Fall for You (Flirting with Forever Book 4) Page 14

  “I—okay.” I run my hand over my face. “I’m not sure Olivia wants to continue with it anyway.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it for you.”

  It’s only after hanging up with Becky that I realize we’ve effectively pulled the plug on the income Quinn needs for her mom’s surgery.

  Chapter 28

  Quinn

  There’s a pregnancy test burning a hole in my bag. Every time I reach into it for my phone or my lip gloss or anything damn else, my hand finds it. It’s like it’s taunting me: Look! An answer to the question that could make everything ten times worse is right here. Fuck.

  As I pull into the driveway at Sophia and Heath’s townhome, my phone vibrates in my bag. I take a second to rifle through it—yep, pregnancy test still there right along with the baggie of Wheat Thins I’ve taken to packing every day to settle my stomach—and finally locate my phone. I sit there for a second, checking through my messages before I head in for dinner.

  Olivia’s Mom: I didn’t know about the relationship between you and my ex-husband when I asked you to tutor Olivia.

  Olivia’s Mom: And while I have no issue with you and Liam, I think Olivia does. She’s been moody and upset, and I think this is probably why.

  Olivia’s Mom: I’d prefer if you kept your relationship separate from Olivia.

  Me: I’m so very sorry she’s upset. And I understand completely.

  Well, shit. I lower the phone into my lap. Somehow, I thought this was going to blow over by the next tutoring session. Quite possibly, I could be fooling myself into thinking Olivia would have wanted to resume her tutoring sessions, just like I’m fooling myself into thinking I can’t possibly be pregnant with Liam’s child.

  We weren’t exactly careful. I’m on the pill, but everyone knows how that goes. Sometimes it’s just not enough. Damn fit-as-hell Liam and his overachieving swimmers.

  I’m laughing hysterically to myself at the thought of super smart sperm when Piper knocks on my window with Damon, her new boyfriend, at her side. This is the first time we’re hanging out with Damon outside of a school event, and I can tell already this is going to be a night he won’t soon forget. Not with all my drama coming to the party.

  When I step out of my SUV, they both try to hide what they are thinking, but I can tell. They think I’ve lost it. And maybe I have. Another small laugh bursts from my lips. This is such a nightmare.

  “What’s so funny, Q?” Piper gives me a hug, while Damon just nods a greeting in my direction.

  “Just life.” I shake my head, chuckling again. “Life in general. Let’s get on in there. Judging by the cars lining the street, I’d say everyone else is already here.”

  I lead the way, knock twice, then open the door. As we approach the sound of laughter and talking, I see I’m right. Madison and Shawn are on one side of the kitchen, mixing a pitcher of margaritas; Sophia and Heath are side by side at the stovetop, cooking the fixings for a fajita dinner; and Hadleigh, Sawyer, and Zoey are seated on stools at the counter, talking and nibbling on cheese and crackers.

  “Looks like the gang’s all here now.” I give a broad grin, but cringe internally. I’d planned on bringing Liam with me tonight until shit hit the fan. I walk over to Zoey and put an arm around her, whispering, “I guess you’re my date tonight.”

  She smiles. “I’m totally fine with that.” She wraps her arm around me, giving a squeeze.

  This kitchen is full of fun and laughter, and I will surely feel like the damper on everyone’s parade if I open my mouth to say a word. I’m a little out of it, too, but not so much so that I don’t realize every person in the room has come over at one point or another to give me a hug. It’s impossible for anyone to not know what’s been all over the school at this point. My dirty laundry has been aired everywhere.

  But this is what family does, and I struggle not to break down over their kindnesses. Shawn hands me one of his signature margaritas, or as close as he can get to one with what he was provided with to make them. I take a sip, but put it down immediately. Shit. What if I’m pregnant? Ugh. I hope no one notices when my drink goes untouched the rest of the night. I pick up the glass and stick my nose in it. Just the smell of it makes my stomach gurgle uncomfortably.

  “How long before the fajitas are ready?” I bite my lip. It’s now or never.

  Sophia glances up at me, eyes softening at the anxiety on my face. “About five minutes.”

  “Okay.” I turn quickly and grab my bag, heading for the powder room off the living room. I’m completely aware that there are quite a few pairs of eyes following me. That’s because you’re acting like a crazy person, Quinn.

  Once inside the bathroom, I set my bag on the countertop, rummaging through it for the test. I pull it out with unsteady hands and read the instructions on the back of the box. Seems pretty simple. Uncap. Pee on stick. Wait two minutes for the two lines that say your entire life has just changed forever.

  Squatting over the toilet, I take care of business, then cap the yucky end of the test. The little window shouts Look at me! and I try my best to ignore it. I put the test on the counter out of my line of sight, lower the toilet lid and flush, then wash my hands while I wait.

  I’ve tried to do the pregnancy math in my head. I had a period after the first time Liam and I had sex, but I haven’t had one since. I’ve been so busy with dating him, tutoring Olivia, whether or not Mom would agree to surgery, and helping out at the bakery—not to mention my full-time job—that I hadn’t been paying attention. My life has been absolutely insane lately, so a surprise pregnancy would just add to the madness. It seems like the only outcome that would make sense, given how the cards have been falling lately.

  “Quinn?” Piper’s voice sounds from the other side of the door. “You okay?”

  I rub my hands over my face. “Yeah. Be right out.”

  “Okay, good. I have to pee.”

  Over fajitas, my friends dutifully steer conversation anywhere but in my direction and what’s going on with me. We discuss Heath and Sophia’s upcoming wedding first. They are so adorable and excited about it, it takes my mind off of things for a while, except, of course, when Damon asks where the wedding and reception will take place. Poor guy, he’s too new to our circle to realize Liam owns the place.

  Madison quickly answers him, then shifts the conversation to share that Shawn has written another song that we just have to hear later. I swear, that man is going to end up with a recording contract at some point. He’s that good.

  Hadleigh and Sawyer fill us in on his second student teaching placement and how that’s going, and Damon, who got to witness the evolution of Hadleigh and Sawyer’s relationship in the workroom they share, joked about how Sawyer shouldn’t try to date his second mentor. Sawyer blushes bright red, but is quick to say that Hadleigh is the only one for him. Knife, meet gut.

  Sawyer parries, asking if Damon has yet to win an argument with Piper. There’s a bit of debate about that, which ends in quite a lot of laughter.

  Zoey is fairly quiet, taking in the couples we are surrounded by, much like I am. I glance at her, sitting next to me, and wink with a little shrug, as if to say, Maybe someday it’ll be us. She seems to understand me just fine as she grabs my hand and squeezes before letting go to tell everyone about some hubbub that’s been going on in the office this week.

  No one asks me anything—it’s as if they are all walking on eggshells. I don’t blame them. Who wants to invite that kind of drama to the table? No one, that’s who.

  After dinner, we all help clear the table and clean up, making quick work of it with so many hands, before we decide to adjourn to the living room with another round of drinks.

  If anyone has noticed I still have the drink that I was initially served, they haven’t said anything. That’s one thing—with ten of us, no one sees every last little thing happening. Thank goodness.

  We’re all just settling in on the big L-shaped couch and a few chairs when Zoey walks slowly
out of the bathroom, attracting everyone’s attention with how strangely she’s acting. “Um. So, I was just in the bathroom.”

  Hadleigh giggles, a little tipsy. “Obviously.”

  Zoey looks to Sophia first. “I found this in the trash can.” She lifts her hand so we can all see what she’s holding.

  My eyes widen. Shit. My pee stick. I guess I wasn’t thinking when I threw it in the trash can.

  Zoey sets the test on the coffee table. “It’s obviously not mine.” She gives an uncomfortable laugh. “No man, so no baby on board.”

  Sophia slaps her hand over her mouth before she sprays margarita everywhere. She glances at Heath, who looks like his heart has jumped up into his throat, and she quickly shakes her head and grabs his hand to reassure him. She looks around the room. “I know it may seem like we’re the obvious choice, seeing as how the wedding is coming up and this is our place … but we have no plans for babies until after we’re hitched. Not to mention, I never use the powder room.” She shrugs, palms up in front of her.

  Eyes flick from one person to another, assessing, studying, trying to figure out the little puzzle of our own making. I pray for nothing more than a hole to open up in the floor and swallow me so I don’t have to deal with this.

  Madison frowns. “Wait, is it positive?”

  Shawn grabs at the back of his neck, eyes a little wild.

  Madison takes his hand. “Don’t worry, babe, it’s not mine.”

  Hadleigh leans forward. “Two lines means positive, right?” Sawyer’s gaze meets hers, and she shakes her head quickly.

  Nope, buddy. Not yours.

  Hadleigh grins. “This is just like that episode of Friends leading up to Monica and Chandler’s wedding when Phoebe finds Rachel’s test and everyone assumes it’s Monica’s.”

  “Well, that makes me Monica, and just like in that episode, it’s not mine.” Sophia laughs, albeit a bit nervously.

  All eyes shift to Piper and Damon, who are having some sort of silent Sherlock conversation, trying to suss out the answers to the clues. A laugh bubbles out of Piper as she leans into Damon’s side. He puts an arm around her and pulls her close, kissing her cheek. Both of them look strangely confused when Piper murmurs, “Well, we didn’t expect to say so just yet, but we’re pregnant.”

  Everyone freaks out all at once, jumping up to hug the two of them.

  I put my hand to my head, not quite believing what’s just happened.

  Sophia’s the first to ask the big question. “When are you due?”

  Damon’s masculine lips curve into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen out of him. “November twenty-third.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  “Aw, I’m so happy for you guys!”

  “Amazing news.”

  “Congrats, guys, that’s great.”

  Heath grins. “Looks like Damon does get to be department chair all by himself for a while next year.”

  That last one makes everyone laugh and Damon smirks playfully at Piper just as she shouts, “Crap!”

  As I watch them enjoying this moment of revelation with our friends, I realize I won’t have the shared laughter, the intimacy, or the support—none of it. Damon is so loving with Piper, so sweet. This is the way it should be when you find out you’re pregnant for the first time and get to tell people about it. Instead, I’m going to have to go through this alone. And holy fuck, how the hell do I tell Liam? He’s on the verge of pushing his little one out of the nest in just two years. And here I am, putting him on the hook for eighteen more? I think I’m going to be sick.

  I want to cry.

  Run away.

  Something.

  The parents-to-be look at each other once more before giving each other these funny looks before they meet our eyes again. Piper lifts one finger to get our attention. “Um. There’s something you should know.”

  Hadleigh covers her mouth and mumbles through her hands, “I can’t handle this kind of drama.”

  Sawyer laughs and pulls her from her perch on the arm of his chair right into his lap. “We’ve had enough drama to last us a lifetime, that’s for sure. By the way, did you know the term drama comes from a Greek word meaning action? Kind of confusing when you consider we have both action and drama movies.”

  That gets everyone laughing and shaking their heads, and I almost think I’m in the clear.

  But no.

  Piper points to the pregnancy test. “That isn’t my test. I took one several days ago. I’m pretty sure I didn’t hallucinate and pee on a test here.”

  Aw, shit. Not that I really thought there was any chance that Piper had also peed on a test here at Sophia and Heath’s, but I was kind of hoping for any possible way out of explaining myself right now.

  The blood rushes straight to my cheeks. I drop my head into my hands, covering my face. My head pounds, my ears buzz, and I feel a little queasy.

  From beside me, an arm wraps around my back, and Zoey’s soft voice asks, “Quinn? Is it your test?”

  Chapter 29

  Liam

  I’ve spent the entire day attempting to repair the broken pieces of my relationship with my daughter. I’d fixed her favorite breakfast and bought her favorite flavor of ice cream. I’d convinced her to bake banana bread with me, and then we’d watched a movie. But she’s still distant, and it’s killing me. Crushing my heart.

  Around eleven, I knock lightly on her door, and she calls for me to come in. She’s curled up on her bed, hair still damp from her shower. Even though I know she’s sixteen, she looks small there, reminding me of the little girl she used to be. Of the sweet child who thought I could do no wrong. I want that back. I want to be the man my daughter looks up to and respects.

  As I approach the bed, she watches me warily.

  “Can I sit?” I point to the side of the bed.

  She shrugs. “Do what you want.”

  I close my eyes. Not the response I wanted. I sit anyway. “You hold one hell of a grudge, O.”

  Her eyes dart to mine. “What do you expect? You get to go to work or stay home and no one taunts you all day about your dad and your teacher getting it on.”

  I’m walking on very precarious ground. “I know. And I get it. I’m sorry this has been hard on you.” Pausing, I’m then unable to refrain from saying, “You know who else this is really hard on?”

  Her head jerks, eyes flashing. “Don’t make me feel sorry for her.”

  “I’m just saying. It’s a tough deal all the way around. She’s feeling it, too.”

  “You’re still talking to her?”

  “Not really. She seems to think it’s more important to just be your teacher. She doesn’t want to make things worse for either of you.” I shrug. “I’m guessing on some of that. But knowing Quinn, that’s what she’s probably thinking.”

  For the first time in days, a brief flicker of uncertainty passes through Olivia’s eyes. I hold my breath, hoping she’s coming around. I will her to see things from a broader perspective.

  “You miss her.” It’s not a question, but a simple statement that tells me she’s starting to see what’s been in front of her this whole time.

  I swallow hard and nod. “A lot.”

  “You like her.”

  Slowly, I nod again. “More than a lot.”

  “Okay. Can I sleep now? I need to think about all this.”

  “Sure, baby girl.” I lean forward and drop a kiss on her forehead before I stand to leave.

  At the doorway, I stop to flip the light switch, but before I do, she catches my eye. “I love you, Dad.”

  My heart squeezes. “I love you, too, baby girl. Good night.”

  In my bedroom a while later, I get into bed, knowing it’s unlikely I’ll find sleep easily tonight. Will Olivia eventually accept what I feel for Quinn? Will she forgive us for everything that’s happened this week? With a sigh, I scroll through social media, hoping it will make me tired.

  An incoming text from Quinn has my chest tightening. After sh
e didn’t respond to me before, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

  Quinn: Two things: I got a text from Becky.

  Quinn: She prefers that I don’t tutor Olivia anymore. I’m also pretty sure Olivia is no longer open to it anyway.

  I wait a few minutes for whatever the second thing is, but it would seem she’s having trouble. The little dots jump on the screen, so I know she’s there, but no texts come through. Then they stop for a minute, and they start again. Holy shit, this is killing me.

  Liam: Okay. Understood. Was there something else?

  Quinn: Yes. But …

  The phone rings in my hand, and sure enough, it’s Quinn.

  My voice is deep and raspy. “Hey.”

  She can’t disguise the sigh before she answers back with a “Hey,” of her own.

  I can’t stand this. “So, whatever the second thing was, you didn’t want to say via text?”

  “No. It seemed like a bad idea after I started.”

  Her voice sounds funny to me. Like she’s been crying and is trying to control herself. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I can’t promise I’ll know how to respond, but—”

  “Liam, I’m pregnant.”

  “What? You—you’re—”

  “You heard me right. I’m pregnant. Having a baby.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t worry. You don’t have to be involved if that’s not what you want. But I thought you should know.” Her breath on the other end of the phone sounds ragged and painful, like each inhale is causing her pain and with every exhale, she lets go of misery.

  My head reels. Pregnant. “I—gimme a second to catch up, Quinn. When did you find out?”

  “Earlier this evening. I took a test and it was clearly positive.”

  “So—” I stop. I have the overwhelming urge to have her in my arms. The pain I hear in her voice is gutting me. I blow out a breath. “Can I see you?”