Page 165 of Even Exchange

“I let you deal with this like you asked,” Elijah says, gaze connecting with mine, leaving no room for argument. “He’s done disrespecting you. Please, get in the truck.”

“Come on,” Sophia says, grabbing my arm gently, tugging me away, and my eyes meet Jonathan’s.

“I never want to see your face again,” I shout as Sophia drags me away from the house.

“Too bad you’ll be looking at it for the rest of your life,” Jonathan says, and I rear back as if he slapped me.

“Fuck you!” Tears sting my eyes as I fight the urge to throw up.

A sickening smirk spreads across his face, and he places his hand on the door frame. “Well,babe, that’s what got you into this mess in the first place, isn’t it?”

Elijah snatches Jonathan, shoving him up against the wall of the house. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

“Get off me,” Jonathan says, pushing Elijah away. Sophia holds me back and I try to shake her, but she won’t let me go.

“Men take responsibility,” Elijah continues.

“The only thing I’ll take responsibility for is fucking that cunt without a condom,” Jonathan snarls, and Sophia gasps.

Elijah cocks his fist and slams it directly into Jonathan’s nose.One point, Anderson.My body trembles with rage.

“Oww!” Jonathan cries out like a little bitch, back against the wall, then turns to Elijah, eyes full of fury. I can’t even pretend I’m upset Elijah did it.

“You deserved that,” Elijah tells him, backing away.He totally deserved that.

“I’m calling the cops,” Jonathan says, spitting blood on the front porch.

“Go ahead!” Sophia shouts, gripping my arm. “Elijah, give him your dad’s number.”

“That’s bullshit.” Jonathan slips inside, his eyes connecting with mine. He shakes his head and slams the door. A final nail in the coffin.

In a haze, I walk to the truck. Sophia helps me inside, pulls the buckle over me, clicks it in, and I’m on autopilot the entire drive to my parents’ house.

My stomach flutters. I place my hand over it, and a little kick responds to my touch. I gasp.This is new.

“You okay?” Sophia asks.

“Yeah,” I say, a smile spreading across my face, heart swelling. “My little girl was just reminding me she’s here.”

I’m so happy you’re here.

33

NOAH

Knowing Charlotte’s in Longwood without me, talking to that shit bag probably at this very moment, makes me want to vomit. To top it off, Bexley let us go early so we can rest up for the first regular season game tomorrow, and given my extra time, I’m once again in the driveway of Mom’s house to deliver unexpected news. She’s been begging for an ultrasound photo, and I know the second she gets one there will be questions.

Questions I don’t have the energy to answer.

It’s not my baby,technically, and it feels weird to make some big “I’m not the father” announcement when they still both feel like mine.

But if Charlotte is brave enough to tell her parents tonight, so can I.

Ten minutes later, Mom, Tony, and I are situated on the living room couch, drinking espresso.

After downing the caffeine boost, I finally pull out my wallet and retrieve the little image from Charlotte’s last appointment. “I’ve got an ultrasound photo for you.”But I’m unfortunately not the father.

“Why didn’t you start with that?” Mom gasps, setting her cup on the living room table with a clink, and she snatches the paper. “Oh, che meraviglia!”?1She runs her fingers over it, then pauses.“Noah Gabriel?”

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