SWNOVELS Chapter 19
After Harriet’s unexpected arrival and my sudden bolt for the bathroom, I give Chief Holt my apologies and leave the fire station early. The guys are out on a call, and as I leave, I make sure that no one is waiting anywhere nearby to follow me. They insisted on giving me a car to use, refusing to let me take the bus or walk anymore.
A million thoughts cross my mind, each more harmful than the other as I stop by the local drugstore, idling between the aisles for a while. It’s getting increasingly more difficult for me to focus, but I’ve decided to take my time with this unexpected afternoon off.
My kids are still at daycare and one of the guys is always there to pick them up in the evening. The staff have been alerted to call the police if they see Colby in the area but I know he won’t be stupid. He has already exhausted his portion of stupid where the daycare is concerned, and it ended badly for him since I filed charges for aggravated assault. The BOLO is still in effect as well.
I am constantly living on edge, unable to fully enjoy the happiness I’ve found with the Danson brothers. As long as Colby is free he haunts me—he can come back to hurt me and maybe even hurt the children. I won’t put anything past him.
On top of that, I now have to deal with his mother, her capable investigators, and army of expensive lawyers, all gunning for me in a court of law. She’s determined to take Luna and Sammy away, to obliterate me. She may not be a violent fiend like her son, but Harriet is something far worse. She’s a woman with money, influence, and a bone to pick. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s to steer clear of such people.
I’m in love with three men. Three brothers. My saviors, my heroes. It’s so messy, so dangerous, particularly given Harriet’s determination to strip me of my parental rights. I’d thought I’d gotten away from it all. I’d thought we’d be okay, eventually. That their anger would subside and that they would wear themselves out, finally leaving us alone.
Boy, was I a fool.
I finally grab a pregnancy test from the shelf and make my way to the self-checkout register. Once I’m done paying, I slip the box in my purse and head home. An hour later, I’m staring at a plus sign, unable to peel my eyes away.
“Well this is a whole new level of screwed-up, even for me,” I tell myself.
Downstairs, it’s quiet. It’ll be a while before the guys come home. It’s Chase’s turn to pick the kids up from daycare. Everyone should be in by eight o’clock. I need to start getting dinner ready. Maybe a giant batch of homemade pizzas. We have everything we need in the fridge and in the pantry. I already know their particular tastes; I can whip up different toppings to please everybody.
“Fucking hell, I’m pregnant.” I say it out loud as if to make it even more true.
The symptoms didn’t lie. My body was pretty clear about it. The test merely confirmed something I already suspected. I’m pregnant, and I don’t know which of the Danson brothers is the father. Does it even matter?
I’m pregnant with one of three men as the possible father, my ex-husband is a violent and abusive man who is wanted for questioning after setting the diner on fire with me and our kids in it, and his mother is suing me for custody of my children. Can it get any worse?
“Do not even think those words,” I hiss at my reflection in the mirror.
It seems the minute the question is asked whether or not something can get worse, the universe is automatically activated and obligated to make it so. A challenge was issued, and fate never shies away from a challenge. In this case, I’m the one getting burned in the process.
Shaking the negative thoughts away, I toss the pregnancy test, along with its box, in the trash can. I then empty the whole trash bag into the outside bin. Once that’s done, I take a deep breath and go back inside the house, careful to lock the door behind me.
I’ve decided I’ll make pizzas tonight.
I can start with that, keeping busy and putting everything else aside for now.
And when the time is right, I’ll tell them about the baby.