33. Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Three
Millie
Finn and Chase took Lily out for Chipotle, so it’s just me and Declan at the house. I decide to bake to keep my mind off things. The scent of cookies fills the kitchen, but my thoughts are elsewhere. Declan walks in, looking a little surprised to find me elbow-deep in dough.
“Hey, what are you making?” he asks, coming closer.
“Just some cookies,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. “Thought I’d surprise Lily when she gets back.”
He smiles, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “They smell amazing,” he murmurs against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
I turn in his arms, pressing against him, feeling the heat of his body. “I’ve missed you,” I whisper, grinding my hips against his.
He groans softly, his hands gripping my hips. “I’ve missed you too, Millie.”
I pull him down for a kiss, our lips crashing together with a hunger that’s been building all day. Before I know it, he’s lifting me onto the counter, his hands pushing up my skirt. I’m already wet, aching for him.
“Please, Declan,” I gasp, my fingers tangled in his hair.
He kneels, spreading my legs wider and burying his face between my thighs. His tongue finds my clit and I’m lost in the sensation, moaning and writhing against him. He works me skillfully, driving me higher and higher until I’m coming apart, shuddering with pleasure.
But as the orgasm fades, something else breaks loose inside me. I start to cry, tears streaming down my face. Declan looks up, concerned.
“Millie, what’s wrong?” he asks, standing and pulling me into his arms.
“I hate keeping secrets from you guys,” I sob, clutching at his shirt. “Especially since I love you all so much.”
He holds me tighter, his voice gentle. “What secrets, babe? What’s going on?”
Taking a deep breath, I look up at him, my heart pounding. “I’m pregnant, Declan.”
His eyes widen, shock and confusion written all over his face. “Pregnant? How…how long have you known?”
“A few days,” I admit, wiping my eyes. “Chase found out with me. I got sick when we were out eating and I realized how long we’d all been been sleeping together…”
“How? I thought you had an IUD?” he asks.
“Well, you guys must have displaced it with all the, as the doctor put it, ‘ rough activity’. I would laugh if it was any other person,” I say, trying to hold my tears back.
He runs a hand through his hair, taking a step back. “Does Finn know?”
I shake my head. “No, and that’s killing me. But I didn’t want to distract you guys before the finals. It’s the most important game of your careers.”
Declan nods slowly, processing everything. “How’s Chase holding up?”
“He’s been amazing,” I say softly. “Supportive, but he agrees that we need to wait to tell Finn.”
He exhales deeply, still looking stunned. “This is…a lot to take in.”
“I know,” I whisper. “But we don’t have to figure everything out right now. I just need to know that you’re with me, that we’ll handle this together.”
Declan steps forward, cupping my face in his hands. “I’m with you, Millie. We’ll figure this out. But we can’t keep this from Finn. He deserves to know the truth.”
I nod, relief flooding through me. “Okay. We’ll tell him, together.”
He kisses me gently, his lips soft against mine. “We’ll get through this, I promise.”
Finn and Chase come home, laughing about something that happened at Chipotle. Declan looks at me, his expression serious.
“You need to tell Finn,” he says quietly, glancing at the guys. “Especially after seeing how amazing he is with Lily. Plus, I know him. He’s not going to take it well if he’s the only one who doesn’t know.”
I nod, my stomach twisting in knots. “I know. I’ll do it now.”
Declan squeezes my hand. “It’ll be okay. Just be honest with him.”
I take a deep breath and walk over to Finn. “Hey, Finn, can we talk?”
He grins, taking my hand. “Sure thing, babe. Let’s go to my place.”
As we enter his apartment, he’s still holding my hand and I’m trying to find the right words. But before I can say anything, he’s undoing his belt, a playful smile on his face.
“Not what I wanted to talk about,” I say quickly, shaking my head, even though I can’t deny the thrill that goes through me at the sight of him.
He stops, confusion replacing his smile. “Oh? What’s up then?”
I take a deep breath, feeling my heart pound in my chest. “Finn, I’m pregnant.”
His face goes pale and he takes a step back. “Pregnant? And you’re just telling me now?”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears filling my eyes. “I didn’t want to distract you before the finals. Declan and Chase found out by accident.”
Finn’s hands clench into fists and I can see the turmoil in his eyes. “So they knew, and I didn’t? I’m the last to know?”
“Finn, I didn’t mean to keep it from you. I just didn’t want to add more pressure.”
He shakes his head, anger and betrayal flashing across his face. “You should have told me sooner. I deserved to know.”
“I’m sorry,” I say again, feeling helpless. “I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Is it because of my diagnosis? Did you think I couldn’t handle it?”
I reach out to touch him, “Of course not. Fuck! This has nothing to do with that.”
“Then what was it?”
I look at the sad, dejected look on his face and all my words dissipate. I have never been so devastated. He is so hurt.
“Finn…”
Finn looks at me, his eyes full of pain. “I can’t deal with this right now.”
He storms out of the apartment, leaving me standing there, feeling abandoned and scared. The weight of the situation crashes down on me and I feel like I’m drowning.
I make my way back to the apartment I share with Chase, my legs feeling like lead. When I get there, I collapse onto the sofa, curling up into a ball. Tears stream down my face and I can’t stop the sobs that wrack my body. Everything feels so overwhelming, and I don’t know what to do.
About half an hour later, Chase walks in and finds me. “Millie? What happened?”
He sits down beside me, pulling me into his arms. I bury my face in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt. “I told Finn. He didn’t take it well.”
Chase sighs, holding me tighter. “I’m sorry, babe. He just needs time to process it. This is a lot for him to handle.”
“I feel so scared,” I whisper. “I don’t know what to do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Chase says softly. “You’re not alone in this. We’re in this together, remember?”
I nod, trying to take comfort in his words. But the fear and uncertainty still linger, making it hard to breathe. I cling to Chase, hoping that somehow, we’ll find a way to get through this.