Chapter 12
My pulse hammers in my ears, a beat that matches the ominous tone in Weston”s voice. ”We need to talk.” Those four words are never the prelude to anything good. Sawyer”s gentle breathing remains steady and innocent, his tiny chest rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep. I plant a soft kiss on his forehead before slipping out of the nursery.
The living room is lit by the kitchen’s light streaming through to the adjacent room, casting a shadow across Weston”s face. He”s perched on the edge of the couch, every line of his body rigid, like a player bracing for impact on the ice.
”Presley,” he starts as soon as I sit with my legs tucked under me on the large chair, and there”s a seriousness in his gaze that pins me in place. My name on his lips usually sparks a thrill, but this evening it feels heavy.
”Weston?” I can hardly recognize my own breathy voice.
He hesitates and runs a hand through his hair. ”I think we should get a paternity test for Sawyer.”
The suggestion slices through the quiet room. I”m frozen, feeling more like a bystander in my own life than its protagonist. The suggestion just hangs there, absurd and inconceivable.
”Wha—why?” My question comes out as a strangled whisper.
”Because...” His voice dies off and echoes through the room.
His words hit me like a slap in the face. Not because he asks for a paternity test, but because there”s no need for it. I know, with a gut-wrenching certainty, who Sawyer”s father is, and it’s not Weston.
My mind begins to churn, but all the thoughts collide in confusion. With a deep calming breath, a memory breaks through the chaos: that night around ten months ago, me sick as hell with a cold and taking a prescription, my ex wanting sex even though I wasn’t feeling it, the condom he hadn”t used... Then there was Weston a few short weeks later after my world had crashed all around me with my breakup. He was responsible and used protection.
There is almost no chance that Sawyer could be his.
”But, Weston,” My voice wavers, struggling to find strength as I look into his eyes. ”We were careful.”
”Yeah.” He nods slowly, his gaze steady on mine. His hand reaches for mine on the couch and gives it a reassuring squeeze. His touch does little to quiet the anxiety gnawing at my insides. ”But nothing is foolproof.”
His answer sends an icy chill down my spine as my worst fear manifests itself. It’s the possibility that this might break us apart before we”ve even had a chance to become something real.
I watch him intently as he runs his hands through his hair again and leans back on the couch.
”Presley...” His deep voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. ”It”s just... It”s important. To know, for sure.”
”What”s changed?” I ask, swallowing hard.
”There are some... online rumors that have surfaced.” He’s choosing his words carefully, the gravity of the situation weighing on him. ”They”re questioning Sawyer”s paternity and bringing up your ex. It”s not just about us, it”s about protecting Sawyer too.”
My heart lurches in my chest at the mention of my ex and a wave of anger surges through me. Why would people be so cruel as to dredge up our painful pasts and throw them into the public eye like this?
”Who could possibly care about who Sawyer”s father is?” My voice trembles with indignation. ”Why should we even entertain these baseless rumors?”
”Because, Presley,” Weston”s voice is quiet but firm, a note of finality in it that I recognize all too well. ”As much as we may want to ignore it, we need certainty…” He trails off, leaving the unsaid implications hanging heavily amongst us.
I sit in stunned silence, my mind reeling from the weight of Weston”s request. The thought of putting Sawyer through such a test terrifies me, and yet, I understand where Weston is coming from. His career puts him in the spotlight, and our unconventional relationship only adds fuel to the fire.
Sensing my confusion, Weston continues, his voice soft and soothing. ”Once we have the test results, we can take legal action to ensure your ex has no claim to Sawyer. I”ll also talk to the team”s PR department about addressing the social media rumors.”
I nod, acknowledging the need to address the situation but feeling overwhelmed by the thought of what might be said about us online. I avoid asking for details, not wanting to delve into the negativity. The idea of strangers dissecting our lives, poking and prodding at every detail, gives me such a creepy feeling.
”Thank you, Weston,” I murmur, my voice barely audible. ”For looking out for us, for being there for Sawyer.”
He reaches over and takes my hand in his, offering me a small, reassuring smile.
”Of course,” he says gently. ”But there”s another option, Presley.” His eyes meet mine, and I can see the sincerity in them. ”If the test confirms I”m not Sawyer”s father, I could walk away to protect you both from media scrutiny. You know that my career as a pro athlete comes with media attention.”
I blink back the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks, touched by his willingness to put our well-being before his own. A single tear escapes, trailing down my face, as I try to process this alternative option.
My emotions are a whirlwind as I contemplate the potential outcomes of the test. I feel as if I”m standing at the edge of a cliff, unsure whether to leap forward or retreat from the precipice.
Weston reaches out to hold my hand, offering comfort and reassurance. His touch grounds me, bringing me back from the chaos in my thoughts.
”Whether the test confirms that I”m the father or not, I care about you both deeply,” he continues. ”But I also want you to have a choice.”
His words hang heavily in the air, and I’m torn. The idea of life without Weston is unbearable, but the thought of subjecting Sawyer to constant media scrutiny is equally unappealing. Could I really ask Weston to walk away, just to protect us? And would that decision be fair to Sawyer?
”Weston, I can”t imagine a life without you,” I confess, my voice wavering. ”But I do need to do what”s best for Sawyer. It”s a tough decision, but... thank you for giving us this choice.”
I take a deep breath as I realize that I”m going to have a huge decision to make for both me and my baby after the test results come back. Would it be the right thing for Sawyer to have to deal with the media on a regular basis? Hell, could I deal with that pressure?
I think about doing simple tasks outside of the house like going to the grocery store, especially with the baby. Safety for Sawyer is my number one concern. I”d have to be sure to cover him up at all times from the lurking paps trying to take his picture and then post it all over the internet.
I also consider how I”d have to make sure to never go looking like a slouch because there could be paps around to snap my picture and then probably make up shit about our family online. I can see the headline now: Have Weston Halliday and his wife fallen on hard times? Then the story would read something about how tired I looked or some stupid bullshit.
”Let”s do the paternity test,” I say, determination filling my voice. ”We need to know for sure, for all our sakes. For our future.”
Weston nods. ”I”ll set everything up. How about we ask your parents to come help you and Sawyer until you can get your strength back. I go back to work full time for the season starting on Monday, and I don’t want to drag any cameras here as I go back and forth to the rink. We need to figure out what our next move is going to be, and until then, let me draw their attention away from you two.”
With those final words, he stands and takes a long stride towards me. He kneels on the ground in front of me as his large palm goes to the back of my neck to guide my lips to his. Tears spill over while he kisses me like it’s the last time we will ever connect again. All too soon, he breaks away and walks to the bedroom to pack.