Page 118 of Burning Skies
Please, God, please let Ian be lying about my family.
Because if not, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
45
HONEY
I wakeup to a deliciously hard, naked man pressed to my back. Reaching back, I run my fingers through his hair. “Morning.”
“Mm.” Beau presses his face into my neck, and I giggle.
“That tickles.”
“I’m wondering where else it might tickle.”
“Don’t you think you found all of those places last night?” I grin as he palms my boob.
“Not sure. For the sake of science, I think I should double-check.” He turns me over, a grin on his face. “Want to help me set up the Christmas tree today?”
“I’d love to. I love holiday dec—” Someone starts banging on the front door, and I turn my head. “Are you expecting someone?”
“It’s probably Jace proving a point that he can knock.” With a groan, he slides out of bed and tugs on some boxer briefs. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
Languidly, I stretch, a little sore from all the sex we had. After Thanksgiving dinner, we ended back at Beau’s cabin. I thought about telling him what Ian said, about my father’s debt,and decided waiting one more day won’t hurt anything. I’m so tired of worrying about this, and the last thing I want to do is worry Beau.
A female voice yells from the other room, and I sit up.
“She’s here, isn’t she? That’s why you haven’t called me.” Damn it. That’s Melissa.
I scramble out of bed, grab my clothes, and lock myself in the bathroom. I get dressed in sixty seconds. All the while, I can hear her yelling.
When I open the door to the bedroom, I see that Beau has slipped on some sweats and is standing with his arms crossed, his expression stoic.
I clear my throat and join them. “Hi, Mel. Happy Thanksgiving.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.” Facing Beau, she shakes her head. “Why didn’t you wait for me the other day after our shift? I told you I needed to talk to you, but you left.”
“It was a three-day shift, Melissa. I wanted to go home. Who knew how much longer you’d be?”
Her lower lip quivers, and I suddenly feel bad for her. Yes, she’s pushy, but heartbreak is never fun. “Can I get you some coffee or something else to drink?”
Beau gives me a look, and I shrug. Mel half-laughs, half-sobs, and I take her hand and make her sit. She might want my boyfriend, but I remember what it felt like to be rejected by Beau. “Let me get you some water.”
I run into the kitchen and pour her a drink. When I hand it to her, she wipes her eyes. “Don’t be nice to me. You won’t like me after you hear what I have to say.”
There’s something in the tone of her voice that sends chills down my arms. “What… What’s going on?” I look between her and Beau, but Beau just shrugs, as clueless as I am.
She lets out a sigh. “I’m pregnant.”
Her words hang in the air as I glance at Beau, who pales.
Mel holds up her hand. “And before you ask, yes, it’s yours. I got knocked up the last time we hooked up.”
The rest of the conversation feels like my head is under water. Unsteady, I sit on the coffee table while I try to hear what they’re saying.
I gather bits and pieces. The last time they were together was late August. She spotted for a while, so she didn’t realize she was pregnant. She’s already seen an OB-GYN. The estimated date of conception points to Beau.
Bile pushes up the back of my throat, but I swallow it down. When I’m sure I’m not going to puke, I run to the bedroom to get my purse and keys.
