Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
She nods into my chest, then sniffles. “I agree,” she murmurs. “I already miss you.”
“Oh, baby. I’m here. I’m always here,” I tell her, repeating the words she said to me not long ago. Needing her to understand that no matter what happens between us, I’m not going anywhere. “Always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
KENDALL
“Have you seen the post from The Gossip Gazette?” Layla turns the screen to face me, and I cringe at the headline—“From doing bump to a baby bump?”
“Ugh. I hate them so much. They should be sued for slander.” I’ve never done drugs a day in my life, but once, over a year ago, I made the mistake of attending an award show with a musician who did—and I had no clue. One party, where someone got a picture of him doing lines of coke while I was in the restroom—and when I returned and sat down and saw what he was doing, I had my security team escort me out immediately—and they’ve turned me into a damn wannabe druggy.
“Truth, but that photo they snapped of you… you can’t deny you look pregnant,” Layla says, popping a piece of bagel into her mouth. We’re all at my parents’ house for Sunday brunch. The guys—minus Declan and Gage—are helping my mom move around some new furniture she bought for the house and isn’t sure how she wants them placed, while Layla, Kaylee, and I eat and drink our coffee as we watch Felix dance to a new music video. Marianna crawls around, chasing his feet and driving him nuts.
“I know.” I sigh. It’s why I’ve flown in from California this weekend—to handle something I’ve been dreading. I need to tell Kyle about my pregnancy, which I’ve put off all weekend. Since it’s Sunday, and I know it’s his only day off, I’m going to drive over there this afternoon. I’d call or text him first, but when I tried, I quickly realized he blocked me. Not that I blame him… if leaving someone at the altar isn’t reason enough to never want to speak to someone again, what is? But that means I’ll have to awkwardly go over there and deal with this.
“How are you holding up?” Kaylee asks, flashing me a look of sympathy. Since our family knew about Declan and me, I had no choice but to tell them that we broke up. I also asked them not to mention I’m pregnant. I want to be the one to tell him, but I need to tell Kyle first. I should’ve told Declan when I broke up with him, but it was too hard. My heart was too broken to go there.
“I’m hanging in there.” I shrug. “I miss Declan so much, but he deserves so much better than what I can give him. Have you seen him?”
Layla and Kaylee both shake their heads.
“No,” Kaylee says. “He’s been MIA the past couple of weeks. I think between Gage refusing to come home and then…” She trails off and clears her throat. “He just needs some time.”
My chest tightens, hating myself for what I’ve done and wishing I could change the facts.
“After I talk to Kyle today, I’m flying back to LA for the rest of my pregnancy so he can have some space.”
“What?” My mom gasps, making me turn around. “You’re leaving again?”
Dammit, this is not how I wanted to tell her. I’m just messing everything up with everyone lately. “LA is my home. And with Declan here… I don’t want to rub it in his face. It’s not fair to him.”
Camden and Braxton both nod in understanding, and I knew they would because they care about Declan.
“But Kyle is here,” Mom points out. “I can’t see him being okay with that.”
“And I’m planning to come back before I give birth if that’s what Kyle insists. But if he’s okay with me staying in LA, and him traveling to visit, I think that would be best. The last thing I want is for Declan to have to see me all the time.”
“Or you could stop being stubborn,” Camden says. “Tell him what’s going on and let him make the decision for himself.”
I stand, not wanting to have this conversation for the millionth time. “We’ll agree to disagree. I’m going to head over to speak to Kyle. I’ll come back afterward. I’m not leaving until tomorrow.”
“I actually need to speak to you regarding some business,” Dad says. “Can you come by the studio in the morning before you go?”
“Of course.”
“You’re taking security with you, right?” Mom asks. “I don’t like you going to Kyle’s by yourself.”
“Yep. I’m going to text Evan now and let him know I’m ready to go.” I give my parents a hug.
“I really hope you’ll consider staying here,” Mom says. “Your family is all here, and selfishly, I don’t want to miss my grandbabies growing up. Bailey and Cynthia’s baby is due not long after yours.”