Page 109 of Space Balls: Houston, We Have Liftoff
Holt swallows.
“Of course I’m nervous too,” I rush to say. “I mean, I’m not stupid. Having a baby is a life-changing event.”
Nothing.
“But I’m more than financially capable, so I’m already luckier than most.” I scoot forward on the love seat, conjuring up the most pitiful puppy dog eyes I can muster. “And I’m even luckier because my baby will have two of the best uncles in the entire world.”
Flynn grunts again. “Obviously.”
The tension inside me eases a little, and I bite my lip, trying to hold back my smile. But when I glance at Holt, my mouth drops.
There aretearsin my stoic brother’s eyes.
“Holt?” I don’t know whether to hug him or brace for impact.
“My baby sister is going to be a mother.” Though he still isn’t looking at me, he breaks out of his stare, looking down at the floor as he braces his arms on his thighs. “Holy shit.”
Flynn and I both start in surprise over our brother’s rarely used explicative. I’m tempted to remind Holt to be more ladylike, as he’s told me countless times growing up, but, for once, I realize now might not be the time.
Expression still blank, Flynn turns to me. “Who else knows?”
“Um…” I bite my lip.
Flynn snorts. “Yeah, figures.”
I let out a small breath when Flynn’s lips twitch up and not down.
“Ian doesn’t know. Unless Trish told him,” I offer him with a grimace. “So there’s that.”
“Wait.” Holt’s head snaps up. “Julesknows?”
I nod, my pained expression deepening.
His eyes gain focus. “How long?”
Flynn leans back, seeming oddly relaxed about everything. “Probably since Rose started dodging our calls and Jackie and Jules started going into work early and coming home late. Basically dodging us.” He rolls his head on the cushion to Holt. “When we sent Ian after Vance.” Flynn cocks his head at me. “What was it, last week?”
Flynn is more astute than I give him credit for.
“Yeah.”
And then the expression I came to the ranch fearing spreads across Holt’s face. Anger. Disappointment. It’s the reaction I was most worried about, delayed, but there now that the shock has worn off.
I lean back, my whole body tightening as if preparing for a storm about to hit.
Holt shakes his head in disgust. “That’s the last time I bake her cookies for a while.”
My jaw drops.
“And she can forget those Christmas butter cookies I’ve been bragging about.”
A giggle erupts from my throat.
Holt and Flynn look at me like I’ve grown another head instead of a baby, but I can’t help but find the fact Holt’s anger is aimed at his girlfriend for knowing I was pregnant and not telling him rather than at me for being pregnant hilarious.
Another giggle escapes, and I try coughing to hide it.
Sighing at me, Holt slaps his hands on his thighs and pushes up and off the couch. Stepping around the coffee table, he reaches out his hand.
