My mouth slightly falls open. “You’re insane. You have no idea how stressful and awkward this will be.” I shake my head, turning my body slightly toward him. “I’m already preparing for the worst, and if you’re serious about this, you’ll need to as well. The moment they see my belly and no wedding ring, I’ll be the black sheep of the family. What hurts the most is knowing how disappointed they’ll be when all I’ve ever wanted is to make them proud. They might literally tell me to leave and never come back.” I’ve been stressed and worried enough about this pregnancy, and while this is a giant hurdle to cross, they deserve to know they’ll be grandparents. Plus, I can’t lie forever. They’d eventually find out. My emotions take hold when I think about what could happen. Sophie and Maddie look back and forth between us.
“I wish I could go with you.” Maddie takes my hand. “I can’t because of my show. I’m so sorry.”
I wipe a rogue tear that spills over. I hate that I’m crying right now, but the more I think about it, the more upset I become. Telling them they’re going to be grandparents shouldn’t cause me this much stress.
“I’ll try to get out of rehearsal, Lennon. If you want me to—” Sophie starts but is cut off.
“We’ll tell them we’re married and having a baby,” Hunter blurts out, pulling our attention to him. “We got hitched, and you got pregnant on the honeymoon.” Hunter shrugs, pursing his lips as if the idea he just came up with isn’t completely insane. “There, problem solved.” He picks up a piece of pizza and takes a bite of it as I swallow down my heart that’s lodged deep in my throat.
My eyes go wide and so do Sophie’s and Maddie’s. The three of us stare at him as though he’s grown a second head. I blink twice, trying to make sure I heard him correctly, and by the smirk on his lips, I know I did. We all did.
Chapter Twenty
Hunter
I could literally kick my own ass for blurting that out in front of her sisters because I feel like they see right through me. Sometimes I don’t think about the repercussions before I speak or how it will make Lennon feel. As the three of them stare at me as if I’ve grown a third eye, I just smile because that’s all I can do after putting myself in this situation.
I won’t allow her to go through this without some support, and if she doesn’t want her parents to completely write her off, then what’s the problem with a teeny white lie? For a moment, I try to think about why I said it as the guilt floods through me. I’m doing this for Brandon, right? Well, I am, but also for Lennon. She needs me.
However, lately, the lines have blurred, but regardless, I meant what I offered.
“I-I’m sorry. What did you say?” Lennon asks barely over a whisper, and as I look into her eyes, it feels as if her sisters disappear, and it’s just her and me. I play it off like it’s no big deal even though it is to me. I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy, even if it means pretending to be her husband, pretending the baby in her belly is mine, and lying to her parents. If it means she’ll be able to get through this pregnancy easier, sign me up for all of it. The only person I’m concerned about is Lennon because she’s already in a vulnerable state.
“I was just thinking that if they’ll disown you for this when you’re so happy about it and desperately want them in your and the baby’s life, why not tell another white lie? You’ve been telling them for a year that you live in an apartment alone when you obviously don’t. The part of me who’s selfish for you and the baby thinks lying to protect you would be the best plan. If we went to Vegas and got married, then having a child is just the next step in the relationship, right?” I take my focus from her and glance at a smiling Sophie and Maddie who are nodding in agreement.
“It’s actually the perfect plan,” Sophie adds. “And we grew up in Utah, Lennon. It’s almost normal for people to get married and pregnant within the same month.”
Lennon opens her mouth, but Sophie continues. “Before you try to dismantle this idea the way you always do, we all know our parents are going to be upset you didn’t get married in the church and eloped instead. But with that being said, they wouldn’t write you off, kick you out, and pretend you never existed. They’d probably be thrilled they’re going to be grandparents too, as long as you’re married.” Sophie turns to face Lennon. “You know what happened to Shelby Greer.”