I folded my arms and glared at him. “I don’t think it’s possible.”
He smiled. “If he knows and is leaving you on your own with this, he better hope I never know his identity. If he doesn’t know, then I have to say, Sloane, you need to tell him.”
I went out the back door, walked over to the swing, and after pulling on the ropes to make sure it was secure, sat on it. My brother followed.
“What if I told you I was inseminated?”
“I wouldn’t believe you.” He rubbed his arms. “Aren’t you cold?”
I ignored his question about the temperature. “Why wouldn’t you believe me?”
“You wouldn’t have called me in Italy to ask me to come home.”
I sighed. “You’re right.”
“Where are you guys?” I heard Tackle say from inside the house.
“What the fuck, Knox?”
He held up both hands. “I didn’t even know he was back in town.”
“Get rid of him.”
“You don’t have the words tattooed on your forehead. He isn’t going to know you’re—”
“Shut up,” I spat.
Knox walked in the direction of the house when Tackle came out the door. As I watched them embrace and pat each other’s backs, I wondered if I was making the right decision about the baby. I’d have it; there was no doubt in my mind about that. It was my decision to keep him or her that I now questioned. Would their friendship be destroyed once the truth came out, as it inevitably would? I mean, Tackle could do the math.
Alternatively, with my brother’s help, I could go away for a few months, give birth, find a family wanting to adopt, then come back and resume my life.
When my eyes met Tackle’s, I knew I’d never be able to go through with that plan.
“Hey, peanut,” he said, walking over to the swing. “Lift your feet and I’ll push you.”
“That isn’t a good—”
“We aren’t sure it’s secure,” I said, shooting daggers at my brother.
“I hear you’re renting the place,” Tackle said, following Knox and me back inside.
“I’m thinking about it.”
He turned to Knox. “And you’re renting half the duplex on Stanley?”
“That’s right.”
“I hope my dad gave you the family discount.”
Knox did a funny thing with his head, and I watched as something passed between the two guys.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Knox muttered before turning to Tackle. “Did you
get everything taken care of?”
Tackle nodded, looked over at me, and back at my brother.