As much as I want to stop reading, I can’t. My stomach is in my throat. Tears of anger cloud my vision. She’s destroying my life and for what? Because she doesn’t like Peyton?
I’M PREGNANT
Isa: Noah? The DILF?
Nope. Doesn’t matter. I’m pregnant. And he’s none the wiser.
I swallow hard at the notion she’s cheated on me. I chose her and the baby over my own happiness and she’s been lying this entire time. She wasn’t pregnant in Chicago.
Isa: What are you going to do when Noah finds out you’re only eight weeks along and haven’t slept together in months?
Idk. Haven’t thought about it. Once we’re married, half his money is mine. I’ll deal with it later. Gotta go play nice with the mother-in-law from hell and his bratty sister. Peace.
“What are you doing?”
I look up to find Dessie standing in the doorway. Her face is stoic. No emotion. I clear my throat and half smile at her. “I was reading.”
“On my phone?”
I nod and glance at the device in my hand. I don’t know what to do with it, but somewhere deep in the recess of my brain, I’m being told to keep it. I stand and walk toward her, towering over her. “I’m going to keep this and uh… I really think you should go.”
“We’re getting married in two days.”
Shaking my head, I bite the inside of my cheek. “No, I don’t think we’ll be doing that, Dessie. I really don’t want to make a scene, especially in front of my ‘bratty sister’ so please get your things and leave. When I get back to Portland, you can get the rest of your stuff. By the time I get downstairs after you’ve done that, security will know not to let you in.” I step out of my room and head toward the stairs.
“You left me no choice, Noah.”
I pause and turn to look at her. “You lied to get me away from someone I’m in love with and because that wasn’t enough, you cheated on me. I don’t want to look at you right now. I don’t want you in my house. I don’t want you near my family, especially my father. I don’t want you in my town, near my friends or the people I care about. My mom and Aubrey were right to suspect you, but I didn’t want to believe them. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and you proved me wrong. Get out, Dessie.”
I don’t give her a chance to say anything else. Her sobs are enough to tell me how she’s feeling. Thing is, I don’t know if she’s angry she got caught or truly heartbroken. I suppose there’s a bit of both emotions mixed in there. I order her a car service and wait at the bottom of the stairs for her to leave. Once the front door slams, I lose it.
31
Peyton
Telling my parents I needed to return to California immediately wasn’t easy without causing an array of alarms to go off. After the few hours Noah and I had spent together, I had to get out of Beaumont. He was going to marry Dessie, and despite him begging me to tell him not to, I couldn’t. There was no way I’d be able to live with the burden of him walking away from his child to be with me.
In hindsight, I should’ve told him. I should’ve yelled from the top of my lungs, but I didn’t, and he’s since called the wedding off. I thought my parents would tell me why, but I’m not sure they even know, and if they do, they’re not saying anything. Not that I would expect them to. They probably figure Noah has told me himself since we’re best friends and all.
But he hasn’t, and I haven’t heard from him and I’ve lost track of time. I stopped counting the hours, which turned into days. I had hoped he would’ve called, but if he’s with Dessie, I’m going to be the furthest person from his mind. I imagine she’s not very happy with him. As long as she doesn’t blame me, I’m good.
Currently, I’m sitting on the couch while my mother runs around crazily packing. The band is going on a mini-tour. It’s really not for them, but for an up and coming band called Little Queens who recently signed under the same label. The record company thought it would be nice if 4225 West accompanied them on tour. The funny thing is, they’re opening for Little Queens. My dad, Liam and Jimmy were all eager to help out. Plus dad says that being the headline act is too stressful and now they get to go out and just play for forty-five minutes.
Mom almost stayed home, but I told her to go, and she finally agreed to be away for a few weeks and then come home to check on me. While I’m not fully recovered, I have a driver to take me to therapy, an aunt and uncle who will come if I need them and a beach to stare at. Besides, I plan to call Quinn and ask him to come down to take me surfing. I figure he could do the same as our dad did, but this time I won’t have to worry about getting wet. Even though I miss Chicago, I have to admit, being here during the winter has been very nice. I can’t imagine trying to get around in the snow right now.
Honestly, I’m looking forward to the break from my parents. It’ll give me time to relax, get my homework done and just be free without them hovering. Well, Mom hovers. Dad, he’s just there, waiting in the wings for when I need him, and he always seems to know when that is.
My parents hug and kiss me goodbye, making me promise to call them if there’s an emergency or if I need anything. I jokingly asked if pizza was included in the aforementioned category. Mom rolled her eyes and waved me off. Dad smiled and said to call him for anything. I’ll likely take him up on that.
I wait for their car to pull away before yelling, “Freedom!” If I were crazy, I’d try some ridiculous stunt with my Rollator, but the idea of getting hurt doesn’t sound too appealing. Calling my parents seconds after they left would defeat the purpose of having the house to myself.
Also defeating the purpose of is whoever is at my gate right now and pressing the button incessantly. “Hello, who’s there?” I ask, even though I can see them on the video camera. It’s Kyle and he’s waving like crazy.
“I heard you were back in town.”
I press the buzzer that unlocks our gate and open the door. He scoops me up into a hug and carries me into my living room while I desperately hold onto my cane. The hug is awkward and a bit over friendly. I thought I’ve been fairly clear about my feelings. Noah and I may not have ever been together, but for a brief glimmer, I thought we had a chance. And knowing Noah’s in love with me, well, I don’t know when I’ll be ready to move past him.
“I missed you,” he says as he reaches toward my face. I sidestep him as much as I can and hobble toward the kitchen.