Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(54)

“No. He got a phone call and stepped out to take it. One of the players told me earlier that you’d be here, so I came by.”

“Can you apologize for me when you get the chance? Tell him to call me?”

“After he’s done I can. But are you sure you don’t want to drive over? It’s not too late.”

“Can’t. I’m in Miami.”

“Doing what? More endorsement stuff?”

“No.” He hated to say he’d gotten a girl pregnant. He’d preached and preached to the boys at New Horizons not to be that irresponsible. But once he got home, he wouldn’t be able to hide that he had a woman living with him, a woman who was expecting a baby. Within a few weeks, once Ellie was showing a bit more, the truth would be apparent. “I, uh, I’ve been dating someone out here.” He cringed at the way he was stretching the truth. He’d also preached honor and integrity, and honesty was a huge part of that.

“You have?” Aaron said. “Who?”

“Her name’s Ellie Fisher.”

“You’ve never mentioned her.”

“I should have.” Except that he hadn’t even known her last name until a few days ago.

“Why didn’t you?”

“Didn’t think it was serious, wasn’t sure it would last.”

“What’s changed? Don’t tell me you’re getting married! Is that where this is going?”

“No, of course not. I mean...not yet. Maybe...maybe later. Some day. But—” he felt he had no choice except to reveal the truth “—we are expecting a baby.”

This announcement was met with stunned silence. “Wow. That came out of nowhere,” Aaron said when he finally spoke. “How long have you been dating?”

“Six months or so,” he said, stretching that, too.

“What about the women you’ve been seeing around here?”

Fortunately, he hadn’t dated anyone in Silver Springs. “You mean LA?”

“Yeah. California.”

“Ellie and I... We haven’t been exclusive. She won’t be upset, and neither will they.”

“If you say so, but—” Aaron lowered his voice “—what’s really going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“Something’s up. You’re acting weird. Don’t tell me you’re moving to Miami!”

“Stop! I wouldn’t leave you. I’m coming back. Just wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ll be bringing Ellie with me.”

More silence. Then Aaron said, “How far along is she?”

Another uncomfortable question, one that would reveal how quickly they’d fallen into bed. “Four, five months,” he replied.

“Oh, I get it!” Aaron said.

“What?” Hudson asked.

“You didn’t intend to get her pregnant.”

Hudson rubbed his left temple. He couldn’t hide anything from this kid. Aaron was too savvy, too in tune with real life and what went on around him. “No,” he admitted. “It happened despite my best efforts to be...safe.” He hated to divulge too much, didn’t want Aaron running around telling everyone the damn condom broke. But he also hated to have Aaron think he didn’t take his own advice. “Doesn’t mean I won’t do everything I can to take good care of the baby, though,” he added. “I’m excited to have a child.”

“Yeah, you sound like it,” he said, laughing.

“It’s true!”

“You’re totally freaked out!”

“It came as a surprise. That’s all.”

He sobered. “Sorry. I won’t give you any more shit. I know you’re sensitive about kids. Doesn’t matter how she got pregnant. You’ll make a great father.”

Once again, Aaron had exhibited maturity and wisdom. He was a special young man. Hudson was so glad it seemed that, for now anyway, he was going to be okay. “Thank you,” Hudson said. “I’ll see you soon.”

After he set his phone on the white, mirror-topped nightstand, he tried to go back to sleep. He was still exhausted, but he had too much on his mind. Now that he knew Ellie would be coming home with him, he kept thinking about all the adjustments he’d have to make. What would he do if he wanted to go out with members of the team or spend some one-on-one time with the boys from the ranch? Leave her home alone? Or take her with him?

She’d have to establish her own life in California, he decided. She couldn’t expect him to hold her hand all the time. But would she understand that? And would she manage to accomplish it? She wouldn’t be working, which would make it difficult for her to meet people...

A burst of panic had his heart pounding, and yet he couldn’t devise a better solution. He couldn’t leave her in Miami, but he had no idea how she’d fit into his life on the opposite coast, what role she’d play.

They’d just have to work it out. That was all there was to it. At least if she was living with him, he’d be able to ensure that she was gaining enough weight and taking care of herself. He’d go to her doctor’s appointments and learn...whatever doctors imparted. And, provided he could win her trust, she might even allow him into the delivery room. If he was going to have a child, he planned to experience it all, do everything a father should do.