Page 42 of Roommate on the Way (Life in the Brohouse 8)

“Alex,” I start.

Alex groans and looks skyward. His lips move, yet I hear nothing. It’s almost like he’s muttering a silent prayer. Just what is going on?

“Ugh. I told her to talk to you guys as soon as possible,” Alex groans.

“Talk to us about what?” Hunter asks, his brows pinching together with concern.

“Just tell us already,” I say. I’ve had it with this nonsense. This night is supposed to be about me and launching my first book, not about our family drama.

Alex shakes his head. “No. You guys need to talk to Rachel,” he rushes out. “You need to hear it from her. Whatever I say, will just make it worse. Now, if you excuse me,” Alex starts while nudging his way past me and Hunter. “I want to be anywhere, but here.”

I sigh while watching Alex go, finding him snatching the last cookie from one of the platters at the bar. My gaze wanders to Rachel, still finding her speaking with Charlie, who looks like she’s on the verge of tears. I find my eyes wandering down the length of her, taking in her baggy dress, her black sneakers, and the milkshake in her hand, before setting on her stomach.

What secret could she possibly be keeping?

Chapter 13

RACHEL

Thesmellofmarinarasauce wafts up to my room and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply, practically salivating. My stomach grumbles and I groan, telling it silently to stop. Dinner will be ready soon enough. I’ll need to portion out my food this time unlike last night at dinner.

Lucas had been staring at me the whole night. Although, in his defense, I did eat like five cookies at his book launch. And a slice of cheesecake. And two milkshakes. I really shouldn’t be eating this much. Dr. Adams did tell me I need to keep an eye on my diet since my blood pressure was a bit high.

But when was I ever going to have pumpkin cookies again? And a freaking pumpkin milkshake! Who makes that on campus? No one. That’s who. It was a night of celebration anyway. Maybe I pigged out a bit much, but I ate healthy yesterday. And I’ve eaten mostly healthy today. Except for that bacon egg sandwich from McDonalds earlier. And the slice of red velvet cake I had for lunch.

Okay. I will do better starting now, I tell myself while turning my attention back to my art project. I tilt my head from side to side as I stare at the drawing, trying to decide what colors to use. My fingers are stained in black from my pencil. I’ve been working all afternoon on this project, yet, I feel like I’ve gotten nowhere. Once again, my inspiration has left me high and dry. I can blame it on the pregnancy all I want to, but this isn’t the first time I’ve felt like this. I need to make a game plan for when this happens. Maybe I should try to walk more, get some fresh air while the weather is still decent. That might stir up some creativity.

“Rachel!” Hunter shouts up the stairs. “Dinner is ready!”

Or, I can eat and deal with this tomorrow. “Coming!” I shout back while wobbling into a standing position. I clean up my station and shut the window before leaving my room and easing myself down the stairs. The marinara smell intensifies and I sigh blissfully as I make my way toward the kitchen.

“Actually,” I hear Lucas start.

I turn around, my heart nearly jumping into my throat when I find all four bros in the living room, staring at me. Lucas is standing while the others sit on the couch. His eyes are narrowed on me, his gaze falling briefly to my stomach before meeting my gaze again.

“We were hoping to talk to you a bit before dinner,” he says, his voice unusually low.

Fuck. They know.

“About what?” I ask innocently while shuffling toward them.

I stop in front of Lucas, staring up at him as sweetly as I can muster. I even add a smile, hoping to reassure him everything is fine. I know, I still need to tell Hunter, Lucas, and Seth about my pregnancy. It just hasn’t been the right time. Seth has been so upset with Alex about something these days. Although, when is Seth not upset with Alex about something? Hunter has been so busy with his new job. And then there was Lucas’s book launch. I haven’t found the right time to tell them. And I can’t now… because… because…

“What’s going on with you?” Lucas asks, his frown deepening.

Well, he means business. Usually he can’t deny this sweet smile of mine. “Nothing,” I say as confidently as I can muster. It comes out shaky and high pitched.

“See, I told you it was nothing,” Seth says while waving a hand toward me. “Now, can we eat? I’ve had a very long, excruciatingly difficult day and all I want to do is stuff my face and go to bed.”

Seth leans forward, moving to stand, but stops when Lucas’s scowl lands on him. I watch the two, and the silent warfare going on between them, before Seth finally sighs and leans back against the cushions.

“Fine,” Seth grumbles, looking away and crossing his arms.

“We know something is up, Rachel,” Hunter says while fidgeting with his hands. “You’ve been so ill these days. I don’t know why you just won’t tell us.”

“And, yet, you’ve felt so inclined to inform Alex,” Lucas adds darkly.

My head whips so fast in Alex’s direction I get a crick in my neck. I groan while rubbing it. “You have got to be kidding me, Alex!” I shout, ignoring the pain. “You told them?”

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