Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Not out of the woods? What does that mean?”
She shifts awkwardly.
My hand is still on her stomach.
“You know we’re not in the safe zone yet.”
“What’s the safe zone?”
She giggles. “I thought if I used a football reference, you’d get it.”
“I don’t get it.” I laugh, moving my hand in small circles over her belly, if not for the sake of simply touching her.
“Safe zone is usually twelve weeks.”
“What happens at twelve weeks?”
“You have less of a chance for, a. Uh. You know. Miscarriage.”
Oh.
“Shit.” I don’t love the sound of that. “That sounds horrible. So what are you supposed to do? Stay in bed for the next few weeks?”
Tess laughs again. “No. The rest is up to fate.”
I don’t love the sound of that, but she seems fine with it.
“I’m not worried,” she tells me confidently.
Tess's smile grows, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Just don’t start plannin’ playdates."
Playdates.
Dear god. What the fuck is a playdate? I don’t think I had those unless you count peewee football as a playdate.
"Well, who knows what the future holds, right?"
My fingers trace gentle circles on her belly, and I'm filled with a sense of protectiveness and affection, especially after she brought up all the “safety in the end zone” stuff.
This isn't just about Tess and me anymore. It's about the life taking shape, the tiny heartbeat that echoes within her.
It's a responsibility and a gift and a connection that goes beyond anything I've ever known.
As I continue to touch her baby bump, Tess's hand covers mine, her touch warm and reassuring. Our eyes meet, and at that moment, it's as if all the complications and uncertainties fade away. There's a sense of unity between us, a shared understanding that we're in this together, no matter what lies ahead.
"Drew…" Tess's voice is soft, her gaze locking onto mine. "Thank you for coming. I needed you here."
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
We lie in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. There's so much we still need to figure out, so many challenges to overcome, but for now, in this small, intimate space, none of that matters. All that exists is the life growing that’s ours and the hope that we can find a way to figure this out.
Together.
Eventually, I pull my hand away from her belly.
I immediately feel the loss of our connection but don’t want to make it weird or put the moves on her even though I’d rather stay.
I give her a smile in the near dark. "I should probably let you get some rest."
Tess nods, her smile softening.
"It's been a long day."
“Long week,” I amend.
“Long month!”
I take a step back, my heart heavy with a sense of longing.
“Drew?”
“Hmm.”
“Would you stay? You can sleep here. I mean, what’s the worst thing that can happen? We have sex and I get pregnant?”
I stare. “Oh, we’re making jokes now?”
She nods, grinning. “Too soon?”
I shake my head, settling back down, pulling a pillow to my head and fluffing it. “Nah. This is your story, not mine. You can joke all you want.”
She leans forward and presses a kiss to the underside of my jaw, and I want to touch the spot where her lips warmed my skin.
“Go to sleep.”
My fingers caress her hair, and she closes her eyes.
Gently, I stroke her long, silky strands until she’s softly snoring, breathing in and out.
CHAPTER 42
TESS
I LOVE HIM. AND THAT WAS THE START OF EVERYTHING…
I just assumed no one knew he was here, but I was wrong.
Miranda: You’re on the news again.
Tess: WHAT? WHY????
Miranda: Calm down, it’s not bad. Photographers took photos of you and Drew on the swings at the park and holding hands walking to your car.
Tess: Why didn’t you lead with that? Jeez, give me a heart attack.
Miranda: I’m assuming they’ve been following you? And now they have dirt, but at least the two of you look cozy, and they can’t print anything salacious about you, right???
Tess: Sure. I guess?
We spent the day together in a spot we thought was quiet and private and out of the way.
A coffee shop.
The lakefront.
A park.
Talking, walking, holding hands, trying to figure out what we were going to do about…
Everything.
At one point on our walk, Drew pulled me into him and kissed me. I wonder if that photo will make it into the news.
Why does anyone even care what Drew does in his personal life? This is crazy to me. He’s not even on a professional team. He is literally a college student.
Nuts.
It’s invasive and a bit scary, to be honest, not knowing who’s watching and where.
I’m a nobody.
I do not need the paparazzi stalking me.
“Could you be any cuter?” Drew had asked me while we were swinging at the park, our sneakers hitting the wood chips beneath us as we idlely moved back and forth.