Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Dad,” the blonde yelled before giving me an apologetic glance.
“She looks almost, but not quite.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard things like that. I was shocked more at the venomous glare Shawn wore. “She’s having your grandchild, so I guess you better get used to the idea.”
A bell rang and continued like someone was frantically shaking it. Everything got quiet as we focused in that direction.
“Matthew.” The voice was loud enough to be heard but clearly weak, and Shawn stepped over to me.
“Give me a minute,” he said, and I nodded even though I didn’t relish the idea of being left alone with his father. But there was no way I’d stop him from seeing his mom. I could take his father’s hate. It wasn’t the first time I’d experienced it.
Shawn bounded down the hall, and his sister followed. His father gave me a once-over, his focus landing on my belly a second before he, too, followed his children.
“Are you okay?” I might have jumped a little as I put a hand on the middle of my chest to stop my racing heart. I’d forgotten that Shawn’s brother-in-law was in the room. He held out a hand as he came forward. “I’m Connor, Lizzy’s husband.”
“I’m Tayla,” I said, taking his hand, grateful I was reminded of Shawn’s sister’s name.
“Ignore Ted. He’s a product of times long since passed. Though I’m sure Lizzy will make sure he apologizes.”
“It’s fine.”
He shook his head. “It’s not. But you have to pick your battles.”
I nodded because we could agree about that.
“Tayla.” The voice that had called Shawn’s name earlier called mine.
If the house wasn’t completely silent, I wouldn’t have heard her. Connor held up a hand to indicate I was to walk forward. I followed the path Shawn had taken until I got to an open door on the right. Inside, there was a hospital bed. There was also hospital-grade equipment that was attached to her and taking readings of her vitals.
A hand with nearly translucent skin waved me forward. “You must be Tayla.”
I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She took my hand in hers. “You are beautiful.” She smiled at her son as if giving her approval before returning her focus to me. “Excuse my husband and accept my apologies. I wouldn’t care if you were a green one-eyed alien as long as you made my son happy.”
Her words felt genuine. “Thank you,” I said, stealing a glance at Shawn’s father, who appeared appropriately contrite.
She patted my hand and glanced at my stomach. “I hope I’m still around to see my next grandchild.”
Lizzy stepped forward. “Of course, you’ll be here.”
She let go of my hand and seemed to lose energy. “Mom, I can come back later,” Shawn offered.
“You just got here,” she said.
Connor stepped forward. “I have to go to the club. Why don’t I take Tayla with me and give you guys some time?” Connor glanced at me, and I shrugged.
“Thanks, baby,” Lizzy said to her husband.
Shawn moved toward me. “Are you okay with that?”
What could I say? This family hadn’t been together in years if their father was to be believed. How could I stand in the way of that? “I’ll be fine.”
He leaned in and brushed his lips over mine, sending a thrill through me. “I’ll come get you when I’m done.”
Was he putting on a show? He was so upset earlier, but now he acted as though everything was okay. I bit my lip as butterflies flooded my belly despite it all and followed Connor out. My head was in the clouds, trying to process everything that had been said. Shawn had told his parents I was his fiancée. Had he just said that to get back at his father? The conversation spun in my head as we descended to the garage level. Then I remembered this was the same man who said he wanted to walk away from me. The same man who had lied to me about his name. Who knew what else he wasn’t telling me? And I could feel the frown forming on my face. When I glanced around, I couldn’t be sure if it was the same level as the one Shawn and I had entered.
“If you don’t want to go with me,” Connor began. “I can drop you off.”
I blinked several times and focused on Connor. “No, it’s fine.”
If I went to the hotel or wherever we were staying, I’d ultimately be picking apart everything that happened between Shawn and me since he came back into my life.
We reached a marbled ruby-red sports car, and Connor grinned. “It’s a Dodge Viper concept car. Only one of its kind. You like?” he asked as he stroked the impressive paint job.
“It’s nice. A little flashy. But cool.”
He chuckled and popped the locks. “I’m not usually a car guy like my brother. But this baby stole my heart the minute I saw it.” To each his own, I thought, not wanting to insult the man that was doing me a favor. I think he took my silence as reluctance as he added, “Matt will come for you when he’s done.”