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“I went to t
he doctor last week, and according to my last cycle I’m eight weeks pregnant. But it’s nearly impossible to determine paternity by my pregnancy term considering I had slept with Colton and you within the same week.” I wince, as the words leave my tongue. “Damn, I just realized I am such a slut.” I say, shaking my head at the thought. Luke reaches across the table, grasping my chin in his hand, forcing me to look up at him.
“Damn it all to hell. Don’t you dare put yourself down like that, Carly! You weren’t with Colton when you and I were together. Yeah, we made love in a heated passion, thanks to being drunk off our asses. But we did nothing wrong. I don’t regret bein’ with you.” I roll my eyes because I will never be convinced otherwise.
“Anyways, there are a few tests I can have done, but only one is safe to the baby. It’s a Pre-natal Paternity DNA test, but I have to wait until I’m fourteen weeks before they can do the test.” I inhale a deep breath, working up the courage to make my next request. “I really hate to even ask you Luke,”
“You know I will, Carly. Whatever it is, just tell me when and where. I’ll be there.” Luke says cutting me off mid-sentence.
I nod, smiling inwardly to myself, because I know Luke will do just about anything I ask of him. “Will you be okay with Colton being there, or should I make a separate appointment?”
“It’s fine, but I’m worried about you being alone when you talk to him about us. You’re terrified of how he’s gonna react, I can see it written all over your face. Do you need me to be with you when you talk to him?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Luke. The two of you like to act like crazed zoo animals while in the other’s presence, so maybe you should sit this one out.”
“I just worry about you.”
“Colton wouldn’t hurt me, Luke.”
“Not physically, no. But he’s a dick and will literally flip his shit when he finds out I’ve had his girl. You can count on that.” He smirks, and I deserve his cocky attitude. Such. A. Slut. I kick at his shin from under the table and roll my eyes at him. An evil look he deserves for his cockiness.
“He loves me, Luke. We’ve been through a lot together and apart. Bringing this down on him may just be the final blow. I don’t know how I’ll live if it is.”
Luke leans back and releases a deep pent up breath. Staring down at the table he fidgets with the straw while he speaks. “I’m not trying to be an insensitive ass here, so please don’t hate me for sayin’ this.” He lifts his eyes, silently asking my permission for him to continue with his thought. I nod, willing him to go on. “I pray to God that baby you’re carryin’ belongs to Colton. You and I are friends. We will never have the kind of love that you and Colton have for each other. It just wouldn’t be fair to bring a baby into this world that wasn’t made out of love.” He laughs inwardly, but I’m not finding any humor in the discussion. “I have enough heartache of my own to live with, Carly. I couldn’t bare us having a baby together and not bein’ able to make you happy. Because I’m not him. I’ll be by your side if the baby is mine, or not. But we both know friendship is all we will ever have.” I can see the pain in his eyes as he speaks. But he’s right. I want nothing more than for this baby to be Colton’s.
We chat for a short while, before we agree to meet at the doctor’s office for the paternity test. I don’t need to tell Luke to keep this little secret between us. We may be just friends, but Luke sees through me, and understands my unspoken words. I stand to leave, giving him a one armed hug, just to try to keep this at a friend level. I grab a to-go cup of sweet tea on my way out the door before heading back to Simon Energy.
Now, I just have to work up the courage to break the news to Colton. And that, will be the earthquake to rattle Eastern Kentucky.
When I get back to Simon Energy, Colton is at Shelly’s desk. I walk through the lobby greeting them both as I head to my office, only to notice Colton quick on my heels. I drop my messenger bag and purse beside the desk and plop down in the leather chair. Colton shuts the door behind him. Guess he’s planning on being here for a bit.
“Need something?” I ask, looking up through my glasses. He’s standing in front of the desk with his arms crossed over his chest, studying me with his lips pressed into a hard line.
“Where’ve you been?” He probes.
“Lunch.” I reply, avoiding eye contact with him as I pick through the memos Shelly left on my desk while I was out.
“I would have joined ya had you asked, darlin’.”
“Sorry, had to meet a friend.”
“A friend, huh?” He rubs his hand across his day old stubble, and I continue to sift through the mail, not paying much mind to his interrogation. “So you’re feelin’ alright? You ain’t been talkin’ to me much, avoidin’ my phone calls. Dodge me as much as you can here at work.” He pouts, his chocolate brown eyes resembling that of a sad puppy.
“Not avoiding you, Colton. I’m overworked, tired and guess what, I’m pregnant!” I mock, waving my hands in the air in sarcasm.
“I know, darlin’. I just worry about you. We have a lot to talk about. How ‘bout I bring dinner over tonight, and we talk it out?” He suggests, and I agree. Might as well lay all of our cards on the table. It’s only fair that I tell him that Luke may be the daddy. I can’t keep stringing him along, giving him false hope. He smiles, and tells me he will see me around eight thirty tonight after he gets Heidi Jo settled in for the evening.
When I get home, I straighten up the house before giving Savannah a call to catch her up to speed. I tell her that I’ve talked to Luke and about his reaction to my pregnancy. I inform her that Colton and I are talking tonight, and that I’m rattled with the fear of what’s to come. Being the amazingly up beat, rainbows and butterflies kinda gal that she is, she assures me that it will all work out and to stow my emotions until they’re needed. Easy as that? Sure Sis, you know who the twins’ daddy is!
At eight thirty sharp, I hear the roaring rumble of Colton’s Silverado pulling up the driveway. My heart immediately begins to pound against my chest, just knowing that my fate could be walking up the porch steps within minutes, then turning his back forever. When I open the door to let Colton in, I see that he is just as much a mess as I am. He walks inside taking a seat on the couch. He doesn’t even bother with hugs or kisses which is unlike him, and gives me cause to worry about this night even more. He’s keeping me at arm’s length, but why? I’m used to Colton smothering me with love, his hands constantly in contact with my body when we are together, so his distance worries me.
“I thought you were bringing dinner?” I ask, as I pull my knees up into my chest, nestling myself into the corner of the couch. He sighs, as he rubs his chin. He looks over at me with a nervous grin.
“Figured we’d order something. Don’t really know how you’re handling food right now.”
“No worries. I’m not really hungry anyways.”
“What have you eaten today?” I roll my eyes up, and fall into deep thought for just a second before answering him.
