Page 98 of One Baby Daddy
Wanting to seem as casual as possible, I say, “Uh, hey there, buddy.”
“Don’t youhey buddyme.”
Stepping past me, he shuts the door and takes me to the couch, forcing me to sit. “Do you have something to tell me?”
Ignoring him, I ask, “How’s Georgiana?” Racer started dating a girl he met through a project he’s been working on. She’s lovely actually, and is helping Emma with her wedding plans. She is stubborn and driven, the perfect match for Racer.
“She’s great, testing my—” He pauses and gives methe raised-eyebrow-I-won’t-allow-you-to-sidetrack-melook. Yeah, it’s a thing. “Oh no, you don’t. Don’t distract me with my girl.” Eyeing my stomach, he says, “Tell me.”
Sighing, I flop against the cushion of my couch. “It seems like you already know.”
“I want to hear it from you.”
I drape my arm over my eyes. “I’m pregnant, Racer.”
Cursing under his breath, Racer asks, “Is it Hayden’s?”
“Yes.” It’s a one-worded answer, one that hangs heavily in the air. He warned me, he warned Hayden; he was against our pairing from the very beginning. Maybe in some weird cosmic way, Racer knew this would happen; we were going to be entirely too irresponsible and get pregnant.
“Jesus, Adalyn. Does he know?”
I look to the side, wincing. “No, and don’t tell him, or I swear to God I will chop off your cock. I’m not kidding, Racer.” I lift up and look him dead in the eyes. “I will slice you up.”
He winces and adjusts his pants, scooting away from me. “Why aren’t you telling him?”
“More importantly, who told you?” Getting angrier by the second, I pin Racer with a glare, andhenow looks more nervous than anything.
“Uh, no one told me. I could sense it, smell it.”
I whack him right in the stomach. “Gross, don’t say you can smell pregnancy. What the hell is wrong with you?”
He chuckles softly.
“Emma told you, didn’t she?” Shakes his head, lips sealed. “Racer!” I jab his side.
“Ouch, fuck.” He rubs his ribs. “Are your fingers made of metal?”
“Who. Told. You?”
“You know, you’re really scary pregnant.”
“Which should tell you I’m not afraid to cash in on my threat.” I glance down at his crotch, which he covers quickly.
“Fine, it was Tucker. He let it slip and told me not to say anything, but the guy is fucking dense. Of course I would say something to you.” Becoming fatherly, Racer says, “How on earth in this day in age can youaccidentallyget pregnant? Do I need to have a conversation with you about safe sex?”
“Clearly not anymore.” I sigh and lean against Racer’s shoulder. He shifts so his arm is around me. “It was heat-of-the-moment stupidity.”
He kisses the top of my head. “And why aren’t you telling him?”
“What good is it going to do now?”
“That’s a weird way of putting it.” Racer is rarely serious; he goofs around most of the time. But when his voice turns stern, I know a rare moment is about to happen. He’s about to be very honest and levelheaded with me. “It’s not about what good it’s going to do; it’s about a man knowing that he created a child with another human being. It’s about doing the right thing. You can’t keep this from him as much as you wish you could. This isn’t your secret to keep. This isn’t your burden, because this baby isn’t only yours. It’s a product of both of you, and no matter how much you think this new journey is only yours, you’re wrong,andyou’re being selfish. He deserves to know, he deserves to have a chance to do the right thing, so don’t take that away from him.”
For the record, I don’t like it when Racer gets serious and levelheaded, because every time he does, he’s always right.
Slowly, a tear rolls down my cheek. I don’t say anything, and I don’t need to as his words sink in. There is no response other thanyou’re right, so I stay silent, allowing myself to hide within his comfort. Because right now, I need my friend, and I need him badly.
Chapter Twenty
