Falling on the couch in the lobby, I pull my phone out of my pocket and call the only person I know to call.
“Hell—” Jett answers right away.
“Mia’s pregnant,” I blurt out the moment he answers.
“Oh, hell, okay—Wyla.”
I give Jett a couple seconds to let what I said register and to put me on speaker, if I’m not already.
“Mia’s pregnant, we just found out. And now I’m sitting in the lobby of her apartment complex, and I don’t know what to do.”
“For all that’s—” Wyla sighs. “Listen, one day we’re going to have a very important discussion about contraceptives, but for now, take a deep breath and tell me why you’re sitting downstairs.”
I try, but my breath is shaky as shit. “I don’t know. I thought Mia would want space to process, but I can’t bring myself to walk out the door. I sort of just fell onto one of the seats in the lobby.”
“Okay…did she say she wanted space?” Jett asks cautiously. “Did you get in a fight after getting the news or something?”
“No, it isn’t like that. We found out, and I’m pretty sure we’re both in shock. I don’t know how to help her, and I don’t want her to think I’m pressuring her one way or the other moving forward. So I just told her I still want to be with her, but I’d give her some room to breathe.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Wyla says in her Southern bless-your-heart accent. “Did Mia say she wanted the space or just not argue?”
Fuck. “I don’t—maybe not argue? Now I feel like I can’t remember. Wyla, help me.”
She hums softly. “Here’s what you’re going to do. Stand up and go back up to her apartment. Not one part of me thinks you offered to leave with bad intent, Adam, but Mia didn’t ask for space. You don’t have to be this leader or devil’s advocate for what she should do. Just be there. Be the person she can fall apart with. I may not have needed someone to put me back together, but I can’t say it wouldn’t have been nice to have someone to fall apart with.”
“Hey,” Jett interjects. “I wanted to be in Adam’s shoes right now.”
“I know you did, but it’s not about you, babe.” Wyla laughs softly. “Adam, this is scary as hell. Believe us, we get it, but whatever happens, you have to be there for Mia, and we’ll be there for you with whatever you need.”
Feeling the slightest bit of strength come back, I find the will to get up and move to the elevator. “Thanks, guys, I really appreciate you.”
“We know,” Jett says. “Call us in the morning.”
“And don’t worry, we won’t tell Callie.”
I let out a breath. “Thanks. Did she have a good time tonight?”
“She did,” Wyla says as the elevator opens in front of me. Stepping in, I know I’ll probably lose connection, but she gets out, “You’re a good brother, Adam. You’ll be a good dad too, if that’s what’s meant to be.” Then the call drops.
I fucking hope so.
Chapter 16
Mia
I’m spiraling. I can’t believe Adam left. It was the final blow I could handle today. I only thought I was a mess when we got here…now, I’m not sure if it’s shock or a pregnancy symptom, but my body feels like it’s completely underwater, and I haven’t the slightest clue of how to get back to the surface.
Of course he left. This was never meant to happen.
I’m having a baby…
My tears are free-falling at this point. I can’t for the life of me catch my breath. I can’t even get my feet to move from the spot in my entryway since Adam walked out.
Chills run down my spine as I frantically wipe at my cheeks. I’ve never cried this much before in my life. I hate this feeling. I hate this situation. I hate that I’m alone right now.
I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified to make any moves toward my bed or even the couch for fear of passing out again, but I can’t stand here all night. I wipe at my face again. Hell, so much for all those fluids.
With a deep breath in through my nose and out my mouth, I take one step before there’s a knock at my door.
