Page 12 of Verdict

"Just let me drive."

I punched in the code to Walker and Farrah’s gate. As we made our way up the long drive, my heart caught in my throat. My palms were slick against the steering wheel as the house came into view.

I’d been here a thousand times, but I still took a moment to take in the property. Pristine white fencing flanked the driveway. The house—all limestone and steel, with tall windows that pulled in the view. Rolling hills accented by oaks, and a barn off to the side with the same pale stone as the house, but with a dark-green roof. His two horses sunbathing in the mid-morning light, tails flicking back and forth lazily.

A picture of contentment.

And I had the sinking feeling this might be the last time I was welcomed here.

“I forgot to ask,” I said. “Does Walker know I’m coming?”

Ava was already opening the door. “Nope,” she tossed over her shoulder—like a fucking grenade.

Fantastic.

I followed Ava to the door, dragging the inevitable out as long as I could. Knowing that the minute that door opened, my relationship with Walker, my life, was about to change… and I wasn’t sure how bad it was about to get.

Ava knocked on the door. I shoved my hands into my pockets as we waited for the door to open.

Farrah answered. Thank fuck.

“Ava! And Cohen?” she said, pulling Ava into a hug, then looking at me with confusion as Ava scurried inside.

“I gave her a ride,” I said lamely.

Farrah didn’t buy it for a second but stepped aside anyway after giving me a hug. “Come in.”

We headed into the kitchen, where Ava and Walker were already talking—he was leaning against the counter, she was perched on a barstool. Walker glanced over, excitement lighting his face when he saw me.

“What the hell?!” He grinned. “Coh! What are you doing here, man?” He pulled me into a hug, slapping my back.

I swallowed hard. “Hey, James.” I gestured vaguely toward Ava, trying to keep my tone light. “Gave her a ride.”

Walker turned to her. “Something wrong with your car, Avs?”

She shook her head. “Well… I guess now’s as good a time as any.”

Shit. Are we really doing this now? So much for a little small talk.

She inhaled deeply.

Yup. We are doing it.

“Walker, I’m pregnant.”

I stood frozen, scared to look at Walker, but forcing myself to anyway.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head. He braced himself against the counter as Farrah rushed to his side, guiding him onto a stool.

“But—what? Who? Why?” Walker was completely malfunctioning.

“Ace,” Farrah said calmly, rubbing his back. “Take a breath.”

He sucked in a lungful of air and looked back at Ava. “You don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“I don’t need a boyfriend to get pregnant, you idiot,” she shot back.

“Do you know who the father is?”