Chapter 163

So she’d said. He got the feeling there was something more behind her words but decided not to press. It wasn’t important. Figuring out how he’d convince her of the next step should the test be positive was. “Do you feel like eating?”

Lexi didn't think she could eat anything right now so she shook her head, “No. Thank you.” She smoothed her hand over her neck and rubbed, softly at first then harder.

“It’s a beautiful night,” Tyler murmured, hoping to distract her long enough to get her to breathe. “But the sky is different in Olkfield.”

His attempt worked. Lexi took a deep breath, lifted her face to the heavens and, for a moment, the rubbing stopped. “I loved the sky in Olkfield,” she said.

Now was his chance.

Tyler cupped her elbow in his hand and gently squeezed, feeling the chill on her skin despite the warm night air. “I shouldn't have said those things I said that day, Lexi. I regret saying them, and I don't regret our time together. I'd been waiting for the opportunity to be with you and when you finally gave me one I screwed it up. I loved being with you. I loved making love to you…”

He shifted his stance against the railing and tugged Lexi closer. She didn’t acknowledge the gesture, just stared out, physically close but as emotionally distant as a woman could get.

Finally her eyes met his. “I don’t want you to think that I don’t care for you. I do, but—”

“But now we’re here. And if that test is positive, we have to deal with it.” He completed before she could finish.

Lexi swallowed, the audible sound thick and telling, her eyes dry. It was his fault that she wouldn't give him another chance, he thought.

She checked her watch and his thoughts were cut short when she abruptly turned on her heel. Tyler followed her into the room, wishing he didn’t notice the sway of her hips and how the spot where her neck and shoulder met begged to be kissed. She stopped by the couch and picked up the test, but she didn’t look at it.

“No matter what the result is, it doesn’t change anything.” she said.

They both knew better. Why was she pushing so hard? Was it such a bad thing to be pregnant? Well, she was Lady Alexia Graham and Lord Fuckface would be furious and even angrier at him now, but screw it, he'd face her father if it came to that. Women had babies out of wedlock all the time. Was there another reason she didn’t want a baby? Or was it that she didn’t want the baby to be his? Had her father already found her another suitor he approved of?

His heart pumped ice through his veins. “Are you seeing someone already?”

Her nostrils flared and two hot spots of color filled her cheeks. He’d insulted her and he called himself every kind of a fool for making the situation worse. She was every man’s fantasy, but he knew Lexi wasn’t like that.

“What you must think of me,” she drawled softly.

Tyler grimaced at his blunder and reached out to touch her. She scooted out of range. He followed, trapping her between his body and the couch before she could go too far. He cupped her chin and lifted her head to stare directly into her eyes. “I don’t think that of you, and I’m sorry for implying it. Lexi? I’m sorry. I’m a little out of sorts right now, not thinking straight. I know you wouldn’t do that.”

Seconds ticked by. Finally she accepted his apology with a nod, her lashes lowering protectively over her eyes. “I can’t blame you. You didn’t come here expecting this. It’s my fault we’re standing here right now.”

“I wasn’t exactly protesting.”

Her mouth twisted into a sad smile. “I know what I told you about being safe, Tyler. I thought…I was.” She dug her toes into the carpet beneath their feet. “But regardless of what this says, I don’t expect anything of you.”

“If you’re pregnant, I’m going to be a part of the baby’s life.”

“Because of duty? No, I don’t want that.”

She didn’t want that? “I will do right by my child, Lexi.”

“But—”

“Why are we arguing over this when we don’t have the result? Look at the test. What does it say?”

She stared down at her hand but didn’t uncover the results window. Tyler waited the two seconds he was able then took over. Her fingers were icy. Stroking gently, he held her hand cradled in his and used his thumb to push hers from atop its position over the clear plastic.

Lexi sucked in a sharp breath. “I’m…pregnant.”

He stared at her bent head, at the red blotches on her skin and the pulse fluttering rapidly at her throat. He could only imagine what she was thinking, the surge of panic she probably felt at the shock of it. If his heart pounded any harder in his chest, it was going to burst through his skin.

But his brain was already working, trying to figure out a way to get her to understand he’d meant what he said. They were in this together and no way was she going to deny him his child.

“No, Lexi. We’re pregnant.”

—----------

Lexi stared at the rectangular stick, Tyler's words echoing in her head.

We’re pregnant.

It wasn’t even possible. The test had to be wrong!

Tyler pulled her into a one-armed hug and she let him, needing something to prop her up because her legs were shaking. Pregnant?

Frustration radiated from Tyler and the arm around her shoulders was hard with tension. All caused by her stupid, stupid decision. So many bad decisions. But for a moment she closed her eyes, and with one inhalation the scent of his cologne and the day seeped into her, calming her. When she opened her eyes again and saw the test still gripped in her hand, reality came crashing down on her like a tidal wave.

Pregnant. Single. With a disappointed father and Tyler—Oh, Tyler. She hadn’t just messed up her life, her plans, she’d messed up his, too. She knew he wasn’t ready for this.

“Lexi, it’s going to be okay.”

“Of course it is,” she said, trying to instill confidence in her tone. She had to think of the positives. She had a home, she was financially capable. Her father would be mad but he'd come around eventually. He had to. And she had Lily to help. Of course it would be okay. She’d make it okay. Somehow.

One trip to the doctor will prove the test wrong. It’s a mistake. Because how could she be pregnant?