Page 90 of Stuck with my Mechanic Daddies

I told myself it was just a test.

Just a precaution. A way to silence the doubt before it grew into something unbearable.

But deep down, I already knew.

The minutes crawled by, each one stretching longer, heavier, an eternity trapped in a room too small for the fear clawing at my ribs.

I paced.

I gripped the counter.

I counted down the seconds with my pulse hammering in my throat.

Then I looked.

The world narrowed, my vision tunneling as I read the result.

Positive.

A rush of air left my lungs, but it wasn’t relief. It was pure, unfiltered panic.

I was pregnant.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ethan

The steady rhythmof my feet hitting the packed dirt of the Fernridge Trailhead was usually enough to clear my head.

The early morning air was crisp, the scent of damp earth mixing with the faint pine that lingered in the trees.

Normally, this was my time—just me, the sound of my breath, and the dull burn in my muscles as I pushed myself forward.

No distractions. No bullshit. Just movement.

But today, no matter how fast or far I ran, my thoughts still tangled.

Aurora.

Her name lived in the back of my mind now, taking up space I wasn’t sure I was ready to give.

I gritted my teeth and picked up the pace, trying to run the tension out of my system.

Didn’t work.

The sound of twigs snapping pulled me out of my head, and I slowed as I rounded the next bend in the trail. A familiar figure was making his way toward me, his steps steady, shoulders squared.

Nate Harper, Lila’s brother.

Firefighter alongside Jaxon, Colt, and Ryan.

He nodded as he spotted me. “Ethan.”

“Nate,” I returned, slowing to a stop. “How's it going?”

“Yeah, good. You?”

I sighed heavily. “I dunno. Needed to clear my head.”

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