Page 101 of That: Taylor & Brooks

Despite everything, the shock, the fear, the uncertainty swirling, making her sick, Taylor found herself laughing weakly. “That’s your takeaway from this?”

“For now,” Blake admitted, sitting beside her on the exam table.

“Look, I know this is a lot. I know it’s not what you planned. But Taylor...” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “You’re not alone in this. And you don’t owe anybody shit, no explanation. Not even a little bit.”

Taylor nodded, tears welling in her eyes. She wasn’t alone. She had Blake. She had her job, her independence. And she had Brooks.

Brooks.

The thought of him sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her. They had just found their footing, had just stopped dancing around what they meant to each other. What would this do to them? Would he be happy? Feel Trapped? Overwhelmed?

“What am I going to tell Brooks?” She whispered, her hand moving unconsciously to her still-flat stomach.

Blake’s expression softened. “The truth, Taylor. Tell him the truth. He a grown man.”

“And what is that, exactly?” Taylor’s voice crackedwith emotion. “That I’m pregnant? That we’re having a baby? That in seven or eight months, our lives are going to change completely?”

“Yes,” Blake said simply. “Basically, all of that. He was there very present and very careless. If he didn’t want babies, he should have wrapped it up. Brother or not.”

Taylor closed her eyes, trying to imagine the conversation, trying to picture Brooks’ reaction. Would he pull away? Would he step up even more than he already had? What did she want him to do?

The answer to that last question came with surprising clarity: she wanted him to be happy. To want this baby as much as she was already beginning to, despite the fear and uncertainty. She wanted them to face this together, as a family.

“I need to see him,” she said suddenly, standing up. “Now. Today.”

Blake nodded, already pulling out her phone. “Go. Girl, fuck this place. Plus, you look terrible. You need to try again tomorrow, or something.”

Taylor hesitated, gratitude washing over her. “Blake, Go to hell. And I can’t just leave work.”

Blake cut her off with a smile. “Yes, you can. Think of it as an extended lunch. They will be fine. Go tell my brother he’s going to be a daddy.”

Taylor did just that. She took an extended lunch and headed to drop the news.

The drive to Bishop Towing felt simultaneously too long and too short. Taylor’s mind raced the entire way, rehearsing what she would say, how she would say it, struggling to envision Brooks’ reaction. Every stoplight became a chance to second-guess herself, towonder if she should wait until after the gala, until they had more time, until she was ready.

But she knew there would never be a perfect time for news like this. And Brooks deserved to know.

When she pulled into the lot, she spotted his car parked in its usual place, a sign he was in the office rather than out and about. Relief and terror mingled dancing in her chest as she made her way to the front entrance, nodding at Marco behind the counter.

“Hey, Taylor,” he greeted and a few others did the same. She’d grown to know a few of them over the course of her many visits. “Boss man’s in his office.”

“Thanks,” she managed, heading toward the back. Each step felt like moving through water with cinderblocks on her legs. They were heavy and her heart was pounding against her ribs.

She paused outside Brooks’ door, gathering her courage. Through the glass, she could see him leaning against his desk phone pressed to his ear. The familiar sight of him made her heart beat with love and fear. Before she could lose her nerve, she knocked softly and pushed the door open.

Brooks glanced up, surprise flashing across his face before his expression softened into that smile he reserved only for her. He held up a finger, signaling he’d be just a minute, before returning to his call.

“Yeah, we’ll be there. Seven sharp. Thanks again.” He ended the call, laying his phone down, giving her his full attention.

“Hey beautiful, this is a nice surprise. You get fired?” he joked.

Taylor stepped fully into the office, closing the door behind her. “We need to talk.”

Something in her tone must have alerted him because his easy smile faded, replaced by concern. “What’s wrong? You okay?”

“I’m not sure,” she said honestly, moving to stand before him. He grabbed her arm and brought her in for a hug.

“Talk to me Tay. What’s on your mind?” He was getting concerned. She was pausing, avoiding eye contact and Taylor didn’t miss work. As he searched her face, she looked fatigued, like she’d had a hard day. “Talk to me.”

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