Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
C arys
“He’s going to have a meltdown when he sees me here,” I say, giggling.
Gannon smirks.
“You’re enjoying this too much.”
He takes a drink of water. “He’s fucked with me since the day he was born. I haven’t bothered him as much because involvement in his games isn’t appealing. But this? This is going to be fun.”
It was impossible to get Gannon’s family together on the same day, let alone adding my mom into the mix. There are too many schedules, commitments, and appointments to manage. Gannon entertained the idea for about an hour but then said fuck it . It was starting to stress me out and that’s not acceptable.
God, I love this man.
I smile, thinking about the moment he declared that we’d do what was best for the baby and me—and that was telling his family by group text. I tried to protest because it feels impersonal. But it was getting stressful. And I can’t deny that having Gannon take the pressure off me and shouldering the responsibility himself was a relief.
Gannon moves the ultrasound picture, the one without the gender, to the middle of the refrigerator so Tate can’t miss it.
He’s having way too much fun with this. And seeing him have fun and enjoying small things is a blessing. It’s yet another new layer to him. My complicated, amazing man.
The doorbell rings, and Tate’s voice follows it.
“Hey, Gan! Are you home?” he calls out.
Gannon grins like a cat that ate the canary. “In the kitchen.”
I grip the edge of the island and brace myself for fireworks.
Tate strolls around the corner with his attention focused on his phone. “Tell me you have food because I’m starving. But you probably don’t because you suck. Think we could— what the fuck ?”
His eyes grow wide and his jaw drops.
“Hey, Tate,” Gannon says, smiling. “What were you saying about food?”
Tate narrows his eyes at me. “What are you doing here?”
“We could get a pizza,” Gannon says. “Or burgers.”
“This isn’t happening.” Tate shakes his head as he fully absorbs the situation. Or thinks he does . “Oh, hell no.”
“I could go for a steak, though,” Gannon says as if Tate’s not talking. “How do you feel about steaks?”
Tate’s head whips to his brother. “Do you think this is funny?”
I cover my mouth so my friend can’t see my smile.
“ This isn’t funny .” Tate tosses his phone on the island. “You two think this is a good idea?”
“Whatever do you mean, Tate?” Gannon asks, playing innocent.
“I’m in disbelief at your carelessness,” Tate says to me.
“Then just wait,” Gannon mutters.
I snort, trying so hard not to laugh. But this only drives Tate crazier.
“How am I the only logical one here?” Tate asks, his voice rising. “That should be a red flag. When I’m the logical one, there are problems, people! This is a problem!”
He throws his hands up and marches to the refrigerator. Gannon watches me out of the corner of his eye, amused. I bite my lip and wait for the impending outburst from my best friend. I make sure to keep my left hand away from his sight. For now . I’m still getting used to the three-carat sparkler on my ring finger as it is.
“This isn’t going to end well,” Tate says. “I hate both of you for this. You’re ruining my life.”
“Maybe it’s not about you,” Gannon says.
Tate stops and stares at him. “It’s always about me, Gan.” He whips around to me. “What are you thinking? You shouldn’t go there.”
“Already went there,” Gannon says, teasing him. “Many, many times.”
“He’s a dick,” Tate says, ignoring his brother. “And you’re … you.”
“Easy there,” Gannon says, lifting a brow.
Tate rolls his eyes. “You don’t get to be all macho just because you’re … having sexual relations.”
I can’t hold back the laughter. The sound rings through the kitchen and I swear steam comes from Tate’s ears.
“You don’t know her,” he says. “ I do . She’s a pain in the ass.”
“Oh, come on,” I say.
“You don’t even answer my texts anymore. I mean, you do, but barely. You don’t even give me compliments that I ask for and yet you still call yourself my best friend.” He snorts. “I’ve been having crises, and you leave me to deal with them on my own.”
“Maybe I’ve been having a crisis too.”
He shakes his head again and resumes his march to the refrigerator. “You think this is a crisis? Just wait until you’re sick of his shit and you’re on his nerves. I’m telling you both now that I’m not taking sides. Well, okay, I will and it’ll be Carys’s primarily out of spite.”
“I’ll try to survive,” Gannon deadpans.
“This is ruining my life already,” Tate says. “I need a drink.”
He reaches for the handle, and I hold my breath. Instead of gripping the door, his fingers go to the sonogram. He stills.
“What the hell is this?” he asks.
Gannon stands beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
Tate pulls the image from the magnet.
“I haven’t meant to ignore you,” I say. “I’ve just been sick.”
He turns slowly, his jaw sweeping the floor. “Hold on …”
“Tate, you’re going to be an uncle,” Gannon says.
“Is Ripley having a baby?”
“No, you fucker. I am,” I say, laughing.
“No, you’re not.”
“ Yes, I am .”
“Who with?”
“Tate, I’m going to kill you,” Gannon growls.
I place a hand on Gannon’s chest to settle him down. “We wanted to tell you first. We’re having a baby.”
His eyes could not be any bigger.
“This is probably shocking,” I say. “But I hope you’ll be supportive because I love your brother.”
He sets the sonogram down and then walks toward us. He’s stunned, barely blinking as he moves around the island.
My lip quivers as I watch his reaction—the first person aside from Gannon and myself to know the news. Seeing him go through the stages of surprise, fear, and what I think is acceptance makes me want to cry. How did I get so lucky to have both of these men in my life?
He stops in front of Gannon. They stand eye to eye.
“Do you love her?” Tate asks, with a touch of a growl. It’s reminiscent of Gannon, now that I think about it.
“How do you not love her?”
Tate grabs Gannon and pulls him into a hug. Gannon stiffens for a moment before semi-hugging him back. The two of them embracing, so very different but still so similar, makes me smile.
My fiancé and my best friend.
Tate pulls away with tears in his eyes. “So, I’m the godfather, right?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Gannon says, chuckling.
“That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? Because you want me to take on the role as the favorite uncle, the one to guide your baby into its life. I mean, I get it, and I accept.”
“Only you could make this about you,” Gannon says.
“Can I call Ripley and rub it in that I know?” Tate asks, grinning mischievously. “Please?”
“No. I’m going to call Mom and then tell the others,” Gannon says.
“Then at least tell me if it’s a boy or a girl.”
I grin. “We’re not telling anyone.”
“Except me,” Tate says deadpan.
“We’re not telling anyone ,” I say, repeating myself.
“I won’t say a word,” Tate says. “If you don’t want to have to say you told me, just say pink or blue.”
“We’re not telling you,” Gannon says. “Damn.”
“That’s some bullshit.” He returns to the fridge and gets a water, downing the whole thing. “Okay, now that I’m hydrated and can think, let’s be clear about something. I’m not giving up my weekly lunches with you. And I still need you to wingwoman me.”
“Excuse fucking me?” Gannon says, ready to fight.
“He means that he wants to use me to help him get girls,” I say, laughing. “Settle down.”
“And I fully expect to be included in this baby’s life,” Tate says. “I want full access.”
“You can’t come in here and make demands,” Gannon says, holding out his hands.
“You’re trying to steal my girl!”
Gannon smirks. “She’s my girl, fucker. Watch your language.”
“I’m going to go call my mom,” I say. “Can you two not kill each other while I’m gone?”
Tate glares at Gannon. “We’ll try.”
Gannon ignores him, kissing my cheek. “Love you.”
“This is ridiculous,” Tate mutters as I walk away.
My heart’s overflowing as I sit in the breakfast area. Tate might be dramatic, but he’ll calm down. I was nervous about telling him despite knowing he’d be excited. But now that it’s out in the open, I wish we would’ve done it sooner because the feeling of this baby bringing people together fills me with a joy and peace that I didn’t know existed.
I whisper a prayer as I call my mother.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she says. “How are you?”
“Hey, Mom. I’m good. What are you up to?”
“Honestly? I’m kind of in the dumps. This rain has just sucked my life force, I think.”
My stomach twists. “Well, I might have some news that will help that.”
“You do? Good. Gimme.”
I run my finger around the jade pot. “Mom, I’m pregnant.”
“ What ?”
I pull my phone away from my ear as she shrieks.
“You better not be messing with me,” she says. “Tell me you’re serious.”
“I’m serious.” Tears wet my eyes. “I’m having a baby.”
“Oh, my God, honey …” She sniffles. “Congratulations. I’m … speechless.”
I know she wants to ask who the father is but doesn’t out of respect. I appreciate that more than she’ll ever know.
“Do you know Tate’s brother, Gannon?” I ask. “We saw him briefly the day we stopped at Brewer Group so I could take Tate a coffee. Gannon came into the parking lot.”
“Tall. Beautiful. A jawline to die for?”
I laugh. “That’s him.”
“That’s Gannon or ….”
“That’s Gannon, the baby’s dad.”
She gasps. “This baby is going to be gorgeous. Goodness gracious, Carys.”
“I know.” I laugh, finally able to breathe. “He wants to meet you, and I know you have lots of questions. Care if we pop by this evening?”
“Do I care? Stop it. Come over anytime. If you let me know a bit before you arrive, I’ll get some food. Do you need anything? Gosh, I don’t even remember what I needed when I was pregnant. What can I get for you?”
I sit back in the chair and watch as the storm clouds break. Sun shines onto the lawn through the mist and fog. There’s something really beautiful about it.
“I can honestly tell you that Gannon has ensured I don’t need anything,” I say. “He’s almost obsessive with it.”
“As he should. Can I tell the girls in the office?”
“Yeah. He’s telling his family now so it’s fine.”
She laughs. “But have you told Tate?”
“Yes, and it went just like you’re imagining.”
“He’s a good boy. Okay . Let me make some calls and spread the news that I’m going to be a grandma!” She shrieks again. “I love you. I love you so much and I can’t wait to hug you and see your tummy and meet that man of yours.”
“I’ll see you soon. Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
I’m no more than ending the call when another one flashes on the screen. Aurora?
I stare at her name, my stomach tightening. I haven’t talked to her since she tried to apologize for Kent. And, honestly, I don’t have anything else to say. I start to decline the call but think twice.
Just answer it. You can block her later if you need to.
“Hello,” I say, holding my breath.
“Hi, Carys. Is this a bad time?”
“No, not really. What’s up?”
She pauses. “I want to tell you again that I’m sorry. I didn’t understand the situation, and I shouldn’t have put you in such a precarious spot. I feel really bad about it.”
“You shouldn’t. Your heart was in the right place.”
“Speaking of that …” She clears her throat. “I left Kent.”
Her voice doesn’t waver, but she sounds nervous, nonetheless. She also sounds lonely and hurt. But that makes sense considering who she was married to. And I hate that for her.
“May I ask why?”
“Honestly, I couldn’t handle the way he treated you. If he can treat his child that way …” She exhales. “He might’ve been great to me most of the time, but he showed me who he was by mistreating you. There’s no justification for that.”
“Wow. I really don’t know what to say.”
“Congratulations would be in order.” She laughs softly. “I assume he hasn’t told you that he’s moving to Japan.”
“Japan? That seems random.”
“Yeah. He got a call a few days after his birthday with an offer out of the blue. He couldn’t refuse it. Honestly, I’m thrilled he’ll be so far away. There’s some peace in knowing we aren’t going to run into each other at the grocery, if that makes sense.”
I chuckle, nodding my head. “It does.”
“Would you want to meet for drinks sometime? Or would that be weird?”
“It would only be weird because I can’t drink. I’m pregnant.”
“Now that calls for a congratulations! That’s amazing, Carys. You’re going to be a wonderful mother. And once again, your father is going to miss out on something amazing. The way you stood up to him? Seriously amazing.”
That’s a sobering thought. This baby won’t have a grandfather. But, then again, I think about all of the amazing people in my life, and in Gannon’s life. This baby will be so loved.
I watch the sky continue to open and the sun grow brighter as the storms ease. Maybe there’s room in my life for Aurora. After all, she’s shown me kindness and made an effort to reach out to me. There’s no reason to push her away.
“How about we meet for tacos soon?” I ask.
“I’d love that.”
“I’ll call you next week and we’ll set something up.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. Goodbye, Carys. And congratulations again.”
“Thank you. Bye, Aurora.”
Gannon is standing alone in the kitchen when I enter. His smile makes me melt.
“Tate left,” he says. “I think he’s probably going to tell Ripley.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Nah. I like that he’s excited. It’s better than wanting to fight me.”
I laugh, falling into his arms. “Hey, I have a question.”
“Go for it.”
“What do you know about Japan?”
His smirk is immediate and deep. “I know nothing about Japan. Why do you ask?”
“Liar.”
He chuckles as he picks me up. “All I know about Japan is that it’s very far from here. I have a friend of a friend who owns a business there. I heard they’re hiring.”
I laugh, bringing my lips to his.
I knew it. But why am I not surprised?