Loving You: Mpreg Romance (My One-Night Stand Series Book 2)

by Giovanna Reaves

  Ethan choked at her insinuation. Wait, what!? Did Sean tell her I cheated? Why was he surprised? He was the one being lied to all this time by that fucking bastard, why wouldn't he lie to her as well?

  “Mother, I never cheated on Sean and if that is what he told you, then shame on you for believing his lies,” he told her. He wanted to yell, but knew it was a waste of time and breath. “I’m not like you, Mother. I know how to be faithful to the ones I love and care for.”

  “When will you believe me, I've told you countless times I never cheated on your father,” she argued. “What you saw when you were a child was a misunderstanding. I loved your father deeply.”

  Ethan shook his head, refusing to listen. He knew exactly what he saw, not once but twice. “Sell that shit to the press, Mother, I’m sure they will believe you.” He hung up the phone before she could say anything else. Leave it to his mother to ruin the start of what should be a good night.

  ** ** ** ** **

  Ethan had just gotten out of the shower when there was a knock at his door. He wondered who it might be. Tyler had said he would be there at eight and it was only a few minutes before seven. Ethan had gone straight home after leaving his office. He worked out in his home gym, hoping to work off some of the anger he built up after speaking with his mother. The woman knew how to dig her claws into him better than anyone else.

  He was also a bit nervous about Tyler coming to his house and was wondering if he should have told Tyler no, keeping things the way they had always done it by renting a room. In all the years they had known each other through Christen, Tyler had never been inside his home. Come to think of it, I've never invited him. He found it a bit funny that two people who disagreed with each other about everything under the sun, got along better once sex was involved.

  The knock at the door became insistent and annoying. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” he called out. He secured the towel tightly around his waist, before he roughly yanked the door open and was surprised to discover Sean standing on the other side of the door. He folded his arms across his chest. “What the hell do you want, Sean?” he asked, not leaving the distaste out of his mouth.

  Sean’s eyes traveled up and down his body, looking at him appreciatively, but it only made Ethan uncomfortable. “Nice to see you too, princess.” Sean stepped forward, trying to push past him to get inside his home but Ethan blocked his way.

  “You know I hate when you call me that,” he snapped. Was this piss Ethan off before sex day? First my mother, now Sean.

  “Well, if you weren’t acting like a spoiled brat right now I wouldn't call you one.” He tried to step inside again, that time a bit forcefully, but Ethan wouldn’t let him get further than the threshold. Sean stepped back, holding his hand up in surrender. “Fine, I came to see if you’ve come to your senses yet?”

  Is this guy for real, what the fuck did I see him in the first place?

  “Sean, I told you before, it’s over, we are not getting back together. Why are you so insistent on this?” And I feel like a broken record.

  “Cut the shit,” he growled, not seeming to have heard a word Ethan just said. “You can stop playing the wounded lover now. I cheated, get over it,” Sean continued.

  He gave Sean his best do-you-have-shit-for-brains look. “God, have you always been this fucking dense while we were together? Was I just too stupid to notice?”

  Ethan saw the same look in Sean’s eyes that he had seen the other day, but that time he didn’t mask it as quickly. It was more intense and menacing, and he was starting to get an unpleasant feeling. He tried to think quickly about how to get Sean to leave.

  “Listen, I...” He began to say he had a guest coming but thought better of it. “I’m going to call the police if you don’t leave. You’ve gone beyond annoying to harassing me,” Ethan told him. “When are going to get it? I can’t say it any other way…. it’s fucking over... move on with your damn life.” The words I have were implied, which Sean seemed to understand clearly.

  “That’s where you’re fucking wrong, princess; no one leaves me until I say so,” Sean growled, just before the first hard hit came and Ethan’s world went completely black.

  ** ** ** ** **

  Tyler picked up a large cheese pizza from his favorite pizza joint before heading over to Ethan’s. He had expected to be there already, having left work early, but traffic in New York was always unpredictable. Initial doubts aside, he enjoyed spending time with Ethan. It was becoming more than a need for convenience, even if he was unsure of what they were doing.

  He still was not ready to have a relationship; they didn’t talk of complete exclusivity. The agreement was, if the other met someone they liked, they would end their causal relationship and go back to being friends. As of right then Ethan was the only person he was seeing and he suspected it was the same for Ethan. Tyler felt he was getting the best of both worlds, a friend and a lover who was not expecting anything else from him.

  He was intrigued by all the little things he had found out about Ethan, like the fact that he loved playing and watching sports. Also, he enjoyed the work he was doing at Ravenwood Academy more than being a doctor. Tyler smiled, recalling the way Ethan’s face lit up when talking about working with his kids as he called them. Tyler found Ethan utterly delightful in and out of bed. It was better than arguing with each other. He shamefully admitted to himself that he was distracted by thoughts of Ethan throughout his day.

  Pulling up to a parking spot in front of Ethan’s, Tyler switched off his car and contemplated why he was not already inside. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, fingers becoming pale, realizing that he was as nervous as if he going on his first date since he was a teenager. “Whose idea was it to meet here instead of a hotel?” he asked to no one in particular. When no answer came back, he shook his head and stared out the window, admiring the architecture.

  It was a modern brownstone, two stories with possibly three bedrooms. It was modest and looked like something he imagined Ethan would live in. It wasn’t overly extravagant, even though he could afford much more. It was homely and inviting from the outside. Whitestone, bay windows on the second floor, trees on both sides going along the steps leading to the front door. Tyler suspected there might be a balcony located around the back.

  He sat in his car a bit longer, thinking. Going to see Christen was a good idea. Tyler missed his little brother more than he realized and had decided to pay him a visit. Finding out his little brother was pregnant was a fucking shock. It would also be a surprise to everyone else in the family, especially his mom when they found out. His brother had asked for a bit more time, wanting to tell their parents on his own. Tyler was happy for his brother, but also understood Christen’s worry about being a father. It was another form of responsibility he was not sure he was ready for. Kids.

  It wasn’t as if Tyler had never thought about getting married and having children, but it always had that one day in the future stamped to it. He looked back at Ethan's house and thanked his lucky stars that they were both responsible enough to use protection, even in the heat of the moment. But he would not deny that at times he wanted to know what it would feel like to fuck Ethan bareback.

  Deciding that he'd wasted enough time lingering, he got out of his car, grabbing the pizza and six-pack of beer he’d stopped off at the store to get, before walking up the steps to Tyler’s home. He was about to knock on the door when he noticed the front door was cracked. Ethan must have taken his words literally, and would be prepped and ready for him.

  He smiled at the delicious thought. Shouldering the door open, he walked inside and kicked it shut. He walked further into the house and looked around. He stood in the foyer, with wood and wrought iron stairs, sitting in the center and two rooms adjacent to each other.

  He walked over and peered into both rooms. They were modestly decorated in shades of brown and blue. Tyler wasn’t sure if he was being paranoid, but something felt off.

  Tyler didn’t hear an
y sounds coming from any of the rooms. Ethan knew he was coming, so where was he? He walked further into the room that appeared to be the dining room, searching for the kitchen. He tilted his head to the side, listening for sounds coming from upstairs. Not hearing anything, Tyler began to worry. It then occurred to him that Ethan didn’t seem like the type to be careless leaving his front door unlocked, much less open where anyone could walk in.

  He went back to the foyer, standing at the bottom of the stairs, and raised his voice. “Ethan! Are you here, your door is open.”

  When no answer came, Tyler grew worried. The hair on his arms stood up. He looked down and noticed spots on the ground, for the first time, that looked frighteningly like blood leading up the stairs. Immediately dropping the pizza and beer in his hands, Tyler hurried up the stairs, following the splotches on the marble floor leading to where he could only assume was the master bedroom. He burst into the room, and his heart stopped. Tyler’s gut wrenched at seeing Ethan lying on the floor unconscious. Every part of him was covered in blood.

  Ethan! What the fuck happened? Who could have done this?

  Tyler rushed over to Ethan, kneeling beside his body and checking for a pulse, while pulling out his cell phone and called for help. As soon as the operator answered, he gave them Ethan’s address. Ethan moaned, Tyler’s hand was shaking when he gently reached out and cupped one of Ethan’s cheeks. Ethan’s his eyes fluttered open, but they looked unfocused.

  “Ethan, baby, who did this to you?” Tyler’s voice cracked as he spoke. Tears mixed with blood ran down the side of Ethan’s face. “Baby, please tell me who did this!”

  When Ethan spoke, his words came out in pants. “Hurts...” He groaned in pain.

  “I know, help’s coming,” he assured Ethan. “Tell me who did this, Ethan,” Tyler gently asked, running a hand through his hair, which was caked with blood.

  He tried not to shake Ethan, even though his body was vibrating with anger. Ethan tried to sit up, but Tyler stopped him, resting Ethan’s head back down to the ground. He began to check him over for injuries, but blood was everywhere. His body looked as if someone used it as a punching bag. Gently he traced his fingers down the right side of Ethan’s body, and the man winced when Tyler touched his ribs. Instantly, he pulled his fingers back.

  His ribs could be fractured or broken.

  Ethan's eyes were closed, and Tyler knew he had to keep him awake until the paramedics got there. He prayed that Ethan didn’t have any internal bleeding. With all the blood, he didn’t want to take the chance of moving Ethan and injuring him more. He also wished the paramedics would hurry the fuck up. “Ethan, baby, open your eyes. Talk to me, tell me who did this.”

  Ethan fluttered his eyes open. “Chris…” he began, but winced in pain.

  “What about Christen?” Tyler asked in confusion. He knew his brother was not responsible for his injuries, besides, he just came from seeing his brother. Ethan swallowed, and Tyler could see that it took effort. Tyler looked around Ethan’s room, wondering who could have done it and how long ago it had happened.

  “Don't tell him; he’ll worry,” Ethan wheezed.

  “Tell who?”

  “Chris…don’t tell him,” Ethan panted out. “He’ll worry,” he finished.

  Tyler didn’t care if Christen or anyone else found out about what was going on. The only thing that mattered was finding out who the fuck attacked Ethan so that he could beat the living shit out of them.

  Give them a taste of their own medicine.

  Tyler looked down, and Ethan's eyes were closed again, his whimpers of pain breaking Tyler's heart. “Ethan, come on, open your eyes, baby, don’t close them… talk to me, tell me who did this,” Tyler begged. But Ethan didn’t answer.

  Tyler was about to call the emergency line one more time when he heard sirens in the background getting closer, lights flashing, and soon voices filtered in. He called out to them. “Up here, we’re up here… hurry, please,” he shouted. The paramedics rushed up the stairs and entered the room and began working on Ethan. Tyler moved back to give them space. His hands were shaking. He’d been in some dangerous situations before, even killing someone, which left him numb. Not until he saw Ethan lying on the floor unconscious and bloodied was his world rocked to its core.

  ** ** ** ** **

  CHAPTER SIX

  Ethan woke up with machines beeping in the background, letting him know he was alive and in the hospital. How did I get here? He opened his eyes and realized that he could only look out of one eye, guessing that the other eye was covered or swollen shut. Fuck, that's going to leave a nasty bruise. The question still remained of how the hell did I get to the hospital? He thought maybe Sean had come to his senses, realized what he had done and got him to the hospital, but doubt lingered in the back of his mind.

  “I can tell you’re awake.” That deep voice definitely did not belong to Sean. Ethan recognized it immediately as Tyler. “How are you feeling?”

  Gingerly, Ethan tried to roll over on his side, but the sharp ache in his body, specifically his ribs, stopped him.

  God, I hope they aren’t broken.

  He turned his head to the side and there, sitting on the side of his bed, was Tyler; staring down at him with worry, or maybe it was pity, in his eyes. Ethan wanted to cry but held his tears back. He didn’t answer the question on how he was feeling. He knew Tyler was referring to his body, but at the same time there were too many emotions churning inside of him.

  “I’m sorry you had to find me that way.” His throat hurt and Ethan prayed Tyler wouldn’t ask him who did this. He didn’t want to think about it. How could I let my guard down like that? Sean truly played him for a fool. All the time they were going out Ethan had no idea Sean was capable of doing something so violent.

  “There’s nothing to apologize for.” Tyler reached out to touch him, and Ethan flinched. Tyler instantly yanked his hand back. Ethan snapped his eyes shut, regretting his actions after seeing the hurt look in Tyler’s eyes. He had no reason to be afraid of Tyler. “Who did this to you, Ethan?” he asked quietly, as if trying not to spook a horse.

  Ethan opened his eyes, staring at Tyler, letting his eyes do the begging, trying to communicate that he did not want to talk about it. But the determined look in Tyler’s eyes told him that the conversation was unavoidable. Ethan also wanted to ask if Sean had been at his house when Tyler had got there. But knew that was a stupid question, given Tyler was asking who had done it, so he kept it to himself.

  “Can we not talk about it right now, please?”

  “I can’t do that, Ethan,” Tyler told him. “I can’t pretend you are not lying in a hospital with bruises over your face, as if someone didn’t decide to use you as their punching bag. Don’t fucking ask me to do that.”

  Ethan turned his head and looked the other way. He was never the type to play the victim and he would not start because of what happened.

  “Why? Why won’t you tell me or anyone for that matter?” Tyler asked. “What’s with all the damn secrets? Are you involved in something you are afraid to talk about? If you are, I can help you.” He sighed before saying, “Dammit, my whole family can.”

  Ethan didn’t look at him, he couldn’t. With each question Tyler’s voice increased in volume, starting from a whisper and grew louder. Ethan could hear the utter frustration coming off Tyler in waves, bleeding through in his tone of voice and the tenseness of his body.

  Ethan turned and look at Tyler, hoping that he would believe him. “I’m not involved in anything. Believe me. I just happen to be going through a series of unfortunate events.” Ethan didn’t understand what the hell was going on himself, never imagining himself being in a situation like that.

  “Then tell me who did this,” Tyler pleaded. “I’m at a loss here, Ethan.”

  “Please, just… leave it alone.” He didn’t want to talk about it. It hurt to talk, and he wanted to just forget about the whole thing and move on with his life.

  Tyl
er sighed and got off the bed, stepping out of Ethan’s view. Ethan wasn’t sure what would happen next, but he did not want anyone else involved in his problems.

  “You didn’t, did you?” Ethan asked, licking his lips, his heart pounding. He was praying that Tyler had not said anything to his family. All he needed was the whole Hamilton clan coming to his rescue and solving all his problems as if by magic; once was one time too many.

  Tyler walked back over to the bed, his brows creased together in confusion. “I didn’t what?”

  “Tell Christen or your family? Please tell me you didn’t,” Ethan begged.

  Tyler sighed, shaking his head. “No, you asked me not to,” he replied warily. “But I still don’t get why.”

  Ethan let out a sigh of relief and looked away from Tyler. “Remember what we promised when we started this; no questions and this would remain between us. I want to deal with this on my own. Just please promise me you won’t say anything,” he pleaded.

  Ethan didn’t miss the ticking in the man’s jaw, showing just how angry he was at having to keep such a secret. But Ethan couldn’t talk about it, he was too humiliated. He closed his eyes at the pain that he felt not only in his body but in his heart. Sean violated his safety by hurting him in the one place he thought he was safe.

  “I promised you I wouldn’t pressure you into anything. But I cannot let it go Ethan, I need to know. Who did this?”

  Ethan’s lips trembled, and the tears he was trying to hold back ran down the sides of his face. He blinked it away, trying not to show how scared he was. Avoiding thinking about what he remembered when he regained consciousness, the smile on Sean’s face as he had continued to hit him. Ethan still did not want to believe that it was happening, not to him. Ethan did not want to believe or admit he was a battered victim. Ethan shook his head, wincing at the pain.