Page 118 of Trustfall

My dad suddenly claps his hands, as if he’s in a board meeting, and announces that he’s going to call it a night. I look at Allie, partially slumped in her chair, and then to Nate. He mouths, “I got her” to me and I put my hands together in silent thanks. I’m in no place to judge unhealthy coping mechanisms, but Allie’s been drinking a lot lately. More than usual. Normally, I would take her home and pour her into bed, but I really need some time alone with Luke tonight. I’m afraid I might lose my nerve if I wait another day. Still, I’m worried about her.

Everyone says their goodbyes, and when Allie doesn’t make any indication that she is going to move, Nate grabs her shoulder to help her up. She gasps dramatically and turns to me. “Oh my god. Do you see the way your brother is handling me? Maybe we should get revenge, Nate. What’s the opposite of brother’s best friend? Best friend’s brother?”

Nate rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh. “You owe me,” he says as he scoots Allie towards the gate. She giggles. Nate groans. And my dad looks like he would rather do anything other than get in the car they are all heading to. I wave as they disappear through the gate and head back to help clear the table.

“Don’t you dare,” Anna says in her Southern drawl. “We’ve got it. Go home. Be in love.”

Luke shakes his head. “You don’t have to tell me twice, Ma. We’ll get out of your hair.”

“You’re never in my hair, baby boy,” she says, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek. “I just know what it’s like to be young. You want as much alone time as possible.”

I hear a scoff and turn to see Calvin looking offended. “You don’t want alone time with me now?” he asks his wife.

She hits him lightly with the back of her hand. “Will you quit it? You’re making the boy uncomfortable.”

Luke grabs my hand and starts backing up towards the gate. “Okay, thanks for dinner. We’ll see you guys another time,” he rushes out as he pulls me, but Anna stops him and wraps her arms around me.

Before she lets me go, she whispers, “He’s going to be ecstatic, baby girl.”

I give her a smile as we pull away and wave goodbye to Calvin. As Luke hurriedly pushes me through the back gate, I find myself feeling more confident than I did a few minutes ago.

Now I can’t wait to tell him.

The ride home is quiet,but comfortable. Luke has one hand on the steering wheel and the other on my thigh, just like he always does when we’re driving. I cover his warm hand with mine and he looks over, giving me an easy smile. We pull up to our driveway and he rushes out before I can open my door, so that he can do it for me. My cheeks warm at the action, even though he’s done it a hundred times. He still makes my heart beat uncontrollably with the smallest gestures.

As soon as we get in the house, I make a beeline for the bedroom so I can change into comfy sweats.

“Movie?” I hear Luke calling from the living room.

“Sounds good,” I yell back as I pull my sweatpants up.

I’m trying to rack my brain for a cute way to tell him. Maybe I should wrap the positive test up and say I got him an early birthday present. Or put the ultrasound picture on the fridge and see if he notices? But as I’m trying to figure out the perfect way to tell the man I love that he’s going to be a father, I hear soft footsteps behind me, and the heady combination of spice and mint surrounds me. My heart starts thumping. Then I feel strong arms circling my waist.

“It’s been a week, Emory,” he rasps into my ear, sliding a hand down and stopping just above the waistband of my pants.

I shudder and goosebumps sheet my skin. Has it really been that long? We usually have sex once, if not twice a day. But I’ve been feeling awful, and Luke has graciously taken the hint that I haven’t been up for it. Although that ginger ale really did do the trick…

Focus, Emory. You need to tell him.

“Luke,” I try to say sternly, but it comes out as more of a whine.

“Yeah, baby?” he whispers seductively.

“We need to talk.”

He immediately halts his movement, taking a step back, and I mourn the loss of his warmth.

“Emory, I swear to God if you’re trying to leave me again?—”

“No,” I say, spinning around to face him. “Never.”

“Then what…”

I hesitate for a moment, but then I just go for it. He doesn’t need a cheesy reveal. He just needs my honesty.

“Okay, so remember when you wanted to read the same book I was reading, and then I had to explain to you what a breeding kink is?”

“Yeah…”

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