Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

“Um… She’s still in the first trimester,” I tell him, uncertain of the exact weeks, because things have been a little too hectic for those details just yet.

“And you love her?”

Swallowing down a knot, I nod. Then I realize I’m a dumbass because this is a phone call and not a face-to-face, meaning he can’t see me nodding. “Yes. I do. I love her enough to make this phone call, though I imagined it going differently.”

“And the baby’s okay? You said hospital.” He goes on as though I didn’t just shift the conversation.

“Our baby’s healthy. It was a lucky break.”

He blows out a genuinely relieved breath. “And Allie’s with her? She has more than just you, right?”

“Yeah. Allie’s inside with her right now. They’re like sisters.”

He chokes back another sob, and clears his throat. “That girl… We failed her too. It was so easy to see things in black and white, but my girl was the one in the right. We just didn’t see it until it was too late.” He clears his throat several times in a row this time. “If you love her, then she’s kept you around a while. My girl doesn’t do that, because no one is perfect. By now, you’ve at least made some mistakes. But she’s forgiven you?”

Ah hell. “Yes,” I tell him, omitting my latest offense that I’m not so sure is forgiven.

“Then you’re really special to her. Don’t mess that up, Ethan Noles. Bella doesn’t love like that. She shies away from too much conflict, and because of us, she doesn’t trust people to change. If she’s even forgiven you once, then you’re the one for her. It means she cares about you more than she’ll ever admit aloud.”

She’s forgiven me many more times than once, but I didn’t understand the magnitude of that until this moment. This is seriously not the conversation I foresaw.

“She misses you. She hasn’t said it, but I see it when she looks at my parents,” I lamely tell him, feeling the need to console the poor bastard.

I can tell he’s crying again, and I run a hand through my hair. I wanted to be the one who put them in their place, but it sounds like they’ve regretted their place for a really long time.

“If you ever find it in your heart to help us reunite with our daughter, I would be eternally grateful,” he finally says, but the words are so strained with emotion, that I can tell they’re hard to get out.

“And you wouldn’t put her down or make her feel guilty for who she is?” I ask immediately.

“Never again,” he agrees, as though those are the only words he can choke out.

“Then I’ll figure something out,” I say on a long sigh.

“Thank you.” And he’s crying again. Fuck my day.

“I need to get back inside. I’ll be in contact. Just remember, I love her and our baby, so you really don’t want to go back on your word. I’m not such a nice guy when I’m pissed.”

“Thank you,” he repeats. “And I won’t go back on my word.”

My phone feels like a weighted anvil in my pocket when I head back inside.

Brin spots me, and leaves Allie and Bella to join me in the kitchen as I prop up against a counter.

“You okay?” Brin asks. Everyone appears to be finished eating now.

“I will be,” I say quietly, even though I’m not sure how true it is. I still need to fix everything between myself and Bella. And now I’ve apparently taken on the task of fixing things between Bella and her parents.

Brin glances over at the living room where Allie is giggling with Bella over some magazine they’re flipping through.

“What about you?” I ask her, needing the distraction before I grab Allie and toss her out on her ass.

“It was scary, but I’m so happy the baby is okay.”

“I meant you and Rye. Since that argument and all.”

She shrugs, averting her eyes. It’s not like I usually ask questions or try to sound supportive, but Rye’s my best friend.

“Rye loves you and you know it.”