Falling for Trouble

His mystery woman wasn’t a mystery at all. He could see her face in his mind, her glorious naked body beneath his as he thrust in and out of her. He’d slept with his best friend, been with the only woman he ever loved, and he didn’t even remember doing it until right now.

Christ.

What had he done? Everything Abe had said to her. Pushing her away, keeping distance between them. He was a selfish motherfucker, and here she’d been dealing with all this on her own.

“I gotta go.” He stood, Hunter mumbling something. He had to go to her, to make amends. He had to make this right, and he just prayed to whoever was listening that she forgave him.24Sophia had just put away the last bag of groceries when there was a knock on her front door. She looked through the peephole and held her breath when she saw Abe standing on the other side. A part of her prayed he wouldn’t come try to talk to her after they saw each other earlier that day, but there was another part that hoped he would.

For a moment, she contemplated not answering, pretending she wasn’t home, but then she heard Abe’s voice through the door. It was clear he was ready to talk, and now she found herself paralyzed with fear over the concept.

“I know you’re home, Kid.”

She looked out the peephole once more and saw his head drop and his hand run through his hair. God, she loved when he did that. Grabbing the courage deep down inside her, she opened the door and stood face-to-face with Abe. Up close, she could see bags under his eyes and scruff covering his jaw. Even rough-looking, he took her breath away.

“Hey, Kid.” His voice was soft. “Can I come in?”

The stillness between them was awkward, but after a prolonged moment, she finally stepped aside and let him in. When the door was closed, they stood in the foyer for several awkward seconds before she finally made her legs move.

Going into the living room, she sat on the couch and waited for him to follow. Sophia didn’t have to wait long. He held a plastic bag in his hand and sat in the chair across from her.

“So…” He got comfortable, or he tried to appear that way. Even she could see how tense he was. He kept watching her, his eyes almost burning holes through her. “You look good, Kid, really good.”

“Yeah, well….” She really didn’t know what to say. She had never felt like this with Abe, so uncomfortable and awkward.

“You’re feeling okay, though? Not sick or anything? I mean, I’ve heard that pregnancy can cause morning sickness and all that.”

Despite everything, Sophia couldn’t help but smile. Hearing him talk about morning sickness sounded ridiculous.

“I have my days.” She shifted in her seat. For a long time, he didn’t do or say anything. He stared at her, and then he reached inside his bag and pulled out a book, handing it to her. The hesitation in her was minimal, and when she took the book and looked at the cover, she felt confusion wash through her.

“Why do you have a What to Expect When You’re Expecting book?” Her heart started pounding hard in her chest as he stood and sat beside her.

“I bought the book this morning.” He didn’t give her a chance to respond. “It took me all this time to realize that I was being a selfish bastard, to finally remember the truth.” He stared into her eyes, this pleading expression on his face. “I should have never doubted you. Never. You’re the only person who means anything to me, Sophia. I love you so damn much, and I let you down.”

Her heart stuttered.

“I took that time to get cleaned up. I don’t drink anymore, and I don’t get into fights—well, aside from hitting Hunter—but I’m doing better, Sophia. I’m doing better, because I want to be better for you, for our baby.”

Her heart stuttered again and again, and she placed her hand over her chest at hearing his words. A long moment of silence passed, and she could tell he had more on his mind. She didn’t speak though, just let Abe tell her on his own.

“I never told you this, but when I didn’t get drunk every night, I had these nightmares, ones where I could hear my parents screaming for help. The alcohol made those dreams stay buried.” His eyes penetrated hers, as if he could explain every little detail through his gaze. “It’s not an excuse, I know that, but I wanted you to know why I did some of the things I did, that drinking didn’t make me a good guy, Sophia.”

Sophia held her hands together tightly. Abe had never told her this part of him, but she had known his parents’ deaths still haunted him. She knew he had compensated with the booze and fighting.