Chapter 165

What?

“Tyler, a month you didn’t even want to deal with my father because you didn’t want him to be another obstacle standing in your way? And now you want him involved in this?”

He gave her one of those grins he used to give her when they were just friends. The ones that seemed to help make everything feel casual and okay, but this time it didn't work. Everything was different.

“Things were different then,” Tyler told her, “I'm sure Lord Fuckface will understand,” ignoring her grimace, he continued, “Surely he wouldn't want his beloved daughter to go through a pregnancy alone,”

He was right about that, but the last thing she wanted right now was her father involved. Oh, what had she done?

“We are not even sure it’s true.” She forced herself to focus on one detail at a time, ignoring Tyler's glower. Why hadn’t she bought the two-pack? “But even if it is, I don’t have any expectations from you. I’m a big girl and I can handle myself.”

He met her stare dead-on. “Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Tyler's gaze narrowed even more. “What if I have expectations?”

“I think enough has happened, Tyler. This is…a lot to take in. I just want time to think things through before an accident becomes something worse.”

“Something worse?” A self-deprecating smile stole over his features. “Meaning life with me?”

________

Lexi closed her eyes and released the air in her lungs. “You know that's not true so don’t read into what I’m saying. I just need time to think, time by myself.”

“How can I not read into things when you won’t give me anything to work with here? If you come home with me we can—”

“No.”

“Dammit, Lexi, you can’t do this!”

She blinked, surprised by his show of temper. The sight and sound of his anger triggered her own. “I’m trying hard to keep both of us from making a bad situation worse. That’s why I refuse to go to Olkfield with you and I refuse to talk about this more tonight. Go home to Olkfield after the wedding, Tyler. Please, do not let me keep you.”

To prove her point, she walked over to the door and yanked it open.

Tyler approached slowly, his expression tight. “Getting rid of me isn’t the answer.”

She didn’t respond, just held the door and waited for him to get the point.

After a long moment of silence, Tyler ran his hand through his hair once more. “I’m not leaving until you promise me something.”

Lexi braced for the impact of his deep green eyes and wound up lost in their depths. Lined by thick, sooty lashes she saw the same fire and passion and intensity in his gaze that she’d seen every day while they were in Olkfield together. The same awareness, despite what was now taking place between them.

“What?” she managed to ask, her voice a dry, too-revealing rasp though Tyler didn’t seem to notice.

“Promise me you won’t do anything, anything at all,” he stressed pointedly, “without talking to me first.”

The expression on his face, his tone, and the threads of worry and unease she heard, gave her pause. The rectangular panes of the door pressed into her back like a brand. “I’m not going to have an abortion, Tyler.” She caught the flash of relief on his features before she gave in to the urge to look away.  “At least I haven't thought about it.”

Her words spurred him to action and his hand nudged her face upward until her gaze met his once more.

“Don't. Please. Before you left, Lexi, you said…. You said that you loved me, and you might deny it now because you're mad at me but I know you meant it, and I know what we both felt for each other. I don't think the baby is a mistake. I refuse to think of it that way. There are worse things than two people like us bringing a child into the world. Don't get rid of it.”

He smoothed his knuckles over her cheek, tucked her hair behind her ear. “You shouldn’t be saying our baby is a mistake. It’s here, it’s growing inside you and we have to take care of it.”

He was right. She knew he was right.

Instead of moving away and walking out the door, Tyler lifted his other hand and cradled her face in his palms, one thumb stroking over her cheek in a lazy caress that belied the tension of the moment.

“Marry me.”

What? Nothing prepared her to hear the words on his lips. “Tyler—No.”

“Don’t say no.”

“No.”

“Think about it. There are so many reasons why it would work.”

She tried to pull away but couldn’t with her back to the door and Tyler in front of her. A rock and a hard place. “You know marriage has never crossed your mind… despite what you feel for me. You love your freedom. It's why you've never had a long term or serious relationship. It's why you moved away to Olkfield and live alone in that big house. Marriage isn’t the answer, Tyler. I just got out of one, I'm not just going to jump right into another. We’ll have to figure something else out.”

“It’s the right thing to do and you know it,” he countered. “What crossed my mind in the past and what didn't doesn't matter anymore. We’re not two kids too young to deal with this. We’ve known each other a long time, and we shared something amazing when we were together. We can build on that. Give me a chance to convince you.”

“I can’t.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?”

“It doesn’t really matter, does it? The answer is the same.”

Tyler released a heavy sigh before he leaned in close and brushed his lips across her forehead. She stiffened, shocked at the move. She waited to see if he’d kiss her mouth next. What would she do if he tried? His jaw was locked tight when he straightened, but other than holding her gaze with his beautiful eyes, staring at her like he wanted to probe the depths of her soul, Tyler didn’t attempt to kiss her again. He turned and stepped out of the room.

“I’ll be back tomorrow to settle this.”

“No please don't. I'll be busy tomorrow helping Lily. Let's just focus on the wedding.”

He hesitated, shooting her a look over his shoulder that was rife with anger and frustration, determination and promise. “I’ll still come.”