AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He runs a line across his lips to show me his lips are sealed; then he steps out of the room after giving me a small smile. I’ve always liked Dr. Fredson. He used to come to the high school to provide us with Sex Ed talks. Deanna used to call him a DILF behind his back.
My hand settles on my stomach as I think things through. I’m pregnant with my dead sister’s husband’s baby. Simply uttering the words in my head makes me feel like shit.
I’ve failed my parents, I’ve failed Deanna, and I’ve failed myself.
What have I done?
I grab my phone off the table beside the bed. I have to call Tristan. This has gone on long enough. I have to call him about Ruby, and I have to tell him everything. I don’t care if he hates me; he has to learn about it from me. He has to know how sorry I am for letting things go this far. He has to know about the baby—about our baby.
I’m so sorry. The tears stream down my face as I dial Tristan’s number.
Chapter twenty-four
Tristan
As I drive home from the site, the sun sets low on the horizon. The call was about the town’s mayor, who had given my men some bullshit about some permits being owed. He was threatening to halt all construction when I drove in.
Mayor Rich was a greedy man—that much I knew since I bought the land. His name was Rich, but he was far from being wealthy. A small-town mayor who’s seen an opportunity to get some money. I don’t care; I don’t blame him. I knew all he wanted was more money to grease his palms, but I wasn’t in the mood when I got there. They ruined my moment with Layla, and I made sure Rich knew I wasn’t pleased.
One look at him as soon as I stepped out of my car and a mention of my team of lawyers was all it took to get Mayor Rich to disappear like a baby’s fart. I was sure Layla had gone to pick up Ruby by then, so I just stayed at the site and watched my men work.
I couldn’t wait to go back home while I watched my men work, and it told me two things. One, I had fallen for Layla, and two, for the first time in a while, I had something to look forward to, and moving to New Brooks was the reason.
Now, I drive through town, whistling a low tune as I stare out my windscreen at New Brooks. The town is beautiful, with quaint homes and colorful, lived-in, peaceful shops. The people aren’t busybodies; they might have everything I need to live a fulfilling life. Only one question plagues me:
Should I stay after the construction?
Ruby is happy here, and I am, too. Anticipation bubbles within me like a wellspring of excitement. Later tonight, I plan to surprise Layla with a proposition that will change our lives.
But as I pull into my mansion’s compound, the sight of Luke’s parked car sends a ripple of unease through me. He must have heard me arrive because he steps out of the car and rests against it with his legs crossed over each other.
Luke is sporting a black V-neck T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. I step out of the car and walk towards him; the evening breeze cools against me. Luke doesn’t smile; he simply watches me approach.
Something is wrong.
“Luke,” I say when I reach him. I rest my hand on his car trunk; its hot temperature tells me he hasn’t been waiting long. “The last time you were here, you came with bad news.”
“Did you fuck Miles up?” Luke cracks his fingers, his hairy forearms bulging.
“Did I fuck Miles up?” I repeat, cocking my head. “No, I didn’t. I almost knocked his teeth out, but I changed my mind when he was sniveling like a child on his knees.”
Luke stares at me for a moment. The air smells cool, but I wish we were inside. My white shirt is light, so the cool breeze sips into my exposed arms.
“Well, he’s been going around Fortune saying you punched him in the teeth.” Luke looks away from me and sinks his hands into his pocket.
“If I punched him in the teeth, he wouldn't have any at all.”
“You shouldn’t have gone to meet him at all. I was trying to tell you, and you cut the call while I was—”
“Are you here to chastise me, or there’s another reason you flew in from New York? If there isn’t, I have a dinner to plan.” I tap my foot, suddenly feeling irritable.
“Dinner for Ruby?” Luke leaves his car but leaves a hand on it. “Why not order?”
“For Layla,” I correct him.
Luke looks at me like I’m crazy and then looks around the darkening compound. “Is there paparazzi hiding in these bushes that I don’t know about?”
“What are you talking about?” I frown.
