“I find that hard to believe.” She takes a small bite of her burger.
“Why aren’t you with anyone?”
She folds her arms on the table. “Because this is a very small town”—her voice is tight—“and everyone knows everyone.” I tilt my head to the side, not sure about what she is saying. “Not everyone wants their child to date someone from the wrong side of town.”
“The fuck?”
“With that being said, I don’t want the town to know about my pregnancy just yet.”
Something inside me squeezes, and I have so many fucking questions, but I know she’ll hold on to the information like Fort Knox. “We can keep it between us, for now,” I assure her, “but I’m going to want to tell my cousin.”
“I don’t know.”
I reach across the table and place my hand on top of hers. “I trust him with my life. And once you get to know him, you’ll see how trustworthy he is.”
She thinks about it for a second before she nods her head. “It’s good you have someone who will have your back like that.” The sadness in her voice makes me feel things I don’t think I’ve ever felt before. It’s pushing me out of my own comfort zone.
We eat the meal in silence and, once we finish, she helps put the groceries away. “You bought me so much food,” she remarks, shaking her head and trying to hide a yawn.
“I’ll get out of your hair so you can get some sleep. Can you do me a huge favor?”
“I think you are out of favors,” she jokes.
I must say, I really like this side of her. I got a glimpse of it when I fixed her tire, but I haven’t seen it since. I laugh and fold my arms over my chest.
“What is it?”
“Can you text me in the mornings, or when you get up and stuff? I just want to make sure you’re okay.” She looks down at her feet, blinking away tears. “When I found out you were sick, I sort of had a minor”—I hold my fingers together—“panic attack.”
She puts her hand flat on her stomach, and I ache to do the same.
“It doesn’t have to be a long text, just a ‘Woke up, feeling good’ kind of thing.”
She smiles, and the corners of her eyes crinkle. “Sort of the ‘I’m alive’?”
“Sort of.” I laugh. “So will you do it?”
“Yes.” She nods her head, and I nod.
I walk to the front door. When I open it, I turn to see her standing there. “Sweet dreams, Collins,” I say softly, my hand itching to reach up and cup her face before kissing her lips.
“Sweet dreams, Theo.” Her voice is sweet, and makes my cock stir in my pants.
“Lock up,” I urge, and pull the door closed behind me, wishing I wasn’t going home but staying with her.
By the time I pull into the driveway, I feel like I’ve been awake for twenty-four hours. I’m so tired that my eyes feel like they have sand in them. Boots heavy on the steps, I get in and head straight for the shower. When I collapse in bed, the last thought I have is of her, wishing she were here so I could take better care of both of them. I know I have to bide my time and earn her trust before she does that, so I’ll take my being able to escort her to the doctor as a win.
CHAPTER TWELVE
COLLINS
I shut the alarm off as soon as it rings since I’m already awake and in the kitchen cutting up an apple. I went to bed at ten last night, as soon as Theo left. My fridge is stuffed to the gills with more food than I’ve seen in my whole life. The way I always dreamed a fridge should be, but it never was. Even the freezer has prepared meals, pizzas, and chicken wings. Some healthy, some not so healthy. He went out of his way to get me all this. The thought alone makes my stomach flutter.
“He’s a smooth one, right?” I ask the flutters, wondering if it’s the baby or if I’m feeling this because I’m thinking of Theo. “He bought me so much food.” I try not to let the tears escape, but they do. “And I think I have enough things from the pharmacy until you’re at least five years old.” I laugh as I grab the jar of peanut butter and put a dollop beside the apple slices. “I guess last night gave you whiplash”—I whisper, sitting on the couch and curling my feet under me—“from meeting your grandparents and having the worst night ever, then having your dad come in and bring you all the things.” I smile as I dip a piece of apple in the peanut butter.
“I don’t know how I’m going to do it,” I say with authority in my voice, “but they are not going to fuck with you.” I cringe. “I shouldn’t say the word fuck because that’s not a nice word to say.” I smile. “I’m going to try to cut it out of my vocabulary.” I take another piece of apple. “I also want to thank you for not making me vomit that cheeseburger because I think it was the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. In. My. Life.” I take a bite of the apple wedge. “We’re going to the doctor today.” I put my hand on my belly. “So, that’s exciting. You’ll probably be poked at, and you might not like it. I probably won’t like it, but we have to make sure you are okay.”
I finish the apple and head to my bedroom to shower and get dressed. I slip on a pair of linen shorts and a tank top. My stomach rumbles at the same time his truck arrives in the driveway. I grab my purse and my phone and meet him outside.
