Page 78 of Mending Hearts

When Cocksure Condoms had sent a boatload of samples, I’d never questioned the wisdom of using them. I got lots of free things all the time. None of them had ever gone this wrong.

“You know that lawsuit against Cocksure Condoms?”

“The huge class action suit?”

“Yep. I could have been part of that. What’d they get? A hundred bucks each in the end. Like that’ll cover a baby or whatever else people got from their defective condoms. Maybe I should offer to pay for other people’s baby expenses?” Grabbing my phone off the side table, I startedan internet search about people from the lawsuit. Any excuse to avoid my mother. Helping them out would be good publicity. Win-win.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have helped you.”

The door opened, and Tyler strolled in with his steaming coffee clutched in his hand. Just the sight of him made my insides melt.

“Helped me? Helped me, how?” I wasn’t listening, the words an automatic reply. Instead, I was watching the way the muscles in Tyler’s arm flexed each time he raised his cup to his mouth. When the pain got really bad, there was a chance I might never want to have sex again. This wasn’t that moment. This desperate ache for someone could not be normal.

“Helped you get rid of it, obviously. The last thing I wanted for you was this version of your life. I would never have let you choose this. You’re twenty-one. You should be out with friends, making mistakes, kissing guys on dance floors, traveling the world, not changing diapers and tying yourself to one man for the rest of your life.”

Tyler straightened and stared into his cup.

I could tell her the arrangement, that I wasn’t raising the baby. Soon enough, she’d find out. Right now, she didn’t deserve to know. “Your mistakes aren’t mine.”

“Sure, they are—you’re making the same ones right now.”

“So, I was a mistake.”

“I didn’t mean to get pregnant with you, but you aren’t a regret. There is a difference.”

“Sounds like I’m a regret.” I sucked in a deep breath. “If we were still dirt poor in the middle of nowhere, would I be?” When we’d first hit it big, I hadn’t wondered, had never thought to wonder. But every timemy mother had put the business ahead of my wishes, my well-being, I’d wondered.

Tyler laced his fingers with my closest hand.

“I do not regret you.”

I wanted to feel rage. That wasn’t an answer, not to the question I’d asked. Instead, a deep sadness settled. Telling the truth might stop the money train, might push us even further apart. “You haven’t been a very good mother.”

“Maybe it’s genetic. I didn’t have a very good one either.”

Genetic.Was that why I didn’t feel anything for this baby? Why the idea of being a mother was terrifying? Laura had always been able to tap into my greatest fears.

I’d be a bad mother, just like her.

Tears pricked, and I closed my eyes, willing myself not to cry. Tyler would be an excellent father. This baby would be loved. I hadn’t made a mistake. There would be no regret.

Opening my eyes, I hardened to my mother’s manipulation. “Did you really come to Little Falls to film my recording session?”

“Why? What did you hear?” Laura stiffened.

Tyler squeezed my hand, but I stayed focused on Laura. “What should I be hearing?” I’d been checking all my social media and Tyler’s for any sign of trouble. In the bathroom, before my water broke, I’d seen a photo of Tyler and Katie talking in the gym splashed across my feed. Of course, the asshole who posted it had tagged all three of us as though we were locked in some salacious triangle. All these randos bringing the drama, and none of them even knew about the baby.

They all thought we were holed up together. #LoveCave had trended. I’d spent that day screenshotting people’s ridiculous ideas and sending them to Tyler.

At least I wouldn’t have to turn over my memories of the last few months. I’d keep them close, never let anyone have them.

Laura narrowed her eyes, and she drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair, yanking me out of my thoughts. “This probably isn’t the right time to get into it.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do.” I pointed to my belly. A distraction from all these thoughts of Tyler might be a good idea. “The stubborn kid in here isn’t moving too fast. Entertain me, Mother.”

“It’s about Kenny Connors.” She arched her eyebrows. “Still want to be entertained?”

“Nope.” I popped another ice chip into my mouth and bit down hard. I was supposed to suck them or something, but I found the crunch far more satisfying. “That subject is not entertaining.”

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