“If Hogan finds out I’m with you, he’s going to get suspicious.”

“What do we do?”

“I text Derek this morning and told him I’ve gone to visit my mom a few weeks. He didn’t even care. They’re not suspicious for now.”

“We have a few weeks, that’s it?”

“It has to be done honey, you know it does.”

“He’ll hate me. If I’m pregnant, it’s going to be so much worse.”

“Hey,” she says, wrapping an arm around me. “One thing at a time, ok?”

I nod.

“Now come on, let’s get downstairs and eat. Then we’ll go to the shop and get a test. Breathe, honey.”

I take a deep breath and stand, walking down the stairs with her. Maybe I’m just late? That would make sense right? I mean, I am stressed and things have been crazy...right?

God. What am I going to do?

CHAPTER 16

JACKSON

“Baby,” I murmur against her cheek. “It’s a few days.”

“I don’t want you to go,” she whispers. “Please Jack’s.”

“Jack’s?” I say, pulling back. “Since when do you call me that?”

“It suits you.”

I smile, and run my fingers across that puffy bottom lip. She’s been crying, even though she thinks I haven’t noticed. Fuck, it makes my heart hurt.

“You goin’ to be ok?”

“I don’t want you to go, what if something happens or...”

“Hey,” I say, cupping her chin. “It’s just a basic ride. It’s fine.”

“I’ll miss you.”

I lean in close, rasping into her ear, “You’ll miss that late night sex.”

She laughs softly. “That too.”

“I’ll be back in a few days. It’s ok, baby.”

“Kiss me,” she pleads.

With fuckin’ pleasure.

I grip her chin, tilting her head to the side and taking her lips in mine. Fuck. Yeah. She parts them, and I slide my tongue into her mouth, tangling it with hers. She clutches my chest, wrapping her fingers around my shirt and pressing her tiny body up against mine. I can hear the rumble of the engines in the background, and the boys cheering and whistling, but I don’t stop. I kiss her until she’s panting and my dick is hard.

“Miss you, darlin’,” I murmur.

“Me too,” she whispers, letting me go.

She’s got this look in her eye, like it’s the last time she’ll ever kiss me. My chest clenches, and I wonder if I’m missing something.

“You goin’ to be here when I get back?” I ask.

“As long as you want me here, I’ll stay.”

“I’ll always want you here; don’t you know that by now?”

Her lip trembles again.

“Hey, stop that cryin’. It’s a few days.”

I pull her into my arms and kiss her again, before heading over to my bike. I stare at her, and something inside me doesn’t feel quite right.

Little warning bells go off.

Something is wrong.

I just don’t know what.

~*~

SERENITY

“It’s ok,” Janine soothes, rubbing my back.

“What am I going to do?” I cry.

“You’re going to tell him about Hogan, you’re going to explain it as best you can, and then you’re going to tell him about the baby.”

I sit, staring at the pregnancy test with the clear + on the screen. I’m pregnant. With Jackson’s baby.

I’m. Pregnant.

I feel sick.

“If he decides he wants me to go, what will I do?”

“We’ll find a place together, just me and you. I won’t let you go back to Hogan.”

“I’m scared, Janine.”

“I know honey.”

“He’s going to hate me, I’m going to lose him forever...”

She grips my shoulders and shakes me gently. “You don’t know that.”

I close my eyes, and tears leak down my cheeks.

“Hello! Anyone home?”

I hear Ciara’s voice, and I sigh. “Oh no, it’s Ciara.”

“Take a deep breath, and go and answer the door.”

“She’s going to want to know what’s wrong.”

She shrugs. “Tell her your friend was in trouble.”

I nod, standing. Janine takes my hand, and we both walk down to the front door. I open it to see Addison and Ciara. They swing their eyes to Janine, and give her a smile.

“Hi, Jackson told us you had a friend over. He said it’s why you couldn’t make it last night,” Addison smiles.

I nod, swallowing. Trust Jackson to get in first.

“You ok honey?” Ciara asks.

“I’m ok, just a long day. This is Janine. Janine, this is Addison, Jackson’s daughter, and Ciara.”

Janine smiles at them. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Addison beams. “Can we come in? I totally need my father’s awesome coffee maker.”

“Sure, come on. I’ll make you one,” I say, trying to stop my voice from wobbling.

“You sure you’re ok?” Addi asks as we walk into the kitchen.

“Yeah, just tired and emotional. I hate Jack’s being away, too.”

“Aw,” Addison croons. “That’s sweet. Don’t worry; I’m sulking because Cade is away. You’re not alone.”