“OKAY, WE NEED TO come up with a game plan here. Some way to break the news to him gently.”

I stared at my best friend across the room. I was leaning up against a wall, giving her some time to process what I’d just told her. Her brother-in-law was the father of my child and if it was humanly possible to shit a brick, I’m pretty sure I’d have one in the middle of my living room floor.

She ran her fingers through her hair and scrubbed her hand down her face. “I mean, it’s Dodger. He’s the reasonable brother. He should be fine with the news. In fact, he will be happy.” She paused. “Yes, he will be happy and everything will be okay.”

Who was she trying to convince, herself or me?

“The reasonable brother?” I asked. “Did you really just say that?”

She halted in her tracks and looked at me. “Yes.”

I let out a sarcastic giggle. “Keeg, I get that you are with the world’s biggest brute, but have you seen Dodger when he’s with me?”

“Of course I’ve seen him with you.”

I blinked rapidly. “Okay, then you know he is not always reasonable with me. In fact, he’s downright male chauvinistic and caveman.”

“Since when?”

A real laugh bubbled from my lips. “Are you kidding? Since always.”

Confusion was etched into her features. “I’m not following.”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Clearly.”

“I’ve only seen him be a complete gentleman to you.”

Okay, now I was confused. “Uh, have we been around the same guy? Sure, Dodger can be sweet, and opened doors for me. But if any guy talked to me, he would grumble about it. He’d spank me when we went to bed as punishment, even though he knew I loved it.”

“You probably went out of your way to speak to another male just so you would get your spanking,” Keegan stated sarcastically.

I winked, and she laughed.

“But seriously.” I shook my head trying to get back to the subject. “Dodger is capable of being just as much of a hard ass as Camden. And I honestly have no clue how he is going to react when I tell him. What’s he supposed to do? Smile, pick me up and swirl me around while I squeal with joy, and he says it’s the best news ever?” I pushed off the wall I was leaning against and flop down on the couch. “Argh!”

“Hey.” Keegan softened her tone, and tried to speak to me in a more sensible manner. “I get it. I know that telling him won’t be the easiest thing, but he needs to know. And the sooner the better.”

She was right about that but, how are those two little words supposed to come tumbling out of my mouth? Dodger and I haven’t been a couple for a long time. We had a one night stand during my best friend’s wedding night. Coming out and saying “I’m pregnant” probably makes my top ten list of the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“Are you sure he needs to know right away? I mean, we both know that the first trimester is a tricky one. I could always end up having a miscarriage.”

She gave me a pointed stare. “You’re a healthy woman in her early twenties. Yes, miscarriage may happen, but that’s no reason to not tell him. He has a right to know.”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms like a petulant child. “When would you propose I spill the baby beans?”

She shrugged. “Now.”

“No.”

I was firm. No way was I in any kind of mood to talk to him at the moment. Telling Keegan took a lot out of me. All I wanted to do was take another nap after eating a bowl of ice cream.

“Ever heard of the saying, ‘there’s no time like the present’?”

“Ever heard of, ‘go to hell’?”

She jerked back like I had just slapped her. “Jesus, Macie, no need to get so angry with me. It was just a suggestion.”

I sighed, feeling completely defeated and wanting to be alone. “I know.” My shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m just not feeling well, and seeing anybody today isn’t the best idea. Especially if he doesn’t receive the news well.”

“Understandable.”

I thought for a second. Maybe just letting him know now was the way to go. I’d considered waiting until I was in the second trimester, the morning sickness would have hopefully dissipated, and I’d have seen the doctor at least once or twice to make sure the pregnancy was viable and healthy. But maybe giving Dodger the full nine months would be beneficial. Knowing him, he’d need all the time he could get to adjust to the idea of becoming a father.

“Okay, maybe I’ll text him later this evening and see if he is free to meet up with me tomorrow.”

She let a small smile show. “Good. Do you want me to be there when you tell him?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I think it’ll be okay. We kind of did this alone, I should probably let him know without any spectators. Besides, if he starts yelling, I’d rather be the one he takes it out on.”

“He’s not going to yell at me.”

“You don’t know that. But I think I need a little bit of privacy. I know that sounds shitty, but if I had a hard time accepting this, then I know he will too.”

I knew she understood exactly what I was trying to say by the look on her face.

“Okay, I’ll head home. The pup needs to be fed and I’m sure the larger beast does too.” She got up and walked to the door. Just before she opened it she paused. “Listen, Macie, I know this isn’t going to be easy, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. I will always be here for you. You need me any time, day or night, I will be here. I love you like you are a sister to me. You are a sister to me.”

I was getting teary.

“Please believe me when I say this. I know that telling Dodger isn’t going to be easy for you, but I truly feel in my heart that he will be okay with it. He’s a reasonable man. He still loves you, you know that, right? He never stopped loving you. No matter what happens when you tell him, give him the time to let the news settle in, and then both of you come together to figure out what you think will be best for you and this new little nugget.” She gave me a tender look, and her eyes appeared glassy. “I hope you know that baby is already loved so much by me.” A small sniffle came out of her. “I’m going to spoil him or her rotten.”

I wiped at my eyes and looked at my friend in complete awe. She was right. And how accepting she already was, was incredible. How I could have expected anything less from her, I didn’t even know.

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

As she opened the door, I said, “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“Eep! I’m gonna be an aunt.” Keegan chirped just before she closed the door.

I shook my head. That girl . . . smiling, I got up from the couch and went up to my room. My parents were gone to some benefit golf game, and later there would be a gala. They wouldn’t be home until late.

Deciding to run some bath water, to relax my previously frazzled nerves, I figured it would be a good time to send a message to Dodger. Bubbles, and a candle in the corner, I undressed and sunk down into the warm water. I checked the time on my phone and thought about where he probably was right now. He’d likely be packing up to head home from the gym. I’d give it a few minutes to think about what I was going to say, and to ensure that he was probably in his car and not anywhere near stupid bitches.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I wondered if Dodger and Dana had ever done anything. I was fairly certain he had never had sex with her, but I wasn’t as positive that they hadn’t fooled around. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to know. I’d probably throw up and not from morning sickness.

I gave myself a short reprieve before I picked up my phone and pulled up Dodger’s name. Sitting with the text screen open, I tried to think of what I was going to say.

Me: Hey. R U busy tomorrow afternoon?

I hit send and sat with the bubbles dissipating around me. My screen lit up and I got a message back.

Dodger: Yeah. I’m free after five.

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Me: K. Do u mind if I stop by shortly after?

Dodger: No. Everything ok

Me: Kinda. Just have some things to talk to u about

Dodger: Sounds ominous

Me: Eh. We’ll chat tomorrow.

Poor guy, I actually felt bad for him.

Dodger: Mace everything ok? I can come right now if you need to talk

Me: NO

I put in all caps, so it sounded to shouty but, if he showed up on my door step, I wouldn’t answer the door. I wasn’t ready to tell him. Not just yet.

Me: Sorry. Didn’t mean to yell. I’m ok and it can wait til tomorrow

Dodger: You have me worried

Me: Don’t be

Not sure if that was exactly a lie, but there was no prepping him for it so I might as well let him have one more night of being in the dark.

Dodger: K. Well if you need me I’m here. I’ll come anytime

That last text made me smile and gave me a small little flutter in my tummy. That was the sweet sided Dodger I knew and loved.

Me: Thanks *winky face*

I didn’t have anything else to say. Another text came through.

Dodger: It was nice hearing from you

I had no clue how to respond to that, so I didn’t. Instead, I pulled the plug from the tub and let the water drain. It may have been an asshole thing for me to not say anything back, but I knew getting too emotional wasn’t the best idea. I had to keep myself detached. Dodger would be a good father, if he chose to step forward and support his baby, that much I was certain. But as far as anything more between us, that really wasn’t in our cards. I’d walked. I knew deep down, if given the chance, he’d take me back. But at this point, I wasn’t sure if I went back to him, it would be for the baby, or for myself.