CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
JULIE
My father didn’t take it well.
The first thing he demanded to know was who the bastard was who did this to me, and I had to reason out with him that acting out like this, with his temper up in flames, was just going to cause more trouble than it was going to solve. Then, when he was no longer yelling out, I sat him down and explained to him that this was my decision as much as the guy’s, so there was no need to blame anyone.
Actually, if I was going to be honest, it was more me. After all, I was the one who goaded Scott into sleeping with me. But too late to argue that point now.
We were having dinner outside when I did tell my dad—a private dinner on a rooftop, thank goodness, because his loud voice would have had everyone staring in no time had we been in a more public place. The apartment was a no-no because I just wasn’t ready to tell Mallory yet; not when I wasn’t even ready to accept it myself.
“If you’re mad at me, I completely understand,” I told my dad over dessert. Jack Davis had his brows furrowed down at his plated lava cake, and he looked like he was ready to murder someone. My dad was normally a very jovial person, so this was worrying.
“I’m not mad,” he snapped out. “But this wasn’t what I envisioned for my only daughter.”
I bit my lip and looked down on my own crème brulee, trying to fight back my tears. Normally I’d have been all over that dessert, but since the pregnancy, I just wasn’t in the mood for anything sweet.
And my life was a mess.
And it was getting even messier.
“I know,” I said quietly. “This wasn’t what I envisioned for myself, either. But the kid’s staying.”
“Who’s the goddamn father?” he growled.
“I’ll tell you when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
“No, you’re not.”
We argued. We talked it over. I kept adamant that I wasn’t going to tell him tonight, and the dinner ended on a slightly sour note. But he did drive me home, and he did give me a hug before I slid out of his car. It was short, but it would do. For now.
“Aren’t you going to come in, dad?”
He shook his head. “I need to clear my head. Give me time to take it all in.”
Disappointed, I could only nod my head and watch him drive away.
It hurt. It hurt to know that he wasn’t supportive, but maybe I should have expected that. Still, I couldn’t stand to see how much I’d failed him, and how I could see how much it was bothering him.
Most of all, I couldn’t stand the disappointment I saw in his eyes.
But I couldn’t tell him yet, because…well. Oh, God.
How were you supposed to tell your father that one of his closest friends had gotten you pregnant?
And how were you going to make amends over the fact that it was all your own fault, for being an idiot when it came to taking pills?
*****
I didn’t see my father much for the week after his arrival, and it was just as well because the pit crew needed to be around for Scott’s second major race for the year. Being busy kept me preoccupied, and I was relieved that the morning sickness didn’t last long. I was back on track when I got to the garage, with everyone happy to see me and pumped up for the day.
I also purposely avoided Scott, who—thankfully—wasn’t there yet. I think he may have also been avoiding me after I told him that day we found out that I needed time alone to think and didn’t want him there.
“Hey, there.”
Surprise filled my face as I eyed Doug, who was suddenly standing in front of me. Oh, God. In all the chaos that had happened, I’d completely forgotten about him.
“I haven’t seen you around,” he commented, studying me. I studied him back, further surprised when I realized that whatever tingles or sparks I’d been feeling whenever he was around were gone. Just like that. I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or dismayed because we didn’t even get a chance.
And we were never going to get that chance.
It was time to accept it.
“I was sick,” I finally replied, giving him a small smile. “But I’m better now.”
His brows furrowed worriedly. “I’m sorry to hear that. Want to postpone our date this Saturday? I don’t mind.”
Again—Oh, God. I’d forgotten we’d made plans already.
I could have made any excuse I wanted so as not to offend him. But I didn’t want to completely lie to the guy, not when he’d been nothing but sincere to me. I took a deep breath. Then I told him what I could.
“I don’t think we should be doing any dates for now, Doug.”
“…oh?”
I nodded. “I’m just…there are things in my life that need prioritizing, and I don’t think dating will help. We can be friends.”
I didn’t miss the disappointed look in his eyes. But he didn’t force the issue, instead nodding his head and letting out a smile. “Of course. I really like you, but thank you for not leading me on or anything like that.”
What a sweetheart. A twinge of regret hit me, but nothing significant. I smiled again and asked how he was feeling about the race. Doug’s eyes lit up.
“Psyched,” he said. “Super psyched and ready to win. It’s going to be tough, but…” His words trailed off, and his eyes widened. I puzzled over it for a few seconds, then froze when I turned around and saw who he was looking at.
He wasn’t the only awed one as Jack Davis walked inside the garage, headed straight for me. He didn’t try to talk to anyone, no. His eyes were all on me, his stride purposeful and his expression intense.
Then his gaze shifted to Doug, and I realized in alarm exactly what was on his mind.
I tried to stop him, I really did. But before I could speak, my dad was already talking in a clipped tone, as if he was doing his best not to get angry then and there.
“Are you the guy who ruined her life?”
It took Doug a while to comprehend the question, and his awed expression changed to worry.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I—”
“Are you?” Jack interrupted.
“No, he isn’t,” I hissed at my dad firmly, trying to keep my voice down. His presence alone was already drawing stares, and the tense atmosphere and body language was going to draw more if he kept this up.
“If it’s not you, then who is it? Who ruined my daughter’s life?”
My face felt hot. I was growing angry myself, and it wasn’t good for my already muddled mind—and my work in the race, which hadn’t even started yet. But my dad was being unfair by ambushing me like this, as if it would solve all problems and give him the answer he wanted. He didn’t like to be kept waiting, and I should not have been surprised that he’d pull this stunt and think it was his way of being a supportive father.
I opened my mouth, prepared to tell him to stop it and drag him away from Doug.
But the words died on my lips when a familiar voice popped up behind me.
“Hey, Jack, stop bothering Doug. He didn’t do anything.”
Jack turned his head, and so did Doug—and so did a few others. Dreading every moment of this, I turned, too, seeing Scott for the first time since I’d asked him to leave and feeling like I’d been blasted by his mere presence.
But it was nothing compared to his next words.
“It was me, Jack. I got her pregnant. And no, I didn’t ruin your daughter’s life, because we’re in love and we’re getting married.”