Page 98 of Secret Baby for My Brother's Best Friends

"Now, why don't you say what you’re really scared of?"

"I'm not scared."

“Yes, you are. I love you, man, but I'm not going to lie to you. You have deep-seated mommy issues that you should probably go to therapy for. "

"Fuck off. I don’t need therapy."

"Yes, you do. You should try it, it works wonders."

"Oh yeah?" I mock. "It worked on you?"

"Believe it or not, yes. But even if it didn't, you need to try something, or you're going to ruin this for yourself and for all of us. You’re not actually jealous of Sam or me. What you are is insecure in your connection with her because you’ve never let yourself be that connected with anyone before. You love sex, but you always run when it gets even a little bit serious. You avoid intimacy like the plague."

"So do you."

"Yes, but I’ve had a girlfriend before, at least one. We broke up, but I know what it’s like to be vulnerable with a woman. The only people you’ve ever been vulnerable with are us, and even then, it’s like pulling teeth to get you to open up sometimes."

"Talking about Sam or me?"

"The two of you are more alike than you know. Except he hides his with silence, and you do it with humor. I mean, it makes sense. You both have similar backgrounds in starkly different directions–"

"Okay, I'm really not here for the psychoanalysis. I get it. You can go."

He remains, and when I turn to him, he merely smiles.

"Just talk to her," he says. "Admit to your issues."

"You think she'll care?"

"Of course," he says, giving me a knowing look as he leaves. "Who do you think called me to check in on you in the first place?"

That gets me to stop fighting, my mind freezing. "She did?"

I don't know what expression I'm making, but it makes him chuckle as he walks away.

31

CHELSEA

I'm doing some work when my phone rings, screen flashing an unknown number.

Without thinking, I answer it, "Hello?"

No one speaks. I draw the phone away from my ear to ensure that the call is still connected before I put it back. "Hello?"

Suddenly, the end call tone beeps in my ear.

"Weird." I put the phone down and refocus on my screen. But for the second time in just as many minutes, I'm interrupted. This time, by a knock on the door.

I sigh and shift my seat back before walking over to answer it. Through the peephole, I spot Jake's broad form standing there in a t-shirt and jeans. His hands are shoved into his pockets before he pulls them out and rubs the back of his hair. He also checks his breath and fidgets with a random curl at his nape.

My heart starts racing, a smile pulling across my lips. So cute. I'm so happy to see him. I was worried about him yesterday, worried that I had said or done something to trigger his suddenmood change. He tried to cloak it throughout the date, but I could tell something was off, that he'd withdrawn into himself and held his emotions tight, overthinking every single smile and word he said.

And now he's here.

I can't pull the door open fast enough. "Hey."

He gives me an identical smile, except his is tinged with nerves. "Hey. Um...can we talk?"