Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (Silence #3)(61)

Jasper smirked. “But you’re a weakling girl?”

I knew he’d only said that for a reaction, so I didn’t give him one.

“When you’ve finished that you can buy me lunch. The baby is hungry.” I could tell him the baby wanted its mum to have a diamond necklace, and he’d buy it. He was obsessed with doing things right and controlling everything – because he’d had no control over what his dad had done to them.

Jasper bought me lunch and then, later on, dinner. He was hanging around, not wanting to leave. As time went on his posture changed dramatically. He was tense and uneasy.

“I’ll be fine, Jasper,” I said as the clock ticked closer to ten p.m.

He forced a smile. “I know that. Promise you’ll call if you need anything.”

“I will. Please stop worrying, we’ll be alright.”

His jaw flexed, but he said nothing.

“We’ll be fine,” I repeated. I watched his eyes darken in what looked like fear. He was scared to be away from us in case something happened.

“Jasper,” I whispered, my heart breaking for him and how much he was still suffering after what his dad did to him.

“Don’t,” he said and covered his lips over mine. I was shocked at first, but by the time I knew what was happening, I responded to his desperate kiss.



My final class of the day was over, and I couldn’t wait to get home. I’d completed two weeks back at university and knowing I had a baby coming made me miss my family even more. I wanted to be around them while I was pregnant and over-emotional. I’d ventured into the crying-over-the-stupidest-things realm and needed my mum.

“So glad this week is over,” Yasmin said as we walked back towards our shared flat. “I thought it was never going to end.”

“Me too. It feels like the end of the year rather than the beginning. I have no idea how I’m going to get though the rest of it.” I had six months of my pregnancy left and eight months of uni.

With all the work of the final year already starting to pile up, I was having major second thoughts. Studying for final exams with a newborn was going to be a nightmare. At least if the baby was already here when I started my final year I’d be able to get childcare. It was okay for everyone else to be positive about it when they weren’t the ones that had to do it.

“You’ll be fine, Hol, you’ve aced every test and assignment so far.”

“That’s because I have time to study. What am I going to do when I have a screaming baby needing my attention?”

“Don’t they sleep like sixteen hours a day at first?”

“Ha, where’d you read that? I’ll be up every few hours, exhausted and stressed. And that’s just from taking care of the baby. This all seemed like a good idea a month ago, now the more I think about it the more I want to leave.”

“Hey,” she said, grabbing my arm, bringing us both to a halt. “You can do this. Hell, you’d pass with flying colours right now. Stop stressing, you’ve got this.”

I didn’t feel like I had it. Nothing was under my control any more, not even my own body.

“Yeah. Thanks, Yas,” I said. We started walking again, and she linked her arm through mine. “What’re you doing this weekend?”

She paused before answering.

“Out with the girls. Shame you can’t make it.”

“Next weekend maybe.”

“You’re here next weekend. Cool. Jasper coming?”

“He’s not said anything. Think I need a weekend with you guys anyway. I’ve barely had any girl time since I’ve been back.”

I’d been home the last two weeks. Some girl time was definitely in order, and they’d make me relax and see things more clearly.

As soon as we got back to the flat, I started packing to make my way home and Yasmin hopped in the shower to start her night-out preparations. She went all out, glamorous make-up, nails, classy fake tan, natural-looking false eyelashes and killer dresses. If I was to do the same I would look ridiculous, but Yasmin always looked flawless. She was Jasper’s type, definitely.

“I’m heading out now,” I called as I pulled my small suitcase on wheels behind me.

She looked up from where she was painting her toe nails hot pink.

“Okay, babe. Safe trip back and I’ll see you Sunday night.”

“You will. Have fun and be careful.” I kissed her cheek and left the flat.

When I arrived home Jasper’s car was in the drive. I made my way in, butterflies in my stomach as I made my way to see him.

“I’m home!” I shouted, closing the door behind me.

Mum came rushing out of the living room and gave me a bear hug.

“Hi, sweetheart. How are you and the little one?”

“We’re good.” She pulled me in the living room and Jasper sat on the sofa next to Brad laughing about something. My heart skipped a beat at how beautiful he was. He looked up, and a smile slowly crept on his face.





Chapter Twenty-Seven


Jasper




“Uncle Jasper, can I feel Auntie Holly’s belly too?”

Auntie Holly?

“Um,” I said, taken aback by her new name for Holly. How could I tell her she’s not really her aunt?