It was after midnight when I pulled the brand-new Escalade into the garage, right next to my lime-green Wrangler. And while I moved around both vehicles to get inside, I couldn’t help but groan at the thought of getting rid of my Jeep. Even though it was older, it had been my baby for so long. And now that I was about to have a real baby, it was time to find something more practical.

Although, I didn’t dare say that in front of Stevie. She’d get pissy and spring an oil leak.

I’d taken off the doors long ago, and the soft top didn’t offer much in the way of safety. And even though Katie’s accident was “minor,” I couldn’t stop thinking about all the different ways someone could crash. It was a sad day when I finally admitted Stevie had to go. She’d been good to me, and this felt like a betrayal of epic proportions.

I placed my palm on her hood, whispered, “It’s all Katie’s fault,” and then headed inside.

There was almost no point in going upstairs to my room since I pretty much figured it was empty, yet I guess I needed to see it for myself. A small part of me held out hope that I’d find her curled under my blanket. However, when I made it to the door, I didn’t have to flip on the light to notice there was no one in my bed. In the dark, I tossed my bag onto the mattress, along with my T-shirt and jeans, and grabbed a pair of sweats from the bottom drawer. After changing, I quietly went down to the living room and stretched out on the couch.

Which was exactly where Katie found me the next morning.

“Why did you sleep out here?” Her voice was as reserved as her eyes, as if she were afraid of me or my reaction to her waking me. “What time did you get in?”

I scrubbed my hands over my face to wipe away the sleep and sat up. I kept my gaze on the floor in front of me while scratching my bare chest, not sure I was ready to look at her just yet. It wasn’t that I was still mad—I just couldn’t shake the fear of losing her. Granted, I hadn’t done much over the last two weeks to convince her to stay, but if there was one thing I knew more than baseball…it was that people left regardless of how many reasons you gave them not to. She would do what she wanted, no matter what I said or did.

“Late…almost one I think.” I purposely ignored her first question.

“Why didn’t you sleep upstairs?” She was like a dog with a scent trail.

This would be where I’d make a snarky comment, but I wasn’t sure where we stood. And considering the lack of sleep I’d gotten over the last eleven days, humoring her would require more energy than I had. “I laid down to watch TV, and I guess I fell asleep.”

“Oh, did you wake up and turn the TV off?”

I looked at her and cocked my head, confused by her question. “No.”

“Well, it was off when I came downstairs.” She pointed to the black screen mounted on the wall in front of me.

“That’s because I never turned it on. I didn’t say I watched it, just that I laid down to watch it.” I could’ve very well told her the truth—that I didn’t want to sleep in my bed without her—but that would’ve opened the door for her to say we were over.

I’d seen the look on her face before, more specifically, from her cousin, Missy. Back when we were together, she’d curl her top lip the same way, an identical crease running along the middle of her brow, and would stand, just as Katie did now, and blink several times. It often came right before she’d laugh and say, “Good thing you’re pretty.” I used to think it was her loving way of teasing me, but when we broke up, she made it very clear it had never been a joke. And it had never been said with love.

Seeing it on Katie’s face made me want to run.

Before she had the chance to make me watch her walk out the door.

I had no idea what time it was, other than too early to be awake, but I had a game today. So I stood and moved around her toward the staircase, using that as my excuse to leave the room before she could drop a bomb.

“Did you go to your room when you got home?” she asked, following behind me.

“Uh…yeah.” I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking why.

“Oh…” Her voice was so soft and so sad I almost stopped walking.

I made it to the staircase, grabbed the railing for support, and turned to see her over my shoulder. She had her gaze dropped to the floor somewhere between her feet and mine. Out of nowhere, I heard Granny say, “You can stop this right now; you just have to make the first move.” It was clear as day, as if she were right next to me, the same words I’d heard her use a million and one times.

I opened my mouth, but before anything came out, Katie turned around and walked away.

Normally, I hated an early home game right after coming back from being gone. However, I couldn’t help but be thankful for it this time. The strain between us would only intensify my anxiety if I stayed around any longer.

After quickly getting ready to leave, I grabbed my bag off the bed, exactly where I’d left it last night, and headed down to the kitchen. I was starving, but as soon as I opened the fridge, it was clear she hadn’t been to the store at all while I was gone.

“Sorry, I’ve been stuck here, so I wasn’t able to pick up food.” Katie stood in front of the sink, slowly stirring her coffee while blowing on it.

“I told you to take the Jeep if you needed to go anywhere.” This would be a pointless argument.

She’d told me before I left that she didn’t want to drive it; she felt uncomfortable being behind the wheel without a door to protect her. I understood, although her options were to borrow it or not leave the house for eleven days. She clearly chose the latter.

“There was media everywhere. Even if I wanted to go somewhere, it’s not like I could.”

I closed the refrigerator door and turned to apologize for not being here to help handle the chaos. I hated that I had to send my best friend in my place, and he made sure to tell me exactly what he thought of it, too. Although, the stack of papers on the countertop caught my attention and silenced my words or remorse for everything she had to handle in my absence.

“What are these?” I fanned the edges with my thumb while watching her reaction.

“Oh, that’s as far as I got on Granny’s will. I kinda gave up and never put them away.”

I fisted my hands and took several deep breaths to calm down. I didn’t often get pissed, and when I did, not many people witnessed it. I’d learned at a young age how to protect myself, how to keep people from exploiting my fears and using my emotions against me. However, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to hide behind the armor I’d once constructed. If she wanted to hurt me, fine. But this was about Granny, someone she claimed to love. And knowing she would abandon her will just to spite me…well, it struck a nerve.

“That’s okay. I can have the lawyer finish the rest of it,” I said, avoiding eye contact.

Katie tossed her mug into the sink. She’d barely taken a sip of the coffee, and knowing how obsessed she was with that crap, the black liquid splatter along the basin startled me more than the alarming sound. I froze where I stood and stared at her, afraid of what would come next.

“Why didn’t you just go to your house last night when you got back?” Her voice shook, and her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she hid her emotion well with her shoulders pulled back and her spine straight as a board. It was like she was ready to fight, yet scared of the outcome at the same time.

Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind to go to my house. I barely remembered I even owned one. This was my home—with Katie, and soon, my baby. The other place was nothing but a building with rooms and a little bit of furniture. This house had a heart, it had a soul. Inside these walls was love.

Fear choked my words when I said, “Because I live here, Katie.”

“Well, maybe it’s a good idea if you stay somewhere else while you’re in town…at least until I figure out where to go. Your silence was one thing when you were away…it’s just plain cruel to make me endure it while you’re here. I get it. You’re mad, you’re hurt, you feel betrayed. I can’t take it back. And it’s not fair to keep punishing me for something I can’t change.”

I wasn’t sure, but there was a good chance the kitchen started to tilt. Like a cyclone, her words sucked me up, spun me around, and spat me out, leaving me disoriented. “How am I punishing you?”

“Where should I start, Gage? How about ignoring me for the last week and a half?”

I dropped my head, the guilt eating me up. I had to get to the field and didn’t have time for this, but there was no way I’d leave now. Not in the middle of this conversation. “I’m sorry. I’ve been in a bad place mentally, and I haven’t dealt with it very well. I’m trying my best, but as everyone knows, my best is never good enough.”

Her gaze softened, as did her posture, though she didn’t move from her spot in front of the sink. “You didn’t answer my calls. You read my texts and didn’t respond. I had a panic attack, and you weren’t there. Instead, you sent your friend. I didn’t need someone else to pick me up off the floor. I needed you. I needed to hear you tell me everything would be okay.”

My chest ached as if her words were curveballs, slamming into the center of my sternum.

“And as if that wasn’t bad enough…I had a doctor’s appointment, and I couldn’t even share it with you. Like you didn’t care. I understand you were dealing with a lot, but it would’ve been nice had you taken five seconds to see that I was, too. We could’ve leaned on each other. Yet you didn’t want to.”

I was such an asshole.

Running my hand through my hair, I took a deep breath and met her gaze. “I avoided you because I didn’t want to hear you tell me that you’d given up. I figured if I didn’t give you a chance, it could wait until I got home, where I could be here to maybe do something to change your mind. And when you told me about the appointment and how the thing didn’t move…” I shook my head, my eyes stinging with the emotion threatening to overtake me. “I just kept thinking I would end up losing both of you. And I couldn’t deal with that so far away.”

“Why the hell would you think I’d given up? You’re the one who ignored me. I called. I texted. I reached out to you, in case you’ve forgotten. You had no reason to worry about me leaving.” Her accusatory tone nearly slapped me across the face.

“That day we talked, when you told me what had happened to your license and the drugs at the hospital…you told me it was my fault that the whole world knows about your past.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did. You said if anyone else were the father of our baby, you wouldn’t be dealing with this.” I was angry, but more than anything, I was hurt.

“Because that’s true. Everyone is so interested in your life, and because of our relationship, they’re interested in mine, too.”

I wanted to run away. In fact, I was about to do so when Granny’s voice filled my head again, saying, “So help me God, young man, if you walk out that door, you won’t be able to sit for a week.” It was enough to keep me present, keep me here to straighten this out. And maybe…just maybe, she wouldn’t walk out on me.

“It’s no secret that you didn’t want to have my child. You didn’t want to be tied to me for the rest of your life. Hell, you never wanted me here in the first place. And as soon as I started to believe that maybe you no longer felt that way, you proved me wrong. I get it, Katie…you wish you were carrying anyone’s baby but mine.”

Her jaw dropped, and finally, she moved toward me, coming to a stop with her hand on my chest. “No. That’s not true. That’s not what I meant when I said that.”

“Then what did you mean?”

“We were talking about how what we do affects the other. All I was saying is that I understand, because everything about you affects me. I wasn’t at all saying I wish this baby wasn’t yours. As much as I hate the attention…I don’t regret it.”

I held my palm against the side of her face and grazed the pad of my thumb along her cheek. “You mean that?”

“Of course I do.”

I wanted to believe her—hell, if she were lying, then she deserved an Oscar for her performance. But I was hesitant to let down my guard, knowing that anytime I did, I usually paid a heavy price. And when it came to Katie, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to afford it. “Then why did you give up on the will?”

I couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like a wispy laugh escaped her lips. “I can’t do anything more without the power of attorney and a copy of the will.”

“I took care of all that over a week ago. The lawyer should’ve called you to let you know that both documents were ready for you to pick up.”

Her brows knitted slightly before recognition hit her. “Oh…I’ve ignored all calls from a number I didn’t know, and I stopped listening to the messages after day one. Shit. I’m sorry. This whole time I thought you’d changed your mind, no longer trusted me with it after you found out that I’d stolen from the hospital.” Then, curiosity and awe danced in her eyes. “Wait…you said you did it over a week ago? Even after learning what I’d done, you were still willing to give me power of attorney?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I told you, Katie—I trust you. Whatever happened years ago, before us, doesn’t change that. And neither does what happened last week.”

She wound her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest.

And after spending eleven days with a broken heart, it was finally healed.

“As much as I’d love to carry you upstairs and have hot make-up sex, I’m gonna be late for my game.”

“I guess it’s a good thing we can’t have sex. Doctor’s orders.”

I groaned. “So now how will we spend our time together?”

She laughed and shook her head, yet she didn’t say anything.

“While I’m at the game, you should head over to the lawyer’s office and pick up the documents you need. And while you’re out, swing by the bank and sign those papers, too. There’s a new payroll account for you—we couldn’t amend the other one we were using when you took care of Granny. Once you get that finalized, the money will go through.”

Embarrassment crept up her cheeks, although she didn’t turn me down. “I don’t have a car, Gage. And don’t think for one second I’m going to drive your Jeep.”

“Good, because Stevie Nix doesn’t want you behind her wheel.” I dug the key out of the side of my bag and placed it in her hand. “You can take Mac.”

She stared at the key and then at me. “I’m not taking a car from you. Especially not a Cadillac. Are you crazy?”

“No…which is why I didn’t buy you a car. I won an Escalade, and since Stevie gets jealous anytime I drive something else, you get to use it. Don’t worry, though—it has all the safety features available on the market, including doors. Plus, if Blind Betty rear ends you again, not only will there not be much damage, but you’ll be covered by insurance, too.”

“Back up. How did you win an Escalade?” She doubted me—as she should, because I was lying through my teeth. She wouldn’t accept something like that as a gift, and I doubted she’d believe I’d bought it for the baby.

“I’d love to explain, Crispbread, but I’m late for my game.”

“Good, then you can tell me when you get back.”

I kissed her on the forehead and turned to leave the room. “It’ll be late.”

“Your game is early.”

“Yeah, but you know how that goes…” I called over my shoulder as I opened the door to the garage.

She was hot on my heels. However, as soon as she stepped out after me, rather than continue to argue, she gasped. It was enough to catch my attention, stop me in place, and spin me around until I could make sure she was all right.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I mean, I know you said Escalade…but I didn’t really think about it.” She stared at the shiny SUV in front of her with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock. “I can’t drive this!”

“Uh…yeah, you can. You get behind the wheel, put it in gear, and press on the gas.” I shook my head, making her look at me. “I’m starting to wonder if maybe the accident was less of Senile Sally’s fault and more your own. Do I need to take you for driving lessons?”

“No. I can’t drive this because it’s like…a really expensive vehicle.”

“Then it’s a good thing I won it, huh?” Yeah, she still didn’t believe me, but that was okay. She couldn’t prove otherwise. “Take care of Mac for me.”

“Mac? What kind of name is that?”

“It’s short for Fleetwood Mac. Behind her wheel, you’ll go your own way.”

She closed her eyes and whispered to herself, “Our kid is totally gonna be made fun of.”

* * *

Walking inside after the game, the aroma of pasta sauce was the first thing I noticed, followed by the sound of humming from the kitchen. I’d changed and showered at the stadium, not wanting to waste time when I got home, so I dropped my bag in the laundry room and followed my nose and ears.

“You’re cooking dinner?” I must’ve caught whatever blindness Coby had, because I wasn’t sure I saw things correctly. She hadn’t cooked for me once since I’d moved in. In fact, anytime we ate, I was the one who made it—unless you counted canned soup and sandwiches.

“Yeah. I went to the store today while I was out.”

I leaned over her shoulder and took a whiff of the lasagna in the pan. “But you’ve gone to the store before and never made dinner.”

“Well, this time I bought the groceries, so I was able to get stuff I like to cook.”

I held her hips and turned her around to face me. With my hands on the counter behind her, I bent down to make sure I could read her eyes when she answered my question. “There’s no spending limit on my grocery tab, so why would it matter who paid?”

“I felt bad spending your money on fresh stuff. It’s not cheap, you know.”

“You don’t have to use the money I’m paying you to get food. That’s ridiculous.”

Her gaze dropped to my chin, and I decided this was a conversation for after dinner.

“Come on…let’s eat. It smells amazing,” I said and backed away to grab plates.

While we ate, the TV played in the background, and I couldn’t help but notice she had the sports channel on. It filled me with pride that she watched my game. However, as soon as I heard the commentators come on, I jumped up to turn it off.

“Don’t bother. They talked about it earlier—even showed the interview.” It was like she could read my mind and stayed one step ahead. Her mouth curled slightly into a perceptive grin, and she lifted her brows, as if daring me to deny it. “They said it was from late last week, when you were in St. Louis.”

“Yeah. So?” I shoved a large bite of lasagna into my mouth and fought like hell from spitting it out. It probably tasted delicious, but I didn’t have any idea considering I’d just burnt off my taste buds.

“That was before you came home. After the doctor’s appointment.”

I would’ve loved to respond, but my swelling tongue wouldn’t allow it.

“A reporter had asked you for your opinion regarding the news about my past. You were still ignoring me at that point, yet you defended me. You claimed it wasn’t a secret, that you were just surprised to find out the media had gone to such lengths to hurt—and I quote—‘the most important person in your life.’ Why did you say that to him but avoid me?”

I shrugged, hoping that would be enough to please her. Turned out, it wasn’t. “I guess I hoped you’d see it and know how I truly felt. And then I didn’t hear from you again, so I assumed you didn’t care.”

She reached across the table and covered my hand with hers. “It’d be great if one of these days you stopped waiting for me to do you wrong. I’m not Missy. I’m never going to be. And at some point, you need to realize that for yourself.”

Katie was right. If I expected her to leave, eventually, she would.

“You’re right, and I’m sorry. I’ll try harder to trust you.”

“Good. So let’s start with you telling me about Mac.”

I smirked at the name I’d given to the Escalade. “You like her, don’t you?”

“That’s not the point. Why’d you buy it?”

I rolled my eyes in a show of exasperation. “How many times do I have to tell you I won it before you believe me?”

“How, exactly, does one win a car?”

“Easy…a casino. Duh.”

“Oh, yeah? In St. Louis?”

“That’s where I was, isn’t it?”

“And you drove it all the way home?”

I cleared my throat and thought about how I’d get out of that one. “No. I had it flown back.”

“Interesting.”

Before she could say anything else, I asked, “Have you done any more on the will?”

“No. I came home and turned on the game. I figured I’d just wait to do it after you leave again. No sense in wasting what little time we have together—now that we’re finally talking—on legal papers.” Pregnant women…they were so easily distracted.

After the dishes were clean, we moved to the couch—since we couldn’t have sex, and if we were in the bedroom, neither one of us would be able to think straight. In fact, we had to sit on opposite ends of the sofa, and even that wasn’t far enough apart with the way her top hugged her jugs. After nearly two weeks of absolutely nothing, we were both desperate.

“I was thinking, if I can’t put my rooster in your henhouse, we should probably use this time to talk…really get to know each other. This way, there won’t ever be another surprise like the last one.”

“What do you mean? Like play twenty questions or something?”

“We can just take turns admitting things about ourselves or our pasts that the other isn’t aware of. Here, I’ll go first. I lost my virginity when I was nineteen.”

Katie cocked her head to the side and narrowed her questioning gaze. “Aren’t we supposed to tell the truth? You just called your penis a rooster, and my vagina a henhouse, and you expect me to believe you were nineteen when you had sex for the first time?”

I held one hand up and said, “I swear. My mom was fourteen when she got pregnant with me, and she had no clue who my sperm donor was. Apparently, she was a free spirit. Granny made sure I didn’t bring any babies home before I was ready. Guess the joke’s on her, huh?”

“So, you’re telling me you went from a virgin to a manwhore in roughly five years?”

“Uh…yeah. That’s like giving a thirsty man water and then expect him to not