36. Skylar

“I”m sorry I didn’t think things through before I left.” I shift in my seat until I’m facing Tucker. “I never meant to upset you.”

“It’s fine, baby. I have you back and you still love me, that’s all that matters.”

“I can”t believe you thought I was leaving you or that I didn’t love you anymore. How stupid can you be, Tuck?”

“I don’t know. I felt like there was something wrong yesterday morning. This gut feeling that was overwhelming me, but you ran out of the house like your ass was on fire. I didn’t know what to do, so I went to work and figured I’d get it out of you last night.”

“I knew I was pregnant,” I whisper.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He grips my hand in his, squeezing gently.

“Well, I didn’t know know. I had convinced myself I was just sick, but I think I knew deep down it wasn’t an illness. I guess both of our guts are pretty smart.” I smirk at him.

“When are we going to tell everyone?” I can hear the hope in his voice.

I made him keep my pregnancy a secret last time. The only person who knew was Willow and she wasn’t aware until after I lost the baby.

I”m not going to do things the same way this time. I”m not embarrassed or worried about the consequences with this pregnancy. I”m excited, looking forward to our life together. If the school has an issue with me being pregnant, then can fire me.

“We can tell people whenever you want to. We have nothing to hide.”

We don’t get back to Maple Springs until late Saturday night. On Sunday, we spend the entire day moving my things out of the Beauford house and into Tucker’s. Colt and Tucker do all of the heavy lifting and they somehow even get Maverick to help.

“I haven’t seen you in the bar in a while.” Maverick narrows his gaze on me.

“I haven’t had a reason to drown my sorrows.”

“I”m happy to hear that… though I”m sad I haven’t gotten to spend much time with you since you came back.”

“Our door is always open, Mav.”

“But only if you keep your hands off my woman.” Tucker slides an arm around my waist, settling a protective hand on my stomach.

Maverick’s gaze locks on Tucker’s movement, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“So, you knocked her up?” He raises a brow.

“Damn straight. I want everyone to know she’s mine… but not until after we tell Gran and Ma tomorrow. So, keep your mouth shut.”

“I”m a bartender, keeping the secrets of this town is my job.” He winks at me. “Congratulations. The two of you deserve the perfect life together.”

Maverick stares at us for a few moments and I swear he knows. I don’t know how he would’ve found out about my last pregnancy, but I think he did.

I narrow my gaze back at him, making him shake his head with a laugh.

I keep my mouth shut the rest of the day, but by the time Maverick is getting ready to leave, I can”t hold it in any longer.

“You knew,” I whisper into his chest when he wraps me in a hug. It’s not a question. I have no doubt he knew.

“I did. I’ve known all along.”

“But how?”

“I was dating someone who worked at the doctor’s office. She was worried that with you being young, you would do something stupid like continue drinking. She asked me to keep an eye out for you.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to stop me if I wanted to drink. I never ordered my own.”

“Do you really think I didn’t know who you’d con into buying you alcohol? I”m not an idiot, Sky. First you convinced Billy Warren. He fell for your sad smile and low-cut shirts more times than he should be proud of. When he stopped, you conned Joey Ravens. Then Bobby Welsh. Do I need to keep going?”

“No. I get it.” I chuckle, shoving him playfully.

“You can trust me, Sky. I’ve never told a soul about the baby and I never would. If you wanted people to know, you would’ve told them yourself. I”m a good friend, one who’s always been there for you even if you didn’t realize it.”

“Thanks, Mav.”

“Of course, sweetheart. But the next time you run, I”m dragging your ass back here and tying you up. Got it?” He boops me on the nose

“Yes, Dad.”

“Who are we tying up? Do we get to spank them?” Colt drapes an arm around my shoulders, leaning in close and dropping a quick peck on my cheek.

“Skylar if she runs… but I never said a thing about spanking her.”

“You tie her, I’ll spank her.” Colt’s eyes light up with mischief.

“No one is spanking my wife… Except maybe me, but only in the bedroom.” Tucker winks, dragging me away from Colton and into his arms.

“Wife? I’m not anyone’s wife.”

“I think you should be. Will you marry me, baby?”

My eyes snap to his, finding them full of confidence. This isn’t a spur of the moment thing. Tucker’s serious, this is what he wants.

“But you don’t even have a ring.” I roll my eyes, not wanting anyone to realize how much I want this.

“You mean like this?” He tugs a black box out of his pocket and opens it to reveal the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.

“Tucker! When did you get that? You didn’t even know I was pregnant yesterday morning,” I gasp, staring up at him with wide eyes. His brows furrow, forming a deep V.

“Baby, do you really think I”m only proposing because you’re pregnant?” He searches my eyes. I nod my head because why else would he be doing this? “This ring is the one I bought you ten years ago. I’ve kept it all along. So many times, I contemplated returning it or selling it, but my gut always said to keep it. I never dreamed of being able to give it to you. But, Sky, I talked to Riley last week. I was going to propose on Friday night. But then you had to go and disappear on me. I had a whole romantic night planned out.”

“Really?” I whisper, staring up at him with wide eyes.

“Yes. I love you and I don’t ever want to lose you again. Marry me, Skylar.” He drops down to one knee and slides the ring onto my finger.

“Yes!” I tug on his hand, trying to get him to get up, but he’s too slow. “Get up! Hurry! I wanna kiss you!”

“Damn, she’s even more impatient pregnant, than she is on a normal day,” Colt mutters under his breath.

“Just wait until the mood swings start. Then we’re in for a real treat. We might need that jail cell to contain her.” Maverick folds his arms over his chest, a smirk aimed right at my glare.