Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“So they already know the outcome?”
“Yes.” He says, “We can call Mike. He’ll fill you in.”
Laird sets his phone on the table and is about to call his attorney, but I place my hand on his forearm. “Wait.” Terrible timing or last chance? I had to take the opportunity either way.
Since the questions are already in his eyes, I reply, “I’ll love you no matter the outcome. I love you even more for wanting to take care of your child and to be a part of their life. I want to be a part of that, too, which includes every child of yours.” My brain pauses, realizing what I just said, what I opened the door to. He is a musician. His lifestyle has been wild, but I can’t roll out the red carpet. I need to land this ending. Loving but firm with boundaries. “But if you cheat on me, we’re through.” Direct works.
Is making myself giggle wrong? Probably.
Tommy’s restraining his own smile but remains quiet. Smart man.
Laird takes my hand, and when our fingers fall together, he gives me the slightest smile among his other concerns. He then kisses our conjoined hands. “That’s fair.”
Reaching forward, he punches the button to call Mike. It rings once. Twice. My heart synchronizes by the third ring. “Hello?” And then my heart plummets when my nerves kick in.
“Hey, Poppy and Tommy are here with me.”
“What a way to start a weekend.”
“You’re telling me.” Laird chuckles through the small talk, but there’s still an edge to his tone, and the laughter never reaches his eyes. “So what do we know?”
Mike replies, “You’re . . .” My world is wrapped up in this moment. Good or bad, the entirety of our lives will be affected by the result. Laird’s hand tightens around mine while Mike continues, “Not the father.”
No celebratory fanfare.
No wind punched from his lungs in disappointment.
No tears of joy or distress.
There’s no reaction at all.
Tommy and I exchange glances as my concern for Laird grows with each passing second. Even Mike is quiet. Laird must be the one who reacts first and guides us through the results. As he stares at the phone in front of him, I wonder if he’s in shock.
I rest my hand on his arm, which stirs him to angle his head, but he doesn’t make eye contact. We’re all frozen, so much so that I don’t even know what to think. I’m only worried about him and what thoughts are spinning in his head and weighing on his heart to cause the delay. I whisper for only his ears, “Laird?”
His eyes swing my way, the connection immediate, the exchange of our hearts shared through only a look. And then his hand covers mine, providing me the comfort I needed.
Tommy slaps his palm down on Laird’s leg. “This is good news, buddy.” Sincere and genuine but firm. Then he picks up the phone and opens the back door. “Let us know how to wrap this up—” The door closes, ending the option to be a part of the call. Which is fine. Laird needs time.
I whisper, “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” he finally replies, and I feel my heart beating again. “It’s weird. I don’t feel as relieved as I thought I would.” His eyes find mine out of the corners of his. “I’m sorry if that hurts you. I don’t mean to.”
“That doesn’t hurt me, babe.” I move closer so my leg is against his, wanting our bodies as close as they can be without mounting him. “You know what I think is happening?” His attention is all mine, and I think he needs something else to focus on. “You were mentally preparing to be a dad. It’s one of the many reasons I fell in love with you. Your heart is as big as you are, and you’re ready to give that love to a family.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for a family. My current life isn’t conducive to having one.”
“You say that, but you have shining examples all around you of those who make it work. Your sister and her husband, Johnny Outlaw and Holliday Hughes, so many are married and enduring the years and the travel, the time apart.” I nudge him with my elbow. “And the time together. And you already opened your heart and made room for me in your life. The same was happening with this news. You were making room for a child as soon as you got the news.” I embrace his middle, resting my head on his arm. “It’s okay to grieve or take time to process what you imagined would happen versus what did. I’m not hurt that you opened your heart like you did. I’m so sorry things turned out differently, though.”
His arm comes around me, and he kisses the top of my head. “It’s weird to think about it in those terms, but you’re right. I was preparing for a different outcome. I’m not sorry, though.” He stands, bringing me to his feet, then lifts my chin, bending to kiss me. “Life is turning out exactly how it’s supposed to.”