Page 122 of Burning Skies
“Boy Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a Boy Scout.”
He snickers. “But that sounds good, right? Like something an upstanding citizen would say.”
“I’m serious, Trig. I don’t want you to go on a rampage or get crazy. Can you be chill for once in your life?”
“I swear to be as chill as an ice cube.”
I bite my thumbnail. “Beau’s ex is pregnant. She says it’s his.”
“That fucker cheated?” His jaw turns to granite.
“No, he didn’t cheat. He’s not a scumbag. They hooked up in August. Beau and I started seeing each other in October. It’s just… bad luck, I guess.”
“Don’t ya think that deserves a little retribution? I could slash his tires or break into his truck and put a dead fish under his seat.”
I squint at my brother. “How is it that you’ve stayed out of prison?”
He belts out a laugh. “No fucking clue.”
“Here’s the thing. If it’s his baby, I already know I can’t handle it. The thought of him having a child with another woman makes me fucking rabid. I’ve never considered myself a jealous person, but this situation has taught me otherwise.”
“And he’s sure it’s his?” He scratches the scruff on his cheek. “Not to impugn your sex, but sometimes chicks lie.”
I pause to appreciate his good vocabulary. “That’s true. I suppose everyone is capable of being deceitful, but you should have seen her. Her lip was quivering, and she seemed pale and pasty. If she was lying, she deserves an award because it fooled me.”
Nodding slowly, he folds his arms. “She’d better bring receipts.”
“I’m sure Beau’s going to get a paternity test. But she said something about the doctor giving her a likely conception date, and it was the last time she was with Beau.” I close my eyes. “I can barely talk about this.”
“Well, fuck.” Trig holds out a bag of food. “Here. I’m out of my depth, but I can feed you. And if you change your mind about kicking Beau’s ass, I’m happy to oblige.”
I pat his hand. “You’re a good brother.”
He grins. “I am, aren’t I? Now what are we gonna do about that fuckface Ian?” My phone buzzes again, but this time, Trig grabs it. When he reads the text on the lockscreen, he growls. “Speak of the damn Devil.”
I grab the phone, and my heart sinks when I read the message.Hey, gorgeous. Your dad and I are in Vegas for a conference this week. We were thinking you could join us so we could work out the details of our agreement. You and I will stay in the penthouse. It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other. I’ll fly you out on my plane. Be ready to go on Friday night.
Cyn reads the message over my shoulder and curses. “I can’t believe that asshole.”
I swallow. “Looks like I have until Friday to figure this out.”
48
BEAU
Everything about this is wrong.Mel smiles at me and I look away. Sitting here in the OB-GYN’s office with my co-worker instead of my girlfriend is fucking me up.
I look at all the hopeful moms in here, and I know deep in my bones that’s how I’m supposed to feel. Hopeful. Happy. Excited.
Instead, there’s a pit of dread in my gut.
Honey won’t return my texts. I’m not sure she’s even read them. I don’t blame her. I’m surprised Trig hasn’t shown up on my doorstep with a shotgun. I’ve been waiting for him to drop by and kick my ass. Hell, I’d let him.
One thing is clear. If Mel is pregnant with my baby, I’m pretty sure that means things are over with Honey.
I don’t know how to handle that. I feel like I’m a walking, talking corpse. Like my reason to breathe has been stripped away.
