Page 19 of Fumbled Love

“You bet your ass you will, Ivy.” He slammed his hands on his hips and clenched his jaw.

“First, my name isn’t Ivy?” He flicked his hands in the air like he couldn’t care less and signaled for me to make my point. Instead, I stood there for a moment, unable to speak because it was hard to think with him standing so close to me. Finally, I swallowed and forced myself to get this part over with. “My name is Kinley.”

He stared at me and tilted his head to the side. Then, slowly, very slowly, I saw the recognition sink in.

His mouth opened and closed, and his eyes seemed to double in size. “Kinley Roberts?”

“Yes.” I stuffed my hands into my coat pockets. “Can I come in? We need to talk.”

“Uh, yeah. I guess.” He staggered back a little. “Kinley fucking Roberts. I’ll be goddamned,” he mumbled, holding his hand out for me to make my way through the doorway.

I walked into the living room that stretched to a wall of windows leading to an outdoor terrace. Taking a quick glance around, everything appeared sleek and modern. It was a hell of a lot more impressive than what I lived in—just another subtle reminder of how dissimilar our lives had become.

He ran a hand over his stubbled jaw and drew a long breath. “Why didn’t you say anything to me when we first met?”

“You didn’t recognize me and I was too embarrassed to bring it up.”

“Yeah, well. You look different. You know, a lot more grown up.” He ran his hand through his hair and down the back of his neck.

“I’m going to look even more different in about eight months.”

He stilled.

“I’m pregnant.”

CHAPTER8

MAVERICK

My memoriesof her were nothing like reality. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew there was something familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Now I knew why she felt different.

Holy Fuck! I slept with Kinley Roberts! And now she’s…my gaze dropped down to her stomach. It was still flat.

“You’re pregnant?” My brain felt like it was short-circuiting as the implications of her words spun in my head like an out-of-control rocket that was about ready to crash. Her eyes closed, and I said the stupidest thing a man could possibly say. “And you think I’m the father?”

My mind went back to that night, trying to remember every detail. This couldn’t be right. There was no way. It just wasn’t possible.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you serious? Or are you just trying to piss me off right now?”

It was a dick thing to say, and I deserved her attitude. Probably deserved worse. But I didn’t have a clue about how to handle this situation. I was in utter shock with a million damn questions that needed answers.

“Well, excuse me. It was one night. Do know how many women have made this kind of accusation to men like me? It happens more than you think, so you’ll have to forgive me for thinking you’re any different.”

I wasn’t trying to be a jackass, but it seemed like everyone today had an ulterior motive. Women were all about cash and drama. They either wanted my dick or my money. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I had to remind myself that she wasn’t some cleat chaser I met at a club. She was Kinley. My little sister’s best friend. Someone I’ve known most of my life.

When I opened my eyes, hers were narrowed on me, and holy hell, was she scary when she was pissed.

“Do you have any idea how insulting you are? Clearly, all the fame has gone to your big, fat, inflated head. So, let’s get something straight, Mr. I’m a Fucking Big Shot, who thinks he has the right to act like a shithead.” She stabbed a finger in my direction. “If I was here trying to shake you down for a few bucks, then I’d give you a price here and now. Instead, I came here because it was the right thing to do and you deserved to know.” Her voice started to shake with emotion. “That’s my ulterior motive, so you can take all that other bullshit you were spewing and shove it.”

“Damn it,” I shouted out. “How could I be so damn stupid to sleep with you?” As soon as I said it, I realized my mistake and felt like the world’s biggest asshole because that was not how I meant it.

Her mouth hung open as she tried to blink the tears away. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” The devastation on her face dimmed something inside me. “But I shouldn’t have come here.”

Her boot-clad feet smacked against the cold tile of my penthouse. Christ, I couldn’t seem to say anything right. I stepped in front of her. She seemed so small at that moment. Nothing like the spitfire I had the pleasure of spending the night with and certainly nothing like the girl I remembered from my youth.

“I didn’t mean it like that, I swear. I’m just shocked, that’s all.” I tried to explain, but hurt, angry eyes stared up at me. “I owe you an apology. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t owe me anything.” She turned up her cute little button nose in attitude. It turned me on in ways it shouldn’t have. “I don’t expect anything from you. If you want to forget that night ever happened, that’s your choice. If you want nothing to do with me or this baby then I’ll accept that too. But I plan on raising this child, with or without you.”

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