But I remember tiptoeing for weeks around Mason’s sister and how that drove a massive wedge between us. I’m not doing that again.
“A little sweet, sure, but he’s always been a bit prickly,” Tom says.
I nod, remembering Noah telling me about his privileged childhood. “That’s because things have always come easy for Noah,” I tell them. “He’s one of those people with a charmed life, never realizing how good they have it because things have never been too bad.”
Noah shoots me a look. A look that tells me he’s annoyed with my commentary.
“Sorry,” I say, reaching for his hand. “I didn’t mean anything.”
Noah frowns. “It’s true. Up until recently, at least.”
His parents exchange a look and I let go of Noah’s hand as he goes to refill his coffee cup.
“Things been hard?” Tom asks the guys.
Ethan nods, and when I take a harder look at him it seems like he didn’t sleep all night. He has circles under his eyes and runs a hand through disheveled hair. “We ended the Black Bull contract, which has been a big adjustment and then Mason’s injury. And then...” He looks at me but I shake my head to keep him quiet. I don’t know why, but I’m not ready for Noah’s parents to know about the pregnancy.
However, Noah seems to miss this silent conversation since his back is to us as he pours coffee.
“And then there is the big news.” Noah has a grin on his face.
“News?” Tammi asks.
I shoot Noah dagger eyes. He must get the message because he back peddles fast. “I mean, uh, the news is that Chloe is working for us full-time.”
“Oh, that is wonderful,” Tammi says. “Gives you something to do besides lounge on the beach, Chloe.”
Right, like grow a person inside my belly. You know, there is hardly anything on my mind besides getting a good tan.
“You can handle all these guys’ schedules, Chloe?” Tom asks. “I bet it’s a big job to make sure they aren’t slacking. You whipping them into shape?”
I smile, realizing I’m not interested in playing games. I notice that Leo is watching with interest, probably wondering himself how this is all going to go down.
“You could say I’ve whipped them into shape, but it helps that we’re all in love. That we’re in a relationship, not just playing around. “
Tammi practically spits out her coffee. “Say what?” she asks when she composes herself.
I look around the kitchen, Enzo and Mason are beaming at me with big smiles, but Noah’s grin is the biggest. Even Ethan, who’s seemed so withdrawn the last few days, is smiling softly at me.
In that moment, I realize something. They are proud of me.
That I am theirs.
And I am the reason they have held the information back in the past because they are shamelessly and fearlessly ready to tell the world that we are in this together.
I blink back tears.
I won’t tell Tammi that I’m pregnant. Not until I have a better idea of how I feel about it, but I won’t tiptoe. This is who I am. I am not ashamed.
And for the first time in forever, I don’t feel like this admission is me throwing myself into a free fall. Maybe because right now I know there are men who will catch me.
My men.
I’m not alone.
I take a deep breath and look up, seeing Tammi and Tom staring at us with complete shock.
Good, I think as I reach for Noah’s hand and lace my fingers through his, while at the same time Mason wraps an arm around my waist.
I don’t owe anyone a damn thing.
This is my life, my love story. And I won’t let Tammi steal it from me.
I won’t let anyone.
And maybe I don’t know how to be a mother, but I didn’t know how to make this relationship work at first either.
But together, hand in hand, we figured it out.
And maybe we can figure this next part out too.
Hand in hand.Chapter 52ETHANI watch Chloe leave, after her dramatic confession to Noah’s parents. She said her piece and headed outside to breathe, said she was going to take a walk on the beach before meeting her new friend Harlow.
Her words left Tom and Tammi reeling and maybe I’d say I felt bad that they were blindsided, but I’m not. I’m mostly worried about Chloe.
Well, her and the baby and us and me and whatever the fuck is going to happen next.
Not to mention the massive competition being held on this beach tomorrow.
It’s our first time showing the world who we are without the backing of a sponsor, and I’m anxious for the guys. Ready and prepared, but still I’d be fucking insane to say I wasn’t a little nervous for the event.
Especially considering what I know I have to do. I won’t be there tomorrow with everyone else.