Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You’re going to walk into something if you don’t pay attention to where you’re going.”
“I can multitask.”
“Of course, you can.”
This is the last place I want to have this conversation, but she’s forced my hand. “Look, I asked for a test the other day, and I want it done. Your doctor said you can do it, so schedule it. It’s not right to make me wait. I have a right to know.”
“Can’t you just wait until the baby’s here?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m not going to sit in limbo while I’m trying to fix my relationship with Kelsey. She’s far too important for me not to fight for her.”
Maggie huffs. “Do you want me to talk to her?”
I scoff. “Fuck no. You’ve done enough.”
“All I did was show up at your place.”
“And invited yourself in like you own it, without zero consideration for me or for her. You should’ve called first, but no, you wanted the shock factor that came with knocking on my door to announce your return. I’m sorry, but none of this is okay.”
“You’re yelling and people are staring,” she grits out.
“I don’t care, Maggie,” I say, pleading with her. “The woman I’m in love with wants nothing to do with me, because of you. Because of . . .” I can’t bring myself to blame the baby she’s carrying because no child should ever be blamed for how their parents fuck up. “Look, you know that if the baby is mine, I’ll be there. But until then, I need you out of my house. You have a ton of friends who will let you stay with them until you find a place. I’m just not one of them. I can’t be.”
I walk away, leaving her on the street, knowing she won’t follow. I need space from her, from the situation she’s put me in. After walking in circles for over thirty minutes, I end up in front of Kelsey’s office building.
“Fuck it,” I say to myself as I go in. I’m prepared to turn the charm on when I get to the reception counter, but because I’ve been here before, they know me and issue me a pass right away. When I get to her floor, I approach Robin, Willamette Publishing’s front desk receptionist, with a smile.
“Good afternoon, Robin. How are you today?”
“I’m good, Mr. Moore. I don’t see you on Ms. Sloane’s calendar today.”
“No, I was in the neighborhood and wanted to chat about the edits on my book. Is she here?”
Robin looks over her shoulder and then shakes her head. “She didn’t return from lunch.”
Fuck.
“Is she working from home today? I can stop over there.”
Another shake. “She’s at the hospital.”
My heart drops to the floor. “Wh-what?”
“Look, I’m not supposed to say anything—”
“I won’t tell anyone,” I interrupt her.
She nods. “Ms. Norris rushed out, saying Ms. Sloane had an accident and was in the emergency room.”
“Do you know which hospital?” I ask as I shift from foot to foot. I know she’s protecting Kelsey, but I need to get to her. Now. Not later. My fingers tap on the marble top of her desk. “Please,” I beg.
“Legacy.”
“Thank you, Robin.” I forgo the elevator and rush down the stairs. As soon as I’m outside, I run toward Legacy, knowing I can beat a cab ride or arranging a rideshare on foot. Thankfully, when people see me running toward them, they part and give me as wide a birth as possible. The last thing I want to do is collide with someone because of my weight and speed; they’d go flying and that wouldn’t be good for them.
When I arrive at the building, I’m out of breath, and think Coach would be proud of me, although he’d question my sanity. Inside, while still out of breath, I ask to see Kelsey Sloane.
“Are you her husband?”
“Yes,” I say, lying.
“Alex?”
I turn at the sound of my name and find Basha standing there. I go to her. “What’s going on?”
“How did you find her here?”
“It doesn’t matter. What happened?”
Basha looks over my shoulder and then back at me. “She doesn’t want you here,” she says quietly.
I run my hand through my hair. “Basha, please. I love her.”
“Look, I don’t agree with either of you, but I know she loves you, too.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face and I’m tempted to kiss Basha for just admitting what I already felt from Kelsey.
“Stop,” she says, and I erase my smile. “I don’t know what happened earlier, but she fell outside. She broke her arm and hit her head pretty bad. She has a concussion.”
“Fuck. This isn’t how things are supposed to be.”
She nods. “No, they’re not. Kelsey’s good people, Alex. She’s really hurt over all of this.”
“And I’m not?” I shake my head and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry for snapping. I’m frustrated and angry.”