Page 74 of High Stakes

“Stay the hell away from me.”

“But what if it is yours?” she cries.

If there’s a small chance, I’m not gonna risk not knowing. “Let me know when the kid is born, I’ll have a DNA test.” I march back to the car, leaving Laurie screaming at Marcus.

I can’t breathe. My chest feels tight and as I grip the steering wheel, I try and slow it down. I didn’t even want the kid so why am I letting it affect me?Because,I think bitterly,I’ve spent the last few months trying my best to be the person my child deserves.Fuck. Weeks of listening to Laurie go on about baby names and which equipment was best. I even had to look at her birthing plan. Who knew that was a thing. I groan, resting my head on my arms. Maybe this is all part of my punishment for hurting Bella the way I did.

I make my way to a bar that’s not too far from Tremos. It’s the type that older men use for a quiet pint, and that’s exactly what I need right now so I can gather my thoughts and clear my head.

I open a tab and ask the barman to keep them coming. Then I find a quiet spot in the corner and relax.

It’s almost six in the evening when I settle my bar tab. My vision is blurred, and fuck knows how I’m managing to stay on my feet as I push through the office workers allmaking their way home after a busy day. It’s not until I’m standing outside Bella’s shop, that I realise this wasn’t a conscious decision and I’ve drank way too much. I rest my head against the cool glass, watching as Bella and Aria dance around. They’re laughing and the sound warms my heart. I squint, noticing the tiny bump as Bella runs her hand over it. She looks good. Glowing even.

Bella

I spin away from Aria and come face to face with Aiden. His forehead is pressed up against the window and his eyes are fixed on me. I gasp and Aria also turns to see what’s made me stop. “What the fuck,” she hisses, ripping the door open and marching out to where he is. “What are you doing here?” she demands. His eyes don’t leave me and I find myself moving towards him. The second I’m close enough, I can smell the alcohol. “Aiden,” I say gently, touching his arm, “Are you okay?” He shakes his head sadly.

“I’ll call JP,” mutters Aria, going back inside.

His hand his hanging limply by his side and I carefully take it, noticing there’s dry blood on his knuckles. “What happened?” I ask.

“A wall,” he slurs, shrugging.

He looks so defeated and distant, I’m worried. So I lead him inside and sit him on one of the couches. I grab a bottle of water from out back and an ice pack, which I lay on his knuckles. “Did the wall come off worse?” I tease. He doesn’t respond so I sit beside him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

His eyes train on my bump and before I can stop him, he places his free hand over it. I gasp, surprised by the emotion his touch brings out in me. “I ruined it all,” he whispers. “Why am I such a fuck up?”

I carefully remove his hand and put the bottle of water in it instead. “Where’s Laurie?”

He smirks, shaking his head angrily. “Fuck Laurie.”

“Aiden, you can’t just show up here when you fall out with her,” I say, sadly. I can’t be his go to.

“She lied to me,” he mutters. “Again.”

“She didn’t go back to her husband?” I ask, because surely she wouldn’t do that to him now she’s carrying his child.

“The baby isn’t mine,” he spits. “She used me for a place to stay.”

I take a moment to process his words. The fact she lied, just like I’m lying, doesn’t sit well with me. Aria appears in the doorway, “JP should be here any second.”

Aiden puts the water down and grips my hands in his. “I miss you so much, Bella, it’s tearing me apart. Jake was right all along. I needed you and I didn’t see it in time,” he slurs, “Let me show you. Give me another chance to prove I can change.”

I pull my hands free and stand up. “Aiden, you’re drunk, sleep it off.”

Aiden stands too, grabbing my wrist and pulling me to him. I don’t have time to protest before his hands are in my hair and he’s got his nose pressed gently to mine. “Bella please, I just need one chance,” he begs, and then he kisses me. It’s not his usual demanding kiss, but soft and unsure. I don’t stop him. It’s like the rest of the world melts away and it’s just me and him.

Aria clears her throat, bringing me to my senses and I pull away, turning my back on him. “Sorry, but JP is here,” she announces.

I head out back, leaving JP to struggle with Aiden. I can’t stop thinking about him and how good it felt to be in his arms again. Aria comes in, “Well, that was . . . unexpected.”

“Unwanted,” I correct.

She arches her brows, “Really? Because you looked pretty lost back there in that kiss.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Am I doing the right thing, Aria?” I ask. “Laurie lied to him and look at the state he’s in. If he finds out I’m doing the same,” I choke on a sob.

Aria grabs a tissue and hands it to me. “No one can tell you what’s right or wrong, Bella. Do what you feel is the right thing for you and your baby.”

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