I Knew You Were Trouble

by Lauren Layne

  His mom’s comment was so gut-wrenchingly true that he couldn’t even bring himself to protest her use of the word fertile.

  His entire being had ached when he lost Hannah, and he’d assumed that becoming a father again was the only way to ease the pain.

  He’d been wrong. Being with Taylor made him feel more alive than he’d ever been.

  Damn it. His mother was right. He did love Taylor Carr.

  Now he just had to figure out how to tell her and convince her to love him back, all while keeping her from freaking out in the process. No problem.

  His mom was holding out her plate. “I’ll have another.”

  “You told me not to let you have more than two.”

  She scowled, an expression he recognized well from looking in the mirror. “Did I mention that hip replacement surgery is a major operation? That I could have died?”

  He rolled his eyes and stood, taking the plate to the kitchen for a refill.

  “I think we should Skype this Taylor girl,” his mom was saying. “I want to meet her.”

  “Nope. Not happening.”

  His goal was to not scare Taylor off. His mother talking about Valentine’s Day babies wouldn’t help.

  “Well, I’ll get to meet her before the wedding, won’t I?”

  “Mother. Enough. Don’t your soap operas start up soon?”

  His mom smirked, no doubt having noticed that he hadn’t denied that someday there would be a wedding.

  Chapter 27

  If Taylor hadn’t been so eager for a distraction, she might have said no to the invitation.

  But now that she was here, she was glad she hadn’t. Strange as the pairing was, Taylor was a little surprised to learn that she liked Jessica Hayes.

  “Thanks again for agreeing to meet with me,” Jess said.

  Taylor took a sip of her club soda, channeling Karen for today’s happy hour. “Yeah, well…it’s not every day your ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend asks you out for drinks.”

  Jessica gave a rueful smile and took a sip of her red wine. “I know it’s weird. I guess I just needed someone who got it.”

  Taylor nodded, because she did understand. She understood all too well the disillusionment of finding out that the man you’d put on a pedestal wasn’t even close to deserving it.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Taylor asked cautiously.

  Jess sighed. “I don’t know. I go through periods of wanting to just bare my soul, and then periods of thinking he’s not worth another breath.”

  “Been there,” Taylor said. “So been there.”

  They sat in companionable silence for a moment, two women who had once been in love with the same guy sharing a high table at a trendy midtown bar.

  “I don’t think he ever got over you,” Jess blurted out.

  Taylor looked up in surprise, then was in for even more of a shock when she realized that Jess’s words did nothing.

  She didn’t care even the slightest whether Bradley Calloway regretted that he’d ended things between them. She was glad he had.

  It had led her to something infinitely better. Someone infinitely better.

  “I think I knew from the minute he said he wanted me back that something was off,” Jess said. “I got why he left me for you. But leaving you for me? It didn’t make sense.”

  Taylor pinned the other woman with a look. “Listen up, Hayes. You should know that I’m sort of a tough-love type of person, so I’m going to tell you straight up that the whole self-deprecating thing you’re pulling right now is super unbecoming.”

  Jess let out a startled laugh. “See, this is why I could never measure up. Your personality is bold and colorful, and I’m like mashed potatoes in comparison.”

  “I like mashed potatoes,” Taylor pointed out.

  “Okay, fine, mashed potatoes where someone forgot to add the butter and the salt.”

  “Ooh,” Taylor breathed. “That’s bad.”

  “Super bad.”

  “And yet you dumped him, right?”

  “I was just so…”

  “Bored?” Taylor guessed.

  “Yes! Bored. That’s exactly it. He didn’t read me badly, I thought we wanted all the same things, and on paper we do. I just…I realized that every day felt the same, and then I kept thinking that it would be like that for the rest of my life, and I just…I don’t know. I guess I wanted more, even if I don’t know what more looks like.”

  “I get it,” Taylor said. “And I wish I had advice on how to find the more, but honestly, I don’t think it’s something you can go looking for.”

  “I hope mine looks like yours,” Jess said with a coy smile. “Tall, dark, handsome, and right across the hallway.”

  Taylor couldn’t stop the happy smile that crept across her face at the mention of Nick. He’d been gone just over a week, and she hated that she’d become that girl, but she’d started counting the days until he got back.

  “You never looked that happy when you were with Bradley,” Jess said quietly.

  “Really?” For some reason it surprised her to hear it. Of course she knew that what she’d had with Bradley paled in comparison to how Nick made her feel, but it was startling to know that others could see it too.

  “Take it from someone who watched you two constantly,” Jessica said wryly. “He was obsessed with you, but you were only…” She stopped.

  “What? Come on, remember what I said about tough love? I can take it.”

  “It was a bit like watching an eclipse,” Jess said. “Like you two were sort of really great together for a split second, but you’re the sun, and you needed someone who could enhance your light, not try to block it.”

  “Wow,” Taylor said, a little awed. “I’m guessing you’re a writer beyond copywriting, huh?”

  Jess smiled. “I dabble in fiction. I mean, I’m not nearly as good as Nick, but I write short stories and stuff.”

  “Okay, so since you know both guys, what’s Nick in your Taylor-is-the-sun scenario?”

  “A prism,” Jess said without hesitation. “He takes your light and makes it even more awesome, for everyone to see.”

  “Damn.” Taylor lifted her glass in a toast. “You’re good at this poetry stuff.”

  “I know.” Jess looked down at her wine, swirled it around a bit. “I have another question, totally not my business.”

  “We’ve slept with the same guy, practically back to back. I vote we get all up in each other’s business,” Taylor said.

  “All right,” Jess said. “Does Nick know you’re in love with him?”

  Taylor went still. “Okay, maybe not that up in each other’s business.”

  “So that’s a no,” Jess said with a kind smile. “Are you going to tell him?”

  Taylor swallowed and finally gave in to the strange mixture of panic and joy that had been consuming her all week.

  She couldn’t tell him. Her feelings felt too big to express. And even if she could…

  There was something else she needed to tell him first.

  Chapter 28

  Nick had made a big deal of telling Taylor that he’d hoped to get standby on an earlier flight but hadn’t been able to and would be home late.

  And then he’d gone radio silent for hours, which told Taylor exactly what she needed to know.

  He was getting home earlier.

  Boys were so bad at surprises.

  She was rummaging through her dresser trying to decide on the best welcome-home lingerie when there was a knock at the door.

  Twinkie went crazy, her frantic bark echoing off the hardwood floors.

  Taylor’s nose wrinkled at the unexpected intrusion. Too soon to be Nick, and he had a key.

  But last time she’d gotten a surprise visitor it had involved a baby. And much as Taylor had been surprised by her affection for little Hannah, her mother was another story.

  If Kelsey was on the other side of the door, Taylor had some very choice words for the woman who’d let Nick th
ink the baby was his for months.

  She stomped to the door and stroked Twinkie’s head, then checked the peephole.

  She sucked in an irritated breath. So not in the mood.

  Taylor let out a weary sigh and opened the door. “Hi, Bradley.”

  Twinkie launched herself lovingly at Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, who looked…gorgeous.

  If he was torn up over Jess dumping him, it didn’t show. His light blue sweater perfectly matched his eyes, and the dark jeans perfectly showed off his fit frame. He’d had a haircut recently, and his dimples were in full play. He looked more preppy and clean-cut than ever.

  God, he’s boring.

  “You got a dog?” Bradley said with a laugh, bending down to pet an adoring Twinkie.

  Enjoy the infatuation while it lasts, dog. He’ll show his true colors soon enough.

  “Can I come in?” he asked, giving Twinkie one last pat and standing up.

  Taylor stepped aside so he could enter. “How’d you get up here?”

  “My name’s still in their system. I was supposed to live here, after all.”

  He said it teasingly, but she wasn’t amused.

  “Oh, I remember,” she said sharply. “I also remember arriving on move-in day to a letter.”

  His smile dimmed. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that.”

  “Whatever,” she muttered. “What’s up?”

  Twinkie wasn’t yet done worshiping Bradley—she brought out the carcass of her cow toy and draped it lovingly across Bradley’s shoe as a gift.

  He slid his foot out from under the mangled toy and wandered around the apartment, taking in the huge television and the dog toys that were literally everywhere. “It’s different than what we talked about.”

  “Well, yeah,” she said. “That’s what happens when your living situation changes unexpectedly.”

  Bradley glanced pointedly toward Nick’s open door. “That Ballantine’s bedroom?”

  The petty part of her wanted to tell Bradley that these days it was merely Nick’s office, because his bedroom was the same as hers.

  He wasn’t worth the time to explain. She shrugged. “Yup.”

  “He here?”

  “Yes, Bradley. I stuffed him in the closet.”

  “Weird rumors going around about you two.”

  He gave her a look, clearly waiting—hoping—that she’d assure him that they were merely rumors.

  She refused to satisfy his curiosity. “Bradley, why are you here?”

  He met her gaze straight on. “I miss you.”

  “Because Jess dumped you?”

  He winced. “It was mutual.”

  Taylor refrained from snorting. Barely. “Regardless of your situation with Jessica, I’ve moved on.”

  “You’re still mad.”

  “No, Bradley,” she said tiredly. “Frankly, I quit being mad and sad a long time ago.”

  “Good,” he said with a smile. “Then it should be easy to remind you of all the reasons we were so good together.”

  She stepped back as he approached. “You’re not listening to me.”

  You never listened to me.

  The thought came out of nowhere, but once it was there, she realized how true it was. She and Bradley had never been in the relationship as equals. He’d been both insecure and slightly controlling.

  Jessica had been only half right. Bradley had been trying to block Taylor’s light, but he’d also fed off it. Used it for his own purposes, until he’d gotten too close and gotten burned, because she was too much for him.

  Not like Nick. Nick matched her in every way, made her better.

  And that was real love.

  “We just hit a bad patch, Tay. I stupidly thought a placid life with a peaceful woman would make me happy, but I’d much rather have a challenge.”

  “A challenge?” she said with a laugh. “I’m not a trophy to be earned, Bradley.”

  “I know that. But Ballantine? Really? The guy’s a part-time bartender, a wannabe writer…”

  “Stop,” she said, unable to keep the disgust out of her voice. “Just stop it.”

  Bradley closed the space between them, his arms going around her. “I want another chance, Taylor. I won’t stop fighting for you.”

  She bit back a sigh. This was just pathetic. And a lot annoying.

  Taylor had two choices. She could try to explain to this dense oaf all the many reasons why they wouldn’t get back together.

  Or…

  She could just throw out one big one.

  Taylor put her hand on his chest as she prepared to drop the bomb on him. “Bradley?” she purred.

  His eyes flared in victory. “Yeah?”

  She smiled her prettiest smile. “I’m pregnant.”

  Taylor had expected stunned silence from Bradley, and she got it, but the effect was interrupted by the ecstatic barking of the dog.

  She glanced over her shoulder to see what had gotten Twinkie into such a state…and then froze.

  Taylor hadn’t closed the front door all the way after Bradley’s arrival. Hadn’t heard Nick’s arrival.

  And judging from the stunned look on his face, he’d heard every word.

  Chapter 29

  Nick’s eyes flicked from Taylor to Bradley and down to where Taylor’s hand rested on Bradley’s chest, his hands on her hips.

  When his eyes came back to hers, surprise had turned into incredulous anger with a heavy side of betrayal.

  No!

  She lurched back from Bradley, but the damage was done.

  Twinkie continued to run happy laps around the three of them, but the dog was the only happy one in the room.

  Or rather, Taylor didn’t know how Bradley felt about the situation. Didn’t care enough to even glance at him.

  “Nick—”

  He hadn’t moved, one hand on the handle of his suitcase, the other around the strap of his laptop bag. He didn’t respond, but Bradley did.

  “Is it mine?”

  She whirled toward her ex in incredulous exasperation. “What? Seriously? No.”

  The very thought of having Bradley’s child felt absurd. Having Nick’s child, though…that felt exactly right.

  She turned back toward the only man who mattered, prepared to tell him that. But then she saw the look on his face.

  Surprise, yes. Anger, definitely.

  But also doubt.

  Her mouth dropped open. “Nick. No. It’s not Bradley’s baby. I haven’t been with him in months.”

  He looked at her. “The other day, when you asked if I’d been seeing anyone else, I said no. But I never asked you the question back.”

  “I wasn’t!” she said, both outraged that she had to explain this to him and terrified by the cold detachment on his face.

  “Taylor.” Bradley touched her arm. “Regardless, I’m here for you.”

  “Oh, shut up, Bradley,” she snapped, pulling her arm away from. “Just…can you please leave? I’m sorry Jess dumped your ass, but if you thought I’ve been sitting here pining for you, you’re mistaken.”

  He glanced at Nick, then her, and she could tell it was finally starting to sink in. “You’re serious. It’s him.”

  It’s always been him.

  Taylor nodded, unable to bring herself to look at Nick. She was still stinging that he thought for even a second that the baby might be Bradley’s. Not that she expected him to keep track of her menstrual cycle or anything, but he had to know that the math didn’t—

  Taylor groaned out loud as it hit her. Bradley wasn’t the only ex wreaking havoc on this situation.

  Kelsey had also had a hand in it.

  Crap.

  More determined now, she wrapped her fingers around Bradley’s forearm and dragged him toward the front door. “Bye, Bradley.”

  Nick moved for the first time, stepping aside so she could shove her ex out into the hallway.

  To Bradley’s credit, he knew when he was beaten. With one last dazed look at both of the
m, he shook his head and walked away. At least she was pretty sure he walked away. She’d already slammed the door, not really caring one way or the other.

  She took a deep breath and turned to Nick, who was still gripping his bags as though he was preparing to leave at any moment.

  Like hell he is.

  “Nick.” She swallowed. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

  “No, I expect not,” he said, his voice low.

  Her hand dropped to her stomach and she smiled. “We’re having a baby. The doctor confirmed it just yesterday.”

  He didn’t smile back. “Thought you were on the pill.”

  She swallowed. “I was. I am. I just…I’m so sorry. I’ve been distracted, I haven’t taken them as regularly as I should, I never imagined—”

  “How soon until we can get a paternity test?” he interrupted.

  She gasped in pain, and even Twinkie went still, as though understanding that her beloved male master had just crossed a very serious line.

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “What am I supposed to think, Taylor?” he asked. “I’m the chump who came home early to surprise his girlfriend, and I find her in the arms of her ex, telling him that she’s pregnant.”

  “I was trying to get rid of him!”

  Okay, out loud that sounded a little bit lame. But damn it, she wasn’t Kelsey. She would never try to pass off someone else’s kid as his—she’d never let any of them be uncertain for even one second about whose baby it was.

  He was moving toward the door.

  “No!” she said, furiously blocking his exit. “You don’t get to just leave because you’ve got demons on your shoulder.”

  His eyes flared in anger. “I’ve got demons? You were practically kissing your ex when I got home.”

  “This isn’t about Bradley. This is about the fact that you’re reliving the Hannah nightmare all over again. I’m sorry Kelsey let you think she was yours. I’m even more sorry that Hannah wasn’t yours, Nick.” She laid her hand on her stomach. “But this baby…this baby is yours. I promise you.”

  He half sneered. “Even if it is, you don’t want it.”

  So. Much. Pain.

  “How can you say that to me?”

  “You told me yourself. You don’t want to do the mom thing, remember?”