Chapter Nineteen
Taylor
My palms are sweaty as I walk into Jack’s parents’ house. Rainey is talking about something, but I stopped listening in the car because my nerves are consuming me. Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Dare. I’m Jack’s baby mama. Lovely.
“Come on. They’re all in the family room.” Rainey takes my hand and pulls me in alongside her. “We’re here!” she announces.
I feel the heat rush to my cheeks but before I can react, Jack is by my side, easing me from his sister and wrapping a supporting arm around my waist. I lean into his side, grateful he knows me so well that he’s there for me without my having to ask.
After choosing wrong with Chandler, I’m glad to see there are good men in the world and my baby’s father is one of them.
“It’s all good,” Jack whispers in my ear as his mother walks up to me and extends her arms.
“Welcome to the family, Taylor.”
Smiling, I relax and step into her embrace.
From there, I’m introduced to the rest of the family.
Ian Dare, who is extremely intimidating but also welcoming in his own way.
His brothers are identical, which makes it hard for me to tell them apart, except Hudson is charming and sweet, while Miles is more reserved and less chatty.
Much less. But it’s not personal. He’s more like his dad, while Rainey, Hudson, and Jack are more like their mom.
Which makes me wonder whose traits our child will emulate, mine or Jack’s.
Mrs. Dare, who insists I call her Riley, brings out chips and vegetables with a creamy, delicious-tasting dip. “Since I wasn’t prepared for company, I don’t have an actual meal to serve. We can order in, and Hudson brought dessert from his favorite bakery.”
“I passed by it on my way and knew you’d love them,” he says to his mother.
“Kiss-ass,” Miles says under his breath and the man even manages a small smile. Makes him much more approachable.
Ian shakes his head, and I catch an even more imperceptible lift of his lips.
I can’t help but grin.
“Enjoying yourself?” Jack asks, lowering himself onto the cushion beside me on the couch.
I smile and nod. “I like your family. They remind me of mine in how close they are.”
“Can I say I told you so?” He wraps an arm around me, pulls me in, and brushes a kiss over my lips. “See? Everything is good.”
I nod. Between us? Everything is great. Inside me is pure roiling turmoil. I saw Chandler messaged me when I checked my phone earlier. He can’t let me have any peace. He just has to remind me he exists and is holding something over me that can ruin my life. The life right here, the one I want.
“So, who’s excited for our family trip?” Rainey asks.
Jack groans. “The trip I tried to avoid? The one I have no time for?”
She rolls her eyes. “The one you’ll thank me for planning once we’re there.”
I crinkle my nose in confusion. “What trip?”
“Oh, Rainey thinks we need a family vacation. We’re going to an island in the Bahamas.”
“We’re going to relax, hang out, and just enjoy each other’s company.” Rainey smiles from her seat on the sofa where she’s in Lucas’ arms. He arrived not long after we did.
“Sounds like fun,” I say. I’m well aware I’ll be back in Charleston when they take their vacation.
“It is.” Rainey smiles and I reciprocate.
Hudson walks over and sits on the ottoman in front of us. “So, you two. A baby, huh? What’s the plan with Taylor living in Charleston?” he asks.
“We still have to work things out,” Jack says, squeezing my thigh.
I nod. But his question is a sucker punch.
It’s something we haven’t discussed. I don’t know if that’s been deliberate or we’ve just enjoyed spending time together, but I’m not ready to sort out that part of my life.
It’s what I consider post-Chandler … assuming my pregnancy helps me end things with him and not wind up in trouble.
Which means, maybe it’s time to share my deepest truth with Jack. As much as I don’t want to bring Jack into my mess, I’m at the point where I need help. Another opinion, someone with potential ideas I haven’t thought of.
And I trust Jack.