bird, I know. But just because I said something when I was a teenager doesn’t mean I feel the same now.”

My heart plummets to the bottom of my stomach, and I yank my arms from his grip. His brows pinch as I shut down, shaking my head and trying everything to get away from him.

“Kinley? What—” He curses and stands quickly, catching my arm as I turn away. “I didn’t mean my feelings for you. Those have always been fucking true. Don’t for a second close me out, especially not now. What have I always said to you?”

I say nothing.

“We’re inevitable,” he says firmly, locking our gaze without blinking. The conviction of those two words isn’t foreign to me. In fact, despite our situation, it warms my chest to hear.

---