Page 113 of Hinder
“Leighton,” she interrupts, but her gaze falls to the ground.
“Sorry, that’s ridiculous. Who would go through all of that just for a few more hours together. I’m ridiculous, right?”Me! I would! I would go through all that and more.
She bites the inside of her cheek as if she’s considering my plan. Please say yes, my heart begs. When she meets my hopeful stare with one of her own, I want to cheer.
“If I stay, what would you give me?” she asks.
With her hand in mine, I bring it to rest on my chest. “Everything. My heart. My body. Everything I am.”
Her eyes shine, but she doesn’t cry. “You mean that?”
“I do.”
“I have something to tell you.” Her voice wavers and my mind summons a thousand possibilities for why that is. “I didn’t want to see you because of the interview.”
“Oh.”
“I had Lexi call because I–I’m—” She drops her chin and a few tears trickle down her cheeks.
I step closer and wrap my arms around her. “You can tell me anything.”
“I sure hope you mean that.” She sniffles into my chest.
Alarm grows in my gut, and I hold her closer. “Opal, what is it? Tell me.”
She lifts her chin, and meets my stare. “I’m pregnant.”
“Oh.” The breathwooshesout of my chest. In this one moment my world tilts on its axis. Everything changes.
She licks her lips, watching my reaction. “It’s yours.”
How?“But we—”
“Were careful. I know. But not enough.”Our last night together.
Elation weighs down the shock, and if she weren’t already in my arms I’d pull her close. Opal is pregnant. With my child. I’m going to be a father, and she’s, she’s carrying my child. I cup her cheeks with my hands and take in her expression. I memorize everything about this moment. About the beginning of our family. My lips crash to hers and I kiss her with all my hopes and dreams. I kiss her, not like it’s our last, but like it’s our forever.
She’s timid at first, accepting my kiss but not taking part. It only lasts a moment, though, before her lips move with the same hunger as mine. Her hands roam up my chest to the collar of my shirt and she tugs me closer, pressing our bodies flush. We’re a perfect fit. This. Us.
A clearing throat is what finally pulls us apart. I don’t know how long we’ve been standing here making out, but by Opal’s flushed cheeks and plump lips it’s more than a few minutes.
Lexi leans against the open door frame and stares. Her arms cross her chest, but the hint of a smirk plays on her lips. “I take it you two made up.”
I grin.
“I told him about the baby.” Opal takes my hand in hers.
Lexi gives in to a smile. “Good.”
“I want her to stay. We’ll take a flight and meet up with you tomorrow.” I squeeze Opal’s hand.
Lexi scowls and then narrows her glare on Opal. “You didn’t ask him?”
Opal glances at me. “We had a few things to discuss first.”
Lexi rolls her eyes, and narrows her stare. “There’s this band. I’m not sure whether you’ve heard of them before, Three Ugly Guys? Anyway, they could really use a permanent drummer.”
I look from her to Opal, and back again. They’re both smiling, but it can’t be. “I don’t think I’m welcome.”
