Page 59 of Chasing After You
“Yes.” Knox nods emphatically. “Every room.”
“First of all,” I turn toward Knox, “that’s weird. Why were you two so thorough?”
“If you must know,” I wave for him to go on because I must, “we wanted to make sure we were thoroughly alone before we got thoroughly naked.”
“Well, now I’m sorry I asked.”
“Now we’re all sorry.” Jason makes a face. “You have your own room. With a fucking door. Why do I get the feeling you didn’t use it?”
Knox just lets out an uncomfortable laugh but doesn’t confirm or deny a thing.
Which fucking confirms it.
“Alright, next.” I clear my throat turning my attention over to Jason, “What’s up, man? Did you lose your woman or are you trying to escape her?”
“Neither.” He reaches into his pocket and retrieves a telling, red velvet box. “I just didn’t want her to overhear what I’m about to say.”
NESSA
“Cass!” I practically squeak her name, so surprised to see her coming out of my room just as I’m about to walk in. “Were you looking for me?”
“Um, no.” She pulls the door shut behind her, looking suddenly busted. “I was here to see Oliver.”
“Oh.” I think it over for a moment. But there’s no way I can just forget this happened, so, “I mean, I think we both know I have questions now.”
She laughs. It’s high and uncomfortable, but the way her eyes light up at the same time, tells me whatever this secret is she’s keeping, she’s dying to spill it. “It’s just,” she starts, lowering her voice like she’s worried someone might overhear. It’s unlikely. This is the only room upstairs. And I think we’ve well-established the fact my siblings won’t use stairs while on vacation. Which leaves Oliver. Who clearly already knows whatever she’s about to say. “I heard he was a doctor.”
I frown. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you just go to Clark. You’ve known him for ages.”
“That’s kind of whyI didn’tgo to Clark. Because we’veallknown him for ages.”
“I assume by all you mean Jason?”
She nods. “It’s nothing bad, I swear.” She shrugs like she’s at a loss for more to say. “I’m just not ready for him to know. And I didn’t want to put Clark in an awkward position.” Her eyes drift toward the door to my room. “So, I went to Oliver.”
I can feel my own eyes narrow. “Cass?”
“I saw a sign in the barn about the risks of horseback riding and who was at higher risk for injuries,” she whispers, “but I didn’t see it until after going on the ride this afternoon. And I panicked. Because I’m thirty-eight. And...”
“And you’re pregnant,” my voice is barely a breath when I piece together the last of her secret. “With your first baby.”
She smiles. No. She freaking glows. “Yeah.” Her hand finds her stomach, gently cupping it. “Oliver said not to worry as long as I don’t experience any unexpected cramping or bleeding.”
“Cass,” I sigh, suddenly delirious with happiness. “You’re going to be a mom.”
“I know.” Her eyes get glassy. “It’s crazy.”
“It’s amazing.” I pull her to me for a celebratory hug. Cass always wanted a family. The whole time I’ve known her, she’s fought off the constant fear she couldn’t have it all. Couldn’t tour the world with a rock band and be a mother. Couldn’t spend her life living on a bus with three men and have a healthy relationship with one. And now here she is, about to prove all her doubts wrong.
“You won’t say anything? Not even to Matti?” she asks when we step out of our embrace.
“I promise. It’s your news to share. I would never rob you of that moment.” I clutch my hands to my own heart. I remember how this feels. “Don’t wait too long. The feeling only gets better when you have that someone to share it with.”
She nods. “You don’t think he’ll freak?”
“Fuck yeah, he’ll freak.” I take her hand and squeeze it tight. “In the best way possible, Cass. He’ll be over the moon. I just know it.”
“I hope you’re right.” She squeezes my hand right back. “Because I’m so fucking happy I don’t know what to do with myself. And I don’t know how I’ll deal if he doesn’t end up feeling the same way.”
