EDITH, AKA NO MORE SWEET LITTLE LIES
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After we exit our house, the homestead is abuzz with excitement. Pa-Donovan walks over to talk to Court and Emmett at King Peepaw Jared’s back deck. Meanwhile, Ma-Journey soothes her very hyper sisters.
Tuesday is bouncing around, too, explaining things to Alexis, Roxie, Oana, and Betty. Based on her hand gestures, she’s explaining something sexual.
Lola and Clover smile warmly at me. Erin looks less certain. If she thinks I’m bad news now, wait until she finds out I botched my birth control.
Duke takes my hand and walks away from the others. I feel like we’re about to have one of those relationship talks. After flipping out repeatedly during the day, I’m reluctant to face more drama.
“You look tired,” he says softly, sounding sexy yet commanding.
“I’ve been emotional today.”
When Duke studies me, I instantly feel guilty for not fessing up. I gesture for him to follow me. We walk to the spot where my future house will be located.
“Everyone on the homestead has a spot for their home. This is mine,” I say and bite too hard at my bottom lip.
When Duke frowns, I’m unsure if he’s reacting to my announcement or the weird energy coming off me.
“You said your parents were okay with us. You saw how the girls were okay,” Duke says, brushing his thumb across my tender lower lip. “What’s triggering your unhappiness right now?”
Tears burn my eyes, and I lose the ability to speak. I’m so embarrassed by how I messed up my birth control. I’ve always been the responsible one. I ragged on Tuesday for years for being a ditz. Yet, she shared her muff far and wide without any unintended consequences.
Duke’s expression reveals fear and a hint of pain. Inhaling sharply, he hides those emotions and shows me nothing. Now feigning calm, Duke cups my face with his warm hands.
“Just say the words,” he murmurs in a deceptively calm voice.
“I messed up.”
When I don’t continue, his forehead furrows. “Say more words.”
Gripping his shirt, I shake my head. “You’ll think I’m trapping you.”
Duke watches me. I see the exact moment when he catches on. Duke chuckles, seeming relieved.
“Good Lord, I thought you were having second thoughts about us now that people know.”
Wiping my eyes, I mumble, “Of course not. Having everyone know is a relief. I had to hide this great thing happening to me.”
Duke brushes his thumb across my lower lip again. “How long have you known about the baby?”
“Only a few hours. I planned to wait longer before telling you. But I can’t handle more secrets. Besides, you can always tell when I’m lying.”
His brow furrows again. “Why would you hide it from me?”
“I didn’t want you to think I’m trying to trap you.”
“Edith, I know you. And you’ve been honest about what you need from me. I didn’t end things when you said a baby was a dealbreaker between us, so I made my choice.”
“Yes, but it’s so fast.”
“Well, I’m not getting any younger.”
Exhaling deeply, I feel torn up inside again. “You don’t really want more kids.”
“I’m not anti-kids,” he insists as he wraps me in his arms. “I just get stressed when I think of late-night feedings and toddlers grabbing at everything. It’s not something I wanted to do again. But as soon as we met, kids have been on my mind.”
“As a punishment for us being together?”
Duke watches me for a minute before smiling and murmuring, “You have an old lady name.”
My pout turns into a scowl, making him chuckle. “You gave your daughters eclectic names.”
“I like pretty names for girls.”
“And you don’t think Edith is a pretty name?”
“It was my grandma’s best friend’s name.”
“No.”
Duke chuckles. “Yeah, but it’s also the name of the sexiest woman I’ve ever met, so it evens out.”
His words act as a tonic for my frazzled brain. I rest my head against his chest and let reality override the anxiety I’ve been gripped with all day.
Keeping me pinned to him, Duke strokes my back and says, “Tomorrow, we could change up our plans. I could drop by for lunch with your family. Then, you could come over to my place for dinner and stay the night.”
“Are you truly okay with the baby?” I ask, gripping his shirt tighter. “It’s so soon.”
“I plan to keep you,” he murmurs. “That means another kid.”
Holding him tight, I look up at his handsome face and whisper, “You might get a son.”
“Yeah, but my kid will need to fight Val’s kid to see who runs things in twenty years. By then, I’ll be more concerned with my achy knees and whatever lame hobby I’ve taken up in my old age.”
Frowning at him, I point out, “Your ma isn’t lame. My grandparents aren’t lame. Jared is still one of the coolest guys in town. You won’t be lame, either.”
“I hope you’re right. As for the baby, don’t worry about me bailing or having a panic attack or anything,” Duke says and glances around to make sure no one is listening.
His gaze returns to me as he explains, “Clover was an accident. Kerrie and I only wanted a single kid. But once I found out she was pregnant, I kept thinking about Lola as a baby and got excited about the new one.”
Smiling, I like how Duke’s eyes light up when he talks about his girls. “I’m sorry I’m so emotional,” I say, wishing I could have handled the entire day with more grace. “I lost control of myself today.”
“Edith, life is messy. People fuck up. But things worked out today, right? Your parents are okay with us. My girls are incredibly relieved to learn I haven’t fallen for a stripper,” he says, making me smile. “And we’re going to have a kid.”
Duke kisses my smiling lips. I’m so exhausted after today. I want nothing more than to sleep until tomorrow when I can hopefully think clearly again.
“Maybe I can come over tonight,” I suggest, missing waking up next to him in the morning.
Duke sighs deeply and remains silent for a long time. “As much as I don’t want to leave you again, you’re worn out. Tomorrow, we’ll start fresh.”
“We don’t need to sneak around anymore as if we were doing something wrong. Are you nervous about that?”
“I’m not nervous about anything,” Duke says with complete conviction. “A few months ago, I thought I was dying. I worried my family and the meatheads would be left unprotected. Now, I know they’re safe.”
Duke strokes my back and continues, “I also have this new start with you. Everything came together today because chaos is normal around here. I can get used to this kind of thinking.”
Duke’s tone makes me smile. He’s falling under the homestead’s spell.
“Embracing chaos will probably help your relationship with Val,” I suggest. “But I’m okay with less drama.”
Duke chuckles as his gaze takes in the homestead. “If you get a house here, we can stay over once a week.”
“Two nights a week.”
Duke cocks an eyebrow, hearing me challenge him. “We’ll see.”
“You might as well give into me now rather than tempting an Earlham tantrum.”
Leaning down, Duke kisses my throat and shorts out my plan to bully him. I slide my hands under his shirt and hopefully derail his plans to use my horniness to win the argument.