AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shelly and I existing in the same space. Living together. Loving each other. I see her brilliant smile and flushed cheeks as we hold our child for the first time. How she will turn my house into a home. Paint the walls with her warmth. Add small touches of joy and hope. Introduce a level of love that only exists within her. Love I want, crave, live for each day.
The mental picture soothes my soul in an unfamiliar way. Settles the unease I have over Shelly not instantly agreeing to move in together.
And as I drift off to sleep, one thought plays on repeat. I will do whatever it takes to make the image in my head a reality.
Whatever it takes.
SEVEN
SHELLY
Why doesit feel like every day something major happens? Where the hell did all the simple days go? Get up, go to work, eat, sleep, rinse, repeat—plus time with friends and Devlyn.
Since the day my phone rang and the nurse from the hospital told me I was pregnant, every day is filled with some form of chaos.
Okay, not exactly chaos. But is there an actual term for the craziness scale? Lunacy level. Madness meter. Deranged degree. Psycho scale. There is probably some technical term, but I have no clue what it is.
Most of my life, I have been in the chill zone. Low key. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy. But now… now everything is pure madness. Constantly midscale or higher.
Tonight, life is reaching the high end of the scale. And I’m not sure how much more crazy I can handle. Tonight is dinner night with the family. With mywhen will you get married and have two-point-five kidsmom and my dad that looks at her as if she does no wrong.
Someone…pleasehelp me. Help us.
Poor Devlyn is sweaty and pale, and it’s maybe sixty degrees on my parents’ front porch as we hesitate to step inside. Thank god, Micah and Peyton are already here. Although neither of them know about the pregnancy, at least they have met Devlyn. Not everything will be a complete shock with them.
I lace my fingers with Devlyn’s and inhale deeply as I glance up at him. “You ready for this?”
His eyes meet mine as he squeezes my fingers tighter. “Yes. No.” He pinches his eyes tight for a beat. “Yes. Your parents are a million times better than mine. Guess I’m just worried about your dad or brother choking me after the news.” He gives me a sheepish smile.
Pushing up on my tiptoes, I kiss his cheek. “I’ll keep you safe.” A promise I plan to always keep.
“Pinkie promise?” He offers me his little finger.
Without hesitation, I hook my pinkie with his. “Promise.”
Devlyn has yet to divulge all the secrets of his past. Can’t say I blame him. It’s a lot for him to unpack, to relive. But he has shared bits and pieces, and that is enough. The strength it must take to share such truths… his bravery astounds me daily.
In twenty-two years, he has endured a lifetime of heartache. Most of which occurred in the four walls he called home. The saddest part of all, he didn’t comprehend how catastrophic his homelife had been until he left for college. Until he lived in and experienced the world. Gained new peers that came from loving homes. Met friends’ parents and professors that never said an untoward or demeaning statement.
Devlyn had been hurt in ways I will never fathom. I don’t know and couldn’t possibly understand the hardships he experienced. With all he’s dealt with, I also refuse to pressure him to share. In his own time, when he feels safe doing so, he will give me those pieces of him. And until that day arrives, I will stand by his side. Be a pillar of strength when he needs someone to hold him upright. Give him time and space when his mind won’t quiet. Hug him impossibly tight for hours when it all feels too much. Lend an ear and a shoulder when he chooses to spill his bottled-up pain.
Digging up demons is no easy feat. Fighting those same demons alone is your worst nightmare times a hundred.
He won’t fight his demons alone. I refuse to allow it. Not now. Not ever.
As my hand reaches for the handle, Devlyn lifts his free hand to my cheek. His thumb strokes my cheekbone and I sigh, leaning into his touch. He leans in closer and I breathe him in. Inhale the earthy scent on his skin that reminds me of his studio, his drawings, the way he sees me. Then his lips are on mine. Slow and steady, soft and warm, bestowing me with unrivaled comfort and peace.
“Love you, my Andromeda,” he whispers on my lips.
“Love you too.” I take a deep breath. “Here we go.”
I open the front door and lead us inside. As we toe off our shoes, a pungent smell hits my nose and my stomach rolls. My eyes fall shut as I inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Again and again.
Devlyn takes my elbow in his hand and brings his lips to my ear. “What’s wrong?” Concern evident in his whispered tone.
I straighten and lift a hand to cover my nose and mouth.Jesus. What the hell is for dinner?Please do not let pregnancy ruin all the foods I love.
“Just the smell,” I say as I drop my hand. “I’ll be okay in a minute. I hope.”
