Page 44 of Unpredictable

“This is bullshit! He shouldn’t even be here!” Sage yells as Reed tries to calm her.

“Stay out of their business, Sage. It’s their business, not ours,” Reed tells her sternly.

“Victoria is my business!” she growls.

“Sage, give him a chance. Victoria already said it’s okay,” Keaton soothes.

“Sage, I love you. I love that you’re being protective. I need to talk to him though. I want you to give us some time to talk. I’ll come find you as soon as we’re done,” V says while rubbing her temples.

I lay my hands on Victoria’s shoulders and start rubbing them. “Go. I’ll text you when you can come back,” I tell Reed.

Victoria shrugs my hands off, distancing herself from me.

Sage sits on the floor. “No, I’m not leaving. I don’t trust this idiot.” She glares.

Reed sighs before picking her up off the floor, throwing her over his shoulder, and carrying her out.

“Put me down, you fucking ape!” she demands while punching his back.

“Knock it off, or I won’t do that thing you like with my tongue!” Reed growls and smacks her ass.

Sage instantly goes still. “You play dirty,” she tells Reed before looking at Victoria. “Remember, there’s a time to be nice and a time to stand your fucking ground, Victoria. Don’t let him sweet talk you into shit!” she calls out right before Keaton shuts the door.

“You okay?” I ask softly.

“Yeah, let’s get this over with.” V moves towards the movie room off the den. She crashes down onto the couch, covering her face with her hand. “Talk, Sterling.”

“Right, talk,” I repeat, slightly nervous.

“What are you doing here?” she coaxes, peeking over at me.

“You’re here, so I’m here.” I shrug.

“I don’t know how my being here affects you.” She turns her entire gaze upon me.

“This is me showing up.” I roll my shoulder back.

“Showing up?”

“You’re pregnant.”

“Gee, thanks, I wasn’t aware,” she deadpans.

“With my baby,” I say gently.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Who would have thought?” she mocks.

“I’m not letting you do this alone. I want you; I want our baby. So, I’m here with you.”

“I don’t need you, Sterling.” She sighs, making me flinch.

“You don’t need me. I need you though. You want me anyways. Just like I want you,” I say, full of confidence.

“You hurt me. More than once.”

“I did.” I cringe.

“You fucking slept with other women. Peach panties, remember?” she says harshly.

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