Page 11 of King of Hearts

“So, your best friend is a dick,” I stated evenly, fighting the urge to key the gorgeous cherry coloring of the car.

My sister choked on whatever it was she was chewing. “Uh…what?”

“Seriously, he’s here on campus. He stole my parking spot, and he’s being…” I bit my tongue, realizing I had never shared with her the cruel words Juan had spoken to me, or our kiss. I couldn’t see what she saw in the prick. They’d been best friends for years, and I still didn’t get it. Why put up with such dickery?

“He’s on campus?” Mal seemed to overlook my drop in the sentence, likely to avoid having to hear gossip about her best friend.

“Yes.” I held my hand out in front of me like she could see me.

“That’s strange…last I heard, he’d landed a spot on the Hornets. Maybe he’s there giving an encouraging speech about how to chase your dreams or something,” Mal guessed, already dismissing the whole thing.

“Maybe he’s dating a teacher and is trying to get in an early orgasm or something,” I offered, biting my lip. The idea of Juan fucking someone caused a strange twinge in my chest.

“No, Juan hasn’t been dating anyone…for like a long time, as far as I know,” my sister said firmly, sounding like she was opening and shutting a door.

“He was hot and heavy with someone at your wedding.”

I hated on way too many levels that I’d noticed him with that girl, and I hated that it had bothered me for months. I hated that the image of his hands on her hips, his fingers on the back of her head, his lips on hers had made me jealous.

“Oh yeah…but that was nothing. Just a fling, like you always have. Juan dumped her right after the wedding, like he didn’t even take her home. It was rude. But he hasn’t dated anyone in like a year, or longer. Now that I think of it, it’s really weird that he hasn’t. I know of at least two girls who were texting and calling him, but I guess he’s not in the right headspace to date.”

I thought back to the kiss we’d shared when I had lied to him right after. I still had no idea why he’d kissed me back or seemed so upset when I pulled away.

“Anyway, I have to go…but tell me you found somewhere to live.”

I cringed, knowing she’d likely freak out if she knew I hadn’t.

“Yeah, I did…I’m still working out all the details, but I’m good.”

Her silence told me she didn’t believe me.

“Okay, well send me the address as soon as you have it.” That was her way of saying she didn’t buy my bullshit. I was drawing close to my first class, so I smiled and said goodbye.

I shrugged my shoulders, trying to dislodge the feeling of defeat. I was currently, technically homeless, and while I knew I could go to a hotel without issue or even go live at home, I didn’t want to. I desired to be more like my sister and stand on my own two feet, especially now that I would be responsible for a baby.

I grabbed for the door as butterflies erupted in my stomach. It had been happening a lot lately, along with tiny little kicks along my abdomen. Two doors in and I was already seeing people I had partied with the year before. Most of my friends were seniors, but a vast number were underclassmen…including the father of my child. It had taken some time to narrow it down, but now I was absolutely positive.

I saw his broad shoulders first and his tousled dark hair second, and even though he hadn’t responded to the text I’d sent to him, I owed it to my child to see if he would agree to a paternity test.

“Holden…” I gently placed my hand on his arm, hoping to turn him. He was engrossed in a conversation with two players from his team and a few girls. They all eyed me warily.

“Taylor…” He turned, his eyes dropping to my stomach immediately. His face turned ruddy, his eyes wild as fear crept in.

“Hey, I was wondering if we could talk?”

“Uh…I have class.” He gripped his neck while frantically searching the hall.

Was he looking for help? I almost laughed at how ridiculous he was being.

“Maybe after class, or later today or something?” Because I didn’t want him to freak out, I added softly, so the others couldn’t hear, “You know, I don’t want anything from you…I just want to know.”

He visibly softened, and his hand came up to cup my hip as he bent down to whisper in my ear. “Okay, yeah…I’ll call you later.”

Then he pressed a kiss to my cheek before walking away. Holden Winters was a pretty decent guy, and honestly, as far as relationships went, he’d probably be the only guy I’d ever had one with. I was positive he was the dad. I had thought back to how often we’d been together and realized it couldn’t be anyone else.

We’d hooked up in his dorm room, then later that day in the locker room…and then the next day in the back of his truck and again at my house. We weren’t exactly thinking clearly; we weren’t drunk, just horny, and if I were truly being honest, I was struggling with the fact that Charlie’s birthday had come up and Mallory had gotten him the perfect gift. The way he looked at her, the photo album she’d gifted him…it was all so sweet. We all passed the images around to view, my mother glancing my way a time or two, as if she’d shield me from seeing what a happy childhood looked like.

It was no secret to me that Mallory had a good childhood. Even with losing her mother at the age of ten, she had two parents who loved her unfathomably. I had purchased Charlie a watch, and it garnered a fake smile and a half-hug from him. He saved all his big hugs for Mallory, and how could I begrudge him that? Still, it brought out some unhealthy behavior in me, and that weekend, I just needed to feel. So, when the tip of Holden’s cock slipped past my thong, I let him thrust into me over and over. I was on birth control, so I figured it would be fine if he didn’t pull out; besides, the orgasm was so much better when they didn’t have to. My cheeks heated as I considered how reckless I’d been. After our weekend together, we went our separate ways, and I ended up getting really sick and needing antibiotics, which likely was the reason my birth control was ineffective.

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