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“Yeah, no. I don’t think so. That’s not gonna work.”
“Why the hell not?” I snap.
“What about me?” He taps his chest. “Where do I fit into your plan?”
“What about you?” I retort. “I’m the one who’s carrying the baby for the next eight months or so. Delivering the baby. You’re not too involved except at the beginning.”
Okay, that was a little mean, but he’s being so bossy.
Truth? I want to give in to him. I’d rather put school on hold and revel in being pregnant. Enjoying the time with Eli while we prepare for our future.
But is that what he wants? Can he step up and take care of me?
Can he handle the pressure?
“I take offense to that.” He crosses his arms. “I want to be involved in all of this. Every little thing. That’s my baby inside of you. Don’t forget.”
As if I could.
“How’s that going to work? You’re here.” I wave my hand, indicating the room. “And I’m going to be down there for school.”
We’re quiet for a moment, my words hanging between us and I cross my arms too, feeling a little defensive.
I don’t know why I’m saying all of this. I don’t really want to go to San Diego and be alone, going to school while I’m pregnant with my first child. Even my mom would tell me that’s a ridiculous idea. My dad would probably stop me from leaving. Autumn would do her best to talk me out of it. They all would.
If Eli made me the right offer, said the right things, I’d agree to chuck the San Diego plan forever and stay with him.
“Is that what you really want to do?” he asks with a sigh.
No, I want to say. No, I want to stay here and I want to make a little family with you. That’s what I really want. I don’t care about anything else. Just you and our baby growing inside of me.
Like a chicken shit, I don’t say any of that. I need to be real with him and tell him how I feel. How important he is to me, despite everything that’s happened between us.
I know we can make this work. We have before. We did for years.
We can make it work again.
Parting my lips, I start, “It’s a smart pla—”
“Because it’s not what I want,” he interrupts. “I can’t stand the thought of you being pregnant, and like, hundreds of miles away from me. What if something happens to you, Ava? What if you need me? It’ll take me hours to get to you, and I’d probably lose my mind in the meantime. I can’t do it. I won’t.”
I drop my arms at my sides. “What do you want to do, then?”
Eli does the craziest thing.
He falls on his knees and crawls over to me, grabbing my right hand and holding it in both of his. “I love you, Ava Elizabeth Callahan. I love you more than life itself. And I love that you’re going to have my baby. That we’re going to be parents.”
I stare at him, swallowing hard. I’m speechless.
“I’ve made some mistakes. Big ones. I was a selfish asshole and ain’t gonna lie, I’m probably still a selfish asshole, but I’m going to work on it—for you. For our baby. For us, and the family we’re going to become. I’m sorry that I keep fucking up and hurting you, but you need to know just one thing This asshole loves you with all his heart.” He pauses for the smallest moment. “I want you to marry me.”
I gasp. “Eli—”
“Hear me out,” he says, squeezing my hand in between both of his. “It makes sense, us getting married. I know we’re young, but we’re in love and I’m on my way to possible stardom in the NFL. I don’t want to make you give up your dreams of completing college, but what if you put it on pause for a little while? We can get married and move in together. By the time the baby’s born, we’ll know if I get drafted or not, and we can move wherever we need to go. Just you and me and baby Bennett. It’ll be great. I can take care of you. Give you whatever you need, and our baby too. Watch out, Patrick Mahomes and your cute little girl and baby mama. We’ll break the internet with our cute as shit baby and put them to shame.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Come on, babe.” His hazel eyes glow as he contemplates me, on his knees for me, his expression so serious. No smile. No cocky Eli in sight. Just a man asking for my hand in ma
