Page 87 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
I’ve made peace with being back in Georgia’s house, even though I can’t wait to find my own. But I’ve made peace with that, too, being alone. Hopefully I’ll end up near the lake, or maybe in the hills. A place I can share with the girls, and raise the baby with family nearby. A place for Sunday dinners, and watching my babies grow.
If Matthias wants to keep showing up in my life, I’ve made peace with him being there, too. I don’t have any expectations or hopes for what’ll happen between us, but I do know I like having him in my life. He’s steadfast, and that’s all I can ask for right now. I haven’t seen him since movie night, but he still texts me every morning and every night, and we’ve talked on the phone a couple times, too.
“Hey, ready to go?”That voice. Matthias calls to me from over the back gate. I turn around giving him a smile, grabbing my phone as I make my way to him.
“Yeah, where are we headed to?”
He smiles at me. “Just a drive, nothing crazy.” I can’t help but laugh.
“Well, if you’re planning to break up with me, you don’t have to drive me somewhere to do it. Although, we’d technically have to be together first, so I guess I don’t have anything to worry about.”
He’s still smiling. “You don’t have anything to worry about, Britain, least of allmebreaking up withyou, I promise.” I’ve heard those words from someone else before, and he still left, so I won’t put too much stock into them. “It wasgoingto be a surprise, but we’re gonna go get ice cream,” he says.
“Sounds perfect,” I say, giving him a smile, as I unlatch the gate. He just waits for me until I’m right in front of him, then slides one arm around my back, pulling me into him tightly. His touch gives me butterflies as he drops his mouth to mine. This kiss isn’t like the last time, though, the day we had coffee. No, this time there’s an urgency. It’s a hunger, and I feel it, too.
He pulls away first, respecting my slow and steady request, but I can’t help that I bite my lip once we’re done. I could have done that for hours. He’s still looking down at me, and I know he’s thinking the same thing.
“Ready, babe?” he asks me, and for a moment, it’s like no time has passed. We’ve picked up right where we left off, and surprisingly, it feels good. Better than good. Matthias isn’t anyone's consolation prize, he’s no one's runner-up, and I won’t treat him like one. Because he’s here, with me,now. Even knowing I’m pregnant with someone else's child, he still wants me. He’s still choosing me. Here and now.
So instead of agreeing to go, I shake my head and say quietly, “No, I’m not ready.” He almost looks concerned for a moment until I reach up and pull him into me for another kiss. Because this is all we have, right? Today, here, right now. We might as well make the most of it.
EPILOGUE
Liam
When I drove past Colton’s that night and saw Britain walking, I felt like I was going to die. Seeing her was like seeing my heart walking around outside my body. I couldn’t breathe and time stood still, when in reality I blew past her in the blink of an eye. I spent all day writing that letter. Making sure it was perfect, leaving nothing to question. She had to have read it by now. I left it right on her pillow.
She probably went home right after I left and read it, but maybe not. I saw Matt coming in as I was going out, but I didn’t stop for a polite hello, not even a fucking head nod. If I would’ve stopped for even just a second, I would’ve turned right back around and hauled her out of that bar, right back to our house. An ache creeps up my spine remembering the look on her face when I slid her ring off.
It’s been five weeks, almost six now, since that night. I don’t sleep, I barely eat, and the only thing I think about is her. I called Sandy last week to let her know I was in Sonoma, but the disdain in her voice let me know I’m on her shit list. I tried hard not to ask about Britain, but I caved. I asked if she’d talked to her, or heard from her. All she said was, “She’s good, better off without you,” and then she hung up on me. I haven’t gotten up the nerve to try calling again.“She’s good”still bounces around in my head like a stray bullet.
Sandy probably only picked up because she didn’t know it was me. I got a new number, new phone, and a new iCloud before I left for Sonoma. I didn’t want to chance me calling Britain, or her calling me. Even though I’d give almost anything to hear her voice right now, but I know I can’t.
I’m doing the right thing. I’m finally making things right. For Britain, for Matthias. I can’t spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, always wondering if Britain would rather be with him. I’m giving her the time and space to work through this, and figure out what she really wants. I just hope to god it’s me.I hope she chooses me.
What’s meant for me will find me. If she’s in Spearhead in three months, waiting for me, I’ll know she’s mine.Please be there, Bambi.
Tim stomps into the trailer, shaking off dirt into the stuffy air.God, it’s hot in here.
“Hey, boss, you’ve got a visitor. Pretty cute blonde thing. She’s waiting for you outside.”Britain. I’m on my feet instantly, throwing open the door of the construction trailer.She couldn’t wait, it’s like a prayer answered.Thank fuck.
“Hey, stranger.”No. That fucking voice.
“This is private property, Tori. You need to leave.”
“Oh, come on now. You don’t have time for a quick chat with an old friend?” Her crooning voice brings me back to squeaky chalk on a blackboard.
“No.” I turn around, heading back inside. “If you’re not gone in two minutes, I’m calling the police.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll go. I just wanted to say congratulations, daddy.”What?
I turn around, but don’t move forward an inch. It’s not possible. It’s literally not possible that Tori is pregnant and that it’s my baby.
“Tori, don’t even start. If you’re pregnant, it’s not mine. I’ll get a court-ordered DNA test tomorrow. You need to leave.”
“Not me, silly. I’m not pregnant, thank god!”
“Then what are you talking about?”
