Page 27 of Like the Season
Chapter Nine
Boyd could see in many ways, beyond appearance, how Ella was just like him.
Including stubborn.
“I still don’t think this is a good idea,” she said Monday in her kitchen before they left for the coffee shop. “Rick’s not going to want to be a part of this baby’s life.”
“Then he should have worn a condom.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “Really? Because it seems you told me you used one with Mom, and look what happened.”
He sighed. “Good point. Except he’s a forty-something-year-old doctor who should damn well know better. And he’s twice your age.”
“You’re going to go dad on menow?”
“No, I’d like to go dad onhim.”
“Well, at least you’re not throwing me out for being knocked up.”
It was her snarky smile that finally did him in and pulled the laugh from him. He wrapped his arms around her as she broke down and started crying.
“I don’t want to be tied to him for the rest of my life,” she choked through her sobs. “He’s an asshole, and I wasreallyfreaking drunk. I normally never would have had dinner with the guy, much less have slept with the fucker. He’s great-looking, and I figured if other nurses could hate-fuck him, why not me? He’d hit on me before. I just…didn’t want to be alone that night, and I wasreallyfucking drunk.”
“Even more reason for me to want to beat his ass. Someone who’s drunk can’t give consent. We could file rape charges against him.”
“Except that would never stick this far out from when it happened. Don’t lie to me and tell me it will, because I work in an ER. I’ve seen enough rape kits done, and seen enough detectives with doubt in their faces. I’m not putting myself through that. Plus I don’t want to ruin his life, I just want himoutof mine. Doesn’t help that we work at the same damn hospital. AndIcalled him. It wasn’t rape, because at the time, I was totally willing and wanted it.”
She blew out a long breath. “I just didn’t wantthis.”
“Maybe he won’t want to be involved, but he should at least pay you child support.”
“I don’t want his support, either.”
He stared down into her blue eyes. “I can’t force you to sue him for support, but at the very least, give him a chance. Maybe he’ll surprise you. Stranger things have happened.”
She hitched back another sob and grabbed a piece of paper towel off the roll on the counter. “Only reason I’m going along with this in the first place is because of you. How you reacted.” She blew her nose. “I know you’re right that I at least owe my child a chance to have him in their life. Doesn’t mean I’m going to like it.”
“If he says no, then you’ll have your answer.”
“Any word on Mom’s parents?”
“Not yet. I sent a Facebook message to one of my friends from high school who knew one of her cousins. They haven’t gotten back to me yet.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not holding my breath.”
He finally convinced her to let him drive while she navigated. The coffeeshop was across the street from the hospital, and she had him park in the public parking garage next door.
He wished Caleb was there with him, but this couldn’t wait. The sooner she faced Rick, the better. If for no other reason than it wasn’t healthy for her to be stressing so much when she was pregnant.
If he could prevent his Ella from repeating what happened to Helen, he’d damn sure be a pushy father.
And if he could spare another guy the delayed-reaction shock—and guilt—of finding out decades down the road that he’d spread his genes and created another human being, it was worth that, too.
Maybe she was right and Rick was an asshole who’d tell her to go away.
Maybehewas right, and the guy would be stand-up.
Either way, it needed to be settled.
