Page 110 of Forever

“I love you,” she whispered silently as the guys fought over which movie to watch.

“I love you,” I whispered back.

In two weeks, we’d be getting married. I’d be getting everything I’d ever wanted since I was a teenager.Her.

Chapter 26

Friday

Brooklyn

Another week went by, and there was still no word from my dad. My wedding was in one week. And I really didn’t think he was going to make it.

I put my hand on my stomach. “It’s okay,” I said out loud. “That’s what pictures are for.” But I knew it wasn’t the same.

Focusing on the baby, the wedding, and worrying about my father just so happened to be the perfect mix of distraction. I was…happy. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile every day. But that was mostly because Matt was always by my side. And I was worried about tonight. I didn’t want to fall asleep without him. I was worried I’d reach out to empty covers and panic.

Some nights I still rolled over, expecting Miller to be sleeping beside me. It was always worse in the quiet. And Matt always chased away the shadows on my soul. He always hugged me as I cried.

And as much as I liked my friends, I didn’t think they’d understand me waking in the middle of the night sobbing over Miller when I was about to marry Matt. What would they say to him if that happened? What would they think of me?

I put my hand on my stomach again.

“Is he kicking yet?” Matt asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“You know the baby is too small for all that.”

“I know no such thing.” He leaned down and put the side of his face against my stomach. “I think I hear him.”

“Or her,” I said.

“Or her.” He listened for another second and then kissed my belly before standing up. He must have seen the worry on my face because he lowered his eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Mr. Best-Coach-in-the-City. I’m so proud of you.” I looped my arms behind his neck. Empire High had won their last game of the regular season last weekend. And they’d be playing in the championship game the weekend after our wedding. They already knew they’d made it to the championship game, but it was still fun watching them all celebrate their final regular season win.

“Thank you. But…what’s wrong?” he asked again.

I sighed. He could read me so well. “I don’t need a bachelorette party,” I said. “I don’t even want one. I just want to hang out with you. And you refuse to tell me where you’re going. You won’t even tell me what you’re doing.”

“I did tell you.You.”

I groaned. He kept saying that. “You’re impossible. I’m going to be worried all night.”

“How much trouble can we get into? We’ll be with Jacob.”

It was really sweet that he was bringing Jacob along. But also…what the hell were they doing? “That’s part of why I’m worried. All my favorite men will be out of the house.”

Matt smiled. “I think you’ll be plenty distracted.”

“I don’t think so.” I pressed my lips together.

“Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”

“You know I have nightmares some nights. I…” my voice trailed off. “I don’t want the Untouchables’ wives to see that.”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

I nodded.

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