Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

AMARA

My stomach is in complete knots as I get off the bus and start the walk toward Xander’s house. It took me a few days to gather the courage to see him and tell him about the baby. But I knew I had to.

So many emotions play in my head. Hoping it isn’t his. Hoping if it is, that he stays away from us.

On the other hand, I don’t want my baby to feel abandoned by her father like I was.

I don’t even know if it’s a girl, but that’s what my heart tells me.

Cupping my belly, I take a deep breath as I continue down his block toward his house on the corner. His parents purchased a five-bedroom home for him, like he really needs something that big. The brown shutters come into view as I approach, and I notice his car isn’t in the driveway.

I blow out a rough exhale. Great…

He never got back to me when I texted earlier asking to discuss something important. I figure he’s ignoring me. Now I don’t even know where he is or when he’ll be back.

“Amara?” the older lady next door calls out, waving with a newspaper in hand. “I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you, sweetheart?” She approaches and hugs me tight.

“I’ve been good, Mrs. Windsor.” I grin sweetly. “It’s just Xander and I aren’t together anymore.”

“Oh? I’m sorry.” She pats my forearm. “Though I will say…” She pulls into me. “I never liked him.”

I let out a laugh. “Neither did anyone I knew. Have you seen him, by the way?”

Contemplatively, she scratches the staticky grays at her temple. “Now that you mention it, no, I haven’t.”

“Oh. Well, that’s okay. Maybe I’ll just wait around a bit. See if he shows up.”

Her thick brows furrow. “You okay, honey?”

“I will be.” My lips pinch into a forced smile.

“How about you come inside and I’ll get you some lemonade? No point for you to hang here on the street when I’m right next door.”

She’s got a point. I can’t stick around forever waiting for him. If he doesn’t show up within the hour, I’m leaving.

“That sounds nice. Thanks.”

“Good.” Her face brightens. “Come now, honey.”

Ushering me up the steps, she opens the door and leads me inside.

“Have a seat on the couch. I’ll go fetch you that lemonade.”

I settle down on her red velvet sofa while she heads right to the kitchen.

Mrs. Windsor has always been kind to me. We hit it off in the beginning of my relationship with Xander when she knocked over her garbage pail and I helped her clean it up. Since she has no family, I know she’s lonely. It was the main reason I agreed to come in.

“So…” She returns with a tall glass of lemonade. “How are you doing? Still at the café?”

I get to my feet and take it from her, returning to my seat as she lowers into one opposite me.

“Yeah.” I sip on the sweet goodness. “But I had to get a second job.” My fingers slide up the condensation on the glass.

“Oh, why’s that? Everything okay?”

I’m trying to get comfortable with the fact that I’m pregnant, even though I don’t exactly know if I’m going to go through with it.

“I’m pregnant.”

Yep, just spit it out like it’s nothing.

“Oh.” Her eyes pop. “That’s why you’re here.”

I nod. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure he won’t care, but I thought telling him was the right thing to do.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Just as she’s about to say something, a car’s engine howls from out the window, and I’m on my feet, staring out. When I find his sedan pulling up next door, my heart grows chaotic, nausea swirling. I’m beyond nervous, but I need to get this over with.

“Good luck,” she says as she moves toward me. “If you need anything, I’m here.”

“Thank you.” I throw my arms around her and hold on tight for a few more seconds before breathing out a sharp exhale and heading out the door.

As soon as I turn left toward his house, he’s getting out of the driver’s side.

But he’s not alone. A blonde with a short skintight pink dress hops out, giggling at something he must’ve said. Their backs are to me, so they don’t see me there yet.

“Come on, babe,” he tells her. “Let’s get inside so I can fuck you in the new shower.”

Maybe I should feel something. Anger. Sadness. But nothing comes. Nothing but disgust. Nothing but shame. What did I ever see in him?

As she dashes around in her five-inch stilettos, she catches me from the corner of her eye. “Um, who are you?”

That’s when Xander faces me, mouth jerking as he holds out a hand for her. “What the hell do you want?”

They both look at me like I’m gum on their shoe. I hike up my chin, trying to keep my composure.

“Can we talk?” My brow arches as I glance over at the woman for a moment. “Alone?”

He snickers, rounding an arm around her slender hips. “Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of Mindy. She’s my fiancée.”

Fiancée? Wow. That was fast.

“I think it’s best if we speak alone.”

“Who is this, baby?” Her voice is mousy and quite irritating.

“It’s my ex. No one important.”

Screw you.

But I don’t say that out loud. Wouldn’t want to give the prick the satisfaction. I have more important things to worry about.

My gut churns at the thought of saying the words I need to say, especially in front of this woman.

“Fine.” I crush my teeth, pain radiating in my jaw. “I’m pregnant. Thought you should know.”

His eyes enlarge before he chuckles and glances at his fiancée, who starts laughing too. “I’m sorry, why are you telling me this exactly? Last time I checked, we weren’t even together.”

Is he stupid?

Forget I asked that.

“We were together on the island, and it takes a while for tests to pick up on a pregnancy.”

“Right.” He scoffs. “Like you haven’t fucked anyone else since. What about that asshole? Want me to believe you didn’t fuck him either?”

My heart drums faster. “Look, I just wanted to tell you so you’re aware.”

“Great. I’m aware. Now you can get lost.”

I curl a fist at my side, my anger simmering. “You’re more than welcome to take a paternity test. In fact, I want you to.”

“Of course you do.” He tightens his arms around her. “Because you’re a damn whore.”

His chest rises and falls in quick succession, his face twisting with his own rage. I knew he’d react this way. That’s fine. I’d rather him stay away from us both.

Reaching into his pocket, he retrieves his wallet. “You need money?” He removes a bunch of twenties. “Here ya go.”

He tosses them at me, caught in the wind before settling on the ground.

My eyes burn, but I don’t cry. “Fuck you, Xander.”

“Please! Don’t pretend that’s not why you came. You wanted money. Like a damn leech. Well, there ya go. Get on your knees and get it.”

The woman’s mouth pops a little, shock riddling her features. But she only shows it momentarily.

Good. Glad she sees the real him. Maybe if she’s smart, she’ll leave him.

Turning around, I leave the money on the ground and walk away with my dignity intact.

I did my part, and now it’s over.

For good.