Double Score

I nodded, but it was there at my feet. The three of us stared at it.

“What is that?” Dylan asked.

Isaac leaned over, collecting it from the floor. He read the stick. The room was still spinning, but they were mesmerized by the stick. Dylan’s hand was around my waist, steadying me.

“You’re pregnant?” Isaac’s eyes lifted to mine.

“Pregnant?” Dylan almost choked.

I nodded. “I am.”

Isaac let the bag of peas slide from his knee. He stood and walked toward me. I looked in his eyes. He knew. He knew exactly when it happened.

“It’s mine, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “How did you know?”

“The night you showed us your art. Damn it, Vanessa. I don’t know what to say. I know you probably think I fucked everything up…but…” he placed his hands on my stomach. “But I love you, and I want this baby with you.” He eyed Dylan and took a big breath. “You can say something, brother.”

Dylan’s hands circled the other side of my belly. I didn’t know if he would be jealous, or angry. I only didn’t want the baby to come between them, or us. My eyes stung with tears.

“Dylan?” I searched his face for some kind of reaction.

“You’re so damn beautiful pregnant, Vanessa.”

I choked back a sob. “You’re ok with it?”

He nodded. “We’ve been doing exactly what we wanted the past few months. And it doesn’t matter to me that this baby has Isaac’s DNA, we made this kid.”

I nodded in total agreement. “Oh my God.” My knees finally buckled and they caught me. Dylan offered to carry me to the couch while Isaac filled a tall glass with ice and water.

“I need to talk to both of you.” I sipped the water. The room felt less woozy. Vertigo was a bitch.

“Just give yourself a few minutes. We can talk later,” Isaac suggested.

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s important. There’s a press conference tonight.”

“What kind?” Dylan eyed me, making sure I kept drinking the water.

“It’s to announce the new VP of the Warriors management staff.”

“Do you have to go?” Isaac asked. “You might need to take some time off. How long have you been fainting like this?”

I ignored his question. “I hired Charlie earlier in the week when she discovered our relationship status.” I might it sound practically normal. “She came up with an idea.”

I chugged the rest of the water, leaving the ice in the bottom of the glass and handed it to Dylan.

“Tonight I’m going to announce that Isaac Price is joining the Warriors as our vice president. He will be working with me exclusively. Attending meetings, conferences, sitting with me in the family box. If I’m there, he is there.”

“What?” Isaac stared at me.

“Charlie thinks this is the only option for us to be together.” I turned to Dylan. “Unless…” I couldn’t bear to say it.

Dylan shook his head. “I’m not running. Not this time. I’ve never stuck around for anyone other than Isaac. And it looks like he needs me right now too.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, because this whole plan blows up in my face if you leave now.”

Dylan looked at Isaac and then at me. His eyes darted back and forth.