The Cowboy's Virgin Baby Momma - Page 97

ChapterFourteen

Austin

The sun was barely cresting over the horizon, and he was still sitting on his second-story deck, riding the never-ending roller coaster of emotions along with his three friends, anger, guilt and heartbreak.

Austin had pondered his sanity, more than a dozen times, at the crazy urge to forgive Paige’s immature, impulsive, and rash decision to fuck Johnny, adopt the douchebag’s baby when it was born, and try to resurrect a happily ever after with her.

He likely would have done it if his shattered heart hadn’t vetoed the idea every time. Or the little voice in his head mocking him for giving Paige the power to wreck him. In the end, he had no one to blame but himself for falling ass over elbows for a girl so young and innocent.

He knew he was too old for Paige and that she hadn’t yet lived. Hadn’t experienced the world around her. Hadn’t figured out who she was yet or what she wanted from life. The extent of her grand adventures had been to Haven. And while Johnny wasn’t remotely close to a grand adventure, she’d chosen him.

“And the rest is now history,” he groused, standing and stretching and cursing for spending all night on the chaise before striding to the bathroom.

Though he would have loved to stay in bed all day and lick his wounds, Austin had a ranch to run and chores to do. Hopefully, he could it all alone. He wasn’t in the mood to see, hear, or speak to anyone. Then again, he hadn’t wanted to do any of that since he and Paige argued at the ice cream social. It probably wasn’t healthy spending so much time alone, but it was what he wanted and needed now, more than ever.

He showered and dressed, then trekked across the yard to the main house. He didn’t feel like eating breakfast. His stomach was still tied in knots from watching Paige shuffle out of his kitchen, sobbing her heart out. But Austin knew his absence wouldn’t go unnoticed. It was better to make an appearance than have his brother and dad hunt him down in the field and pummel him with questions he didn’t want to answer.

As he strolled into the kitchen, Austin realized he’d interrupted a meeting…a serious one based on the somber faces that greeted him.

“What?” he asked as all three men studied him intently.

“We have a problem,” his dad announced. “Sit.”

I don’t need problems today. I need the sun on my back, the wind in my hair, and total separation from everyone.

Without a word, Austin dragged out a chair and sat.

“We couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t been yourself lately, son. We’re—”

“Well, guess what?” he drawled sarcastically, interrupting his dad. “I’m not myself again today. So let’s just forget about this little quilting bee or intervention or whatever the hell this is and eat some breakfast so we can all get to work.”

“No.” His dad’s one-word answer raked Austin’s flesh like a dull razor blade. “We all saw the look on your face after Paige fainted at the Fourth of July shindig. And we all heard that cocky little shit Johnny propose to her.”

“Who she is going to marry and make babies with and grow old and gray on Nelson’s land. So what?” Austin snarled.

“I hear she’s already made a baby.”

Austin gritted his teeth and glared at his dad. “Yep.”

When the old man didn’t reply, Austin arched his brows. “And?”

“And I know you care deeply for her, son.” His voice had softened.

No. Fuck, no. I am not going to sit here and drown in Dad’s pity.

“Did. I did care deeply. Not anymore,” he lied as he started to stand.

“Sit down!” Duke thundered before pressing his lips together in a frown.

“No disrespect, Pa, but ever since Mom died, you haven’t been yourself either. None of us have sat you down to do…whatever y’all are doing.”

His dad turned and sent Houston a barely perceptible nod.

“I saw Paige coming from your house last night.”

“Congratulations,” Austin sneered. “You’ve seen her leave my place a dozen times.”

“True, but never sobbing so hard she couldn’t tell where she was going,” Houston bit out.

“We had a fight.”

“No, you didn’t. You have to talk to someone before it can turn into a fight.”

“I talked to her,” Austin barked.

“Oh, really?” Houston feigned surprise. “Then I guess you know she’s moving to San Antonio today then, right?”

The ground beneath Austin’s feet started to crumble. His jaw nearly hit the table as denial and panic flooded his veins. “Sh-she’s what?”

“Packing and moving,” the smart-ass slowly repeated as if Austin didn’t know English.

“No, she’s not. She and Johnny are getting married so he can lay claim to the ranch she’ll inherit on her wedding day.”

“Johnny’s gone, son,” his dad announced. “Right after you left Doc Knight’s office, the day she fainted, things between her and Johnny got…physical.”

Austin’s stomach lurched and his heart sputtered as he bolted from his chair.

“Where is he?” he growled. “Where is that that little cocksucker? I’m gonna rip his heart out and shove it down his fucking throat.”

Dallas eyed him warily, as if waiting for Austin to start tearing the house down. Oh, he wanted to. Wanted to tear it apart piece by piece, just like he yearned to do to Johnny.

Houston stood and slowly inched his way around the table. “Easy, bro. Johnny’s the least of your problems right now.”

“Oh, yeah? Then what is?”

“Paige’s baby.” Houston swallowed tightly and paused as if weighing his words.

“What about it?”

Inching in closer, Houston cupped him on the shoulder. “It’s not Johnny’s. He never touched her. Paige never had sex with him. The only one she’s ever been with is…”

His heart sputtered, his lungs seized, and black spots danced behind his eyes as every angry, demeaning, and hurtful word he’d growled in Paige’s face while he fucked her like an animal last night, slammed his brain.

No. No. This can’t be happening. It can’t be. Oh, Jesus, what the fuck have I done?

It was a rhetorical question.

Tags: Jenna Jacob Romance
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