Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
The worry in his tone does it, and I call out, “Deaton.”
The broken laugh that leaves him makes my bones ache, and then his eyes find mine, his own squeezing closed in relief. With his next breath, he’s rushing my way.
The minute his arms wrap around me, the tears fall, and I honestly don’t know if they’re from relief or fear. Relief that he’s here and fear for the very same reason.
If my mother is vicious, his is the devil, but that’s not really why I’m seconds from vomiting all over the both of us. I’m going to have to tell him, and I am not ready.
“Baby, I didn’t know what had happened. Suddenly, you were gone and—” His voice cracks, and his hold on me tightens. “I thought your mom… Why did you leave me there? I would have come with you if you wanted to run away.” He keeps talking, but I can’t hear past the echo of my own pulse pounding hard against my temples.
“Deaton, please.” I pull away, and his arms fall to his sides in defeat.
“Talk to me. Tell me what I did. I’ll fix it. I promise you.”
Shame and frustration in my own self boil over inside me, and I shake my head. “You can’t fix it.” My voice is but a whisper.
He steps closer, but I step back, wincing when his face pales at the movement.
“What’s going on?” he pleads. “I don’t understand.”
“I…” Damn it. There is no soft way to say this, no easing him into our new reality, so I suck it up, forcing the words from my lips and hoping it’s the right decision. “I’m pregnant.”
Deaton’s entire body locks in place as if my words have pressed pause on the wheel of time. One second passes, and then another. Slowly, or so it feels, a whirl of emotion flashes across his features, and the next thing I know, he’s bending in front of me. I’m lifted off the floor, and his feet carry us across the room, not stopping until we’re out the sliding glass door. On the back deck, he eases me down until I’m sitting on the outdoor sofa.
He drops down before me, and I bury my face in my palms, unable to meet his gaze.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he finally says. “Ignoring all my calls and texts.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s been days, Payton.” He sounds tired, but there’s no anger in his tone. There’s not even really hurt, just concern, and that makes me feel worse.
He’s not overly emotional, having come from a cold family, but he also never really gets mad. Sometimes I wish he would so I would know he was as jacked up as I am.
“I know” is all I manage to say.
“Look at me. Please.” He pauses, and I force myself to listen. A small smile forms on his lips. “Tell me everything about the baby.”
I jump up so fast he tumbles back a bit as I make a mad dash past him, running right down the steps and out into the warm sand. I’m halfway to the water’s edge when he gently catches me by the wrist, swinging himself around so he’s in front of me.
With my free hand, I press against his chest, my head shaking feverishly, but he only pushes himself closer.
His mouth opens as tears roll down my cheeks, and then a body comes out of nowhere, slamming into Deaton’s side so hard he’s airborne for a solid second.
I nearly stumble onto my ass with a screech, but warm hands wrap around me, keeping me on my feet.
“I’ve got you” is whispered into my ear, but I’m too busy gaping at the sight before me.
Mason jumps to his feet, and I’m so shocked I don’t realize he’s moved to straddle Deaton until his arm tugs back, his fist flying forward in a swift swing.
My brain finally catches up to what’s happening in front of me, and it’s my sudden shriek that breaks through the fog of Mason’s…whatever the hell this is, and his fist freezes in the air mere inches from Deaton’s face.
His head snaps to me instantly, eyes narrowed and pinned on mine, heavy, bursting breaths heaving from his lungs as his gaze slices across my form as if searching for something. I think he’s shaking.
I think I’m shaking.
Somehow, when his wild eyes slide back to mine, it must click. His arm lowers, and when Deaton shoves at him, Mason allows him to knock him onto his ass in the sand.
“What the hell, man?” Deaton frowns, climbing to his feet and dusting himself off.
Mason has already hopped up and moves to stand in front of me just as the arms that kept me from tumbling fall away, and then Chase is there, too, both guys looking from me to Deaton with hard expressions.