“It’s not his baby, Trevor. You know Scarlett better than that.”
Jerking my head to the left, I stared at my best friend.
“What makes you come to that conclusion?”
“I see the way Scarlett looks at you. The way she can’t seem to focus on anyone or anything when you’re near her. The look in her eyes when she realized you thought the baby was his. You may not want to believe this, but she loves you.”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Yeah, well, I’ve seen the way she’s been hanging all over this Eric asshole. The way he had his arm around her like he was claiming her.”
Wade rubbed the back of his neck and went to say something, but stopped.
My eyes wandered back to the kids playing. A strange ache started to build in my chest that I’d never felt before, like I had not only lost Scarlett, but something else. It was the emptiness I felt the day she drove away from me at the café all those years ago, but ten times stronger.
“You ready to be a dad someday, Wade?” I asked.
He was watching the kids too, a smile on his face. “Yeah. Can’t wait.”
The corners of my mouth tugged slightly. He looked happy, and I wanted that. I hadn’t realized before this moment how desperately I wanted it.
“Amelia’s pregnant,” Wade said.
“What?” This time a wide smile grew over my face. “Holy shit, Wade, that’s awesome.”
He looked at me, tears in his eyes. “I’m pretty happy about it. We haven’t told anyone yet. She’s not very far along, fourteen weeks.”
I pulled my best friend into a hug, and I gave him a couple hard slaps on the back before I let go.
“Congratulations, man.”
“Thanks, Trevor.”
The moment of happiness quickly left. “Scarlett and Amelia will be pregnant at the same time.”
His smile grew bigger. “Yeah. I guess they will be.”
I sat back on the bench. “I really want to be alone, Wade.”
“Trevor, I think you need to talk to Scarlett. Don’t let that jerk make you second-guess her. It’s not his baby.”
Scrubbing my hands down my unshaven face, I sighed. “Not right now. I can’t even think straight. I need some time to process this.”
Wade placed his hand on my shoulder. “Call me if you need anything, okay? And do me a favor.”
When I looked up, Wade was wearing a serious expression. “Don’t go off and fuck someone thinking it will make you feel better.”
I flinched. That’s what I would have done months ago. Hell, it was what I did after that first time I was with Scarlett.
Breaking our stare, I nodded. “I won’t.”
“Good. I’ll see ya around.”
With a quick nod, I replied, “See ya.”
Once I was left to myself, I watched the kids running and playing. The mom pushing her daughter in the swing as the dad took pictures on his phone. Another dad tossed a ball to his son, both of them laughing when he swung and missed, spinning damn near in a complete circle.
I felt like I was lost in a storm on the sea. Trying to keep from going under in the giant waves, as something dark was pulling me deeper down.
Every single memory of being together with Scarlett flooded my mind. From that first dance in middle school to the night we made love this past summer—and I panicked. It was the first time I realized how much I really loved her. How much I needed her. The way we felt together when we made love. I knew she felt it too, and it was so damn powerful it scared me senseless.
My stomach dropped at the next thought. We’d had sex with no protection that night. The baby had to be mine. Scarlett said nothing was happening between her and Eric, and I believed her. Why did he seem so hell bent on making me think it was his baby, though?
The vibration in my pocket made my thoughts halt. I pulled out my cell and saw her name.
Scarlett: Please call me or come back. Please!
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and hit reply.
Me: I need to know one thing. Is it his baby or mine?
Scarlett: Please don’t make me tell you over a damn text, Trevor.
Me: I need to know, Scarlett.
Scarlett: Then you don’t know me at all, Trevor Parker. The baby is yours. I’m ten weeks pregnant.
Everything stopped. I no longer heard the kids playing in front of me or Mr. Henderson’s lawn mower across the street. I heard nothing but the beat of my heart in my chest.
I stood there, my body numb as I watched Trevor bolt down the street, Wade right on his heels.
“Scarlett, sweetheart, come sit down.”
Paxton’s voice was soft and gentle.
“I need to go after him!” I finally managed to say, pulling my phone out from my back pocket and hitting his number.