Page 51 of Power Play
And in six months, it's going to get even better.
Jaqueline blinks at me. "Pregnant," she repeats.
"With twins."
"Twins?"
And I can't help the laugh that escapes me. "And you want to know the funny part, Jaq? I'm not even sure the babies are mine."
Lacey gasps next to me, but I wrap her hand with mine and rest it on my thigh. The irony of the situation has me feeling so light and happy. Because it doesn't matter who the biological dad is. These babies are mine. Mine to protect, mine to care for, mine to love and raise and share life with.
"What? Scott!" Jaqueline shouts, causing some of the other patrons to turn our way. I couldn't care less.
Jaqueline's jaw drops open before she closes it, and opens it again.
"The difference between you and her, though, Jacki, is that not a word out of her mouth has ever been a lie." And that's the honest to God truth. Lacey couldn't be more different from Jaqueline if shetried. Honest, humble, hard working, caring, thoughtful and selfless. Everything Jaqueline wasn't.
I bring Lacey's hand to my mouth and kiss the back of it.
"Scott, can I talk to you?" Jaqueline asks, leaning down but not whispering.
"Nah, I'm good. I would say it was nice to see you, but it wasn't. Have a great life." I say, dismissing her. I don't owe her any more of my time, or my attention. We were married once, yes, but I'm not sure she ever loved me, or even respected me. So why would I waste any more of my time on her, when the woman next to me deserves all of it?
She hesitates a little before huffing and stomping off.
I couldn't give a shit.
I smile at the woman sitting next to me, who is looking down, embarrassed or upset.
I smile at her like she gave me the world. Because she did.
Chapter twenty-nine
Lacey
Ifeel about as small as an ant.
What was supposed to be a romantic evening out turned into an absolute train wreck. And I want nothing more than to leave. To run away and hide and never leave the house again. Never leave his house again. Christ, I don't even have my own place.
"Go on," Scott says.
I look up at him, surprised.
He twirls his finger in the air in a 'go on' motion. "Tell me what's going on in that beautiful head of yours."
I debate lying and pretending I'm fine, but if I've learned anything, it's that Scott can read me like a book. "It's just... everything you said. You're dating a woman pregnant with kids who might not be yours. I just..." I look down at my lap again, miserable. "I just wonder why you're with me. Why bother?"
I look up at him with a fraction of hope. The look he's giving me is adoring, but he has to know how ridiculous our situation is, right?
The hand playing with my hair moves to the back of my neck, where he grips it firmly.
"I'm with you... I'm bothering... because I like you. Because you make my life better and brighter, just because you're in it. Because you're letting me help raise these kids, even if they're not my own. Because you make me happier than I have been, maybe ever. Because, whether you believe me or not, I actually enjoy hanging out with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I'm bothering because you are thebest woman I've ever met, and I'm really fucking glad you let me stick around."
I blink up at him, shocked. I knew he liked me, and I knew he wanted a chance with a family, but this... this confession has me floored. And Ben's absolutely right. I don't take compliments well. So, I stare back at my lap, unsure of how to process his words.
He leans even closer. Closer than what's appropriate at a fine dining restaurant. "And I'll let you in on a little secret." His breath coasts over my cheek. "I'm going to spoil you so much you'll never want to get rid of me. It's all part of the master plan."
I pull back to try to look at his face. But Scott doesn't let me retreat. He brings my forehead to his. "Jacqueline only ever had her self-interests at heart. She was exactly what she thought I wanted because she knew I would make it big one day. And then I did, and gave her everything she wanted, and it still wasn't enough. You? I've only ever seen you give. You give yourself to me and the boys, you give yourself to the team. You could have quit, and I still would have spoiled you rotten. But you insist on working. You could have forced me into a relationship, but you were going to raise two babies on your own. Lacey..." he whispers my name and closes his eyes as if trying to regain some control. My stomach clenches with all the unspoken things. "You're giving me everything I've ever wanted - a family, and someone who wants to be with me for me. Two things I'd given up on ever finding. You have no idea..." He pauses, seemingly needing a moment to compose himself. One deep breath in, one deep breath out. "I would give anything for that. But I don't have to give anything, because you're so fucking amazing, you don't know any other way but to give. You have no idea how sexy that is."
