Page 69 of Until Hanna

“Pretty sure I was a participant every time we’ve had sex, Hanna. And last I checked, no form of birth control, including condoms, are a hundred percent at preventing pregnancy.”

“You should be mad!” she cries.

“Is that what you want? You want me to be pissed off that you’re carrying my child?” I shake my head. “That’s not gonna happen, if that’s what you’re looking for. I knew before you ever left Ibiza that I’d do whatever it took to make it difficult for you to cut me off. This is just one more way I’m guaranteed to keep you for the rest of my life.”

“That sounds insane, Walker.”

“Maybe,” I agree, and her eyes widen as she takes a step back.

“Did you… Did you switch our phones on purpose?”

I don’t answer. I don’t need to. She already knows the answer.

“Oh my God, you did, didn’t you?”

“I gave you access to all of me. There were no secrets and no way I could hide anything from you. You needed to know you could trust me, and I needed a way to guarantee I’d see you again.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“‘I’m in love with you’ would be a good place to start.”

Her head jerks back. “I don’t…. I’m… I’m not.... I—”

“Don’t piss me off by lying to my face,” I cut her off. “You’re just as in love with me as I am with you. And sure, I went to an extreme to force things in a direction that worked for me, but I have zero regrets.”

“You stole my phone after I told you that I didn’t want to see you again.”

“So, if I had walked away, left things like they were in Ibiza, and we never connected again, you’d have been okay with that?” I ask, and the color drains from her face like the idea is even too much to think about. “Tell me one time I’ve made you regret this relationship.”

“It’s not that simple,” she whispers, and fuck, I want to rip my hair out.

“It is. You either love me or you don’t!” I shout, getting pissed off. Actually, I’m already pissed, because she’s so fucking stubborn.

“Fine!” she shouts back. “I love you! Are you happy now?”

“Yes.”

“You do realize you’re a walking red flag, right?”

“And…?”

“And… that’s mental, Walker. You manipulated this whole thing and are acting like I should think it’s completely normal… that it’s okay.”

“All is fair in love and war. I told you that in the beginning.”

“And I still don’t know what that means!” she yells.

“It means that even if you refuse to fight for us, I always will, because I know what we have is worth the effort. You’re the first woman I’ve ever loved and the one person in my life I can’t stand being away from. My life, my future, and my fucking happiness depends on you.”

“Great.” She sits down on the edge of the couch, covering her face. “Now you made me cry.”

Walking to where she is, I get down on my knees in front of her and grab her hands. “I love you.” Her glossy eyes meet mine. “I know we weren’t planning on you getting pregnant, and I know we’ve got a lot of shit we’re gonna have to figure out, but you are not alone in this. I’m right here, and I will be right here.”

Shaking her head, tears fall from between her lashes. “I hate that you’re gone all the time. I don’t want to go through this by myself.” The softly spoken confession cuts me to the quick.

“My contract with Toni is up in three months. I’m going to hate every second I have to be away from you, and I know it’s not going to be easy, but I need you to keep being strong for just a little longer, baby.”

“Then what?”

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