Page 107 of Surprised By Love

He has no idea. “Sure, but can we sit—” I tilt my head to the private room.

Ethan nods and heads for the back room, and I follow behind.

He takes a seat at a booth in the corner and Blair approaches our table. “Hi Ethan, hey, Josh,” she says, her voice low and raspy. She puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear about your breakup. She wasn’t right for you.”

I look up at her. “Blair, don’t”

She takes a step back and shrugs. “Sorry. I was just—”

“Well, don’t.” I cut her off, my voice louder than I expected.

“Sooorrry,” she drags the word out with an attitude.

After she takes our drink orders, Ethan doesn’t waste a second. “So, you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” I say as I look around the bar. Fuck! My favourite hangout now reminds me of Sam and our first date.

I glance at the dancefloor and remember how nice it felt to have her in my arms. The intoxicating smell of her hair, the way her arms felt around my neck and her body pressed up against mine. I miss her so much.

“That. Right there. Whatever you’re thinking about. Something is eating at you, and it’s written all over your face, brother.”

I let out a breath and admit the truth. “I miss her.”

“Okay. So do something about it,” Ethan says as Blair returns with our beers. Once she leaves, I tip the bottle to my lips, letting the golden liquid through.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Ethan takes a pull of his beer.

No one knows Sam is pregnant.

I don’t want them to pressure me into something I’m not ready for, but I need to talk to someone. Ethan has always supported me and has always been an ear for me to vent to in the past. I hope things don’t change tonight.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a breath. “Promise you won’t say anything to anyone?”

Ethan raises a brow. “Is it that serious?”

I nod, looking my brother in the eye. “Sam’s pregnant.”

“What?” Ethan chokes on the sip of beer he took. I should have waited for him to swallow first.

“Yeah.” I down half my beer. “You heard me right.”

Ethan shakes his head as if he’s trying to make sense of what he just heard. “When did she tell you?”

“Two weeks ago,” I say, looking down at the beer. There is a piece of label coming loose from the bottle, so I grab hold of it and drag it off.

Ethan tries to stay calm, but I look up to see his eyes widen. “What did you say when she told you?”

I shake my head. I was an ass and even if I wanted Sam back, I wouldn’t blame her if she told me to fuck off. “I freaked out. It felt like I was going to pass out or some shit. I told her I needed time, and I left.”

Ethan folds his arms on the table. He leans forward. “Have you talked to her since?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what to say to her.”

Ethan looks me in the eye. “I know what you went through with Christine was rough, brother. I get why you’re scared.” He places a hand on my arm. “That’s what it is, right? You’re scared?”

“Yeah.” I breathe out and lower my head.

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