Part 15 (1/2)

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to go eat with the Prize family at Melanie's ocean home. I pray Tag isn't there. Maybe he won't be. I never saw him any other time before when I went there. Maybe it will just be Melanie, Billy, and me... like old times.

It was hard to forgive Billy, but when you're freaking out about being pregnant, and a crazy psycho is stalking you, then you tend to forget about a simple spat. I need my best friend right now.

Gary's phone rings, and he tilts his head while looking at the number curiously.

”h.e.l.lo?”

He pauses for a minute, and then his furious tone rings out as he shouts, ”You listen here, you sick son of a b.i.t.c.h, when I find you, I'm going to pull your intestines out through your throat, and then I'm going to drown you in your own blood.”

The very vivid image causes my queasy stomach to churn and I can't hold back the chunks that spew to the floor. Gary's eyes widen as he turns to see me - puce and stinking up the car.

He swerves over to the curb, and then he ends the call with my stalker as he rushes around to help me out.

I throw up again, my eyes tearing up, and my heaving worsens on the sidewalk.

”Should I call the doctor back?” he worries.

”No, and don't tell Tag Masters about this either.”

Chapter Eight.

A Baby in Tow As.h.i.+ara ”I hate you,” Shannon gripes as she stares at my protruding belly.

”Why? Because I got knocked up by a guy who doesn't want to be a dad?” I hiss, my hormones proving uncontrollable as tears fall free from my eyes.

She doesn't acknowledge the waterworks she has become far too accustomed to.

”No. Because you're seven months pregnant, and you look so frigging hot. It's not fair. You can't even tell you're pregnant in that.”

Flowing material helps, but you can still see the b.u.mp if you pay attention.

”Well, I sure as h.e.l.l feel pregnant. Not to mention, you can definitely tell I'm pregnant when I'm out of my clothes. You sure you don't want to go to this benefit thing with me?” I ask hopefully.

”I wish I could, but I have to keep the shop together this weekend. You'll be fine though. Billy will be there for you. Will Tag be there?”

”I sure as h.e.l.l hope not. I couldn't tell Melanie no though. With my parents off exploring the world, Melanie has been my savior. You and she are the only ones who know I'm pregnant.”

”Does she know it's Tag's little boy in there?” she asks curiously.

I rub my belly, thinking of my small son I've grown to love so much during our seven months of bonding.

”No. She thinks I had a fling shortly after the wedding. She's not the judgmental type, thankfully. She's already put a crib in her house and made me promise to come see her the second he's born.”

Shannon smiles as she walks over and rubs my belly for a second.

”Well, you two be careful this weekend.”

”We will.”

Tag ”I'm not sure I should go, Melanie. I've got a lot going on with Kinset right now. Um, how about I just come have dinner with you next week to make it up to you?”

I know Ash will be there, and I can't see her. That girl is still in my head, and apparently my c.o.c.k has taken a vow of celibacy. If I see her, I'll end up losing my sanity and f.u.c.king the only girl I want.

”Absolutely not. This benefit is for kids in need of a home, love, family, and warmth. You know this means a lot to me, and I want my third son to be there.”

s.h.i.+t.

”I'll be there.”

Now what?

”Good. You bringing a date?” she asks with a leading tone.

”Yeah.”

Maybe that will keep me from f.u.c.king Ash.

As.h.i.+ara ”Billy, I'm not sure about this dress. It sort of makes me look fat,” I murmur while messing with the flowing material draping around me.

”You're not fat, though you have gained some weight. It seems to all be in your belly though. How is that possible?” he asks in bemus.e.m.e.nt.

My cheeks burn, and I shake my head vigorously. Melanie walks in, her eyes glistening as she stares at me, and Billy flops back on my bed.

”You look more beautiful every time I see you, dear,” she so gently coos as she comes to wrap her arms around me, stopping short when my hidden belly proves it pokes out farther than most people realize.

”Thank you, Melanie. I was just trying to find a dress where I didn't look so... fat.”

She lets a chuckle out, and her hand discreetly rubs my stomach as a tear drops from my eye.

”You look stunning. Now come on, let's get you downstairs before they start the charity auction. Then there will be dancing, food, and more. You can have a night of no worries.”

No worries my a.s.s.

Melanie clutches my arm all the way down the stairs, worried I'll fall and hurt my child, and then we flow into the crowded gathering. My eyes lift up as gravity pulls them toward the door, and I fight back the bile rising to my throat when I see Tag walking in... with a date.

I don't know why I expected him to come alone. It was stupid. That's the whole reason he and I couldn't work. He's Mr. Playboy. I'm a fool to think he would somehow still be thinking about me.

It's not like I can tell him I can't get him out of my head. I've done all I can to forget about him, constantly reminding myself of all the reasons it could never work... and then this... I'm carrying his baby, and stupidly, I fell for him that weekend against all my inner protests.

Everything he says is so... perfect. Now he's here, proving I'm an idiot for entertaining the thought we might could somehow work things out.

The drool-worthy blond on his arm is wearing a short, sparkly dress that makes her look like she's ready for the runway. Here I am, looking like a prude - a fat prude.