I watch Dane do another tricep-dip on the stairs, through the glass that shows the back deck.

He just got back from a run, and he’s been working out on the deck for what feels like an insanely long time.

I finish talking to Marissa and jot down the address and phone number she gives me, then tell her I’ll talk to her soon.

I’m worried about Dane. He’s not used to this, not used to compartmentalizing. I know he’s scared that this will affect him building a relationship with Addi.

I saw the worship in his eyes when he looked at that little girl.

If I’m not able to fix this for him, when it matters, I don’t know if I’ll be able to look at myself.

This is my love language. I want the people in my life to know they can count on me.

I reach for another stick of trident and realize the pack is empty.

Fuck.

Tears spring to my eyes and I blink fast, taken aback. What the hell? It’s empty gum, not the end of the world.

Tell that to my goddamned tear ducts, because they spill over and I’m hiccuping and trying to pull myself together when the sliding door opens.

“I’m thinking steak for dinner.” He steps in, toeing off his running shoes and wiping his face with the short towel hanging around his neck.

I admire the ridges on his abdomen and his well-shaped pecs glistening with sweat through unfortunately blurry eyes.

“Baby-cakes, are you…crying?” He drops to his knees by the couch and takes my face in his hands, wiping his thumbs under my eyes. “Hey..hey…what’s wrong?”

My gaze slides to the empty gum package on the table and he looks at it, then looks back at me. I can tell he’s trying to school his face to not look as he surprised as he feels.

So damn sweet.

“You ran out of a gum?”

I nod.

“And that made you cry?” He raises his brows, stroking his thumbs over my face still. Dammit, I feel the tears welling up again.

“It’s the only thing that makes me not feel nauseous during the day with this stomach bug and now I don’t have anymore.” I sniffle, mad that something so small is making me so upset.

“Okay.” He smoothes a hand through my hair. “I think you’re a little overwhelmed and we need to get you some more rest.”

“I can’t rest.” I shake my head. “I’ve been trying to find out where Natalie is staying because she obviously didn’t go back to Minnesota if she just filed this, and Maris—.”

“No.” He says firmly.

“No what?”

“I’m putting you to bed, and you can work on this when you wake up.”

I frown, folding my arms.

“We don’t have time for that.”

“Well we’re making the time or I’ll call and confess to it right now.” He rises to his full height and crosses his arms, the most forbidding look I’ve ever seen on his face. Jaw tight, brown eyes dark and burning and body taut.

I squint, not believing what I’m hearing.

“You wouldn’t jeopardize your relationship with Addison like that.” All tears are gone. I’m shocked.

“I won’t need to if the woman I love heeds my warning and lets me take care of her. What’s it gonna be?”

We stare each other down for an indeterminate amount of time and the conviction in his eyes is so strong that I’m scared the fucker will actually do it.

People never call my bluff this way.

This is…not a good feeling.

“Okay.” I close my computer where it’s sitting on the couch and stand with my phone, at a loss. Damn.

He takes my hand and leads me toward the master bedroom. Pushing me gently down to sit, he takes off my socks one by one and my sweater. When I’m in just my bra and panties, he pulls the covers back and I crawl in.

“You’re not gonna nap with me?” I ask, tucking my arm under my face and looking up at him.

“After I shower. I’m grimy, baby.”

“I’ll wait for you,” I say softly, and he gives me a small smile, going to the bathroom and leaving the door open.

When he leaves, I roll to my back and unlock my phone, opening my apps.

I’ve dealt with more than this and more at once. This isn’t me. I know they say love changes you, but I don’t know about changing this much.

A stutter when I’m overwhelmed? Sure. Bawling over a pack of gum? No fucking way.

I’ve always been irregular. I’ve also always protected myself so pregnancy isn’t something I’ve thought about.

A few months ago, I was at the end of my five years for Mirena and I had it taken out. I’ve been thinking about whether I want to replace it, get a copper IUD or try something like the implant.

I wasn’t on anything when Dane and I slept together, but unless I’m going fucking crazy…we used a condom.

I haven’t had a period since that first time except for some light spotting, but I figured my body needed time to readjust after being on hormones for so long.

But I can’t think of any other explanation for earlier.

Me needing to chew gum or I feel like throwing up. Probably not a prolonged stomach bug.

My nipples have been more sensitive, but hell, Dane pushes all my buttons and that didn’t seem weird.

My phone buzzes and I open the message thread, where Kaija has sent a gif of Miss J from America’s Next Top Model with a shocked face and a hand over his heart.

“What do you mean you think you’re pregnant?” ~ Mickey

“I don’t know.” ~ Me

“We’re on the way.” ~ Kaija

What?

“It’s not that serious. I’ll confirm when we get back. There’s enough to do right now.” ~ Me

Neither of them responds, but I’m hoping it’s just because they stepped away and not because they’re going to be ridiculous and drive nearly six hours.

I really am sleepy though.

It’s almost 2 pm and we got here around 8 am. I glance over as Dane appears in the doorway with boxers on, rubbing a towel through his hair as he comes towards the bed.

He tosses it on the floor and slides under the covers, immediately wrapping me in his arms.

I rest my head on his chest and a palm on his stomach, listening to his heartbeat as he rubs a hand over my back.

We don’t need any words.

Before I fall asleep, I decide not to tell him until I confirm it.

And maybe a little part of me is scared about how he’ll react and I want to give myself a little more time.