Chapter 45 Honey
HONEY
I wake up 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.
I’m so stupid. This whole thing with Beau was a dream. A beautiful, perfect dream. But as we all know, you have to wake up at some point and deal with reality.
And sometimes the girl is pressured to kiss the frog and marry him because her family owes him a shitload of money, and there’s no prince to save her.
Jesus. Am I really that girl who needs saving?
I can save myself. I just don’t know how yet. Maybe I’ll go on a long trip with Cynthia and disappear for a while.
But the part that breaks my heart is my plan can’t include Beau Walker.
I wipe off the errant tear before I march toward the door.
“Honey, wait.” Beau moves in front of me, and I shake my head.
“Wait for what? For Mel to have your child?”
“Let’s talk outside.” Barefoot, he follows me out and closes the door behind us. Then he grabs my elbow. “What if it’s not mine? Mel and I weren’t monogamous.”
I swallow and try to breathe. “That woman in there is devastated, Beau. Do you really think she’d be here if the baby was someone else’s? Because to me, she seemed like she was telling the truth.”
He presses his palms into his eyes. “This can’t be the end for us, Honey. I’m just asking for some time to figure this out. We’ll get a paternity test.”
“And if it’s yours?”
“If it’s mine,” he says slowly, “that doesn’t mean I’m going to date Mel or be with her. We’ll just have to co-parent.”
My eyes well with tears, and I shake my head. “You say that like it’s no big deal.”
“Does it have to be?”
Annoyed, I laugh coldly. “Please tell me you’re not that dense. My brother has had a hellish time trying to co-parent with his ex, and if I’m not mistaken, Rhett did too with his ex-wife.”
His nostrils flare. “What do you want me to do, Honey?”
“Admit that you’re going to be a father. That this baby is going to be your priority, and as a result, so will Melissa. Because I know you. You’re a good and decent man.” I wipe the tears that fall down my face. “You’re going to be an amazing dad.”
Just not to my children.
I shake my head. “I can’t do this. I watched my mom fall apart every time my father left to be with his mistress.”
“Who said anything about cheating?”
“I can’t be stuck in this position, Beau. It’s too familiar, and not in a good way. I’m not saying you’ll cheat, but Melissa wants you. That means every time you’re with her, I’m going to wonder if she’s making passes at you and flirting.”
He holds out his hands. “We haven’t even had the kid yet.”
“That’s another thing. Do you plan to be in the birth room when she has the baby?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe? Yes? I’d like to be in the room when my kid is born, if it’s mine.”
No. I can’t do this.
I turn to my SUV, and he grabs my elbow and turns me around. “Honey. Come on. Give me some time.”
That’s just it.
I don’t have time.