Chapter 25

Gage

I had only been home for twenty minutes and was talking with Ava in the kitchen about dinner when the call came in from Noah. I cringed every time he’d called since hooking up with Lauren, and I knew that one day, he’d learn the truth, whether from me or Lauren, and let me have it. When that day came, I’d have to face the music and hope he forgave me.

“Hey, how’s it going, man?” I braced myself and waited for the usual response. He’d been busy scraping people off the highways and birthing babies on the roadside.

“I tell ya, man. You really think you know someone. I just got through visiting with my sister.”

My nerves were on edge, and although he should have had my full attention, I searched my brain for a good defense. “Is she okay?” I left Ava in the kitchen alone and went down the hall to my office.

“Is she okay? That’s a loaded fucking question, man. No, she’s not fucking okay.” Because she’s been fucking you, I expected him to say. Instead, he let out a long growl of frustration. I wanted to ask what he meant, but instead, I decided to let him talk.

“You know how she was fucking that boss of hers, right?”

“Yeah. You didn’t tell her about that, did you?” I chose my words carefully, feeling he was going to blow at any minute. I was ready for a fight.

“Yeah, and I found out more about her little secrets. All about what’s been going on. I really hope there’s a good reason you didn’t tell me.”

He paused and cleared his throat, and I knew he was about to let me have it by the sound in his voice, the way it cracked as if he were about to lose his shit.

“Look, Noah. We were going to tell you, okay. We just didn’t know how.”

“What the fuck, Gage?”

“We care about each other, and I would never hurt her, but you didn’t want us together.”

“Together? You were with my sister?”

“Yes, man. I’ve been seeing her. I’ll admit it. And just so you know, I have no intention of stopping, either. I know it might cost us our friendship, Noah. I hope it doesn’t because you’re like a brother to me, but dammit, I love her.”

“Wait, what?” He took a moment, and I was sure he was giving himself time to process. “You mean, you’re the father?”

“The father? What the fuck are you talking about?” My heart pounded, pumping lava through my veins.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” he asked.

“I’m telling you, I’m in love with your sister. I’ve been trying to form a relationship with her for months now, and she’s coming down to see me next week. We’re going to talk about things, her and I. She wants to meet Ollie.”

“I’d say she should meet Ollie.” I really had no idea if he was mad or glad.

“You’re okay with it?”

“That you lied? No. That’s a dick move. I’m your fucking best friend, you bastard. You not only put your filthy dick in my sister, but you knocked her up? I should knock your fucking teeth in, but since I’m going to be an uncle—”

He rattled on, but I didn’t hear what he said. “Wait. Stop.” I wasn’t sure what I’d heard, and if I had heard what I thought, he’d better not be fucking with me. “Say that again. I did what to your sister?”

“Put your filthy—”

“Not that! You said I knocked her up? What the hell are you talking about? Is Lauren pregnant?” There was an awkward silence. “Don’t fuck with me, man. I know it was a shit move, but this isn’t funny.”

“And I’m not laughing, motherfucker. My sister is currently in her apartment sporting a baby bump. I thought it was that boss and her, but I didn’t realize you and her were such total fucking liars.”

“She wanted to tell you about us, but I wanted to make sure it was going to work out. I just didn’t know how to tell you in the beginning, and you made such a huge deal about not fucking her.”

“And yet, you did. Don’t blame me. I made a big deal because I didn’t want you dirtying up my baby sister. She’s practically your sister, too, by the way. It’s disgusting, actually. I thought I could trust you with her.”

“Why can’t you? Why am I not good enough? And who will be?” I let that hang in the air, and he had better have a good answer.

“Fuck. I guess if anyone is, it’s you. Do you really love her? Because if she didn’t even tell you, what if that baby isn’t yours, Gage? What if she was already pregnant when you came along?”

I hadn’t even considered that. I’d been so busy trying to wrap my head around the fact that she was pregnant that I hadn’t even thought it might not be mine. “I guess I need to find out.”

“I can’t believe she hasn’t told you. What the fuck did you do to make her not tell you?”

“We’ve had a rough time of it, but as I said, I love her. I’m prepared to tell her that, but this has me scared to death. She didn’t tell me she was pregnant. What if she already found out it wasn’t mine? She didn’t tell you anything else?”

“No, I went off on her, and she got upset, and then she said she was tired and asked me to leave. I’d wanted to see her while I was in town. I had a transport earlier in the day. I’m headed back home soon.”

“Way to go.” I couldn’t believe he’d yelled at his sister in her condition.

“Don’t make me feel like shit, man. I already feel bad enough, and to warn you, a lot of it is anger. I’m not sure what to fucking think about this. I talked you up and said how loyal you were to me. I’m such a dumbass.”

My blood went cold. “Wait, you said you told her you knew about the boss and that I told you. So, she knows I ratted her out? Fuck.” I needed to talk to her as soon as possible, but I couldn’t just text or call. I considered a video call, and then, at least, she could see my face and know that I was sorry beyond measure.

“Don’t blame me. This wouldn’t have happened if you’d been honest from the start, or if you’d just done what I said in the beginning and kept your hands off my sister.”

“I’ve got to get to the bottom of this.”

“I suggest you do.”

“We’re not cool, I know, but I’m going to make this right with Lauren, and then I promise you, Noah. I’ll make this right with us.”

“I’m going to hold you to your word. Make my sister happy, take responsibility, and we’ll be good. In time.” In time was the best I could hope for.

“Noah?” I really needed him to be my friend right now, as selfish as it was.

“Yeah?”

“I really hope it’s mine.” I had a sick feeling that I was going to lose her. There was no way she wasn’t mad about the state of things, and I couldn’t blame her.

“Me too. Keep me in the loop. And if you get to talk to my sister, tell her I love her.”

“Will do.” The phone went dead, and I sat there staring into space for a while. I wasn’t prepared to wait a day. I wasn’t going to wait another minute. I had to see her. I had to tell her I was sorry and try to make things okay between us. More than anything, I really needed to know if the baby was mine or not.

If it was, I’d do whatever she wanted, but since she hadn’t told me, she might not be prepared for the type of relationship I wanted.

I wouldn’t be content being apart, and I’d want us to be together every day through the long process of pregnancy and childbirth. I’d been cheated out of the experience once before, and never again. And I knew in my heart, I’d have to make arrangements for us both to be home with the kids while they were still young.

Olivia would be excited; I had no doubt. She’d asked me a few times if I was going to bring her a new mommy and even suggested that Ava and I could marry. She said the fact that I liked her cooking should be enough, and while the woman made a mean pot roast, that wasn’t the way to my heart. Only one woman held the key.

I looked down at my phone, which I had been holding in a death grip, and searched through my contacts. I still had the number, but I needed to make other arrangements if I was going to use it.

I got up and went to the kitchen and found Ava, who was still working on dinner. “Ava, do you have plans for tonight?”

The woman looked up, and her eyes widened. “Is there something I could help you with?”

“I need a sitter. It’s kind of an emergency, which is why it’s last minute. But if you’re not able, I’ll just take her. I really don’t want to drag her out—”

“I would, but I have to be somewhere early in the morning. I’m sure Helen would watch her.” I hated to ask, but then Helen walked into the room.

She stopped and gave the two of us a strange look. “Helen, I have a bit of an emergency. I need to fly out to Chicago immediately.”

“I’m sure we’ll manage, sir.” She forced a smile, and while I hated to leave Ollie there, I knew it would be better than dragging her along. Besides, I didn’t want the first time she met Lauren to be under the strain of our problems.

“I could stay until morning if it would help.” Ava was nice to offer, but Helen gave her a sour look.

“I think Ollie would like that.” I reached into my wallet and handed Ava some cash. “If you need anything, feel free to use that. Helen, do you think you can manage tomorrow? I’ll return in the evening.”

“Yes, it would be my pleasure.” I hadn’t left Ollie alone with the woman since I’d told her she could pack her shit and leave, and while she hadn’t made her way out as of yet, I knew she might any day. Besides, Ollie liked Ava better.

“Thank you. Thank you, both. I think the money should hold down the fort until I get back, but call if you need me. I’ll keep my phone handy as usual.” I hurried upstairs to tell Ollie that Daddy would return tomorrow.