Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“When the results come in, I need to let my family know. It’s been hard keeping this from them. Although, I’m truly dreading it—not so much telling Vera, but when my brother and sister find out I’m pregnant, they’re gonna freak.”
“You’re pregnant?” came a voice behind me.
I turned suddenly.
Hannah.
My heart dropped when I saw her standing there. She was supposed to have gone to the store with Vera and Heath.
My heart pounded. “I have to go, Mia. I’ll explain later.” I hung up. “I didn’t know you were there.”
“It started raining, so I came back to get an umbrella,” Hannah said, eyes wide.
Placing my hand on my chest, I asked, “Where are Mom and Heath?”
“They’re outside waiting for me.” She looked at me carefully. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yeah,” I whispered. “I was going to wait to tell you.”
“Because you don’t want to tell us you’re leaving?”
“No.” I stepped toward her. “This doesn’t change anything. I won’t leave you guys, although I don’t yet know where we should all be living.”
“Owen’s the father?”
How could I lie to her? “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you yet. I’m…actually not sure.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Oh.”
I rambled nervously. “This is very embarrassing for me to admit. But as you know, I’m an adult. And I do have…sex. I’ve always been responsible. But something went wrong. Let that be a lesson to you.”
As she stood there looking shell-shocked, I continued. “The baby is either Owen’s or Robert’s. We had a DNA test and are waiting for the results. We should get them in a few days.”
Vera burst through the door. “What’s taking you so long, Hannah?”
Heath was right behind her.
“Devyn’s pregnant,” Hannah blurted.
My brother’s face went white.
Vera’s mouth curved into an amused smile. “Well, I’ll be damned. I guess you’re more like me than I thought.”
My cheeks burned. That was a huge insult, in my book.
I spent several excruciating minutes sitting down with my brother and mother and regurgitating what I’d explained to Hannah. This wasn’t the way I’d envisioned telling them. Not in the least. The mood wasn’t congratulatory. That’s for sure.
Heath echoed Hannah’s fears. “There’s no way you’re gonna have time for us anymore.”
“That’s not true.” I reached for his hand. “While I wasn’t expecting this, it doesn’t change anything. I will do everything it takes to make sure you’re both taken care of.”
“Not necessary,” Vera interrupted. “I don’t plan on going anywhere again, Devyn.”
I glared at her. “And how many times have I heard that?”
“This is a wakeup call. I’m gonna be a grandmother, for Christ’s sake. You don’t need to worry about Heath and Hannah. I’ll be here. You take care of yourself, baby girl.”
I didn’t want to get into an argument right now for the kids’ sake, so I refrained from repeating all the reasons she couldn’t be trusted. Not to mention, I’d reminded her several times since she’d been back that I had legal custody of the kids now, so her being here was of little relevance anymore.
I turned to Heath. “Once the paternity results come back, I’ll know a lot more about my plans. But those plans will always include you guys. I promise.”
Much to my relief, Heath and Hannah each came around to give me a hug. Vera refrained from joining in, which was smart, because I wouldn’t have reciprocated.
After my brother and sister sat back down, Vera reached out toward me. “You’re gonna be just fine, Devyn. You’re a naturally maternal person.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you have to raise yourself, I suppose,” I quipped.
“If you let me move in with you, I can babysit,” Hannah suggested.
It broke my heart that she felt the need to say that, as if she needed to earn her way into my life. But before I could respond, Vera chimed in.
“Well, I for one hope the baby is Robert Valentino’s.”
I gritted my teeth. “Why would you say that?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” She shrugged. “Cha-ching.”
“I do just fine on my own. I don’t need his money.”
“Well, I could sure use it.” She chuckled.
I felt sick to my stomach. Not only because of her attitude, but because her comment reminded me of Owen’s need to compete with Robert. Since Robert showed up, Owen hadn’t been in a good place. He hadn’t come to see me since the appointment. And I didn’t like the way I’d left things. I also had to wonder if seeing Robert in person was just the thing to make Owen doubt everything. No doubt that had been Robert’s intention.
After the rain stopped, Vera and the kids headed out shopping again. Left alone, I turned things over in my mind until my phone rang around 6 PM.
It was Owen.
My heart leapt as I picked up. “Hey, I’m glad you called. I miss you.”
“Are you busy right now?” he asked.
“Not really.”
“Can you come down to Holden’s for a minute?”