Perfect Bastard (Mason Creek)

“Overwhelmed,” he admitted.

“Me too.”

“The doctor said she wants to see you in a month.”

“And until then?”

“Rest.”

“No. I meant about us. I know you didn’t ask for this,” I said.

“You didn’t either.”

“I think we can find a way to get through this, even if we’re not together.”

“Move in with me,” he said.

I stammered out an unintelligible, “Wha—”

“Here or at the ranch. Spring training starts next week. I won’t be here in Chicago a lot. You can stay at the ranch when I’m not in town—”

“Nate—”

He started moving toward me, slowly at first. “You want to know what that is?” He pointed to the wall with the very expensive diamond as a fixture.

“I do.”

“It’s an engagement ring. I bought it for you. I knew it was too soon to give it to you. I didn’t want to scare you off. Hell, it scared me because when I saw it, I understood that if I were to ever get married, it would be to you and you alone.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying marry me, Avery. My parents did it and Dad said it was the best thing that happened to him.”

I choked on a laugh. “You’re forgetting that my parents did the same, and it was an utter disaster.”

“Maybe, but if you ask either of your parents, I bet they’d say they do it again, if only for you.” He reached me then, and there was so much behind his eyes—hurt, anger, love. I wasn’t sure.

“I love you,” I admitted. Though he hadn’t said it, I needed to. “But I can’t.” His eyes seemed to lose life, and I rushed with an explanation. “It’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because you need to know everything before you decide to marry me.”

“Okay. Tell me then.”

“It’s not my truth to share,” I said. He stepped back. “Just a few days and she’ll be here and can explain everything.”

“Why can’t you just tell me?”

“Because I made a promise, and it’s not about me.”

“So whatever this truth is, I won’t be mad at you.”

“Not unless you blame me for not telling you.”

“It’s not about you?” he asked again. I shook my head, and he came over and scooped me up.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s been too long since I felt your skin against mine. And I have this overwhelming need to show you how very much I’m in love with you.”

THIRTY-THREE

Nate

We’d been back at the ranch for a few days. Avery paced back and forth with her hands covering her mouth as I read. When I finished, I put my phone down.

“What did you think?” she asked, nervousness oozing out of her.

I flashed a smirk because it was just too easy to tease her. “Better than the first.” She pressed her lips tightly together, and I chuckled. “No. It was good.”

“Really? I already sent it, but I don’t have to sign the contract if you don’t approve.”

She’d been offered a freelance writing contract for a limited series of articles with the possibility of more, depending on how this first one was received. She was so damn excited. If I had reservations, I wouldn’t have shared them. She’d earned this.

I stood and went to her. I tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “It’s good, and it’s not like you name names.”

“Yeah, but someone will figure it out.”

“And it will be your word against theirs. Besides, I come off as a charming asshole.”

She bit her lip. “I was trying to show how celebrities are often mislabeled because people crave information, and they’ll believe whatever they read.”

“No. I totally got that. I just like yanking your chain.” I bent down and nibbled on her neck.

“You’re really okay with me publishing this?” she asked again.

“Yes.” I stood up and took her hands in mine. “I know we had a round of bad misunderstandings, but I trust you, Avery.”

Her eyes lit up and shimmered in the light. “You do?”

“I do.”

We’d both made mistakes, but as they said, love conquered all. It would take unyielding trust for us to overcome any obstacle.

I was ready to give her all of mine. And that led to other things that kept us occupied that night.

Two days later, Avery was pacing again. Whatever secret needed to be told was eating her alive.

Dad was in the kitchen as Sunshine made lunch. Avery was wearing a path in the hardwood in the front of the window with a view of the drive.

“Babe,” I said, stopping her mid-stride. “This can’t be good for the baby.”

“It’s just—” She stopped when a car pulled up front. Her eyes narrowed before she raced to the door and threw it open.

Cold air whipped in, and I stepped outside with her, closing the door behind us.

A haggard-looking woman to whom time had not been kind to, exited an ancient vehicle.

“Where’s Haley?” Avery demanded.