I had gotten the job in Ohio, so the one month I had off would be spent figuring out how to make that work. I couldn’t ask her to quit school and move to Ohio—she only had a year left until she was done. Having done a shitload of summer classes, she was a whole year ahead. Even still, I wanted to be there when the baby was born, but I probably wouldn’t be if she stayed in Nashville. We had time to figure it out—four and a half months’ worth.
First thing after we spent a few days in Portland, we would be flying back to Nashville so we could find out what we were having. It surprised me how much I was looking forward to that. Having a baby to take care of and love was so unexpected. Something I never even imagined for myself. The Maker deciding I was worthy of such a thing—it could be seen as nothing but a blessing.
Two things that didn’t go unnoticed by me in all our conversations: she never once asked for promises of any form of relationship with me, usually shying away from the topic whenever I brought it up, and she never mentioned announcing the news to her own parents, or any relatives for that matter. She was as closed off as ever when it came to anything personal or about her past. Instead of pressing her like I wanted to, I just stopped asking. If she wanted to share, she would when she was ready.
The moment the plane touched down in Portland, all I wanted was to see her. But it would be hours yet until I would. Her plane was getting in later in the day, and they were going to take a cab to the house, where my whole family was having the celebratory barbecue. It seemed a fit setting to announce an addition to them.
Mom and Dad met me at baggage claim, Mom running at me to throw her arms around my waist.
“Hey, Mom,” I muttered into her short dark hair. It always stunned me how tiny she was.
“We missed you so much!” she exclaimed, pulling back to study me with those gray eyes that matched mine.
Dad clapped me on the shoulder, saying, “We did,” before giving me a hug. He and I were about the same height, and I had inherited his square jaw, curly hair, and darker skin tone, but his lighter brown hair sort of stuck out in many directions, and his blue eyes glimmered with joy behind his glasses.
They helped me find my bag while Mom talked about her plans. No wonder Ava liked things planned down to the minute. Here I was doing the same thing. “Pierce and Mia are on their way over. Dad is making barbecue chicken and brats. And Mia made some fancy dessert. She’s excited to show it off. Everything should be about ready by the time Ava and Cade get in.”
She kept on going as we walked out to Dad’s Jeep. “Ava’s old roommate is coming, too. Though I’m not sure why. Did Ava tell you she moved out? Doesn’t make sense the girl’s coming, too. But I said, ‘The more the merrier!’ Besides, you two seemed to get along just fine over Thanksgiving. Shouldn’t be too big of a deal having her there.”
“Kate.” Her name just fell from my mouth, my nerve endings firing up even while dread filled my stomach. Dad shot me a funny look, but I paid no attention to it.
“Right.” She nodded, as if she were excited I’d remembered her name. My mom was about to get the surprise of a lifetime. Her son who’d been in another country for four years was going to have a baby with a girl she barely knew. “Well, anyway—”
“Kiesha,” Dad interrupted her, thank the Lord. “Let him breathe a minute.”
Mom rolled her eyes, giving his shoulder a shove after we got packed in the car. “Oh, he knows I’m just excited he’s home. Even if it’s only for a month.”
That wasn’t even true. I had planned to spend as much time as possible with Kate until I had to move to Ohio. Maybe I could even talk her into taking a trip there with me to pick out an apartment. If I got something off base, we wouldn’t have any issues with her moving over there with me, if that scenario ever came about.
I couldn’t believe where my thoughts were headed. Me. Kai. Someone who never thought for a moment about settling down, wanted the girl who was pregnant with his baby to move in with him.
The whole drive to the house, she was the only thing on my mind. There was a good chance this might end in a shit show, and that made me twitchy.
When we got to the house, Pierce’s giant truck was in the driveway. It would be great to see my friend. We’d talked a bit while I was in Germany, but I hadn’t told him this news. Only Ava knew. Which might also blow up in my face with my family and my best friend.
When we went inside, Mia was standing in the entryway with her fists planted on her hips, watching Pierce play with their German shepherd, Murphy. “You’re getting him all riled up, Pierce,” she reprimanded my friend, causing a chuckle to escape me. Her braid that reached her lower back whipped to the side when she glanced over her shoulder at us with a scowl, her dark blue eyes that matched our dad’s flashing.
Pierce got up off the floor and came over to give me a firm handshake. We were nearly the same height, but his build was stockier than mine, making me feel like I should be lifting more weights. Mia, standing at about the same height as our mom, gave me one of her patented side hugs. Then the dog bounded for us before plopping on his bottom
