AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The baby is good.”
“Good,” he says, letting out a little sigh.
“I’m sitting in a first-class train cabin right now.”
“You are?”
“Don’t play dumb,” I say softly, rubbing my hand over my belly.
He’s quiet for a long moment. “I just wanted to make it easier on you.”
“You can’t buy me, Derek.”
“I would never try—that’s not what I was… shit, Megan. That’s not what I was thinking. I’m sorry.”
I let out a deep breath and let my head fall back.
“I told my mom not to contact me again.”
“You did?”
I nod as if he can see me. Somehow, I think he knows.
“How do you feel about that?” His voice is soft, gentle.
“Crappy.” I swallow hard. “And really fucking good.”
“I bet,” he says.
“I just… I couldn’t have this baby and bring him into that world, you know? I had to start setting a good example. Show him that love isn’t transactional.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I can picture him shutting his eyes as he squeezes the back of his neck.
“It’s a good example.”
“Thank you for the upgraded seat, Derek. But I don’t forgive you.”
“I know,” he says. I can picture him scrubbing his hand down his face.
I think I hear it in the background, the scrape of his calloused hands against his scruff.
“I would do anything for you. I should have said that sooner.”
My stomach dips as the train jolts to the right.
“I was so afraid of growing too attached and then having it all pulled out from under me—so afraid of losing you and the baby—that I didn’t open myself to it. But I’m open now. And I’m trying.
“I won’t try to buy your love. I know it doesn’t work that way. But if I can do something to make your life a little more comfortable, a little safer? A little better? I’ll do it.”
My eyes feel hot with tears. They’re angry and they’re confused and they can’t even seem to decide whether to fall or keep burning my eyes.
“You haven’t given me a lot of options. And I don’t blame you. I withheld information and—”
“Derek, I don’t want to—”
“I know,” he says, letting out a frustrated sigh. “But when you get back, when you’re ready, I’m here. I want to talk, or listen, or whatever it is you’ll let me do. Because this isn’t something I’m going to give up on. This baby? You? It’s my future. In any way you’ll let me be there, I will.”
In the background, it sounds like a door opens and two girls giggle. My gut clenches in disappointment. Their voices sound vaguely familiar, and there’s a muffled noise, like he’s holding his hand over the receiver as he mumbles something about “quiet.” Why do those voices sound so familiar?
