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The father of my baby already knows I’m pregnant . . . and he didn’t have one damn thing to say about it.
Chapter 3
Ethan
After listening to Jake harp on and on about responsibilities, duties, and blah, blah, blah, I’m mentally ready to hop on a plane and head back to Florida. The last thing I need right now is to be given lectures.
I know I screwed up.
I get so tired of being the youngest brother and having my mistakes thrown back at me. Jake and Dax are always so perfect. Jake is the king of our empire, and Dax is the prince. I’m just the little squire who hides in the background.
Okay, so I’m feeling a little bitter and for no good reason. The truth is, I’ve always been happy as the youngest brother. I don’t get hit with the responsibilities Jake and Dax get saddled with. My parents tend to spoil me, and I let them do it.
So, why am I feeling this way?
Because I feel guilty. Guilty that I ran off and left my brothers to pick up the pieces.
Guilty because I dropped everything and ran off. I mean, I did my responsibilities. I just didn’t go above and beyond like I did in the past. I can see how they would think I was slacking when someone had to pick up the extra things I had been doing.
I’ll need to make it up to them.
My family deserves better from me.
I look around my condo and feel a tinge of regret that I’ll have to leave it again soon. I’m in a prime spot in the heart of Manhattan. I’m close to entertainment, food, and fun. I love it here, and I am going to soak it in before I leave again.
It’s not flashy like some Manhattan homes. Yes, my HOA fee is more than most people spend on monthly rent, but my condo isn’t an ultra-luxury, high-rise penthouse like the ones that Jake and Dax have.
And that’s just the way I like it.
At a little over four thousand square feet, it isn’t tiny, but it’s comfortable, modern, and perfect for bachelorhood.
I live on the thirtieth floor, high enough that I don’t hear all the city traffic below. Most times, I enjoy the quiet of my home. Just not today. I have too many thoughts running through my mind.
I grab my phone and put some music on the surround sound speakers throughout the condo. Soft, soothing jazz. Maybe this can help calm my erratic thoughts.
When I visited Jake this morning at the office, he gave me some contracts to read over. I guess I might as well work on those. Maybe I can finish some work tonight and limit my time in the office tomorrow. I’d prefer to spend as little time there as possible—no reason to risk running into you-know-who.
As I’m pulling out the contracts, I hear the chime of my doorbell. Only a handful of people are on my list to be allowed up to my condo without calling me first. So I can only assume it’s one of my family members.
If it’s Jake, I’m not inviting his annoying ass in.
If it’s Dax, I’ll consider letting him in. He’s the more reasonable and fun brother.
Whoever it is, they sure are impatient. Before I can even get to the door, the bell chimes again.
I crack open the door.
And have to put on my mask of indifference to cover the shock when I see who’s at my door. I force myself to swallow the words I’m tempted to blurt out, the words that want to demand she tell me why she’s here.
Instead of speaking, I just stare at her.
“Can I come in?” Liz asks softly, hesitantly. She is nervously picking at her nails and won’t look at me directly.
My curiosity is piqued, but I won’t let her know that. Seeing her at my apartment isn’t something I would have expected in a million years. With the slightest hesitation, I swing the door open for her and step to the side.
“Sure, come in.” As she walks by, the subtle scent of lilac lingers in the air. The sweet smell evokes memories best left alone.
She walks into the living room area and looks around like she hasn’t been here a dozen times.
