AllFreeNovel
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“Gunner Colt, you better not get arrested. And I thought you wanted to be a firefighter?”
“I do, I am.” He pauses. “I want to have a nest egg and they are going to legalize. You’ll see.” He shakes his head, “Damn it Allie, you always know how to fucking change the subject, and I lose my damn train of thought.” He puts the money away, and his hands in his back pockets, still staring at me. “Does Navarone know you’re pregnant?”
“No,” I state, swallowing hard.
“You need to tell him, fuck isn’t that what married people do, tell each other shit?”
“Probably,” I mutter, and head on back to the studio and Dad’s apartment. When we turn the corner, I spot the guys drinking beers with Frankie and Austin. I also notice a familiar truck.
“Evan,” I yell, running and jumping into his arms.
He kisses my forehead. “Congratulations, honey. You’re a married woman now. Bastard beat me to it,” he says, grinning. He is still wearing his army greens.
Frankie smirks, looking at Evan and slapping him on his shoulder. “Asshole here wanted to surprise us before he goes overseas.”
Evan smiles as Frankie’s mouth turns up, looking from him back to me. Frank’s hand lingers on his shoulder. Evan’s eyes narrow when he stares at my face. “You okay, Allie?”
Gunner turns his scowl to Navarone, who is having a conversation with my dad and my cousins, drinking their beers.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Gunner, Frankie, and Evan. I need a moment to form a plan or something.
I open the door to Dad’s place, and Evan is right behind me, brushing a hand over his buzz-cut. “What is going on?”
“I—” I pause, standing in the middle of the living room.
“Tell me what the hell is going on Alice.”
“Nothing,” I say, my eyes darting around the open space.
“You’ve been different these last couple of weeks on the phone. Now that I see you in person, you’re basically glowing even with Rone messing with your head,” Evan says, leaning against the couch and crossing his arms, his big muscles flexing.
The tears come barreling down my cheeks. “Damn it, I haven’t even told him.”
“What?” he furrows his brows at me.
“That I’m pregnant Evan,” I whisper.
“Honey,” he murmurs, closing the distance between us and hugging me tight.
I wipe my tears on his shirt. “I don’t know how to tell him. I’m a grown woman, but I want my mommy,” I cry out.
“I know, baby,” he says, pushing my hair out of my face. “Why haven’t you, told him I mean?”
“I don’t know, I wanted to every day, but I’m scared. What do I know about being a mom? And I heard him tell Sterling he doesn’t want to have kids.” Hiccupping, I cry, “You’re not back five minutes from North Carolina and I’m bawling my eyes out on your shoulder. Did you know about Rone’s drinking and pill-taking when he was touring with Jesse?”
“You should talk to him about that,” he says, swallowing hard, “and I don’t mind, baby girl. You know I love to take care of you all.”
Stepping back, I wipe away my tears with my sleeve. “How have you been? What’s Fort Bragg like?”
He looks away then back into my eyes. “It’s hard not having you guys around.” He takes a deep shuddering breath, breaking eye contact.
“Because of Frankie?”
A flush spreads up his neck. “Why would you say that?” His voice falters before he locks eyes with me again.
“Ev, he’s your best friend, but I also saw something else in your eyes when he placed his hand on your shoulder. You’ve never looked at anyone that way.”
Guilt slides across his face. “Do you think he knows too?” he asks, taking my hand.
