AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I never should’ve gone to see Eleazar.”
“You were trying to protect us,” she says, placing her hand over mine. “We were going to run, and I was going to have to leave Micah behind, and all you wanted was to stop that from happening. We’ve always had each other’s backs, El. You believed in Micah and me before I did, and you couldn’t have possibly known what that crazy psycho woman was going to do. None of us blames you. Hell, I wouldn’t have the family I have, if it weren’t for you.”
I blame me...And I always will. But it’s pointless to argue. Sienna only ever sees the good in me.
“Is everything set for London’s party?” It’s taking place at the indoor water park on Sunday, and despite having to be in the same vicinity as Lincoln, I’m looking forward to spending the day with my nieces in the water, even if I can’t go down the good waterslides.
“Yep. She’s excited.”
A beep sounds through the room, and a second later, the front door opens, and Micah and Lincoln are sauntering inside while they talk business.
“There’s my beautiful wife,” Micah says when he sees Sienna and I are sitting in the kitchen. He palms her cheek and gives her a kiss that borders on inappropriate, and I can’t help but wish, not for the first time, that I was loved and adored the way my sister is.
I look away to give them their privacy, and my eyes land on Lincoln, standing in the corner, staring at me with a mixture of heat and lust in his gaze.
Ever since I returned home and he found out I’m pregnant with his baby, he’s been hot and cold. First, ignoring me for weeks. Then, on my birthday he went from sweet—going to the doctor with me and then taking me for lunch—to taking me on the counter and couch and again in the shower. The next morning, he was cold again, obviously having regretted what went down between us the night before.
Honestly, I was shocked he let it happen at all. But then again, from what Sienna told me, he was very much attracted to his mystery woman,Liz, when he didn’t know she was me. Between Valentine’s Day, my birthday night, and the other day in the bathroom when he almost took me on the counter, it’s clear Lincoln wants me, but he doesn’twantto want me because I’m so much younger than him, and he believes that’s a definitive line he shouldn’t cross.
And since I’m the one who created this awkward as hell situation by getting knocked up, I feel like I don’t have a leg to stand on. But at the same time, I’m not about to become his doormat.
Which is why I need to find my own place, so the temptation will be gone, and we can focus on co-parenting because that’s what’s most important—the little gummy bear in my belly who I’m determined to make sure has two loving parents and a better life than I ever had.
“Micah, stop,” Sienna says through a giggle. “I’m having coffee with Ellie. Go run your empire.”
Micah chuckles. “I’d rather run you straight to bed.”
“Ugh, so cheesy.” Sienna shakes her head. “Go away so we can have our girl time.”
“Actually,” I say, standing and clearing my throat. “I need to get going anyway.” I force a smile on my face. “I’m beginning my house hunting today.” I don’t actually have any appointments scheduled, or a realtor hired, but how hard can it be to find someone to show me some places that are for sale?
Sienna pouts but doesn’t argue. “You want me to go with you? I can.”
“Nope, I’m good. But if I find something I like, I promise to get your approval first.”
I give her a kiss on the cheek and then smile awkwardly at Micah, hating that it will probably never be the same between us since I had sex with his brother and ended up pregnant.
Without giving Lincoln a second glance, I head out. Only instead of him staying with Micah, he follows me out and down the hall back to his place.
“You know you can stay here, right?” he says once we’re inside. “We’re having a baby together...”
“And we can co-parent from different homes,” I finish. “I appreciate you letting me stay here while the girls were sick and you arranging to work from home to watch over me, but my blood pressure is improving. It’s going to take some time to find a place, so hopefully the doctor will give me the all-clear by then so I can move into my new place and get settled before the baby comes.”
Lincoln nods, but his pinched brows and pursed lips tell me he doesn’t agree with what I’m saying, so I break it down for him in a way he’ll understand.
“Linc, living together long term would never work. One day you’re going to want to date, or I will, and then what? We bring them here? Put a scrunchie on the doorknob to alert the other person that we’re having sex? I spent years living in fear of being sexually intimate with a man, and now that I’ve experienced how good it can feel, I want that.”
“While you’re pregnant?” Lincoln clips, making me roll my eyes.
“Obviously not while I’m pregnant. But after I give birth, I don’t see any reason why I can’t be a mom and still continue to date. I have no intention of bringing any man around my son until I know he’s good enough to be in his life, but I’m young and...” I swallow anxiously. “I want what Micah and Sienna have. I want to fall in love. I want to meet a man who will sweep me off my feet and love me the way I deserve to be loved. And I don’t see that happening if I stay here.”
Lincoln sighs. “You’ve always been a romantic.”
“When you grow up in a world like mine, all you have is the hope of something better. It’s why I clung to you when I was younger. You were the good in a world filled with so much bad. But I took advantage of your good, and for that I’ll always be sorry.”
“I already told you?—”
“I know, I know.” I laugh lightly. “You forgive me. But it’s more than that. I never wanted to be anything like my mom, but here I am, pregnant from a one-night stand.”
