Page 97 of My Ex's Best Friend

"I realized I was being unfair to him."

"You were? Then why are you living here alone? And why have you not brought him up even once? And why don’t you want him around the baby?"

"Because we're not together anymore."

"Why?" Ellie says.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I say, looking away.

“You kind of have to, Kiera. You’re pregnant, and you’re obviously upset about that happened,” Tammy says, dabbing my face with a tissue. “But first let’s get you up.”

"I think we should sit down for this," Tammy says. "You don't look so good, Kiera."

She leads me to the couch and gives me some more water while they wait patiently for me to calm down.

I lean back against the couch. “Are we really doing this right now?”

“We have all the time in the world. We’re staying here for a week, remember?”

“And Kiera, it’s important we talk about this. It’s not just about you. It’s about your baby, as well.”

I sigh. Better to rip the band-aid out quickly. I know it will hurt when I tell them what actually happened. But it’s inevitable. They want to know, and I can’t hide it anymore.

And Tammy is right. I can’t do this alone, even though I thought I might.

I give them a rundown of everything that has happened. "That's why I'll be resigning and moving out of the city. I'll be staying with my parents."

"Does Jake know you’re pregnant with his child?" Tammy says. “I mean, he’s not heartless.”

"Yes, but I’m not letting him anywhere near my child," I say. "I don’t want my baby to have to deal with a lying, cheating father."

"Not sure you can do that. He's aware of the child, and he's trying to make contact," Ellie says.

"Am I doing anything illegal?"

She shakes her head. "No, but he might have grounds on taking you to court."

I scoff. "I doubt he'll do that. He's happy with the other woman."

"Yes, but if he's so awful—" Ellie begins.

"He's not that bad," I say.

Tammy shakes her head. "I can't believe you're still defending him after everything that has happened."

"I'm not defending him," I say. “I want nothing to do with him. I'm still moving out. And he's happy with her, whoever she is. It's a happy ending all around."

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Tammy says, her fists balled.

"Tammy, no. I've made my peace with it. I was actually thinking of moving out at the end of the month, but I don't want to delay it," I say. "It'll be worse after you guys are gone."

"What are you saying?" Ellie says.

"I think I'll leave with you," I say. "By the end of the week."

24

KIERA

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