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Well, there you have it. The rumors are precisely that – rumors.
I finish reading and wipe the tear from my eye. Unable to dial the number fast enough, I put the phone to my ear and wait for an answer.
“Hello?! Kayleigh?!”
“Hi.” I breathe.
Holden exhales into the phone. “Hey.”
ONCE I’M ABLE TO really focus on studying for finals, I manage to wrap my head around all the information I need. The exams are more difficult, because I had to teach myself the material. However, I get through them.
Emily left the Monday after she got here. It was nice to have some one on one time with her, but she had to get back to school. Holden’s statement managed to kill most of the media chaos, and as soon as his last game was over, he got on a plane to come back to me.
We’re currently sitting in the airport, waiting for Jo to arrive for our flight back to Jersey. My whole body is shaking and I can’t sit still. The thought of Holden’s parents knowing about my past makes my anxiety skyrocket. He claims that he’s already spoken to them about it and explained that it’s not a current problem, but I’m still unbelievably nervous.
“It’s going to be fine.” Holden assures me, placing his hand on my knee.
“They probably hate me.”
“They don’t.”
“Well, they should.”
He narrows his eyes. “Why? Because you’ve made some mistakes in your life? Babe, these are the same people who had to pick me up from the police department because I got caught at a party drunk and high. I was fifteen. You’re not the only person to make stupid choices.”
Just as I’m about to respond, a sudden pressure in my stomach causes me to freeze. I place my hands on it lightly and wait to see if it happens again. When it does, I gasp.
“What?” Holden practically panics. “What’s wrong?”
“I-I think the baby just kicked.”
A wide grin stretches across his face. “Really?!”
“I’ve been feeling flutters for a week now, but this time, it was an actual kick.” I grab his hands and put it on my stomach, having him push down just slightly. “Come on, peanut. Do it again.” A few moments pass, and just as we’re about to give up, there’s a strong jab straight to Holden’s hand. “Did you feel that?!”
He doesn’t move. His attention stays fully focused on my belly. However, when I see a tear leak out and slide down his cheek, I know he felt it, too.
THE FLIGHT AND CAR ride to Holden’s parent’s house are filled with nervous jitters, no matter how much Holden and Josephine both try to calm me down. Even Brandon makes an attempt but it’s no use. The possibility of them not finding me worthy enough to marry Holden makes me sick.
We pull up to the house and I decide to sit in the car for an extra couple minutes. Holden waits with me and sends the other two inside. He doesn’t say anything, knowing it wouldn’t help at all. He just looks at me patiently and gives me all the time I need.
“Okay.” I whisper after a few minutes. “I’m ready.”
He climbs out of the car and opens the door for me, wrapping his arm around my waist as soon as he can. We walk slowly toward the house. When we get onto the porch, Heather steps outside. She looks at me and then to Holden.
“Can I talk to Kayleigh, please?”
My fiancé glances down at me and I nod, knowing there is nothing I can do to avoid this. He kisses the top of my head before going inside, leaving Heather and I alone together.
“Care to sit?” She asks, leading me over to the swing. The two of us sit down and she sighs. “How are you?”
I focus on my hands. “I’ve been better.”
“I bet. I was worried about you.”
“You were?” I ask, looking at her, confused.
She smiles softly. “Of course, I was. You’re going to be my daughter soon.”
