Chapter 24

Lauren

Gage had been so sweet, and we’d had a good conversation for a change without fighting, and it really was the way I wanted it to be. I wanted to be able to see a big future with him, and for the first time, I thought there might be a possibility with us, even with Ollie in the picture. Maybe he really could have enough time and love for the both of us? He did seem to love me, even though he’d never said it. We’d known each other for so many years, and with our long past, that was more than a possibility.

I wanted things to be good all the time, and I hoped that his daughter would like me. I’d been so afraid of how she might hate me that I’d been too scared to give it a try. If I tried and lost him, it would be heartbreaking, and before Gage and I reconnected, I’d just had my heart broken so badly that I couldn’t stand the thought of it being broken again.

What I hoped to accomplish on my visit was not only to tell him about the pregnancy but to see how we were going to work our futures together. Kids aside, we were in two different places in life; him ready to retire and settle down to spend more time with his kids, and me ready to make something more of my career. I had always wanted to do something amazing with my education, and maybe open up my own firm one day, and who knew? With his encouragement, maybe I could.

I turned on my phone and glanced down at the picture he’d sent. Seeing it, I realized how much I’d missed him. He was truly a sight for sore eyes, and my body warmed in the most intimate places thinking about our times together. He had made me feel so good, and with my hormones out of whack from the pregnancy, I really needed him to do it again. And again.

He was really an amazing man, and I loved the idea of him being all mine. He was more honorable than I gave him credit for.

I couldn’t wait to see what he’d done to the cabin, and I had a feeling it was way more than the exchange rate of my services. I wanted to argue with him and make him let me pay, but he would never go along with it. I was going to have to resign myself to the fact that he wanted to do it and just be grateful and accept the gift and appreciate the gesture. If it made him happy, I was sure I’d love it.

My phone rang, and I started, still gazing at it and his photo which was soon replaced with an incoming call screen. Chloe was supposed to be on her way. “Did you get lost?”

“Sorry, I’m on the way, but I had to make a stop, and now I’m in traffic. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Horns honked in the distance, and I knew the hour was near for the usual rush.

“I’m about to order up some food. Are you hungry?” It was getting later in the day, and Chloe and I would often get some takeout and sit around, catching up with the TV on.

“That depends on where you’re getting the food ordered. If it’s from the place on the corner, count me in. If it’s the place across the street, no thanks. I’m still not over the band aid incident.” She’d found a band aid in her bag, and even though it hadn’t touched any of her food, it was still gross enough not to eat there ever again.

“Do you really think I want to eat there? I’m getting Gino’s on the corner. Do you want the same thing as usual?”

“Yeah, do you want me to stop in and get it? I don’t mind.” It would be just as easy for them to deliver, and besides, I was ready to see my bestie.

“I’ll have it delivered. It’s no problem.”

“Oh, Gino’s, right. Even better. Is that hot, young delivery guy still working there?”

“No, and it wouldn’t matter if he was. He’s too young for either of us, and besides, I’m off the playing field.”

“Oh? Did you finally come to your senses with Gage?” She’d been on me about telling him for weeks and had been the only person I’d talked to while I was on the trial, other than an occasional text from Noah who had been acting weird for weeks.

“If you mean, did I finally tell him? No. I’ve decided that I’ve had plenty of time to think, and now I want to tell him in person. Then, I want the two of us to confront Noah.”

“Sounds like a good idea. I better get off of here and drive. I’ll be there soon.” She hung up the phone, and I went to the kitchen for the number to Gino’s which I never could remember or manage to program into my phone. I took the time to do so and then dialed the number to order.

Once that was done, I got up and went to my room to put on some warm socks, and before I could find them, I heard a knock at my door.

Assuming it was Chloe, I didn’t look out the peephole, and that was a huge mistake. I opened the door, and my heart sank as Noah gave me a warm smile. It took him all of two seconds to look down at my rounded tummy, which had grown with Gage’s and my baby over the past months.

His mouth hung open, and he stormed in as I stepped aside, slamming the door behind him.

“You’re pregnant.” He didn’t bother with a question. It was obvious. Not only had my stomach gotten rounder with a little baby bump, but my face was a tad rounder with a glow. “I can’t believe you’ve kept it from me. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“I was going to tell you when I thought the time was right.”

“Yeah, just like you told me about your little love affair at work in the first place, right?”

My mouth hung open in shock. How did he know? There was only one person I’d told. Gage. But just what did he know? “That was over months ago.”

“Yeah, I’d say about three months, right? Maybe four? How the hell could you, Lauren? It’s bad enough you were whoring around with your boss.”

“I beg your pardon!”

“Don’t try to deny it. I know about you and your boss. Maybe you shouldn’t be so open with my best friend if you want him to keep a secret.”

“Gage told you about me and my boss?”

“Yeah. Did you think he wouldn’t? He’s my best friend.”

“Don’t be so smug, brother. I’m sure he doesn’t tell you everything.” I wasn’t sure just how much I wanted to tell him, or if I should try and feel him out for more.

“He tells me everything. We’re tight. Did you really think he wanted to catch up with you? I’m the one who told him to ask you out and figure out what the hell was going on with you in the first place.”

I suddenly felt like ice water had been thrown in my face. Hadn’t he wanted to talk to me and catch up? Hadn’t he been thinking about me? Noah had put him up to it all along and used him for information on me and my boss, and worse than that, Gage had told him everything.

“You are both assholes.” I was so upset I was shaking.

“I’m not the one who hid this. I’m your brother, Lauren; you’re supposed to be able to confide in me.”

“And you wonder why I can’t? You’re always trying to control me and my love life. No one is ever good enough for me, and you’re never going to let me just be happy, are you? Hell, even Dad wanted me to find love. That’s why I got the stupid cabin and not you.”

“It’s not a stupid cabin! Some of my best memories are there, and you didn’t even appreciate it, but no, he left it to his little princess. Never mind that Gage and I were the ones who appreciated it the most.”

He and his precious Gage could kiss my ass. To hear him blather on, I knew he had no clue whose baby I was carrying, so Gage hadn’t told him about that. Too bad for him I wasn’t going to set him straight. The truth would come out, and when it did, the two could talk it out like the best friends they thought they were. I was done.

“So, it’s this boss, right? Is he taking responsibility now that you’ve ended things?” I didn’t dignify the question with a response. “Please tell me that you’ve ended things. I heard the guy treated you like shit. You can do better than that asshole.”

Obviously not, I wanted to say. Just when I thought I’d found the sweetest, most caring and honorable man on the planet, he’d been sent in as a spy to figure out what was going on in my life. “You could have just asked, you know? If you suspected something with me and wanted to know, I’d have told you. You didn’t have to send your spy in.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it, Lauren. I did ask you, time and time again. And you never would fess up to what was going on. I could tell your heart was breaking, and all I wanted to do was make it better.”

“Oh, don’t make it sound like you had my best interest at heart. You know you did it just because it kills you not to be able to control what I’m doing with my life.”

“Someone has to look out for you, and I promised Dad that I would.”

“Don’t bring Dad into this. Don’t even.” He and my father were rarely in agreement on anything, and for some reason, they had that one goal in common. “I realize I’m the only thing the two of you ever agreed on, but Dad wouldn’t want you hindering me from living my life.”

“Dad wouldn’t want you knocked up by some asshole and left to raise a baby all alone, either. He’d want you to be married, for one. You know this would kill him, and for two, your boss? Really?”

“I’m sure Gage told you it was over, so you can believe him, right? Since he’s so honest with you.” I couldn’t wait for him to find out that Gage had betrayed him, when an hour ago, I hoped things would be okay. Now I didn’t care if they imploded. It would serve them both right.

“At least I can count on someone for the truth.”

“Yeah, you sure can. Gage the loyal. Next time you talk to your friend, make sure you tell him to stay the hell away from me.” Tears pooled in my eyes, and Noah’s shoulders drooped.

“Dammit, Lauren. Don’t cry. Shit. Did you think I’d be happy? Let me get it out of my system, for fuck’s sake.”

“I’m having a baby whether you hate me or not. Whether you’re disappointed in me or not. I’m still going to be a mother and love my baby. You can keep the stick up your ass, or you can shut the fuck up and deal with it like a man and be an uncle. If you don’t like those options, then there’s the door.” The anger in me seeped out in a bitter tone.

“I’m upset, but I still love you. Of course, I’ll be there for the little one. Shit.” He turned and kicked at the table leg beside where he stood, and I was tired of standing so I walked over and plopped down on the couch. “Man, you’re like, really fucking pregnant. Have you been to the doctor?”

“Yes, and we’re doing good. Thanks for asking.” I sure didn’t need the stress.

“This guy, the father, does he know?”

“I’m dealing with all of that. You don’t need to worry.” I wasn’t going to let him know it was Gage. Not after his attitude.

“I’m sorry, sis. I wanted our visit to go way differently.”

“I’m sure you did. But I’m afraid I’m tired. I’ll talk to you later.” I got up and headed to my bedroom door. “Please see your way out.”

He let out a long breath but didn’t argue as he made his way out.

I didn’t owe him a thing. My life was my life, and as for Gage, I was going down to see him and let him know as planned, but instead of talking about how to make it work, I would figure out how to do it alone.