Page 71 of Madden

She stands in the doorway when I park along the street in front of her quaint little house, as if she was expecting me all along. It’s almost like this is what she wanted.

Well, I’m here now, so she can get to the bottom of what the hell is going on.

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and pushes the screen door open, jogging down the front steps. She’s dressed in black denim shorts and a red tank top with sandals.

Tattoos cover her right leg, spanning from her ankle and disappearing beneath her shorts.

I roll down the window and nod for her to get in.

She bites down on the edge of her lip, fighting off a grin, and I roll my head from side to side, knowing I’m playing right into her hands. She’s getting on my last nerve, and she’s about to hear about it too.

When she climbs in next to me and shuts the door, I roll up the window.

Her eyes flick over to mine.

“You want to tell me what the fuck is goin’ on?” I snap.

“What are you talking about?” Her brow furrows.

Is she kidding me? What else would I be talking about?

“Abel said he caught you on my property earlier. When he tried to talk to you, you took off. What the hell, Hanna?”

“I was looking for you. We need to talk, and you stopped responding to my messages.”

I exhale a heavy breath, trying to remind myself to stay calm.

“I heard your little girlfriend left town.”

“Hanna…” I warn.

She holds up her hand. “I’m just saying. If she’s gone, what’s wrong with us spending time together again?”

“What’s wrong with it? I told you it’s over. There is no us. That’s the point.”

She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m sick of you saying that, Madden, when it’s not true. You act like I have no right to be upset. One second, we’re together, then the next, she comes into town, and you act like I don’t exist anymore.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, we were never together?”

She shakes her head. “You’re wrong.”

“I am?”

She nods her head, pursing her lips while she narrows her gaze on me.

“Besides, I have something else I’ve been needing to tell you.”

The way her voice changes, the crack in her throat, has me on high alert.

“What then? Spit it out, so I can get the fuck out of here.”

“I’m pregnant.”

My mouth drops open. “I’m sorry, what?”

She nods. “I just found out last week. I’ve been trying to tell you, but every time I come around, she is around.”

I shake my head. This can’t be happening.

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