Page 69 of Flawless

“You must’ve been floored, huh? You and Rylee weren’t together all that long.”

“Long enough.” I smirked, wondering which night we’d conceived. I wished I knew because it felt like the anniversary of that night is one that I’d want to celebrate for the rest of our lives. Just like all the milestones I wanted with her.

“Hey, I know you’ve been wanting this a long time, Cam. Even if the timing sucks and things are complicated between you and Ry⁠—”

“The timing doesn’t suck.”

In my mind it was perfect. Our little one was already hard at work, playing matchmaker. And by the time they were born I wanted their mommy and daddy to be married.

“Hell, if Ry wasn’t pregnant, you really think she’d give me another shot?” After the way she’d blown me off the night of the engagement party, I knew she wouldn’t.

“Then she’s willing to try again?” He hesitated. “Not just the co-parenting thing, but the relationship too?”

My stomach bottomed out. Austin and Rylee were tight. Maybe he knew more than I did about her state of mind.

“We re-connected when I was in town last weekend, if that’s what you’re asking. We’ve talked every day since. So yeah, I’d say we’re in a good place. Why? Do you know something I don’t?”

“I know Rylee,” he said, sounding ominous. “I know how hard that girl works. And I’m worried about her, to be honest. Making that transition, becoming a mama, isn’t gonna be easy for her. She’s gonna feel pulled in different directions. And without a strong partner to support her, it’ll be tough. I mean she has me and Easton⁠—”

“She has me,” I said, between clenched teeth. “You really think I’ll let her go through this alone? Whatever she needs, I’m there. She knows that.” And it pissed me off that someone who knew me as well as Austin would think I’d let Rylee struggle all alone.

“Yeah, sure. She has you, but you’re seven hundred miles away, man. You won’t be there for the late-night feedings, for the⁠—”

“We’re working it out,” I snapped. I didn’t need to be reminded of everything I’d be missing out on if I wasn’t living under the same roof as Rylee and our baby.

“Cam, listen to me. You’re family. So is Rylee. I want y’all to work this out. To do what’s best for you guys, and your baby, but this shit is complicated. You both have demanding careers. You live in different states. Hell, you haven’t even known each other six months.” He sighed. “You’re not even in a committed relationship.”

And just like that, my day took a nosedive. I wanted to argue every point he’d made, but I couldn’t. He was right.

“I love her. She loves me. We’re going to have a baby. That’s what matters. The rest is just logistics.”

“No, that’s where you’re wrong. The lives you’ve both built, the careers you’ve given everything to, the friends you’ve made, the house you own, your family. That’s not just logistics, brother. That’s everything. And you can’t give it all up. If you do, you’ll resent⁠—”

“No, I won’t.” I didn’t need him to tell me how I would feel. “And I don’t need you poisoning Ry’s mind with this garbage, so do me a favour? Keep your mouth shut.”

“I’m not going to say any of this to Rylee. That’s why I’m coming to you. Because you need to hear it.”

“I’ve got a meeting to get to. I’ve gotta go.”

“Hey, you have every right to tell me to back off. To mind my own business. And you wouldn’t be wrong.” He paused. “But when two people I care about are about to blow their whole lives up, I’ll risk the fight if I can save you some heartache down the line.”

He was doing for me what I would do for him if our situations were reversed, so I couldn’t be mad. But that didn’t mean my head wasn’t spinning and my gut wasn’t churning. I was a mess, trying to make sense of a life that suddenly felt like it was built on a crumbling foundation.

I’d been re-playing my conversation with Austin all day, so when Rylee called just before midnight, I was still wired.

“Hey, handsome. How was your day?”

I closed my eyes, trying to get the image of her curled up in bed all alone, out of my head. I wanted to be there with her. To wrap my arms around her, kiss her neck, talk to her tummy, and fall asleep with her in my arms. Damn it. This was getting harder every day, and I didn’t see a way out, without abandoning my responsibilities and blowing up my life.

“You okay, babe?” she asked, when I didn’t respond.

“No, not really.” My throat tightened as I tried to hold back the words, but I couldn’t. “Ry, I don’t think I can do this.”

“Do what?” she asked, sounding a little shaken. “If you’re talking about the baby, I know we didn’t plan this and I understand if you⁠—”

“Stop it.” I was stunned. “You really think I’m having second thoughts about your pregnancy? I want this baby more than anything.”

“Then you’re having second thoughts about us?” She rushed on before I could get a word in. “I get that. It’s a lot to⁠—”