Page 31 of Always Yours

I tilt my head to the side, trying to read his closed-off expression. “I just don’t want you to think I plan on taking advantage of Austin or anything, that’s all.”

He takes a step toward the bed. He’s still not smiling, but his face softens as he smirks at me. “You love him.”

I put my hand to my round belly. “The baby is not his.”

I don’t know why I put it so bluntly. It’s really no one’s business, but for some reason I feel a need to tell him.

He doesn’t look surprised by my little outbursts. “I’m pretty sure that Austin would disagree with you.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, he’s crazy.”

“He loves you.” He says it matter-of-factly. “He’s loved you since we were kids.”

No matter how much I want it to be true, I deny it. “He cares about me. I know he does.”

Elle comes back into the room and glances between Huddy and me. She pats Huddy on the stomach, and instantly he softens into her touch. “Play nice, Huddy.”

He leans over and kisses her on the forehead. “I am, baby.”

She nods and grabs some more clothes before heading back into the closet. As soon as she disappears, he turns back to me. “He loves you, Ally. If you think about it, you know he does. What you need to be asking yourself is why he’s never pursued you before now.”

This I can answer. I’ve spent most of my life wondering why Austin and I couldn’t be together, and I have all the answers on the tip of my tongue. “Because I’m poor and from the wrong side of the tracks—”

Huddy interrupts me. “Bullshit. You know he doesn’t care how much money you have. He’s got enough money for both of you.”

I shift on the bed. “Because I have no family, and family is important to him.”

This time he blurts out a laugh. “Right. Are you telling me that since day one, you haven’t been a part of our family? I know my brothers and I have always considered you one of us… you’re our family.”

Emotions surge through me, and I can feel my eyes well up. These damn pregnancy hormones are striking again. But before I can ask him why then, I hear the front door slam.

Mere seconds go by before Austin is walking into the bedroom with his arms full of flowers. His eyes find mine, and he smiles, heading straight for me. He leans over to kiss me and whispers in my ear “Missed you” before turning back to his brother. “What are you doing in here?”

Elle chooses that moment to come out of the closet. “Hey, Austin. I’m ready to go, Huddy.” She walks over and leans over to hug me. When she pulls back, she explains, “I hung all the clothes. I’ll see you soon, but you call me if you want me to come hang out again. I had fun today.”

I lean up and hug her again. “I did too. Thank you, Elle.” She walks over to Huddy and they turn to leave. “Bye, Huddy. Thanks,” I tell him.

He nods. “Think about what I said.”

I nod, and when they leave, Austin turns to me. “What did my grumpy ass brother say to you?”

“Nothing. It’s fine. Let’s talk about you.”

He sits down on the bed and leans over. “Okay, but first I need to say hi to my daughter. She’s probably feeling neglected.”

Before I can react, he’s touching his lips to my belly and then smooths his hand across my round tummy. “I missed you too, sweetie.”

I run my hand through his hair. “Austin.”

He turns his soulful eyes to me. “Yeah, baby?”

I stutter over the nickname he calls me. “Uh, well, I should probably be mad. You bought me way too much stuff, especially since I can’t really wear it anywhere, but thank you. It means a lot that you thought of me.”

He presses his cheek into my open hand. “I’m always thinking of you.”

“Thank you for the teddy bear too.”

He smiles and looks over to the bear that’s on the dresser. “She’ll love it, right?”

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