Chapter 26

R achel helps me get rid of my mic after a short confessional from the insane date last night. I returned after hiding in the bathroom for a minute to get my head right. I don't know how my life became like this. Some stupid reality show, going on dates with women who either don't know basic geography or who fake stupidity really well.

"You did a great job keeping a straight face."

"That's because it was sad." I huff. "Hey… Kendra's been gone two days now. She didn't get fired because of that live interview did she?" I got a slap on the wrist from the network about the interview thing, but after it went viral on YouTube, they didn't seem to care. Publicity is publicity. As long as views are up, nobody gives a shit.

"No, of course not."

"So where is she?"

Rachel looks away. "Oh, um, I don't know." She shrugs too casually.

"Where is she, Rachel?" She knows, the girl is a shit liar.

"She'll be back Monday." She claps me on the back and walks toward one of the back rooms. "Have a good weekend, Sully."

Whatever. I fish out my phone to see if she's replied. Nothing. I text her again.

Missed you on set.

You missed one hell of a shoot yesterday.

Everything okay?

I tuck my phone in my pocket, and a couple seconds later, it vibrates. I pull it out and check the screen.

Barrett

Have you spoken with Kendra lately?

No, she hasn't been at work. It's weird.

Barrett

You should go to her house, check on her.

I raise my brow. Didn't expect him to say that, but I was already considering it.

I'll swing by her place after I leave the arena.

While I'm swapping clothes in the wardrobe room, I overhear Rachel and Pierce speaking in a hushed tone, and it means little to me until I hear Kendra's name.

"She's going to have to announce it soon if she's going to miss more days. Jeremy cornered me about it before we started shooting today. Even Sully asked where she's been. It's not normal for her to take off work like this. Jeremy is going to get suspicious."

"Kendra is allowed to take a sick day. Besides, she was on set this morning before he got here to make sure everything was set up," Pierce says. "It's none of Jeremy's business where she is. If he knew how bad her morning sickness was, he'd be impressed she's only missed a handful of days."

Morning sickness? Did I hear that correctly?

My heart hammers. Fuck stopping at the arena. We're going to talk. Now.

The entire way into the parking lot, my mind is racing. Kendra's pregnant? Was she pregnant before we slept together? After?

I'm pissed. As soon as I get in my truck, I call her. No answer. I call again. This time, she picks up. I'm so used to her not speaking to me that I'm temporarily speechless.

"Sully?"

I say the first thing that comes to mind. "Where are you?"

"Did something happen with the date? I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I can talk to Jeremy about—"

"Fuck the dates, Ken! I need to see you. Now. You've been gone two days, you never miss work, and you're not taking my calls, you're ignoring my texts. You're my producer. You're supposed to be my liaison. What the hell is going on?"

"Look, I said I was sorry. I've got a friend over right now. But how about we meet for lunch tomorrow?"

"Fine." I scrub my hand down my face and take a deep breath. "Lunch tomorrow."

We end the call, and I grip the steering wheel harder. Jealousy isn't in my nature, but this friend she has over has my thoughts spiraling. Is it the dad? Did she get a boyfriend while I've been biding my time and blowing through dates, waiting for us to finish the show?

Is this why she said the chances of us getting together after the show were slim? She wasn't wearing a wedding ring, but I never asked if she had a boyfriend.

My thumb taps the wheel. I'm waiting at a red light to merge onto the highway. Her house is in the opposite direction. I could just go down her street… The light turns green, and I turn but hit the brakes and do a U-turn at the last second, causing the car behind me to lay on their horn. I'm not waiting until tomorrow. There's no way I'll sleep.

I stomp on the gas and drive as fast as I can until I hit her street. When I pull up to her house, there's a car in the driveway.

Wait. I know that car…

That's Raleigh's vehicle. What the fuck?

Now I'm even more confused. They met at the event at Sugar and Ice, but I had no idea they were hanging out. I'm partially relieved to see it's my best friend's wife at her place, but something about it feels even more unsettling. Like I'm the last one to find out. Did my best friend know and not tell me? Is that why he said to go see her?

I climb out of my truck and slam the door.

As I walk to her front steps, Raleigh steps out the front door.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demand.

She holds up her palms, as if that's supposed to calm me down. "I'm sorry, Sully. She doesn't want to see you. Not right now."

That's all I needed to hear to confirm this has something to do with me.

"Fuck that." I laugh. She's crazy if she thinks I'm leaving. "It's time for you to go, Raleigh. I love you like a sister, but I'll call Barrett and have him drag your ass out of that house if I have to. I belong here, not you. Whatever Kendra needs, I'll do it. I've got it from here." I've never spoken so gruff to Raleigh, but I'm feeling possessive as hell right now.

The corner of her mouth turns up. "About fucking time one of you gets it together." Then she gets up in my face. "But if I find out you used this tone with her, I'll be the one to have Barrett drag your ass out. And he won't be happy about it. Got it?"

My shoulders relax. "Thank you… Is she—"

"Just go in and talk to her, Sull."

I nod and jog past her.