Page 27 of Caught in Us
“Mrs. Martin.” He clears his throat and forces a smile. “It’s good to see you.” His kindness is more than I can take. What must he think of me? How messed up this all is. Before I can turn away my resolve shatters and tears burst from my eyes.
“Oh, bollocks,” he swears, his eyes wide and confused as if he doesn’t know what exactly to do with the professor melting down in the middle of a pharmacy. For some reason his reaction causes me to laugh. Not a normal, joyful laugh but the kind that’s manic and crazy.
“Uh, um.” He glances around. Probably searching for a more responsible adult to handle my outburst.
I hold up the box in my hand, no longer caring about discretion or propriety.What would my mother think?Oh, God. I’m a fucking mess. Tears leak from my eyes as I laugh again. “I’m pregnant—or my ovaries are broken, but I’m probably pregnant—and I don’t know what to do.” I choke out the last words, my crying winning out.
“Hey.” Simon steps forward, his arms warm and comforting as he pulls me to his chest. “It’s going to be okay.”
“It’s not,” I manage to say between sobs. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t have anyone to talk to, not about this. That hurts the most. The pang of homesickness is almost too much.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Simon rubs my back, whispering words of comfort as I continue to cry at the end cap of the pharmacy. As unprofessional as it is, I let him, leaning into his solid form. “I’ve got you. I’m here. You’re going to be just fine,” he murmurs into my hair.
God, I pray he’s right.
15
Alicia
Present Day
“Oh, yeah!” Chase pumps his fist as we step inside Jill and Cam’s house. “Do I smell fried chicken?”
“You know it!” Jill grins, her fork poised at her mouth. “Help yourselves; everything’s in the kitchen. Please. Cam got so much.”
“That’s because I love my woman,” Cam says, piling his plate high in the kitchen.
I follow Chase through the house, noticing little changes to the décor.
“Stop calling me your woman.” Jill stabs a bite of salad, then points her fork at Cam.
Cam slides out of the kitchen to let us pass, and Chase hands me a plate from one of the cabinets.
“I’m not a piece of property,” Jill says.
Cam chuckles, setting his plate at the space across from Jill. “Okay, but after Saturday I’m referring to you as my wife.”
“Caveman,” she says while chewing.
“You love me.” Cam waggles his brows, then stalks over to her side of the table, his smile devious.
“Cam! No!” Jill shouts, but it doesn’t stop him.
Cam races for her, wrapping his arms around her and planting slopping kisses all over her neck as she laughs and begs for him to stop. They’re so damn happy. I don’t remember her being this way. Not so carefree and open with her affection for Cam. It only reiterates how much I’ve missed.
“It’s gross, isn’t it?” Chase whispers, leaning close. His breath tickles my ear and sends goose bumps down my arms. “They’ve been like this all month. I think the wedding made it worse.”
I swallow hard, but not because of anything he said. It’s more that I’m frozen in place with him this close. His good-humored smile is almost too much. I don’t deserve his friendship. I shouldn’t be here. Not after the hurt I caused when I cut him and everyone else out. I don’t understand why everyone is being so damn nice.
“Hey, what secrets are you two telling?” Jill shouts, shoving Cam back toward his seat. “Get in here and share with us.”
Chase looks away, focusing on filling his plate. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive, but I swear there’s an instant shift in his mood. I don’t know what erased his smile, but I want to earn it back.
I make my plate and join Cam and Jill at the kitchen table, feeling very much like an outsider. My stomach twists with nerves, but I do my best to eat because I don’t want to be rude.
“I really appreciate your help today,” Jill says.
“Yeah.” Cam nods. “And for coming in with the save. Jill won’t stop talking about how beautiful your parents’ place is. I can’t wait to see it.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “Kinda crazy to think this is all going down in two days.”
