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“I told them nothing,” Alex rushes out. He straightens in his seat next to Hunter. “They figured out on their own that something is up. They just asked me and I told them to ask you.” He frowns at me, giving me a scowl while adding, “And I told you to tell them weeks ago.”
My mouth gapes open. He has a fair point, but still. “I was going to tell them when I was ready.”
“Well,” Alex says haughtily, “now is as good a time as any.”
“But-but—” My mouth snaps close and I look around the room. Yeah, there’s no way I can get out of this now. Lucas’s gaze is back on my stomach. Hunter looks sad, like a puppy dog who’s just been scolded for looking his master’s face too much. Seth looks mildly irritated.
“Why would you tell him and not us?” Seth asks, shooting a dark glare in Alex’s direction.
Alex’s meets Seth’s glare with one of his own. Great. This again. The fun never ends.
“I didn't tell him,” I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. Seth is the ticking time bomb I’m most concerned about. “He found out on his own.”
“And that is?” Hunter presses, perching on the edge of the couch, his eyes boring holes into my face.
Well, Rachel. This is it. Might as well rip it off like a band aid. “I’m pregnant,” I rush out. My gaze falls on the floor. I can’t look at them right now. Heat creeps up my neck and flushes my face as I wait for them to shout at me, to get angry for me lying to them all these months. Instead, all I get is silence.
I peek up at them, finding Lucas dropping onto the cushion next to Hunter, his lips parted. He looks absolutely horrified. That’s not a great start. I turn to Hunter. His brows are pushed together. His hands are gripping each other. He looks so tense. I wonder if he’ll shatter into pieces if I poke him. Alex gives me a reassuring nod before I turn my focus to Seth, who is oddly, very quiet. His eyes are so wide I worry they might pop out of his skull. He stares at my belly as if I’m carrying the anti-Christ. Oddly enough, I think I prefer quiet Seth over him screaming and shouting and pretty much having a tantrum.
“How long have you known?” Hunter asks.
At first, I think he’s speaking with me, but when I face him, I notice he’s glaring daggers at Alex. Alex looks between me and Hunter, looking shocked. I don’t think he was expecting to be put on the spot like this.
“A few weeks,” he says hesitantly.
“Oh, my God!” Hunter’s hands fists and I worry he might punch Alex in the face. “And you couldn’t have clued us in just a bit.”
“It was Rachel’s secret to tell. What would you have done if I told you?”
Hunter shakes his head. “I don’t know, but at least I would have known. This is…” he sighs and slumps in his seat, looking unusually pale. “This is not what I expected.”
“I know,” I rush out while stepping toward him, wanting to take his hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have sprung this on you. I wanted to tell you, but then I wanted to wait for Alex and Seth, but then they—”
“Do you know whose it is?” Lucas asks.
I turn to Lucas, feeling overwhelmed with everything going on. My head sways, but I hold my ground. Thankfully, I don’t feel nauseous. “Well…”
“Or the sex?” Lucas rushes out, his eyes brightening. An easy smile takes hold of him and soon he’s striding toward me, gathering me into his arms. “I would be honored to help you raise this child.”
My eyes well up and I swallow a sob. How is he taking this so well? “You’re not mad at me?” I rasp, trying very hard not to cry.
Lucas shakes his head. I lean into his touch as he cups my cheek. “Not at all. I’m just happy you don’t have stomach cancer.”
I giggle and wipe the stray tear that streams down my face. “No. It’s definitely not stomach cancer.”
“How are you taking this so well, bro?” Hunter asks while running a hand through his hair. “I’m still freaking out.”
Lucas shrugs. “Because I love Rachel and I know I want to have a family with her. So what if it’s a little sooner than planned?”
Hunter smiles and rises from the couch, sidling close to me. “I love her, too,” he says while taking my hand into his. “I will always love you, but next time, no more secrets.”
I nod. “I promise. No more secrets.”
“Ugh, thank God that’s done and over with,” Alex says while coming towards us, stretching his arms above his head. “I hate keeping secrets. That was downright lethal.”
I chuckle and pull him close, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for being so wonderful.”
Alex gives me a playful glare. “It was not easy.”
