Chapter 9

NINE

He thinks I’m making it up. Or that I tricked him.

I rub at my chest as I walk away from him. The second I’m out the door, I pull up my phone to get an Uber. I just need to get back to my car and then go home and forget this day ever happened.

I never should’ve gone back to his place. I should’ve taken my first rejection from his doorman as a sign from the universe. Because now he’s done the one thing I was so afraid of—he’s tainted the memory of our night together.

The look he just gave me in there…

My heart clenches, and I lean against the side of the building, trying to focus on my breaths and not burst into tears like I really want to.How the hell am I going to explain this to my baby one day when he or she asks about their dad?

And what the hell was he talking about with the Wolves? I’m not completely ignorant that I don’t recognize the name of the local NFL team because my students talk about it allthe time, but I’ve never watched sports.

I blink and a tear falls. I’m about two seconds from letting the sob rip through my throat, and at this point I’m just praying I can hold it together long enough to get to my car. My hands shake as I pull up the Uber app.

The door I walked out of only moments ago opens, and on instinct, I glance up to find Ty looking the opposite direction. I quickly brush away the evidence of my tears before he looks this way because I refuse to let him see me fall apart when he clearly thinks I’m nothing but a manipulative gold digger.

His worried gaze finds mine, and he rushes over, closing the distance between us in the blink of an eye. “Lexi, wait.”

I steel my expression. I’ve had a lifetime of practice that not even my whacked-out hormones should be able to overcome. I don’t want him to knowhow close I am to falling apart. He’ll know he got to me. He’s not the first person to make me feel worthless, but after our night together when he made me feel so treasured, so cherished, it’s a much harsher blow than anyone from my past who made me feel this way.

At least those assholes always looked at me like I was worthless, so it was no surprise when they treated me like trash. ButTy was supposed to be different. I’m mentally kicking myself for doing the right thing. I should’ve kept the memory of him sacred for all my lonely nights. Now I won’t even have that.

“Lexi, I’m so sorry.” His voice has softened, and it’s the kind, sweet voice that had me melting for him during our night together.

I don’t speak. I can’t. What is there to say at this point? I told him why I came back, but I want nothing to do with him—and certainly none of his money—if he’s going to look at me like I did this on purpose as some kind of trap.

He bends down so his face is right in front of mine, both his hands on my arms. His brown eyes that were so warm before are filled with panic.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats. “I shouldn’t have reacted that way.” He closes his eyes as if he’s in pain, then opens them and I’m surprised to see the remorse in his gaze. “I’ve…I’ve had women in the past try to use me and take advantage of me. I didn’t think you were like that. I don’t ,” he adds quickly. “I want to hear you out. Please come back inside.”

I am hungry. I’m always hungry at this time of day. I nibble my lip, torn between escaping for self-preservation and sitting through what is likely to be a disaster of a meal to tell him what little I know about our growing child.

“Please,” he says again, pleading with me.

And even though it makes me feel weak, I give in. “Okay,” I say, my voice whisper soft.

“Okay,” he says, nodding as if he’s reassuring himself that I actually said the word.

He takes my hand, and my stomach swoops from the touch, but I ignore the feeling and let him lead me back to our table. My stomach growls as we approach and find our pizza waiting for us. Ty grabs the back of my seat, and I avoid his gaze as I sit down. He rounds the table and starts dishing us each a slice, handing me my plate before he takes his own. We both take a bite as the silence thickens until it feels like an actual weight sitting on top of us.

He clears his throat. “How far along are you?” There’s none of the heat to his words like there was before I walked out, but my defenses still rise.

I scowl at him. “I promise it’s yours. I haven’t been with anyone else in nearly two years.”

His shoulders drop, and he puts his pizza slice down on his plate. “I didn’t mean it that way. I don’t know anything about pregnancy except for what I’ve seen in movies.”

“I’m eight weeks along, which I know seems like too much, but that’s the way pregnancies are dated—back to two weeks before conception.” I take another bite to give myself an excuse not to say anymore.

He watches me. “How have you been feeling?”

“Fine.” Another bite.

He lets out a huff and then lifts his ball cap, sliding his hand through his brown hair before putting the cap in place and leaning his elbows on the table. “Let me in. I know I don’t deserve it after the way I just reacted, but I’m asking, nonetheless. We’re having a kid together. I want to know how you’re doing with all this, because frankly, I’m freaking the fuck out a little bit over here.”

I set my half-eaten slice down. He’s right. We’re in this together, and if he wants to be involved then there’s no point making this awkward for the both of us. It doesn’t mean we have to date or anything, but we do need to be civil to each other in order to co-parent.

“I get nauseous throughout the day, but I’m always hungry around this time. I’m exhausted all the freaking time, and I cry at the drop of a hat which I hate because I’m not typically so emotional.” I decide to give him more, even if I’m not convinced he deserves this much honesty, but I can’t quite look at him, so I stare at my plate instead. “And I’m scared. I didn’t plan this, but I’m not getting rid of my baby. I understand if this doesn’t fit into your plans. If you don’t want to be involved, just tell me now and we can go our separate ways.”

When I look up at him, his jaw is slack like I slapped him across the face, his warm eyes filled with hurt. “I want to be involved. I’m sorry if my reaction earlier gave you the impression that I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t want his own kid, but that’s not the case. I want this baby, even if it wasn’t planned. I’m still wrapping my head around all this.” If possible, his expression gets even more serious. “I want you too, Lexi.”

I no longer believe that.“All I can give you right now is the chance to co-parent.”

His sharp jaw clenches, but his gaze never wavers from mine. “I think there’s something you should know about me.” He leans forward, and I brace myself for the worst. “I’m not a guy who gives up, even when the odds are stacked against me. And I may have massively fumbled this date, but I’m not giving up on you—on us. I lost you once when you snuck out after the best night of my life, and trust me, I learned my lesson. I’m not letting you go so easily this time. So if you need me to work for it to prove myself, then I will, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you, or our baby.”

I hate the way my heart rate speeds up when he calls it our baby. But more than anything, I hate how desperately I want him to mean every single word.