Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
I glance over at Ella, who is already hard at work doing one of the twins’ hair in adorable pigtails.
“Once upon a time I dated a boy who played baseball.”
“Who? Richard?”
I once mentioned to her that before Richard got wrapped up in college and medical school, he used to play baseball and basketball in high school.
“No, another boy. He owned my heart. But then he left to play in the Minor Leagues in Salem, Virginia, and we were just too young to handle the whole long distance thing. I saw pictures of him with other girls on social media, and I ended things before he could break my heart. After we broke up, Richie—I mean Richard—” Even after all these years of him wanting to be called Richard, I often forget. According to him, a doctor needs a serious name, and Richie isn’t a serious name. “Richard and I had a one-night stand at a party,” I whisper so Ella won’t overhear. “A couple months later I found out I was pregnant. When I told him, he asked me to be a family, and the rest is history.”
“So, you never saw him again? This boy who owned your heart?”
“No, I did. When I was four months pregnant, he showed up at my door.” I take a sip of my wine, trying not to get choked up at the memory of the last time I saw him…
“Landon, what are you doing here?” I ask, confused and shocked as to why he’s standing on my front doorstep. We haven’t spoken in months.
“You blocked me on social media and sent some bullshit text about not being able to talk to me anymore. Did you think I’d just let you go that easily?”
After I found out I was pregnant and decided to keep the baby, Richie caught me checking Landon’s social media and told me we would never work if I was still hung up on another guy. Knowing he was right, I texted Landon and told him I couldn’t talk to him anymore then blocked him from my social media. All ties being cut is what we would need in order for the both of us to move on.
“Landon…” I don’t know what to say. I don’t realize my hand is rubbing on my belly until he glances down and his eyes widen in shock.
“You’re pregnant?” he asks, his voice rising several octaves. I can see the cogs in his head turning, wondering for a brief second if there’s some way, any way that maybe he’s the father. But it’s impossible. We haven’t been together in over eight months.
“It’s Richie’s,” I admit softly. His face contorts into a look of pain and hurt, and it breaks my heart all over again.
“What the hell do you mean it’s Richie’s? You slept with him? When?” His fists clench at his sides.
“It was an accident,” I try to explain. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“You didn’t mean to spread your legs for your ex-boyfriend? The same guy who treated you like shit when you were dating him?” Stepping closer, he lifts my left hand and assesses the engagement ring on my finger. “And you’re engaged.”
“We are,” I choke out. “I’m so sorry.”
He looks back up at me and shakes his head. “I’m too late.”
My cries get louder, and my entire body shakes from my sobs.
“They moved me up,” he says flatly. “I’m the new starting pitcher for the Boston Reds.”
They moved him up… which means… “You’re back?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “Not back here, here. I’m renting an apartment near the stadium in the city.”
He’s back, and he’s too late because I’m pregnant with another man’s baby.
One night.
One mistake.
That’s all it takes.
“I’m so sorry,” I cry out for what feels like the tenth time. “I… I…” I can’t even finish my sentence. This is all my fault. I thought I was saving my heart by breaking up with him. I saw those images and didn’t want to wait for him to cheat. And in the end, I’m the one who destroyed our future, not him. I didn’t have faith in him—in us—and so I pushed him away. Now, here he is, standing on my doorstep, and I’m breaking both our hearts.
Without thinking about it, I fling myself into Landon’s arms, needing to feel his warmth one last time.
He envelops me in a hug as I cry into his chest. “Shh… it’s okay, Harper,” he coos. “You don’t have to be sorry for moving on.”
I want to correct him, tell him I didn’t move on, but it will only make it harder. He deserves better than this. Better than me. He deserves to live out his dreams and create a life for himself. Meet a woman who will believe in him and love him the way he deserves.
Eventually we break apart and Landon gives me a sad smile. “You’re going to make a great mom, Harp.”