Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(79)

“In six months, I’m going to have two kids, neither of which I’m going to know the sex of.” He laughs.

“I hope you’ll have two kids in six months.”

“I already do, Nic.” He leans over and takes hold of my necklace. “In fact, I have three.”

I trap his hand beneath mine. Does he have any idea how much I love him? He’s far from perfect.

But he’s the kindest, most optimistic man I’ve ever known. And nobody on earth could ever be a better father.

“Tell me about school today. Was it bad? Was Calista gloating?”

“It was like she’d gotten elected class president all over again. She was the talk of the school, and she was basking in the attention.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “By fifth period, the news was all over. I put a note on my whiteboard that anyone making comments about my personal life would get into trouble.”

I shake in silent laughter. “How many kids did you send to detention?”

“Only one. Leo Stoker. Oh, and I called a family meeting at my parents’ house and told them.”

My eyes open wide. “Told them?”

“About Calista. But damn, Nic, it was torture not being able to tell them about you.”

“If you really want to, you can. It’s not fair of me to make you keep this from them.”

“Waiting is the right call. I love Addy to death, but no way would she be able to keep this a secret, especially with everyone talking about Calista. I’m not about to jeopardize your job over this.”

“About that. I’ve been wondering why not. Logically, the easiest way to get me to stay here is to let the world know I’m pregnant. Nobody would want to hire me, and you might be stuck with me.”

He laughs. “First of all, I’m quite sure everyone would still want you. Pregnancy isn’t an affliction that you have for life, Nic. It’s temporary. And you’re amazing at what you do.”

“And second?”

“That’s the selfish part. Because if you turned out to be right and didn’t get any offers, you’d go back to your old job fifteen hundred miles away.”

“You’re anything but selfish, Jax.”

He looks away. “That’s not true, and we both know it. There’s nothing more selfish than what I did to you.”

“Stop it. None of that matters anymore.”

Jaxon slides onto the floor and kneels by my side. “I promise I’ll never cheat on you again. I was a fool. You were and are the love of my life. And even if you end up back in Oklahoma City, I swear to you I’ll be faithful.”

I drink in his gorgeous blue eyes knowing every word of it is true. “And I promise never to lie to you.”

“It’s you and me against the world. Always.”

Tears fill our eyes. If he asked me to marry him right now, I’d say yes. I’d say yes and book a flight to Vegas for next Monday. Why isn’t he asking me?

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing. Everything is right.” I close my eyes and press a hand to my stomach. “Well, almost everything.”

Jaxon’s phone illuminates with a call. It’s Calista. He offers an apologetic grimace before answering. He puts her on speaker. “Hey, Calista.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard we’re the talk of the town.”

“I assumed we would be.”

“Everyone is speculating. You know there’s even talk of us being a threesome?”

Jaxon guffaws. “Really?” More guilty glances. “Fabulous. Was there something in particular you needed?”

“The baby has a craving, and I was hoping you could help a friend out.”

I roll my eyes. Jaxon asks, “What is it this time?”

“Macaroni and cheese from Goodwin’s. With extra bacon.”

“Sure, Calista. I can make that happen.”

I pin him with a punishing stare. Why is he giving in to her every whim? She’s taking advantage of him, and he seems okay with it. In fact, he almost looks happy about it. I try to get up, but Jaxon holds me in place.

“Perfect. Than—”

He hangs up. I go to speak, but he shushes me and makes a call. “Eric, hey. Feel up to running a quick errand?”





Chapter Thirty-three



Jaxon




It’s the call I’ve dreaded since the moment we found out Nicky was pregnant.

“They want me in Miami,” Nicky says.

My stomach turns. And I find myself doing what I promised myself I wouldn’t—putting my foot down. “Nic, no way. I’ve tried to be understanding about your job, but you have to draw the line at putting yourself in danger, at least right now. Anyway, isn’t hurricane season over?”

“Hurricane season runs through the end of November in the Atlantic. But this isn’t a hurricane.

It’s an environmental story. No danger involved. I promise.”

Still not wanting her to go but knowing there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it, I ask, “When do you leave?”

“I’m on the way to the airport right now.”

“Now? Don’t you need things?”

“I learned a long time ago to keep an emergency suitcase in the office.”