23. Lexie

Chapter 23

Lexie

O liver grabbed my arm, dragging me into the back office. I sighed heavily. I hadn't wanted to tell him this way. I wanted to wait until after my shift was over, after all the business was concluded. I wanted to tell him at home, where we could talk about things in complete privacy, where it wouldn't be so stressful.

But he'd freaked out about Tristan—again—and I'd just blurted it out. I couldn't help myself. I was already so stressed out, and the only way that I could convince him to leave Tristan alone was to tell him the truth.

"What the hell did you just say?" Oliver asked in a low voice.

"I'm pregnant."

"And it's?—"

"Of course it's yours," I snapped. "Who else would it be?"

Don't you dare say Tristan. Oliver clenched his jaw shut, not saying anything for a long moment.

"Why didn't you tell me before now? "

"I don't know," I said miserably. "I've been trying to wrap my head around it."

He sighed. "And you're sure it's mine?"

"Oliver, if you ask me that one more time?—"

"Sorry, sorry," he apologized quickly, his brows drawing together in a frown. "It's just a lot to process, especially with the way you just sprung it on me."

"I know it is," I said calmly. "And I'm sorry about that. But can't you see why I didn't tell you before now? If you still can't trust me around Tristan, why should I think you'll trust me to be a good mother?"

"How am I supposed to trust you around Tristan?" he snapped, anger flashing in his brown eyes.

"You're supposed to trust me period , Oliver. But you don't and you never have." I was angry, but I was more tired than angry. Tired of Oliver not trusting me, tired of him always believing that I was sneaking around behind his back.

"We aren't even together," Oliver argued. "Why would I trust you when?—"

"Because it's me , Ollie," I said passionately, pointing at my chest. "Because you didn't believe me then and you should have. Just as you should believe me now. I only ever wanted you."

Oliver went quiet for a long moment, too long.

"I was thrown into fatherhood unexpectedly with Trent because of how his mother handled things," he said quietly. "I don't want to miss out on this baby's life. That being said, we can be civil and co-parent. We can be friends."

I stared at him incredulously. "Is that what you want? To be... friends ?" I almost spat the word out.

"Isn't that what you want? You broke things off, Lex. Don't act like?—"

"Act like what? Like I care? I do care, Oliver. That's why...." I took in a deep breath, stopping myself before I said something I'd regret. Talking was clearly getting us nowhere. "I need to finish cleaning up."

I started to head out of the office, but Oliver grabbed my hand before I reached the door, pulling me back toward him.

"I don't see any other way, Lex," he said, his voice sounding almost pained. "I wasn't able to trust you back then, and you're right, I can't trust you now. I thought... I thought I was over it, but seeing you with him..."

"I wasn't with him," I said through gritted teeth, yanking my hand away. "I was just talking to him. Just like all those years ago, Oliver. You were wrong then, and you're wrong now."

Oliver looked at me for a brief moment before averting his gaze. "I want to go to doctor's appointments. I want to be there throughout the pregnancy."

"Fine," I said tightly. "You can be at doctor's appointments. You can see the baby whenever you want." I paused. "But I'm leaving Wagontown as soon as the baby's born and settled. I'm starting a new life. You can travel to see your child."

His eyes shot back to mine, but he didn't protest, his mouth twisting in a sort of snarl.

"I'm sorry, Lexie. But I'm always going to be suspicious of you and Tristan. I just can't forgive you."

"There's nothing to forgive and there never has been," I barked, before walking out of the office and hurrying back to the bar to help clean up.

"Are you all right?" Krista asked in a low voice, her eyes wide. I only nodded, sweeping furiously, allowing my anger to guide the broom .

By the time I was done, all of the customers were gone except for Tristan, who stood near the back door.

I walked up to him, putting my hand on his arm to get his attention.

He turned to look at me, a sheepish smile on his face.

"I didn't mean to cause drama, Lex, I really didn't."

"I know you didn't," I said easily. "But listen, I could use a ride home, if you're able."

"Of course," he replied, surprise evident on his handsome face.

I could feel Oliver's eyes on us as we left the Pig, but I didn't care. Let him be mad. He'd never given me the benefit of the doubt, never trusted me, and I was right that he'd never trust me now.

We couldn't be together. Not ever, not if he couldn't put any faith in me.

"I wish I knew where Oliver got the idea that we were hooking up," Tristan said after we were on the road.

I huffed out a breath. "Me, too. He's crazy about it. He always has been."

"He's still crazy about you," Tristan said softly.

I snorted. "He sure has a funny way of showing it."

"He wouldn't still be jealous if he didn't care, Lex. He'd be over it by now."

"It doesn't matter if he cares or not," I said firmly. "He admitted he can't trust me. A relationship is nothing without trust."

"And what about the baby?" he asked, then winced slightly. "Sorry. I know that's none of my business."

I smiled at him. "We're friends," I said. "Of course it's your business. Not to mention I blurted it out right in front of you."

"I have to admit I was surprised," he chuckled .

I smiled at him. Tristan had always been a good friend to me, and to Oliver, but it'd been years since I'd allowed myself to think about him. Oliver had messed me up so much by not trusting me, accusing me of sleeping with his best friend behind his back.

Oliver had never been the jealous type, and I had no idea where he'd gotten the idea that Tristan and I were sleeping together back then.

"He'll always be in the baby's life. We'll be civil, we just can't be together," I stated, and Tristan nodded.

After giving him directions, he showed no surprise that I was living in Oliver's cabin, but I was sure he was curious. I was grateful he didn't ask more questions, though.

I only wanted to go there to pack up my things. I planned on moving in with Gillian after tonight, not wanting to be around Oliver all the time. I knew it would drive me crazy.

Tristan smiled and waved at me as I got out of the car. "Don't be a stranger," he said, and I smiled back.

"I won't. No reason to be."

I closed the car door softly then went inside, packing a few essentials before calling Gillian.

"Pick me up at the cabin," I said after she answered.

"Lex?" She sounded concerned.

"I'll explain on the way home," I promised.

"Be there soon."

I packed a few more things as I waited, telling myself I'd get the rest later. I had a shift at the store in the morning, and I wanted to get a few hours of decent sleep. Not that I really believed I could. Spending the night away from Oliver, away from the cabin would do me some good.

Tears began to burn at the backs of my eyes as I waited on the porch for Gillian, and I all but jumped into her car before she put it in park.

"Oh, Lex. What happened?" she asked, and I burst into tears.

"Just drive," I sobbed, and she did. I didn't want to see Oliver tearing into the driveway, mad and jealous for no reason over Tristan.

I'd never done anything to hurt him, and it just about killed me that he thought I would. I had no idea how he'd gotten that idea back then, or even now, but I guessed it didn't matter anymore.

Love meant trust, and if he couldn't trust me...

"I told him about the baby," I muttered. "And he just wants to be friends."

Gillian gasped. "Friends? He really said that? Oh my God, men are such assholes."

"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter now," I said, wiping at my face. "I've got a baby to worry about, regardless of what he wants our relationship to be."

I started to sob again. Gillian steered the car over to the shoulder of the road and took me into her arms.

"I'll be there for you. Maybe Mom will too. I know she can be flaky, but maybe she means it this time," she said, rubbing my back to comfort me.

After I managed to get myself together, Gillian pulled back onto the highway. We made it home without further incident, and I tiredly dragged my stuff inside, planting it in her guest room.

"Are you going to be okay tonight?" Gillian asked quietly.

"Would you sleep in my bed with me?" I asked in a small voice. "Just for tonight?"

"Of course," she said, climbing into bed with me after washing our faces, brushing our teeth, and putting our jammies on.

I laid in bed next to my baby sister for the first time since we were kids, looking up at the ceiling and wondering if I'd ever get to sleep.

Oliver didn't love me. He couldn't, not after the way he'd acted tonight. I'd hoped the baby would change things. I thought Oliver had gotten past his feelings from years ago, that I could forgive him for being young and jealous.

But he was the same person now as he was then, despite being an excellent father.

I guess that was the one thing I could count on.

We'd never be together, but I knew he'd be good to our child.

It was the best I could hope for.