Warrior (First to Fight #1)(14)

Jack is hanging on the ropes, watching as two men circle each other in the ring. One is a regular, a trainer. The other I don’t recognize from the back. I remember Jack and Dad mentioning a new trainee. Marines, both current and former, from the surrounding counties often came here to train. My dad had been a coach the few years he’d been in the service. When he retired to run the gym, his students followed and they’d been here ever since.

The bell dings as the door closes behind me. Jack looks up, surprise crossing his face followed by an easy smile. The smile doesn’t last long when he takes in my appearance. He motions to the trainer to continue, then hops from the ring and strides to my side.

“Livvie. You look like shit.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and steers me toward the office.

“Thanks.” I clear my throat. “Is Dad around?”

Jack holds the door open for me. “No. Why? Do you need to talk to him? He’ll probably be on the water, even though it looks like it’ll be raining buckets all day.”

I set my purse on the floor beside the couch and shake my head. “No. I came here to talk to you, actually.”

He settles into the chair behind the desk and guzzles from a bottle of water. His hair is wet with the sheen of sweat. He is a miniature version of Dad. The same strong jaw, powerful but sleek build and discerning brown eyes. “Well, I’m here. Talk to me. Does it have anything to do with why you look like death?”

I laugh, but it’s hollow-sounding to my ears. “I don’t know where to start.”

His eyes narrow. “Spit it out. What the f*ck is wrong? Are you hurt or something?”

“No, no.” I take a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

The news rocks him back in his chair like a powerful blow to the solar plexus. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

He shakes his head as though the information doesn’t quite fit. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” I roll my eyes.

“How can you be pregnant?” His voice is disbelieving. What am I, a sexless creature with no reproductive organs?

“The usual way, Jack.”

“Smartass.” He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I didn’t know you were serious with anyone.”

I study the blotter on the desk because I can’t bear delivering the news to his face. “I’m not.”

“So, who’s the father?” He’s near-shouting now, and I glance at the door to make sure it’s closed all the way. The last thing I need is for a roomful of Jack and Ben’s old buddies to know I’m pregnant with Ben’s kid. That’s a conversation I know I’ll have to have with him…eventually.

My cheeks burn. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we got together at Ben’s going-away party a few months ago. I don’t think you can classify our relationship as dating. Currently.”

“I really don’t want to know this.”

“I really don’t want to tell you.”

“What’s his name? Jesus Christ, it’s not that Chad idiot who’s been drooling after you, is it?”

“Well, see, here’s the thing—”

“Jesus Christ, Livvie, spit it out.”

“Don’t,” I warn. Then I do spit it out before I lose what little courage I’ve built up. “It’s Ben, Jack.”

He doesn’t even blink. In fact, if I didn’t know him better, I’d say he didn’t even look surprised. My face scrunches in confusion and Jack finally says, “Shit.”

He stands and starts pacing back and forth. “How long have you known? Does Ben know?”

“I’m around ten weeks along. The first trimester. And no, Ben doesn’t know yet. I’ve tried emailing him, but he hasn’t responded back yet. He told me that he’d probably be out of touch for a while. I guess he’ll get back to me when he can and I’ll let him know then.” I pick a paperclip up off his desk and start making it my mission to take it apart. Anything to keep me from having to look at my brother any longer while we discuss the logistics of me telling his best friend that I am knocked up with his kid. “God, that’ll be a fun conversation.”

“I’d definitely like to see that go down.” Jack plops back down in his chair. “I’ve always known there was something between the two of you. On Ben’s side, at least. But there’s no way in hell I expected you to come in here and say this. Shock the hell out of me, why don’t you?”

“You?” I sputtered.

He purses his lips. “Not that I want to be having this conversation with you, but you two are old enough to have had the safe-sex talk.”

I groan and cover my ears. “Anyway.”

Jack eyes my belly. “I thought you were gaining some weight. I was about to tell you to start with some more cardio.”

I growl at him and aim for his head with my paperclip-sword, though it sails past him when he ducks. “Asshole.”

“Is there anything you need? Do you want me to be there when you tell Dad?”

I shuffle out of my lightweight jacket, suddenly feeling hot and cold with dread. Again. “I’ve actually already told him. I was more worried about you, to tell you the truth.”

“There’s nothing to worry about, baby sister. I’m just glad it’s you and not me.” He studies my face again. “Are you sure? Could the doctors have f*cked up?”