Page 68 of Duke
But assuming she does want to keep it, my plans for the future just took a hard left turn. No way I’ll be able to travel, at least not for a while. I did get a huge pay bump when Mollie and Cash made my brothers and me equal partners in Lucky River Ranch. But Sawyer’s said over and over again that raising a baby in this day and age ain’t cheap. Especially if you plan to save for college. I didn’t get a degree, but I want to make damnsure my kids have the opportunity to get one if they want. Then there’s the diapers, the car seats—shit, I should probably get a new truck, one that’s more reliable—the cribs, the insurance, the child support…
Not to mention the fact that my world would get a lot smaller. More constrained. If I’m gonna be a daddy, I’m gonna do it right. That’s just how my parents raised me. Mom would roll over in her grave if I was a deadbeat who was only kinda sorta involved in his kid’s life. I wanna be present for everything: the first smile, first steps, first day of school. My mom and dad were my people, and I wanna be my kid’s person too.
That kinda commitment means showing up. All the damn time. And that means no longer owningmytime.
My life.
The idea sends my pulse into a tailspin.
I know I’m getting close to Wheeler’s place when I hit traffic. It’s rush hour, and I-35 is a parking lot. Gives me some time to get myself together. I dry my eyes and slow my breathing, which in turn slows my heart rate.
I have to be strong for Wheeler if—when—she falls apart. The important thing is that she knows I’m there for her.
GPS leads me to a busy area near the center of the city. I pass lots of restaurants and shopping along with midrise apartment buildings that look brand new. People my age—younger even—crowd the sidewalks.
I like it here.
I’m also not surprised this is where Wheeler lives. I’ve gathered that Wheeler’s parents have some money, and this part of town can’t be cheap to live in. They pay her rent for her? Buy her a place even?
I slow at the end of a quieter street when my GPS tells me I’ve arrived at my destination. Glancing out my passenger sidewindow, I see a row of cute townhomes made of painted brick with black shutters.
A beat later, I spot Wheeler’s white Mini Cooper parked on the opposite side of the street.
My stomach dips. She’s home.
I parallel park in a spot nearby and check my phone. Surprise surprise, she hasn’t responded to my texts or called me back.
Running a hand over my face, I realize I forgot to shave. Fuck.
Am I making the right call by showing up like this?
I think on that for a minute before the answer comes to me on a hard, certain heartbeat. I am making the right call.
At least I think I am.
Whatever the case, I’m here.
Taking a deep breath, I open my door and walk across the street in the deepening twilight to 209 Meadowood Lane. When I see the words on the doormat, I immediately know it’s Wheeler’s place.
Everyone Welcome Except Jolene.
I smile. Then I screw my courage to the sticking place and raise my arm to knock on the door.
CHAPTER 16
Comfort Food
Wheeler
“Sit up and finish your water.” My younger brother, Haines, holds out my enormous pink water bottle. “I was just reading about how important it is in your condition to stay hydrated.”
Shutting my eyes, I burrow farther into the small mountain of pillows on my couch. “I can’t move.”
“Yes, you can. Up.” He grabs my hand, and I let him pull me upright. “You’re pregnant, not dying of consumption.”
“How muchBridgertonhave you been watching?” Just looking at the water bottle makes my stomach curdle, but I dutifully remove it from my brother’s hand and take two tiny sips.
“You know how I feel about Jonathan Bailey, Wheeler.”
