Page 30 of Interference
Under the table, Brett squeezes my thigh.
This is it.
“I’m pregnant,” I choke out.
Mom sucks in a breath as her hand flies over her heart while Daddy sets his fork down gently.
“Come again?” he asks slowly.
“I said you two are going to be grandparents.”
This time my voice doesn’t shake.
Mom and Daddy share a look but don’t say anything.
“Say something, please,” I beg after a minute.
When they turn toward me, the disappointment is clear on their faces.
“What about the Olympics?” Mom asks.
“Obviously that isn’t happening now, Ellen,” Daddy says.
“It’s going to happen. Just not this go-around,” Brett cuts in, his fingers digging into my thigh.
Daddy scoffs. “Not without our financial backing it won’t. We’ve invested millions of dollars to make sure you would make it this round only for you to drop the ball at the last minute.”
“Daddy…” The tears start to roll down my face when he shakes his head.
“No, I love you, Emery. You know that, and I supported your dream, but no more. I’ll gladly make sure you and your baby are taken care of until you graduate and get on your feet, but that’s it. No more trainers, no more nutritionists, nothing. You made your bed, and it’s time for you to sleep in it.”
I knew this would be his reaction, but his words kill me.
“Enough,” Brett hisses. “Did we intend to have a baby right now? Of course not. It’s no secret that she was headed for the Olympics, but this is happening. We will have our baby, and once she’s cleared, she will start training again.”
“And who will pay for it?” Daddy asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.
A wicked smirk crosses Brett’s face. “Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Brett Woods. Yes, the son of Elijah Woods and sole heir to Woods Law and Financials. As of today, Emery doesn’t need your financial backing because she has mine. I will take care of her, our child, and her training when the time comes. She will earn her way to the Olympics on her talent, and I will gladly foot the bill. The only thing Emery needs from you is your support. If you won’t, walk out that door right now and don’t look back. My parents don’t care about me, and I won’t let you guys make Emery feel the way I do, nor will I let anyone be part of my child’s life who is only doing so out of obligation. It’s my job to protect both of them. Again, if you aren’t on board, there’s the door.” He points to the door.
My heart races as I stare at him. In the three years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him this passionate about something.
Me. He’s passionate about me and our baby.
“Now, now, how about we all calm down? This has come as a shock to us all,” Mom says, trying to be the peacekeeper.
Daddy sighs as he turns to look at me, disappointment still on his face, making my heart ache.
“Sweetheart…” he says, but I shake my head, making him stop.
“I think it’s best if you guys leave for now,” I tell them quietly.
“Sweetheart, we need to discuss this,” Daddy says.
I shake my head again, but it’s Brett who speaks.
“She’s asked you to leave.”
Mom reaches out and touches Daddy’s arm gently. “Let’s go back to the hotel. We can discuss this with Emery later when we’ve all cooled down.”
