One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(65)

“Just talking about popsicles,” Emma says, rocking on her heels, trying to play it casually.

Logan doesn’t buy it.

“What’s in your hand?” He nods to the pregnancy test, his eyes narrowing.

“Highlighter, a pink one. I like to highlight things.”

Once again, smarter than I’m making him out to be, he grips my arm and brings it to his eyes. His face morphs into shock and then turns hard. “Are you pregnant?”

“Umm . . .”

“Adalyn, are you fucking pregnant?”

“Maybe.” I try to smile but I’m sure I look more like I’m in pain than trying to pass this whole thing off as no big deal.

Dropping my hand, his gaze bounces back from Emma to me, trying to comprehend what’s going on. “It’s Hayden’s, isn’t it?”

“We don’t have to go into details.” I wave him off. “This is no big deal. Just have a human growing inside of me. I really think we should treat this as any other normal day. Don’t you have some rounds to make? Emma, I know you have to get back to your floor.”

Logan has other plans. Discarding his apple in a trash can behind him, he grabs both our hands, leads us back into the janitor’s closet and turns on the light above us, turning the small space into an interrogation room.

“How the hell did you get pregnant? Aren’t you on birth control?”

“About that.” I twist my foot on the ground, trying to avoid all eye contact. “I might have been a little forgetful.”

“Jesus Christ.” Logan runs his hands through his hair. Why the hell is he so distraught over this? It’s not like he’s the one who impregnated me.

“You don’t have to be so upset.” I awkwardly pat him on the shoulder.

“Not be upset?” His brows shoot up to his hairline. “Adalyn, you’re one of my best friends and you’re pregnant with a man’s baby who now lives across the country. Believe it or not, you’re going to be doing this on your own, as much as you like to pretend that’s not the case.”

And reality hits me square in the chest thanks to Logan.

“You have to tell him,” Emma chimes in.

“Why?” Logan asks, looking peeved.

“Because it’s his child. He deserves to know.”

“But he took off. What’s he going to do, send her texts, asking how she’s feeling?” Pausing, Logan asks, “How are you feeling?”

Needing some support, I lean against the door of the closet. “Not well. I’ve been so sick.”

“This is exactly what I’m talking about.” Logan’s fist clenches at his side. Man, his anger goes from zero to sixty quickly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so upset, so . . . mad. “He’s not here, and you’re doing this all on your own.”

“She still needs to tell him.” Emma, the morally correct between all of us. She’s always been like that. Do the right thing; it’s her motto. It’s why she’s so sweet and hard to be mad at, especially when she harps on things like this.

“He doesn’t need to know,” I finally say.

“Good,” Logan says while Emma says, “What?” at the same time.

“This is just going to mess up his life. He already went through a big change, and he doesn’t need this.”

“This is messing up your life too,” Emma points out. “Why are you not putting this on him as well?”

Feeling my chest start to constrict, my eyes prickling with tears, I put my head in my hands. “I can’t see him again.” Tears start to fall, and my throat grows tight. “And Logan is right. What can he really do? His schedule is beyond crazy, and he won’t be here for me like I need him. And I hate to admit it, but his publicist was right. Hayden needs to focus on him, on his new team, on making the best of his career. This is going to throw off his game.” This is going to change my whole life.

“You’re being absurd,” Emma says, growing angry. Emma is normally slow to anger, so the fact that she’s so upset about this shows how much she cares. She’s the ultimate caregiver but can’t see how keeping Hayden out of the equation for me is the only way I’ll cope at the moment. She’s possibly right, but I’m still too raw. I had Hayden for what feels like five minutes, and then he was gone. It hurts. I hurt.

“This is not on you. You should not have to take responsibility for all of this. He was the one who didn’t wear a condom, so he was just as reckless. It’s equal responsibility. You know I love you, Adalyn, but you’re really making me mad.”

“I’m making you mad?”

“Yes.” She steps in front of me. “There are so many women who take the blame for getting pregnant when that’s not the case. You were both there when it happened, both irresponsible. He deserves to know so he can be as supportive as possible. Even if it’s from a distance.” Giving me a cold hug, she opens the door and adds, “You know I’m here for you, but you need to not be stupid about this. You’re single, you live alone, and you have a grueling work schedule. You can’t do this on your own, as much as you think you can. He deserves to know his responsibilities need to include you and his child. And he’s the sort of man, from what I know, who would not run from that. Not only that, going at it alone will make it that much tougher on you.” With a sad smile, she leaves me alone in the closet with Logan.