Page 21 of King of Hearts

Finishing up, I flushed, opened the door, and washed my hands while watching him in the mirror. He stared at my protruding stomach as though it was something he had to fix.A problem.

“I was busy.”

“Well, what did you want to talk to me about?” His brows dipped in concentration.

I turned, crossing my arms over my chest. It pushed my cleavage up, but I didn’t care. I was running out of space for where I could put them.

“Did you not get my text a few months ago after we fucked like six times back to back without protection?”

The idiot blanched, glancing at my stomach again before dropping his gaze to the floor. Hehadgotten it; I knew it.

“My phone said you read it.”

“What do you want me to say?” He turned away from me, and my dumb heart deflated. What had I expected? For him to say he’d been out of the country and would do anything to be a part of the baby’s life?

“I just wanted you to know…I don’t want you to say or do anything.”

“It’s not like you need me—your dad is a millionaire, Tay.” He shrugged again, and I was getting really fucking tired of seeing those lousy excuses for shoulders rising toward his ears. Juan had taken me in without a second thought, not dating me or related to me…not even obligated because he’d knocked me up, and yet this guy couldn’t even reply to a text.

“I already said I don’t need anything from you, but some guys want to be involved with their kids’ lives…just wanted to give you that opportunity.”

He stared at the floor, unmoving.

Letting out a small sound of disbelief, I went to leave, but his hand darted out to stop me.

“Can I think about it, have time to wrap my brain around it?”

Why did he need time? I had texted him months ago…still, because I was weak and some small place existed inside me that wanted my baby to have their father in the picture, I nodded like an idiot. I let the man who’d knocked me up lean in and kiss the corner of my mouth.

“I miss you,” he whispered in my ear. “You know that I miss you…I tried calling you after, but you wouldn’t return my calls or texts. I know we aren’t together and I’m still figuring this out, but if you need me…in other ways, I’m here for you.”

He turned to leave before I could respond. My eyes watered as shallow breaths assaulted my pathetic lungs. He needed time to consider being a dad, but for a quick fuck, he’d come right over? It hurt, burned in ways I hadn’t felt before, but I figured this must be how it goes, right? You fuck it up and then try to mash all the painful pieces together to make it work. That’s how my mom and dad had worked, until she couldn’t take it anymore and got out.

Swiping at my face, I headed for the parking lot, ready to hide in my new safe haven.

* * *

I realizedonce I started my car that I had no idea where I was headed. So, I had to text Juan to get the address.

Me:I kind of forgot to ask you for the address today

Juan:4589 S Terrace Court—key code for the gate should be on the paper, but if it’s not, it’s 901.

Me:Thank you

He didn’t respond, and I didn’t expect him to. He could stay on his side of whatever it was he did, and I would stay on mine.

Punching in the address, I began driving toward the nicer part of Rake Forge. Ten minutes later, I was in front of the same wrought iron gate I had seen the previous night. Pulling up close to the keypad, I entered the code Juan had given me and tried not to feel too giddy when it slowly slid open. Questions about how he’d gotten this house swirled in my head. The one and only time I had ever tagged along with Mallory to one of his movie nights, his apartment had been on the other side of town, and it was old, run down, and tiny. The only redeemable thing inside had been his couch.

The sun peeked in and out of the trees that acted like a canopy for the long driveway. Now that it was daylight, I could see how much land stretched along the white fence that bordered Juan’s house. A grove of trees was scattered along a large portion of his property, making me itch to walk under the branches to see what grew there.

I didn’t even fight the smile that broke out on my face. An accompanying flutter erupted in my stomach, and I knew it wasn’t a bout of nerves or butterflies. That was my baby.

“You as excited as me, little bean?”

I rolled down the windows and laughed as I felt a tiny kick prance along my abdomen.

“I wouldn’t mind living here either. There’s even a pool,” I muttered, loving the feeling of peace that began to unfurl inside my chest. This was the first time I’d felt at peace since finding out about being pregnant. I tried to fight the feeling trying to take root. I had to remind myself this was only temporary. A plant in a pot. I’d be leaving soon.

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