Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Yes, she is, but that doesn’t change the fact that being a single mother is damn hard, and that I would’ve way preferred for Nessy to have a strong father figure in her life.”
“And who’s to say my baby won’t?” I asked and pressed both palms to my abdomen.
“Have you told him yet?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I—look, that’s none of your business, Ron. You’re my best friend in the damn world, but I just—you’ve been so weird ever since Jax came into the picture. You’ve been different.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” Ron yelped it out.
“What’s it got to do with…? Are you kidding me? If this had happened with anyone other than your brother, you would’ve been over the moon and supportive. Instead, you’re standing there accusing me of being irresponsible, preaching to me when all I need right now is some god damn affection.” The last two words came out in a shout.
“Lower your voice,” Veronica hissed.
“I will if you don’t provoke me,” I replied then moved toward the exit. I couldn’t stand another second of this. I couldn’t be in the room a minute longer with her if she’d judge me instead of help me.
“Riley, be honest with me here,” she continued, “He knows. He knows, and he kicked you out of his apartment because of it, didn’t he? Just tell the truth.”
“Huh?!” I spun around again and faced her, my eyes narrowed so she was barely visible through the slit. “Have you totally lost it? How could he possibly know, Ron? I took the pregnancy test here, remember? You think I took the test there, kept it for a few weeks, which, by the way is totally fucking gross, then threw it in the trash in your bathroom?”
“Don’t lie, Riley. You know you can tell me anything. You just don’t want me to say I told you so again.” Veronica clipped off the end of each sentence through gritted teeth. “You could have taken one at his place and one here to be extra sure. This all makes sense to me now—he knows.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” I replied. “You have lost your mind. Do you think I’m that petty? Veronica, my baby is more important to me than being right. I wouldn’t lie about any of this stuff to save myself the embarrassment of admitting my flaws to you. I already apologized for the way I acted when I came to stay with you weeks ago. How can you possibly think that?”
“I don’t think. I know,” Veronica replied. “I know who Cole really is, even though you wouldn’t believe me, and I know that he’s a manipulator or he wouldn’t have convinced you to get in bed with him. You’re in love with him, Riley, and you don’t even see how crazy it is to be pining away for a man who doesn’t see you as anything more than a lay. He’s a loser. A con. Come on!”
“Jesus,” I whispered. “Do you hear yourself?”
“I hear you making excuses for him. I see you retreating into your shell every time we watch a rom-com or listen to music that mentions anything to do with love. I’m not stupid, Riley. He’s manipulated you into—”
“That’s enough,” I snapped. “I’m not going to stick around and listen to this. I—I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Riley, wait.”
“No,” I said and wrenched her bedroom door open. I hurried down the short hall, into the living room where Nessy sat, glued to the screen and grinning at whatever Chase or Ryder were up to, their kiddie voices filling the air. I snatched up my coat and my cell, then slammed my way out the front door, shut it behind me, and took a breath.
That’d been horrendous. The fact that Veronica seriously thought I’d let Jax treat me that way made my stomach turn. Did she see me as that weak? Or was she so blinded by what’d happened in the past that she couldn’t fathom that Jax wasn’t Cole anymore?
Their weird sibling relationship wasn’t my business. Clearly, Veronica wasn’t thinking straight if she believed that Jax knew—she’d calm down and come to her senses once the crazy fog lifted.
The baby, that was my business. Figuring out my next step and how I’d tell Jax about the pregnancy, one hundred percent my business.
Anger clouded my thoughts. The image of Veronica, nostrils flared, mistrust written all over her face, floated in front of everything else. I had to get rid of this feeling, or I’d never make the right decisions.
The only time my body and mind were totally in sync was when I danced. And I hadn’t done that in ages. I needed it now more than I needed anything else—apart from Jax, but that was out of the question right now.
Then do it. Go back to the studio. Dance.