I place a hand on her back, guiding her into the elevator. I slip in behind Victoria and cast a worried glance towards Sage. Her own worry is showing. She’s concerned for Victoria, but even more, she’s angry. Angry at Sterling.
As we reach the parking garage, I lead them towards Victoria’s car.
Cupping Victoria’s cheek, I press my forehead to hers. “Do you want to ride with Sage or me?”
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes momentarily. “I’ll go with Sage.”
Nodding, I kiss her forehead and pull her in for a hug. She stays still for a moment before wrapping her arms around me and giving me a gentle squeeze.
“I’ll be right behind you,” I promise them both.
As I follow Sage out of the parking lot, I let my mind go over the shock that tonight brought.
Victoria is pregnant.
This should be a joyous time for her. She should be ecstatic to be a mother, something she’s always wanted, but she can’t be. She can’t feel the happiness because the black cloud that’s Sterling Brooks caught her in his spell, raining down on any happiness that she had.
Anger rises up in me as I think about it. I pull out my cell, dialing his number.
When his voice mail picks up, I only get angrier.
“What the fuck, man? What in the ever-loving fuck were you thinking? You better call me back right the fuck now and tell me what the fuck you were thinking before I find you and kick your ass. Seriously, man. What the fuck?”
I hang up, not able to put into words what I really want to say to him.
I told Sterling not to mess with Victoria. Victoria’s family as much as he is. He’s a self-admitted playboy. Someone who has sworn to never settle down. Never have kids or marry.
Victoria’s always deserved so much more than that. She deserves rainbows and sunshine and a man who will love her unconditionally. A man who would fall to his knees for her, promising his life and everything he has to her.
Sterling Brooks is never going to give her that.
I won’t lie. I once considered stepping in before they started their thing. I love Victoria as a friend and I have no doubt that I might be able to love her as more, but something always held me back, though.
Morgan.
I never really got over my feelings for Morgan. As much as I wanted to save Victoria from Sterling, I couldn’t subject her to myself either. I could hope to love her one day, but as long as I was fucked up inside, I couldn’t make that same promise to her like she deserved.
I suppose it was a good thing though. Morgan came back. Not only that, but we are on good terms. She let me touch her and know her intimately.
What if I was in Sterling’s place? I never really thought about kids before. I didn’t have a good role model, so why consider a future not guaranteed?
Thinking about it now though? If I found out tomorrow that Morgan was pregnant, would I freak out?
Yes, but I would also be happy. I would get down on one knee and propose in the same breath. I would give her everything. I wouldn’t have to grow to love her, like I would have with Victoria. I was made to love Morgan. I have loved her ever since I laid eyes on her all those years ago.
I guess that’s why I kept her close to my side, scaring off anyone else who got too close. I didn’t even like to share her with my family, opting to spend time with her by ourselves most of the time. She was mine. No, she is mine. Mine to love and mine to protect.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot her a quick text, telling her I’ll be home in five.
As I pull into the driveway, my heart beats faster as I see her standing there, waiting for me. I get out of the car, loving how she’s already walking towards me.
“You okay?” Her soft voice washes over me, making everything better.
“Yeah, as well as I can be.” I rub my hand over my face, all of a sudden exhausted from the day.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it will work itself out.” As she reaches out to rub my arms, I want to smile, but looking over her head, I see Reed lifting Victoria from the car, that same vacant stare still on her face.
“I hope you're right.” I pull her into my body.
Whatever this is with Victoria, I need it to be okay. I need my family to be okay.
✽✽✽
Morgan
Keaton: Be home in 5.
“Hey, Keaton just texted that he’s five minutes out. I’m going to go wait for him out front,” I tell Tinsley.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ll see you later.”
I grab my bag from next to the stairs and start for the door.
“You waiting on the porch for him?” Reed asks from over my shoulder.
“Yeah, I figured you guys might need some time without me around.” I shrug.
“Might be a safe bet. I’ll wait with you.” Reed opens the front door.
“Thank you,” I say as I slide by him, heading straight to my car to throw my purse inside. As I turn and walk back towards Reed, I’m not sure what to say.
“How are you adjusting to being back?” His face is blank, showcasing the mask he’s perfected over the years.
“Pretty well I think.” I bite my lip.
Better than good.
“Good.” He nods, glancing at his phone, distracted.
“How have you been?” I ask to fill the silence.
“I’ve been good,” he mumbles.
“Sage seems nice.”
He looks up from his phone with a goofy smile on his face. “She’s the best. I love that crazy woman. Speaking of Sage, she said she caught you and Keat in a compromising position earlier.” His raised brow and naughty smirk lets me know
