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“Why would you marry him if you didn’t think he loved you?” Kinsley brought up a valid question. One I couldn’t answer honestly.
I stared down at my flat abdomen, trying to conjure up the courage to lie . . . again. I tried to appease my conscience by telling myself I had no choice. “I didn’t want to be like my mother. And I didn’t want my baby to grow up without a father, the way I did,” my voice cracked. I hated playing that card, but I knew my sisters would understand those reasons more than anyone. Ariana had only recently met her father, and Kinsley’s parents had died when she was an adolescent. I never knew my biological father, and though it affected me, I didn’t mourn the stranger. In fact, I celebrated thriving despite him. I was telling the truth, though, about my mother. She’d never protected me, and I would go to the depths of hell to protect my little one, forever and for always.
They both wrapped me up in their arms. The way they held on to me told me they bought the lie hook, line, and sinker. I hated that I could lie so well. I’d promised myself after Grandma and Grandpa had given me a new lease on life that I wouldn’t be the liar I had become as a child to survive. Yet, here I was again. But it wasn’t only my survival at stake.
Ariana leaned back and smoothed my tear-stained cheeks. She was ever the big sister, though technically I was her aunt. “You and Brock will work everything out; just give it some time. It’s been a traumatic period for both of you. But what a gift you’ve been given. I’m kind of jealous,” she said lightheartedly.
That made me feel worse. I knew she and Jonah were trying to get pregnant. “It will happen for you.”
She gave us a coy smile. “Jonah is determined. He makes sure we try every day.”
Kinsley playfully smacked Ariana’s arm. “You’d be doing that even if you weren’t trying to get pregnant. I’m surrounded by newlyweds.” Some emotion bled through. A chink in her cheerful armor cracked.
I took Kinsley’s hand. “You know Brant didn’t have a choice when it came to Jill.” That was the worst-kept secret ever, so I didn’t feel bad saying it out loud.
Kinsley backed away. “Brant and I were only friends. I’m happy for him.” She stumbled on her words. She was the worst liar ever.
“You don’t have to pretend for us.” Ariana tugged on Kinsley’s ponytail.
“I’m not. Can we please talk about something else? Like when is the baby due?”
I was afraid they would ask that. “Um, the end of April.” I tried to keep it vague. And prayed this baby would come close to its real due date or be late. Even though I knew I would probably be so ready to evict the kid by the end.
Ariana raised her brow. “Well, sounds like you had quite the reunion when he came home.”
“Yeah.” It was quite the reunion, but not for the reason they believed it to be. That first night was the happiest night of my life, but sex had nothing to do with it. It never had in Brock’s and my relationship. I wasn’t sure it ever would play a part.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Kinsley nudged me. “I’m sure emotions were running high, and honestly, it was about time you two finally got together.”
“It’s not how I would have hoped.” It was the most truthful thing I’d said since they’d walked in. “Brock feels the same, so please, please don’t say anything. We will announce the pregnancy after the first trimester is over. We live in such a fishbowl right now; we only want to keep this between ourselves for a little while longer.” I pleaded with them to the point of tears.
“Hey there.” Ariana rubbed my arm. “Your beautiful secret is safe with us. We have your back.”
“We always will,” Kinsley added in.
Oh, how I hoped that was true, because if they knew the truth, I feared they would hate me as much as my husband did.Chapter SixI stared at the screen on my phone, wondering if I should answer Brock’s call. He hadn’t called me in forever, so I was suspicious as to why he was calling me now. Besides, I thought of the loft as my Brock-free zone. I couldn’t stomach going back to his house tonight, so I was crashing once again in my old room. Kinsley was working late at her restaurant, so I had the place to myself. I craved being alone because it meant I didn’t have to lie.
I set the phone on the nightstand, curled up on my old twin bed, and threw the covers over my head, ignoring my husband. Husband? What a ridiculous notion. It reminded me to take my wedding ring off. I shoved the overpriced monstrosity under my pillow, wishing the tooth fairy would collect it during her nightly rounds.
