“I’m glad you’re home.”
I place a kiss on the top of her head and rub calming circles into her hip. “Me too.”
AFTER SPENDING THE WHOLE night and half the day seeing how little she can hold down, I make it my mission to find something to help settle her stomach. I even called the doctor’s office to find out where around here makes the best soup. They gave me the name of a deli downtown, and I ordered it immediately.
I get back with our lunch and head up the stairs. I’m half expecting Kayleigh to be asleep, but as I approach the door, I can hear hushed whispers coming from inside.
“You have to tell him.” Caleb murmurs quietly.
“I know. I was going to last night, but I just couldn’t get it out.”
“Why not?”
“Because. This wasn’t in the plans for us. This wasn’t supposed to happen.” She sounds upset.
Caleb sighs. “It wasn’t, but it did and he deserves to know.”
Hearing enough, I step inside to find Kayleigh crying in Caleb’s arms. When they don’t notice me, I slam the door shut to get their attention. Her eyes widen as soon as they meet mine, but Caleb looks indifferent.
“Tell me what?” I growl.
Kayleigh’s eyebrows furrow as she backs away from him. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
I laugh dryly. “You’re damn right I was, and I’m glad I did. So, is this what you’ve been up to? Cheating on me with him?!”
Caleb puts his hands up. “Woah, dude. How about you chill out, okay? It’s not like that.”
“I wasn’t fucking talking to you!” I shout, effectively shutting him up.
“Don’t yell at him!” She spits, surprising me by defending Caleb.
I instantly feel like I was stabbed in the chest and my anger becomes focused on the guy I thought was one of my best friends. “So, what? I leave and you swoop in? Take advantage of the situation? Is that it?”
“H, come on. You know me.”
“Do I?! Because you’ve been spending every damn day here, alone with my fiancé.”
“Stop!” Kayleigh screams, holding her stomach and hunching over.
Caleb turns to me and snarls. “Do you see what you’re doing?!”
“What I’m doing?!” It only takes a second before my fist comes up and makes direct contact with his face. I can feel his bones shift under my knuckles.
“Holden!” My fiancé’s voice echoes loudly through the room as Caleb grabs his nose.
He blinks up at the ceiling before turning to her. “Fucking tell him!”
With that, he walks out, leaving Kayleigh and I alone together. I can tell by the look in her eyes, she’s infuriated, but there is only one thing running through my mind.
“Well? Are you going to tell me?”
She opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it again. A tear runs down her face as she shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“Fuck this.” I scoff and storm out of the apartment – slamming the door behind me.
I’M SITTING AT THE BAR, furiously throwing back shots like they’re water. The bartender keeps an eye on me, probably because it’s the middle of the day. I can’t help it though. The pain I feel is excruciating, and this is the only thing I can think of to make it stop – but it’s not working.
“I don’t get it.” Dawson remarks. “She’s always been crazy about you.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I guess she couldn’t handle the distance. That mother fucker knew exactly what he was doing.”
He frowns and pats me on the back. “I’m sorry, man.”
The door to the bar opens and before I know it, a very pissed off Jason grabs my shoulder and spins me around.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” He sneers.
“Me?! He’s the one who’s been fucking my fiancé.”
“No! He hasn’t!”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s what he told you, but you weren’t there. It was written all over their faces and I heard them.”
“You heard them talking about something! Did you actually hear them say they’ve been messing around?!”
“No.” I answer coldly.
“Exactly! So, put down the damn alcohol, stop punching your friends in the face, and go talk to your fiancé!”
I’m still pissed, but Jason makes a good point. I need to get to the bottom of this, even if it kills me. Taking out my wallet, I toss some bills on the bar to pay my tab and walk out, heading home.
When I get there, I’m almost positive Kayleigh left. Everything is exactly where it was when I left, and the soup is still untouched in the bag.
“Kay?” I call out, trying to stay calm.
She doesn’t answer, but sniffles coming from the bathroom alert me of her location. I twist the knob and am slightly relieved to find it’s unlocked. However, I’m stopped dead in my tracks when I open the door to find my fiancé on the floor – crying and looking down at the little white stick in her lap.
Chapter 17
Holden’s surprise visit is the first thing to make me smile all week. Between throwing up constantly and feeling like I can never sleep enough, being in his arms is exactly what I need. However, every time I look in his eyes, I feel guilty for keeping such a monumental secret from him.
While he’s out picking me up some soup, Caleb comes over to check on me. He’s the only one who knows what I’ve been hiding. He sits next to me on the couch and addresses me carefully.
“How did last night go?”
“Fine.” I answer, already knowing where this is going.
He reads the look on my face and sighs. “He still doesn’t know, does he?”
“No.” I whine. “What am I supposed to say?”
“Well, I’m having your baby would be a good place to start.”
I put my hand over his mouth, shushing him immediately. I don’t know when Holden will be back. He’s already been gone for fifteen minutes. Caleb understands and drops his voice down.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about.”
“He’s just starting his NHL career. He has so much on his plate. What if he freaks out? What if he leaves me?”
He looks at me knowingly. “We’re talking about the same guy who proposed to you, twice. You think he would leave you and his child? Seriously?”
“No.”
“You have to tell him.”
Running my fingers through my hair, I look down. “I know. I was going to last night, but I just couldn’t get it out.”
“Why not?”
“Because. This wasn’t in the plans for us. This wasn’t supposed to happen.” I can feel myself start to get choked up, tears building in my eyes.
He exhales and wraps his arms around me. “It wasn’t, but it did and he deserves to know.”
I don’t answer, knowing there isn’t anything I can say. He’s right. He’s completely right. I need to tell Holden.
Suddenly, the door slams shut, causing both of our heads to turn. My fiancé is standing there, glaring at us. If looks could kill, we’d both be six feet under.
“Tell me what?” His tone is so low it’s scary.
I narrow my eyes and remove myself from Caleb’s arms. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough.”
Did he hear us talking about the baby? Is that why he’s so mad? Oh, my god, he really is going to leave me.
“You were eavesdropping?”
He chuckles dryly. “You’re damn right I was, and I’m glad I did. So, is this what you’ve been up to? Cheating on me with him?!”
Caleb is caught off guard. “Woah, dude. How about you chill out, okay? It’s not like that.”
Meanwhile, I’m focused on his words. He must not have heard enough, otherwise he would know that’s not what we were talking about. Can I tell him though? Is this how he finds out I’m pregnant?
&nb
sp; “I didn’t fucking ask you!” He spits.
“Don’t yell at him!” I bark, feeling like I need to protect the guy who has been here for me through all of this.
It was without a doubt the wrong thing to say, because as Caleb stands, Holden steps closer – his face is beat red. “So, what? I leave and you swoop in? Take advantage of the situation? Is that it?”
“H, come on. You know me.”
“Do I?!” Holden raises his voice. “Because you’ve been spending every damn day here, alone with my fiancé.”
“Stop!” I scream, hunching over from a pain that rips through my stomach.
Caleb looks concerned but quickly grows angry. “Do you see what you’re doing?!”
“What I’m doing?!” Holden snarls. The next thing I know, his fist is flying towards Caleb’s face, striking him right in the nose. Caleb takes a couple steps back, stunned.
“Holden!” I don’t know whether I’m more upset or angry.
Caleb looks up at the ceiling, holding his nose and wincing when he breathes in. He turns to me, looking really pissed off. “Fucking tell him!” He sneers before leaving.
“Well?” Holden asks as soon as he’s gone. “Are you going to tell me?”
I open my mouth to say it, to tell him that his baby is growing inside of me, but the only thing I can see is the rage in his eyes. No. This isn’t how he’s finding out. This is a nightmare.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
He looks as if I just ripped his heart out. “Fuck this.” He scoffs, storming out and slamming the door.
The walls rattle from the force and I fall back onto the couch. Tears are pouring from my eyes as sobs jerk through my body. What the hell just happened? Why does my fiancé not trust me all of a sudden? Shit, Caleb.
I get up, composing myself before going across the hall. Caleb’s in the kitchen, holding paper towels to his bleeding nose. “Oh, Kermit. I’m so sorry.” I step closer and grab his wrist to lead him to the couch. “Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?!” His tone is harsh but he’s also in a lot of pain. “Please, for the love of god, Kayleigh. Tell me you told him.”
“I didn’t, but I’m going to when he gets home. I couldn’t say it while he was looking at me like I’m the worst person in the world.”
“He thinks you’re cheating on him.”
“Are you?” Jason’s voice startles us both. I look up to find him leaning in the doorway of his bedroom.
“Of course not.”
He comes over and looks at Caleb. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Holden punched me in the face.”
“Fucking hell.” He breathes, removing the paper towels to check on it. “It’s definitely broken. You need to go to the hospital.” He grabs Caleb’s keys from the hook. “Come on, I’ll drive you. Then, I’m going to find Holden.”
“Don’t. He’s really mad.” I tell him.
He runs a hand over his face. “Look, are you two banging?” We both shake our heads instantly. “For real? Because I’m not really going to give a shit if you are. I mean, it’s messed up but it’s none of my business.”
“We’re not.” Caleb says honestly.
“Then I need to go find him. I don’t know what the hell is going on between you guys, but it needs to be settled – before anyone else gets caught in the cross fire.”
Reluctantly, I agree with him. I help Caleb down the stairs and into his truck. Jason gets in the driver’s seat and they pull away, towards the hospital. I go back inside and walk into the bathroom, wondering when everything became such a mess.
Opening the medicine cabinet, I grab one of the three tests I took – all positive. I sit down on the floor and let my emotions take over, putting one hand on my stomach and holding the stick in the other.
I DON’T KNOW HOW long I sit there for, but the next thing I know, Holden’s voice is calling my name. I sniffle, trying to think of how I’m going to tell him this. He must have heard me, because I hear the door open and a small gasp leave his mouth.
He drops down onto his knees in front of me, his eyes focused on the pregnancy test. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and hand him the stick. This is it. This is where he realizes he doesn’t want a kid – that he doesn’t want me.
“I’m sorry.” I mumble. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how this happened. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it. I swear I’m not trying to ruin your career. I know you’ve got so much going for you right now.”
He’s silent, not taking his eyes off the little plus sign.
“Holden, please say something.”
A tear slips out and glides down his cheek. “Y-you’re pregnant?”
“Yes, but I don’t have to be. I mean, I don’t want to get rid of it, but if you really don’t want a kid right now, we’ll figure something out.” My words make me feel sick, but the thought of losing Holden is so much worse.
“What?” He looks confused. “W-what are you talking about?!”
“The baby.”
“Our baby.” He smiles at me for the first time since this morning. “We’re having a baby!”
Relief floods my entire body. “Y-you’re happy?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. You just started your career. You’re constantly busy. I just thought this would be another thing added to your list of stresses.”
He puts the test aside and takes my hands in his. “I’m starting a family with the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. What can honestly be better than that?”
Lunging forward, I jump into his lap and smash my lips into his. He hums contently and starts moving his mouth against mine, only pulling away when we need to breathe.
“So, this is what you were hiding? You’re not cheating on me?”
I giggle and shake my head. “No. I would never. Caleb only knows because he was here when I realized my period was late. He’s been trying to get me to tell you all week.”
“And I punched him in the face.”
“Yeah.” I smack his chest. “I thought we talked about not doing that anymore.”
He looks down and smiles sheepishly. “It looked really bad.”
“I kind of figured that when even Jason needed to ask us if there was something going on. I swear though, there is nothing more than a friendship there. I only have eyes for you.”
“Well I’d hope so.” He quips, putting his hand on my belly. “We’re having a baby together.”
A wet laugh bubbles out of my mouth and I lean in to kiss him once more.
LATER THAT EVENING, HOLDEN and I are on the couch. He’s running his fingers through my hair while I lie with my head in his lap. Now that the secret is out and we’re both excited about it, we’re back to normal. That, in itself, is a breath of fresh air.
After two knocks at the door, it opens and Caleb peaks his head through. “Can I come in?”
I sit up and nod, getting a good look at him. He has two butterfly stitches over his nose and dark bruises underneath both of his eyes. He looks terrible.
“Are you okay?”
He gives me a small smile and shrugs. “Yeah. It looks a lot worse than it feels.” He glances at Holden and then back to me. “I take it you told him?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“He’s not coming after me for being here.”
Holden chuckles before becoming serious. “I’m really sorry, man.”
Caleb waves him off dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. I probably would have done the same thing in your position.”
“Still, I should have listened to you when you said it wasn’t like that.”
He smirks. “Yeah, well. Keep that in mind when you pick a godfather.”
The three of us laugh and Holden shakes his head. “If I pick you over Brandon, he’s going to come after you with a crowbar.”
“Good point. Don’t pick me. I like my face.”
Chapter 18
&nbs
p; I’m standing in a meadow, watching my son and husband chase each other through the tall grass. The smiles on their faces could light up the world. I smile as the feeling of being so in love consumes me. They’re perfect. Suddenly, there’s a hand on my hip, and I turn my head to see Caleb standing at my side.
“They look happy.” He remarks.
I nod. “They are. We all are.”
It’s quiet for a moment before he hums. “Well, let’s just hope he never finds out.”
My eyes shoot open and I gasp. I know they say pregnancy can cause some strange dreams, but that one was downright bizarre. All the talk yesterday about how Holden thought I was cheating on him with Caleb must have messed with my head.
“Hey.” My fiancé’s groggy voice gets my attention. “Are you okay?”
I look into his eyes and relax, cuddling closer. “Yeah. I’m alright.”
DAWSON SHOWS UP A little after ten in the morning. After much discussion, Holden convinced me into telling him about the pregnancy. He said that I need a good support system, and even though I have Caleb, another person wouldn’t hurt.
He eyes me up as he walks in the door. I know he’s wondering what I told Holden, and if it’s the truth. Him and I haven’t talked much since I kicked him out for his attitude towards Caleb. A part of me wants to apologize, but then he may think he was right in doing what he did.
“Is this an ambush?” He jokes.
I roll my eyes playfully and stand up, coming over to give him a hug. He embraces me tightly and sighs, relieved that I’m not still mad at him. When we pull away, you can tell he’s more relaxed. He follows me over to the couch, shakes Holden’s hand, and sits down.
“So, I take it everything is okay with you two?”
Holden and I nod. I smile as he reaches over to interlace our fingers. The simple touch manages to give me butterflies, and I find myself wondering if that feeling will last the rest of my life. I mean, it’s been two years now, and he can still make me feel things I never knew existed.
“There’s something we want to tell you.” He says to Dawson.
My best friend furrows his eyebrows. “Please don’t tell me you’re polyamorous and adding Caleb to your relationship.”
Seamless Forever (Sleepless November Saga Book 3) Page 12