Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Now I was still feeling a sense of shock, but for a totally different reason as we headed off to the vineyard together. It was a shock that everything was actually working out for me. That something I was so afraid of, so overwhelmed by, was over, and I not only came out the other side, but smoothly and in the very best way possible.
There were no more questions. No more ambiguity or wondering where I stood with Derek. We weren’t just playing games or pretending to be a couple. We were officially together and planning our lives into the future. It was the most incredible feeling, and I couldn’t wait to share it with everybody, especially Ally.
When we got out of the car at the vineyard, Derek reached down and took my hand. I loved feeling the strength of his hand around mine, feeling somehow powerful and tender at the same time. It was just a small gesture, but it made me feel special and safe. I looked up at him and smiled as we approached the restaurant.
“So, are we really going to do this?” I asked. “You’re sure you don’t want to keep it to ourselves for a little while longer?”
Derek shook his head without hesitation. “Definitely not. I want the whole world to know. That starts with everybody we can find here.”
I laughed, and we went inside. The first person I saw was Ally sitting at one of the tables with a cup of coffee. She glanced up at me, and I grinned at her.
“Guess who is officially together and having a baby?” I asked.
Ally let out a sound that I could only describe as a squeak and stood up but stayed right next to the table. It wasn’t the reaction I was expecting from her. I thought she would be instantly thrilled and come running up for a hug. Or at least do some jumping up and down and clapping. Something that wasn’t a squeak and a stare.
Then I realized something else must be going on. She wasn’t just reacting to the news. I looked around, and it only took me a second to figure out what caused that reaction. On the other side of the restaurant, Noah and Zane were sitting at a table. With Jack between them. I was so wrapped up in getting the chance to share our news I hadn’t even noticed he was there.
Now I felt my heart squeeze, my stomach drop, and tears come to my eyes. I was overcome with a strange blend of emotion, something that mixed my happiness with fear, sadness, excitement, and emptiness. I realized I had really missed my twin, even with what he had done, and was happy to see him at the same time as being nervous and even afraid.
Maybe we had more of a connection than I had wanted to admit.
Beside me, Derek moved closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and holding me tight against him. It reminded me of the high stakes of the moment, what I might have lost if my family got its way. I lifted my chin defiantly and stared directly into the eyes of my twin brother.
“I’m not going home,” I said.
A few tense seconds passed. I didn’t know what was going to happen. It could go badly. For all I knew, Jack could fly off the handle and erupt after hearing I was not only in a relationship, but pregnant. He could lash out, and I didn’t want to see what could happen between him and Derek. Add in Derek’s brothers and it could get really nasty.
Jack stood, and I braced myself. But there was no anger in his face. He didn’t go for Derek or walk out of the room. Instead, he rushed toward me, his arms thrown open. I was wrapped up in them, being squeezed lightly against him before I could say anything.
It was a day of being shocked, but this was the peak. My brother wasn’t infuriated or trying to drag me out of the restaurant and get me back to Rhode Island. He was hugging me tightly and sounded like he was laughing under his breath.
When we pulled back, I noticed Jack’s eyes were teary. He didn’t let me go but held me by my arms and searched my face, looking me up and down like he was checking to make sure I was really alright. Finally, he shook his head.
“Fuck our parents,” he said emphatically.
I broke down at that moment, laughing and crying at the same time. Jack drew me in for another hug, and we swung each other back and forth a little. When we finally let go, Derek pulled me in close to him again, and I rested my head on his chest. I really appreciated his support. Obviously, he didn’t really understand exactly what I was going through. He had no context.