Page 4 of Best Kept Secret

“You know why. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this. I’m not ready for everyone to know.”

Jared took another bite and looked thoughtful. “Did she ask a lot of questions?”

“A few, but I shut her down pretty quick.”

“Hmm.”

“This sucks.”

“Which part?”

“Take your pick. I mean, Annie’s great, but the timing…”

“Sucks. I get it.”

“Mind if I have another?”

“Help yourself. I need to jump in the shower.”

After Jared walked out, Hudson poured himself a glass of milk, plucked another donut out of the box, and sat down at the table.

He wasn’t sure how much time he’d have to enjoy the treat before Annie woke up. He’d already learned how unpredictable babies were. She was sleeping peacefully now, but she might wake up howling at any second. He’d learned to chew faster as a result.

While he ate, he thought about the last time he’d seen Kelsey. He and Jared had thrown a party, and she’d come over, along with her best friend, Stacy, and Stacy’s now boyfriend, Nick, who lived in the same apartment complex.

He’d enjoyed meeting her friends, but more importantly, he’d liked hanging out with her. He’d gotten the distinct impression that the feeling was mutual. The only person who hadn’t seemed happy about it was Jared, and Hudson couldn’t really blame him.

It was standard operating procedure for an older brother to protect his baby sister, but in this case, it was more than that. Prior to his current situation, Hudson had been a bit of a player. He liked variety, and unlike many of his friends, he hadn’t planned to settle down anytime soon. Jared knew that about him and had been wise to keep him away from Kelsey. He’d done a damn fine job of it too.

Whenever she came around, which had become more often these days, Jared watched him like one of the hawks Hudson had seen circling over the apartment complex. He’d rarely had a moment alone with her until today. Naturally, it had to be on a day he was spending time with Annie.

He smiled recalling Kelsey’s reaction when she’d unveiled Annie’s face. He had to admit, his daughter was a beauty. He hadn’t thought Annie looked enough like him for anyone to notice, though. Aside from the mole she had in the exact same spot as his, her hair was light blonde, while his leaned toward sandy brown. His eyes were brownish-green, or hazel, as his mom and sister insisted, while Annie’s were a beautiful shade of blue. Yet Kelsey had zoned right in on the mole, and he’d seen the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

He shook his head, thinking of the lies he’d told. He might have been a player, but he’d never been a liar until now. Why had he lied to Kelsey? The answer was both simple and complicated. He cared what she thought of him, which was somewhat baffling.

When Jared had introduced them over a year ago, Hudson had only thought about how hot she was. It had been summertime, and her shiny brown hair had been up in a swingy ponytail. She’d worn a white tank top, faded denim shorts, and flip-flops—standard summer wear. But the way the clothes had fit, hugging her plentiful curves, and the way she’d carried herself with unselfconscious grace had drawn him in.

Jared had made it crystal clear that his sister was off limits to the likes of him, and he’d respected that. While he’d continued to date a variety of women and seen Kelsey occasionally under her brother’s watchful eye, his attraction to her hadn’t waned. On the contrary, it had grown as he’d gotten to know her. Her vivacious personality, contagious laugh, openness, and beauty made for an irresistible combination.

Now, in addition to his promise to Jared to stay away from her, he had a new roadblock.

“Wah…” the roadblock cried out just as he’d thought it.

“Coming,” he said as if she could understand him.

“Wah!”

Her cries became louder as he raced around the kitchen. He plucked a bottle of formula out of the fridge, placed it in the microwave, and punched in the time that had been drilled into his head.

No more and no less; otherwise, the formula will be too hot or too cold, Annie’s mother had instructed him.

Her cries became more insistent as he impatiently waited for the timer to ping. Then Jared entered the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair sticking up at odd angles.

“Why’s she crying?” he asked.

“She’s hungry.”

“Aren’t you going to feed her?”