Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
My heart is breaking because I know she’s right. She’s slipping right through my fingers. I love her so much and would do anything for her, but Caleb can’t be a casualty of my shit.
“Mina, you just learned your father was murdered. Let’s not rush things. He allowed you four years. Maybe he’ll be fine with another semester for you to finish.
“Promise me you’ll just take some time to think about this and don’t run back to him just yet,” I plead.
“I’ll have to speak to the lawyer and find out what he wanted. I’ll probably have to return for the arrangements and all that. I don’t know about after that.
“What I do know is that this wasn’t smart to start up with each other. To keep you safe, I really think we should cool things off. I’ll text you to keep you updated,” she whispers.
“Baby, I—”
“Please, Cam. Don’t make this harder than it already is. The man is going to be promoted to a mob boss after we’re married. I won’t allow you to be hurt.”
I clamp my lips shut. It’s not fair to her to tell her I love her now. Not while she’s grieving her father. Maybe after a few days she’ll see how wrong this is.
We belong together. I’m not afraid to fight for her. There has to be a way to protect my brother and her at the same time.
I press my lips to hers in a kiss that feels too much like goodbye. Rage fills me. I need to get out of here.
CHAPTER 35
Ruined
Kayleen
A month later …
I pace my room as my hands sweat and moisture dews on my upper lip. I haven’t spoken to JR since I called him that night. I blocked his number.
Two weeks later, I learned that I was pregnant. The problem is, I don’t know if it’s JR’s or Cam’s. I’m now two months pregnant and I’m not with either of the potential fathers.
I haven’t told my mom because she would kill me. I quickly swipe at my tears. Mrs. Jemma is here having lunch with my mama, but I’m avoiding them both.
“Kayleen Douglas, you stop being rude and get your tail on down here right now,” my mama calls through the house.
I blow out a breath and wipe at the tears that are still falling. I have no idea what I’m going to do. If this is JR’s baby, I can’t pass it off on Cam. If this baby belongs to JR, Cam will never speak to me again.
“You really fucked up this time,” I murmur before I go to leave out of my room.
I jog downstairs and into the kitchen where Mama was setting up lunch before Mrs. Jemma arrived. To my chagrin, Mrs. Jemma is the only one there. She beams at me as I come into view.
“Kay, it’s been so long since I’ve seen your pretty face. Come sit. Talk to me.
“How are you doing? Why haven’t I seen you at the house? Kyle has insisted on grounding me here in Texas until after the boys’ season and the draft are over. I thought you’d be by the house by now,” she prattles on.
“Uhm, Cam and I sort of broke up. I didn’t want to run into him and cause trouble.”
“Trouble,” she scoffs. “You’re no trouble. If I would have known you two broke up, I would have dealt with that son of mine.”
She makes a sour face and grabs two glasses to pour champagne and orange juice in them. She pushes a glass in front of me.
“Have a drink with me. We’ll put our heads together to figure this all out.”
I shake my head. “Can’t.”
A gasp leaves her lips and her eyes widen. When her gaze drops to my belly, my cheeks begin to burn. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid.
I don’t know how to explain this situation to her. It looks bad no matter how I put it. I’m going to disappoint her and my mama.
“This is such wonderful news,” she exclaims. “Wait until you tell Cam. That little bundle of joy is going to fix everything.”
“Mrs. Jemma, wait. It’s not that simple.”
“Why, yes, it is, sugar. You’re gonna go see Cam and tell him he’s gonna be a daddy. You two are gonna work things out and we’ll have ourselves a wedding.”
“Did Cam propose?” My mama gushes as she rushes back into the kitchen.
“No, but our Kay is pregnant. He’s sure to put that ring on her finger now.”
Everything spirals out of control so fast. I can’t get a word in to tell them what’s really going on. Before I know what’s happening, Mrs. Jemma has called Cam over for us to talk.
My baby needs a daddy and a future. I’ll just have to pray this baby comes out white. I’m so fucked if this isn’t Cam’s baby.