49

I paced around the room like a caged animal, my footsteps pounding against the floor as I tried to work off the tension building in my chest. With a frustrated growl, I ran a hand through my hair, hoping it would release some of the pressure. “Dammit.” My coffee cup, now empty, sat abandoned on the counter. I tried to blame my racing heartbeat on the caffeine, but it didn’t work.

I grabbed the cup and carried it to the kitchen. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I glared at my reflection in the window above the sink. It looked out over the street, with a clear view of the driveway and the city skyline in the distance. A wave of jealousy clenched my fists, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. But the emotion choked me, almost suffocating me in the silence of the house.

I’m pregnant. Becca ’s voice echoed in my head, still as jarring as it had been the day she told me. I’d barely been able to concentrate during my classes, my mind a blur as I waited for something—anything—that would make sense of it all.

One more hour. I checked the clock again and rolled my neck to loosen the tension. I’d gone for a run, lifted weights, and even scrolled through every streaming service I could find, all in a desperate attempt to distract myself.

Becca  was pregnant… with someone else’s child. The jealousy flared up again, and I gripped the cup harder, my knuckles going white. I had to fight the urge to hurl it against the wall, just to see it break and shatter, a physical representation of my inner turmoil.

It couldn’t be my baby. We’d slept together days before she found out. It wasn’t enough time for a test to show up positive. I’d checked. I set the cup in the dishwasher, prying my fingers loose from it.

I turned back to the living room, resuming my pacing. It was the only way to keep my head from spinning. As I passed the bookshelf, I stopped in front of a picture of me, Cole, and Dave from last summer. We’d rented a cabin and gone skiing, our faces windburned but our smiles wide and carefree. It seemed so long ago now, that carefree time. Who would have thought we’d all end up here, tangled in a relationship with the same woman?

When Becca  confessed her pregnancy, I thought it would be the end of everything. Dave and Cole would figure out which one of them was the father and start a traditional, monogamous relationship. It made sense. But damn, that wasn’t what I wanted.

Being with Becca  was the best thing that had ever happened to me. If she wanted to be with just one of us, I would have stepped aside. But she chose to hold onto all of us. I was still processing everything, my mind racing with possible scenarios, struggling to make sense of it all. Fatherhood? I had given up on that idea long ago.

The thought lingered as I picked up the picture and carried it to the couch with me.

I saw Dave pass by the front window and wave. I motioned for him to come in and rushed to tuck the picture away—wouldn’t want him thinking I was losing my mind.

“Any news yet?” Dave walked in without knocking, kicking off his shoes.

I scoffed. “Of course not. Cole wanted us to wait until we could all talk in person.”

“Yeah, he said the same to me.” Dave’s face flushed with irritation. “I tried calling him. He snapped at me to be patient and said they’d be here soon.” He sat down on the couch, then quickly stood up again. “Got anything to drink?”

“Fridge,” I said, pointing over my shoulder. “Help yourself. Liquor’s in the cabinet.”

By the end of the night, we might all need a strong drink. I shut my eyes, trying to gather myself and regain control of my emotions.

Dave rummaged around in the kitchen. The cabinet doors opened and closed repeatedly. Then, the sharp scent of whiskey cut through the air. “You want one?” His voice sounded distant.

I kept my eyes closed and shook my head. “Already had two. I better not push it.” My mind kept telling me I wasn’t cut out to be a father. Dave’s glass slammed against the counter as he finished his drink. My father had been a liar, a cheat, and a disaster. I had nothing to offer a kid, only the potential to mess them up. Once Becca  found out about my past, I’d be out of the picture.

A snarl twisted my lip. My father had ruined enough of my life. Was I really going to let him ruin this too?

“What the hell’s that about?” Dave stomped toward me, irritation clear in his voice.

I sank into a chair, trying to settle my nerves. I propped one ankle over my knee, but my foot bounced up and down, the laces slapping against my heel.

“They’re here.” Dave’s voice dropped. He tugged at his collar, then unbuttoned his shirt and removed his tie. “Why do I feel nervous? Are you nervous?”

“I’m not going to be a father,” I bit out sharply, my words cutting through the tension in the room.

“Don’t be an idiot. We’re all in this together. Does biology even matter?” He knew he had a point.