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She shoves open the door and I stop her in the parking lot before she reaches my SUV, by stepping in front of her. “Out of my way,Henry.” That’s my full name, but everyone has always called me Hank.
“Don’t Henry me, baby. You going after her?” I grab her shoulders.
Brooke whispers, “Maybe.”
I don’t miss the wobble in her chin and I hate it, I don’t like when she cries—especially because of me. “You know I can’t let you do that.”
“Why? When is that bitch going to disappear from our lives?” Tears begin to spill down her cheeks. “She’s done enough damage. I won’t let her do any more.” Brooke punctuates it by stomping her foot.
Pulling her into my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “I know she has, and it seems like it is never ending, but I promise you this will all be over soon. Tracey, Austin, and this whole fucking thing will be done soon. Then you, me, and Tripp are gonna go on an adventure.”
“I wish they’d just leave us alone.” Holding on to her tight, I stroke a hand up and down her back. “This helps,” she mutters before tipping her head back to look at me. “Can we go somewhere with a beach?”
Threading my fingers through her hair, I lean down and kiss her lips. “Things will get better, I promise.”
Little did we know that I won’t be able to keep that promise.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brooke
It’s been over a month since we’ve had any incidents. We haven’t seen or heard from Tracey, but Hank has eyes on all her haunts. Austin has still been missing and even if someone follows Tracey, she doesn’t ever lead them to him. Hell, for all we know, she isn’t even seeing him anymore.
I rub a hand over my baby bump that is getting bigger every day. In a couple of weeks, we’ll have the scan that we’ll be able to find out what we’re having. We haven’t talked about whether or not we want to find out the sex of the baby. With Gage, we wanted to know, and he was all too eager to show that he was, in fact, a boy.
A tiny flutter makes me smile. Everything I’ve read has told me that I’d be able to feel them sooner. Looking at my phone, I see that Hank will be home in a couple of hours, and hopefully he’ll be able to feel them too.
“Brooke?” I hear Tripp call from the other side of the bedroom door. “Can I come in?”
I quickly pull on an emerald-green fitted tee and it hugs my breasts and belly, but looks super cute. “Come in, buddy.” I grab my black shorts and am slipping them on when the door opens.
He jumps on the bed and crawls across to me, wrapping his arms around my neck. “I’m hungry.”
“How about chicken strips and macaroni and cheese?” This boy could eat his weight in macaroni and cheese.
Tripp kisses my cheek. “That sounds yummy.”
I stand up with him on my back. “I need to work on stuff for school and then I’ll start dinner. You can watch Bluey if you want.”
“Bluey,” he shouts and slides down my back until his feet hit the ground and he runs to the sofa.
As soon as I can hear the show start, I pull out my laptop, sitting at the breakfast bar, and get busy working on next month’s lesson plan. The principal knows that I’m pregnant and going to be off the last semester of school. She was nice about it but did seem a little irritated.
Most of the time, teachers try to plan their pregnancies around summer break. Of course, this was unplanned, and was not part of my plan. I’m happy, though, I’m terrified but happy. I haven’t told Hank that I’ve been having nightmares about everything.
My OB found a therapist who specializes in grief, and I meet with her tomorrow. I don’t want Hank worrying about me. The doctor said it’s normal after dealing with the trauma of losing a child.
Looking toward the french doors leading to the backyard, I sigh. The days are starting to get shorter, and the nights longer. In no time it’ll be the holiday season and things will get crazy. For once, in a long time, I won’t be alone. I’m excited about having a little one around for Christmas too.
The doorbell rings and I wonder if it’s the prospect that’s keeping an eye on us while Hank’s working. Before I can stop him, Tripp opens the front door and when I step into the living room, I freeze.
“W-What are you doing here, Tracey?” The blonde steps inside, giving me that evil smile of hers. “I’m calling the police.” I hold out my hand. “Tripp, baby, come here.”
He runs right to me, and I wrap my arm around him.
She steps closer to us, and I instinctively step back. My heart races and I can’t help but think about what the hell happened to Landon. God, I hope he’s okay.
“He’s my son. I just wanted to see him.”
