“That’s not true. This isn’t her fault. It’s between you and me. Let’s keep it that way. You need to let Honey go so you and I can talk.”
“And let her call the police so they can take me away? Because that’s what she wants, don’t you see that, Caleb? She wants me out of the picture so she can keep you all to herself.”
I looked at the gun on the table. “Why is there a gun?”
“Why?” She scoffed, like she was genuinely surprised by my question. “Because I’m sick and tired of being ignored, Caleb. And people tend to listen to you when you have a gun in your hand.”
“You don’t need a gun for me to listen. I’m here; I’m ready to hear whatever it is you want to say. Just give me the gun first.”
“I don’t think so. If I do that you’ll end this and go running back to her.”
“She’s pregnant,” I said. “Don’t put her through this.”
“Do you think I give a fuck? No, she needs to hear this. The bitch needs to know that you’re my man and not hers!”
I put my hands out to calm her. “Okay, I get that, but I need you to think about her condition.”
I decided to play to her reason. But it was a mistake because Brandi was so far gone she no longer had any reason left.
“You’re supposed to be having a baby with me!” she yelled angrily. “But now you’re having a baby with her.”
“No, he’s not,” Honey said quickly. “He isn’t having a baby with me. I got the paternity test back. I paid more and they put a rush on it.” Her eyes found mine and a prickly fear took up in the base of my skull as her mouth formed the words I’d dreaded to hear. “This isn’t his baby.”
I tried not to let it show, but her words hit me like a fucking truck.
This isn’t his baby.
“You’re lying,” Brandi said.
“Caleb and I had one night together. We used protection. Charlie and I didn’t. By the time I met Caleb, I was already pregnant.”
Even in this unfolding nightmare, her words shook me right through to my bones and my world—the one I’d fallen in love with— crumbled away.
So it was true. It was Charlie’s baby.
I felt furious.
Bitter.
Gutted.
Hell, I felt like crying because that wound cut fucking deep.
But I had to hide my true emotions from Brandi.
“Are you sure?” I asked, unable to hide the sharpness in my voice.
Honey nodded, and I could tell by the way her chin quivered that she was telling the truth.
My baby had never even existed.
“But you love her,” Brandi said, turning her attention to me.
I looked at Brandi, and then to Honey. “No, I don’t love her.”
Brandi relaxed next to me. While my words seared through Honey. I watched in agony as she closed her eyes slowly and processed what I’d said. But when she opened them again, she smiled. A big, sunny, fake smile.
“See,” she said brightly. “There is a future for the both of you. I’m not even in the picture anymore.”
Brandi’s eyes bounced between Honey and me. “Is it true, Caleb? Do we have a chance?”
I eyed the gun again.
“We should go somewhere and talk about it,” I said. “What about Cavalry Hill?”
“Where you and I used to go when we were dating?”
“It was always our special spot,” I said.
Brandi sighed. “I would like that.”
I stood up, with the intention of getting her out of the apartment. “Let’s go.”
“Is that a good idea?” Honey asked with a tight, strained voice. She looked worried, her brow furrowed, and her eyes pleaded with me not to go with my crazy ex-girlfriend.
Unfortunately, it set Brandi off. She frowned and picked up the gun from the table. I saw Honey stiffen and I felt a surge of panic rip through me.
“Stop. Interfering. You. Stupid. Fucking. Bitch!” She snapped. Her eyes had glazed over again, and I didn’t like the way she was spiraling even further out of control. It was like she could lose her mind any second and do something to harm Honey.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” I said, stepping forward.
Brandi looked at me, and then jerked her head toward Honey. “And her?”
“Forget about her. She and I are done.”
Honey looked down, her face stiff with emotion. My words hurt her. But Brandi needed to hear them. I needed her to stop seeing Honey as a threat.
Brandi looked at me, and a small smile broke on her lips. “We’re going to be so happy, Caleb.”
I looked at the gun in her hand.
“I think you need to leave that behind,” I said.
But she just smiled and held onto it. “I don’t think so. You never know when I might need it.”
Before we walked out the door, my eyes met Honey’s. She was fighting back tears, her throat working hard as she swallowed deeply. Her eyes begged me not to leave and I wished more than anything that I didn’t have to, that I could stay. I wanted to tell her it was going to be all right. But I had a feeling Brandi would lose her shit if I showed Honey any kind of concern.