Page 89 of Lose to Win: Lost Trilogy: Part 3
My eyes widen in surprise. Puck’s hand tightens on my shoulder, and now it is our turn to stare at her speechless.
“Steve Proctor?” My voice sounds small. The last time I saw Steve, he was having his head blown off his shoulders, both literally and figuratively.
“Yes,” she nods. “Your ex.”
I open and close my mouth, looking like a fish out of water. I am not a good criminal if I don’t know how to answer her question without looking like I’m lying.
“Why would you ask Emily about her ex boyfriend when her husband is standing right next to her?” Puck glowers from next to me, making my shoulders sag in relief.
“Husband?” she whispers. “But I thought…”
I shake Puck’s arm off me and take a step forward, even though I can tell he doesn’t want me to move from his side.
“Ashley, were you and Steve close?”
She just nods with sadness.
“Was it you who was keeping an eye on me while I was at work?”
She nods again.
“I haven’t seen Steve in a while,” I lie through my teeth. “But I just want you to know he is a dangerous man. And that he was stalking me.”
“He said it was for the baby,” Ashley’s voice gets a little louder now. “That you don’t want to let him have contact with the baby. I was only helping him…”
“This,” I place both hands on my belly, “is no one else’s baby but mine and my husband’s. I don’t know what gave Steve the impression that the baby could’ve been his. He and I broke up way before I got pregnant with my husband.”
I make sure to enunciate the wordhusbandevery time I say it. She looks more confused with each time.
“I’m really sorry to tell you, Ashley,” I take her hand in mine, “but Steve played you. He played me, too,” I add. “He cheated on me during our relationship, and I’m sure he did the same to you.”
Tears are now running down her face. “Was it Lonnie?”
“Most likely,” I confirm, knowing exactly who she is talking about.
Ashley stares at the floor for a while, tapping her foot nervously against the shiny linoleum.
“I’m sorry,” she finally whispers. “I didn’t know.”
I nod in understanding. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
With that, I let go of her hand and step back into Puck. His hands come to rest on my hips, and he doesn’t say anything. Ashley gives us one final look before turning around to leave.
As soon as she is out of sight, I sag against Puck.
“You did so good, babe,” he breathes into my ear before kissing me softly on the cheek. “I am so proud of you.”
I turn around to face him. “I’m so scared.”
“Scared of what?” He pushes loose strands of hair behind my ears. “It’s over. It’s just us now. The only thing we have to worry about is growing and bringing this baby into the world.”
“I’m scared they’ll connect me to what happened today, and that I’m going to end up in prison for the rest of my life. That I won’t even get to see the baby growing up…” I sniffle.
He is about to say something when we get interrupted by his cell phone ringing.
“I’m sorry,” he tells me after glancing at the screen. “I really need to take this.”
I nod and drop my face into my hands, falling into his chest when he pulls me closer to him. His conversation is short and to the point, but I don’t pay attention to what’s being said.
