“I brought these for you.” He said as he handed me a beautiful bouquet of violets. My favorite.
But to be completely honest I didn’t see the flowers until he gave them to me. I had been too distracted by him.
“Thank you.”
“Quit acting like it’s your first date. Give me those flowers, I’ll put them in a vase.” She said as she held her hand out for the flowers.
Handing her the flowers, we said our goodbyes and walked to Roman’s car.
We drove a little ways out of town and ended up stopping at a cliff that over looked our little nothing of a town.
“What are we doing here? Are you going to kill me?” I asked trying to keep a serious face.
He laughed and reached to get something out of the backseat.
“No, I’m definitely not going to kill you. I thought we could eat here. I’ve got blankets and mom made us a picnic.”
I started laughing uncontrollably.
“Is it too cheesy? What’s so funny?” he asked as he helped me out of the car.
“No, no. It’s not cheesy at all. Baby, it’s perfect. It’s just that the infamous player, Roman Charles, wants to have a picnic.” I said as I watched him spread out a blanket on the ground.
“Not a player anymore, Pumpkin. I’m retired.”
He’s right, he was all mine now. But I couldn’t help but listen to the nagging voice in my head that was telling me that I needed to let him know about our unexpected addition. Pushing it to side, I focused on Roman. That news would have to wait.
Chapter 31
I woke up with the next morning to the best view anyone has ever looked at. Roman sleeping was probably the cutest thing I had ever seen. Last night what he did to me when we got back was mind blowing. But with him, it always was.
He opened those mesmerizing eyes and looked right in mine.
“You’re creepy.” He told me as he stretched.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, pretending to be offended.
“You always stare at me when I sleep.”
“No, I don’t. You’re not even that cute.”
“We both know that’s a lie.”
“I’m getting in the shower. I’ll be right back.”
“I would join you but I’m still tired from last night.”
Leaning in, I kissed him on the cheek.
Climbing out of bed, I grabbed everything I needed for a shower. After twenty minutes, I was out and dressed.
“My turn.” Roman said as he opened the door.
He was pouting and he looked ridiculous.
“Why do you look so disappointed?” I said through my fits of laughter.
“I thought you were still going to be naked.” He said with a wink.
“Perv.”
Walking to the kitchen, I poured myself a cup of orange juice.
“Emma, can I see you for a second?’ Roman yelled from my room.
He never called me Emma. Something had to be up.
“Sure, I’m coming.” I yelled back.
Sitting my cup on the kitchen counter, I walked to my room. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at something. The pregnancy test box.
“Why was this in your bathroom?” he asked, never making eye contact with me.
“Um, it’s not mine.”
“Well then who’s is it?”
“Maddie’s.” I blurted out without thinking.
She was going to kill me.
“Is she pregnant?”
“No, it came back negative.”
Relief washed over his handsome face.
“Thank God, I thought it was yours.” He said as he rubbed his face.
That stung. And it made me even more nervous to tell him.
“You don’t want to have kids with me?” I asked him as I looked down at my feet.
“Not right now. But in the future. I want to have a family with you. When the timing is right.”
He walked toward me and kissed my hair. Part of what he said made me want to cry because I knew he didn’t want out baby, at least not right now. But the other part made me feel some hope because at least he did envision a future with me.
“I’m going to take another shot of getting in the shower. West and Ethan want to meet us for breakfast. Wake Mads up and see if she wants to go.” He said as he rubbed my shoulders.
“Okay.”
I couldn’t get out of that room quick enough. Knocking on Maddie’s door, I tried my best to fight the tears. She answered it and I saw that she was already showered and dressed.
“We’re meeting West and Ethan for breakfast. Do you wanna go?”
“Yeah, I’m starving. Let me grab my purse.”
I followed her to her closet.
“Roman saw the pregnancy test box.” I whisper yelled.
“What? Did you tell him? How did he take it?”
“He took it pretty good.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yea, um. He thinks it was yours. Also, happy birthday.” I said as I backed away from her.
“You did what? Who does he think I slept with?”
“I’m sorry, I got nervous. I didn’t know what to say. And he didn’t say. Are you mad at me?”
“No, I’m not mad at you. It’s just that now Roman is going to look at me weird. Oh goodness, does he think I’m slut. He does, doesn’t he? He probably thinks I don’t know who my baby’s daddy is. I bet he’s booking an appearance on The Maury Show right now. Best birthday ever.” She said as she fanned herself.
“No, he doesn’t. I told him it was negative.” I told her as I shook my head.
I was too hurt to laugh. His words were still playing over and over in my mind.
“What’s wrong?” Maddie said as she slipped her coat on.
“When I told him it was yours, he said Thank God. How am I going to tell him it’s mine? He doesn’t want kids right now, Mads.”
“It will all work out, you’ll see.”
“You girls ready?” Roman called from the living room.
Maddie grabbed her purse and we ran out into the living room. Roman grabbed my hand and gave Maddie a look filled with sympathy.
“Happy birthday, Mads.” He told her with that same look on his face.
“Don’t give me that look. It came back negative. It’s my birthday and I can take pregnancy test if I want too.” She said as she walked out into the hall.
He laughed and followed us out of the door. When we walked out of the building, a blast of cold air hit my face. Running to the car, I got in finally escaping the cold.
I hated cold weather. I had always been more of a summer girl.
“I think you need to get your blood checked, pumpkin.” Roman told me as he got in the car.
“What? Why?” Did he know?
“It’s sixty degrees outside.”
“I’m cold.” I said in my defense.
“She always cold. If I didn’t know any better I would think she’s a Cullen.” Maddie said.
“Thanks for you two cents.” I told her as I stuck my tongue out at her.
When we made it to the diner, I ran inside. I didn’t wait on them to get out of the car. In my defense, I was cold and hungry. Eating for two is a lot of work.
Breakfast took my mind off of everything. At least until we got back to the apartment to get ready for Maddie’s birthday party. Roman told me he would be back in a few hours to pick me up.
I had to tell him tonight at the party. He needed to know and I needed to know if he was going to leave me. Was my mother right? Was he really the type of guy who would spilt once he found out his girlfriend was pregnant? That didn’t sound like him but after this morning I wasn’t so sure.
A few hours later I was ready. Walking into the living room, I sat on the couch and went over ways to tell him in my head.
“What are you doing?” Maddie asked as she walked into the living room.
“Trying memorize my speech for when I tell Roman
that I’m pregnant.”
“You suck at speeches.”
It was true. I sucked at speeches. Hard. When I got nervous I rambled. Speeches were not my strong suit.
“I know. It’s just I have to tell him tonight. I hate lying to him.”
“I know. You have no shot at your speech going well. But at least you look cute.”
I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to make me feel better. If it was then Maddie failed.
“Gee, thanks.”
Roman texted me to let me know he was walking up. Gathering all my things, I checked myself in the mirror. I did look pretty cute but I wasn’t sure how well that was going work in my favor tonight.
The door opened and Roman stuck his head in.
“You ready, Pumpkin?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Walking to the door I kissed him like I hadn’t seen him in months.
“What was that for?” he asked smiling from ear to ear.
“Just happy to see you.”
That was true. But I wasn’t sure if after tonight that was going to be the last chance I got to kiss him like that. I wanted to at least get one more kiss.
“Do you want to ride with us?” Roman asked Maddie.
“No, West and Ethan should be here in a few. I’ll wait on them. You crazy kids go ahead.” She said as she practically pushed us out of the door.
Roman wrapped his arms around me and guided me to the car. After he helped me in the car, I watched him walk around to get in the driver’s side.
Should I tell him now? Go ahead and get it over with? Or wait until he’s had a beer? The party might relax him a little more. Now I just needed something to relax me.
“You look nervous. What’s going on?” Roman asked me as he cut his eyes my way.
“I’m not nervous. Just cold. Sometimes when I’m cold I look nervous.” I said as clamped my lips shut.
I sounded like Emma Everly from two years ago. That wasn’t me anymore.
Chapter 32
The party got an amazing turn out. Not that I was shocked, everyone loved Maddie. It was hard not to. I watched her dancing with Ethan. And I found myself wishing I could be that carefree tonight. But I had this storm cloud looming over my head.
“When are you going to tell him?” West asked.
Roman had excused himself to get a drink.
“Tonight.”
“Are you nervous?”
“You could say that. When are you going to tell her?” I asked as I pointed to Maddie.
“I already told her Happy Birthday.” He said as he gave me a sly smile. “Focus on your own drama, Em.”
He was right, I couldn’t dance around my drama. I had to face it head on.
“Here comes daddy.” West said as he nudged me. “It’s time to put on your big girl panties.”
“Stop being weird.” I told him.
“It’s part of my charm.” He said with a wink.
I looked up and saw Roman walking towards us. Red solo cup in hand. He waved at people and interacted with everyone he passed. I could tell he enjoying the party, enjoying being free. Little did he know that freedom was about to be ripped from under his feet. And I hated like hell that I was the one taking it from him.
“West, leave my girlfriend alone. Go fine your own.” He said as pretending to be mad.
I loved playful Roman, hell I just loved Roman in any mood.
“I’m trying. Believe me.” He muttered. “I’ll see you guys in a little while.”
He walked until he disappeared into the crowd.
“Do you want to dance?” Roman whispered in my ear.
“I would love too. I wish it was a slow song. I’ll take any excuse to cuddle up to you.” I whispered back.
He walked away without a word and I let my eyes follow him to the booth. Roman whispered something to him and the DJ nodded his head. Walking toward me, he had the biggest smile on his face. By the time he reached me, Thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran started to play. That song reminded me of us. How did he know that? I never told him.
Offering me his hand, I took it and let him lead me to the makeshift dance floor.
We slowly swayed to the beat of the song. The night was going perfect and I hoped with everything in me that it was going to end just as perfectly.
“I love you so much.” I told as I rested my head on his shoulder.
“I love you, more.”
I could have stayed like that forever. I knew I belonged in his arms, no one could tell me any different. I was supposed to be his.
I felt his arms tighten around my waist, he was trying to pull me closer to him.
“If you pull me any closer you will have to take me home.” I said in my most seductive voice.
“I plan on it. But I think I’m going to make you wait a little longer.”
“Tease.”
He laughed and threw his head back.
“Roman, can we go somewhere private? I need to talk to you.”
His face dropped and I can’t say I blamed him. No one ever wants to hear those words.
“Yeah, let’s go for a walk.” He said as he pulled me off the dance floor.
We walked until the music was only a faint sound.
“What’s on your mind?” He asked as his face grew more worried than before.
“How much do you love me?”
“Pumpkin, I love you more than life its self. You know that.”
“Do you see a future with me?” I blurted out.
“When I look into my future, you’re the only thing I’m sure of. What are you getting at here?”
“Will you do me a favor?”
“Anything. Emma, please tell me what’s going on.” He begged me.
“Don’t interrupt me. Let me finish what I’m saying before you say anything.”
“Okay.” He said as he reached for my hand.
“While you were in jail, I kept getting really sick and Maddie was really worried. She thought I had the flu. Turns out that wasn’t the case. So, she went and bought a pregnancy test. The one you saw in the bathroom. I lied to you, it was mine. I didn’t know how to tell you so I told you it was hers. And it was positive. I’m pregnant, Roman. We’re going to have a baby.”
Silence. That was all I heard. And I think that was the worst reaction I could have gotten. I didn’t know what he was thinking or how he felt.
“Roman, please say something.” I said tears gushed from my eyes.
He let go of my hand and started pacing back and forth. He pushed his hands through his hair.
“What do you want me to say, Emma?” he screamed.
“I want you to tell me how you feel. You’re not the only one going through this remember?”
“I feel like I’m drowning and there’s no life raft in site. I feel like I’m smothering from all of the pressure. How can I take care of two family’s? Can you tell me how?”
“Stop yelling at me! I’m just as upset as you are. I wasn’t thrilled either you know.”
“But you don’t know what pressure feels like! You’ve always had the world laid at your feet. News flash, the rest of us weren’t that lucky.”
His words were like a slap across the face. I knew what pressure felt like. I felt it now.
“My life isn’t as perfect as you think.”
“Yes, it was. You never had to watch your parents fight because bills were due and they didn’t have the money. You don’t know what it feels like to have to sacrifice something that you want so your siblings can do what they want. And you don’t know what it feels like to live day to day. I don’t want that for my family. I want better for you. I want better for our baby. And I can’t do that for you right now.”
“We can get through this. My dad will help us.”
“I don’t want your dad’s help. I want to be my own man. I want to prove to him that I’m good enough for you.”
“You don’t have anything to prove.”
He chuckled and shook his h
ead.
“I have everything to prove.” He said as he turned to walk away.
“Where are you going?” I cried.
“Anywhere but here. I’ll have West drive you home.”
“I want you to drive me home. I want to go home with you.”
“Emma, please. I need time.”
And he walked away. Away from me, away from us.
I ran back to the party in search of Maddie. Where was she? Spotting her in the crowd, I made my way to her.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“I think he left me, Mads. I think it’s over.”
I told her everything that happened.
“He will come back, Ems. He just said he needed time.”
“But I need him.” I cried into my hands.
“Hey, let’s get you home. I got us two hot dates.”
“I don’t want a hot date. I want Roman.”
“No, honey. You’re not listening to me. We have a double date with Ben and jerry’s.” she said giving me a small smile.
“The kind with the caramel core?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Let’s find West and Ethan so they can take us home.”
“Okay.”
Maddie called West and told him to meet us by his car. By the time we arrived at his Camaro he was already there with Ethan by his side.
“You okay, Em?” West asked as he helped me in the car.
“Not at all.”
“He will come around. He just has a lot on his shoulders right now.” Ethan told me from the front seat.
I listen to them trying to console me but I didn’t answer them. I wasn’t in my right state of mind at the moment. I looked out of the window and I looked up at the stars. Having a silent conversation with God, I begged him to send Roman back to us.
Chapter 33
I tried my best at giving Roman time, but after five days of not hearing from him, I gave in. I called him but he ignored my call. So, I did what any stalker would do I called his mom.
“Hello?” I heard Ava’s sweet voice on the other end of the phone.
“Hi, it’s Emma.”
“Hi, Emma. How are you?”
“I’ve been better. How about you?” I asked, trying to sound upbeat.
I didn’t want to drag her into our drama. It wouldn’t be fair.
Tempted (Tempted #1) Page 14
