Sigh sighed heavily again. “Not like that. Filthy minds, all of you. Though you do you, boo. But I meant Xbox. Video games. Air hockey. Whatever men do when they’re alone and blissfully wedded, so blissfully they have no cause to bitch.” She pointed at Seth. “Right?”
Seth held up his hands palms out. “Nirvana is my natural state, as is Oliver’s, I’m sure.”
Dare shook his head. “Sure seems like a lot of fuss over a baby. Hope they plan on doing this for you too.”
I didn’t look at him. Didn’t even acknowledge his existence. I was sure he was talking in the abstract. Besides, probably no one had even heard—
“Oh my God, Kelsey, are you knocked up?” Sage’s voice rang out above the piercing throb in my right temple.
“Presents time!” I called out cheerfully, as if Sage had never spoken.
But no one was listening to me. Dare crossed his muscular arms and stood guard beside me as if I needed protection. He didn’t say yes, didn’t say anything at all. Didn’t matter.
The die was cast, for the guests and for me.
Because I made the mistake of meeting his gaze for a fraction of a second and I knew.
He’d looked at the tests and reality was not on my side.
The non-preggo side.
Not like the universe could toss me a bone. A small celestial favor, just this one time.
Hey, the girl works in a Catholic school. New job, new life, and she’s always played by the rules. This would be a spectacular screw-up at a not so good time.
I didn’t even know who the father was. And that was patently ridiculous. I’d never ever slept with two men within the span of one month before—hell, within one year was a stretch—yet the first time, bam.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star with a side of baby booties, please.
Dare ran his hand down my hair and for a second, it was easier to just lean against him than to keep trying to be strong. To pretend I could handle all of this when it was clear I couldn’t. He’d overstepped about five hundred boundaries by insisting I take those tests, then obviously looking at the results even before I had a chance to.
Even so, I was out of my depth and drowning. And I’d gratefully take the lifeline he was offering just by being there.
Until he opened his mouth again.
“Just saying, she’s been busting her ass for you, Sage. Hope you’re ready to reciprocate.”
No one laughed this time.
I didn’t speak. I was residing in another dimension, where my only recourse was to become mute.
Ally cleared her throat and discreetly stepped aside as Sage lurched to her feet and propped a hand on her hip. “I appreciate everything Kelsey has done. She’s my bestie with Ally. They’re both amazing.”
At Dare’s huff of breath and another stroke of my hair, I decided I needed to take the bull by the horns.
“Let’s do gifts! Look at all these pretty things everyone got for Sage’s little one.” I grabbed the nearest item, which—shocker—happened to be the same foam block monstrosity. I let it go, but not fast enough to prevent spillage yet again.
No one cared because Sage was staring down Dare.
“You’re needed inside.”
He planted his feet. “Nope, I think I’m good right where I am, thanks.”
The back door opened and Oliver stepped out, earning Sage’s groan. “Jeez louise, forget it. Who cares about baby shower protocol? Men and women, mingle freely! Just give me some damn cake before my water breaks.”
Oliver hustled across the lawn. “Are you having contractions?”
Sage gave me a beady-eyed look as if to say this is all your fault. And the worst of it was, it was my fault.