“Hey. Can I get you guys anything to drink?”
“No, thank you. We just came to wish everyone a brief, happy new year, but we’re not staying long.”
“That’s a shame. And hey, you just missed the girls. Missy picked them up and is keeping them overnight.”
What?
Has Veronica got more friends that I haven’t met yet? Maybe when we get settled in Chicago, we could have everyone over. I know she said it was hard living on the West Coast because she was so far from her family. We’ll be a lot closer than that, but I’m still going to do whatever I can to keep her happy.
By the time I begin paying attention to the conversation, it’s over. “Tomorrow, then.”
As soon as Lane is out of earshot, I turn to Veronica with an expectant look.
“We’re all having lunch tomorrow. Me, you, Lane, and his twin daughters.”
Twin daughters?
My face must betray my surprise as Veronica giggles and smiles smugly.
“I told you, you were wrong about Lane.”
Epilogue
Veronica
Three Months Later...
“Are you sure about this?” I continue to stare out the window as Hayden stands against my back.
“Absolutely not, but it’s too late now.” He rubs my arm, trying to calm my nerves. If only it were that simple. And just like he said, the knock on the door confirms it is indeed too late to back out now.
Fuck.
I’ve never felt more like an adult in my entire life. And yet, all I want to do is run and hide like a child. Adulting is hard and scary.
Like I don’t have enough on my plate, I now have to entertain our families.
It’s the first time our parents have been out here since we moved. They came to see the new house, now that all the renovations are done and the house is guest worthy. But our families have no idea that we have an ulterior motive for inviting them out here for the weekend.
I watch, frozen in anticipation as Hayden swings the front door wide to greet his parents.
“Mom, Dad. Welcome.” They step inside as Mrs. Carmichael marvels at the house to her husband. Followed closely behind them are my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Hall, come on in.”
They drop their bags at the bottom of the staircase. We insisted they stay with us, after all, we have the room. And it’s only one night. If it had been any longer than that, I may have reconsidered.
I go unnoticed as I watch Hayden lead everyone through to the dining room. I follow them but take my time - giving myself an extra moment to collect myself.
I’m nervous, but there’s no way around it. If we didn’t tell them now, there were going to be a lot of questions flying about later on when I was showing. I pause, looking down at my stomach to see the loose top I - strategically - chose is still able to hide the small bump.
I suppose it’s now or never. I give myself a mental kick up the ass and step into the room. My mom squeals and rushes to me.
I’m engulfed in hugs for the next few minutes and that’s all it takes for me to relax.
Everything is going to be fine.
THE END
Need another romance hit?
Confessions of a Jealous Jerk releases January 24th!
Hayley Jessup.
I’ve been waiting for a hero, a knight in shining armor, to show up in my life. When it turns out that I’ve kissed yet another frog, I feel helpless, pathetic and ready to put away my glass slippers. As it turns out, the dating game is a lot harder in real life than it is in the movies. Heartbroken with nowhere to turn, I run right into the arms of one of the only people I trust.
Corbin McKenna.
It’s late one night when Hayley Jessup, my best friend’s little sister, shows up on my doorstep looking for her brother. Given the late hour and the tears streaming down her face, my heart trips over itself while my hands fist angrily in my pockets. With her brother preoccupied, I welcome Hayley with open arms and a place to crash. There’s so much I want to know, want to say, but if I crossed that line, there would be no going back.
Confessions of a Jealous Jerk is instalment 1 of the Frat House Confessions, a 12-part series releasing in 2021.
Order it here: https://bit.ly/Jealous-Jerk-Amazon
Or check out these other titles by Chelsea…
The Accord Series:
Lunar Accord
Armstrong Lovers Series:
Claimed
The Crown Duet:
Be Mine, King
Be My Queen
Sapphires’ Series:
Pretty Little Thing
Wicked Little Thing
Vibrations Collection:
Save Me
Hold Me
Capture Me
Survive Me
Vibrations Boxset
Standalones:
Stripped Love
Confessions of a Jealous Jerk (Releasing January 24th)
Convince Me (Tidal Collection Book 1) Page 5