Page 77 of Craving Consequences

“He’ll think I’m like Ashley. He’ll think I did it deliberately to keep him.”

Lauren arches a single eyebrow. “Sweetie, here’s the difference between you and Ashley.

..” She clears her throat. “She’s a bitch.

A stupid, conniving, manipulative, foul bitch.

Remember, I actually know the woman. I grew up with her and her shit stain of a son.

There isn’t a more disgusting woman on the planet.

What she did should be illegal. And it pissed her off that Lachlan never loved her.

But, love of my life,” her features soften.

She brushes a damp lock of hair off my cheek, “that man is so in love with you a blind man can see it. From the first day I moved to Jefferson, and I saw the way he looked at you, I knew he was done. I kept telling you, you picked the wrong Shaw, and I meant it. Lachlan would walk on glass for you.”

“What if he doesn’t want a baby? ”

Her face scrunches into one of disgust. “Too fucking bad. If he didn’t want a baby, he should have worn a condom.

He’s a grown ass man. Not a sixteen-year-old kid.

It takes two ... three?” she corrects with a grimace, “to make a baby. It’s not all on you.

So, he can suck it up and be a father, or fuck him, I will. ”

Despite the knot in my chest, I chuckle. “You’ll be the father?”

“Fucking right I will.” Her expression turns serious.

“But that’s not going to happen. Even if Lachlan says no, which I am willing to bet my signed Whitney poster will never happen, my dad will never turn you away.

” Her eyes roll and she grudgingly looks up at the ceiling.

“He also has loved you for longer than I like.”

“You knew?”

Lauren huffs and folds her arms. “None of you have ever been subtle. The way you’d all eye fuck each other, I’m surprised I’m not pregnant. I kept hoping you’d pick Lachlan and only Lachlan , and leave my dad alone, but ... it’s fine.”

I sniffle and search her face. “Really?”

She rolls her eyes again. “No, but I might be having a half sibling so I mean...”

“I tried really hard,” I tell her.

Silence extends for several seconds while she glowers up at the ceiling. When she finally speaks, her voice is resigned.

“I’m not saying I’m glad he picked you, but ... I’m glad it was you. I always worried he’d get lured in by one of the Jefferson women and I’d get a Stepford stepmommy. At least I like you. Occasionally.”

“Hey!”

We grin at the other.

Lauren reaches over and lightly taps me on the nose. “I will like you a whole lot more if it’s a girl.”

“No pressure,” I grumble.

She shrugs and sits up. “A boy is fine, too, but I’m still buying him girl clothes.”

My chuckle is met with her lopsided grin.

“Laur?” I murmur.

“Yes, my love?”

“Thank you ... for everything.”

Her smile slips. “I don’t need a thanks.”

I push up and face her. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me.”

She turns her face away. “I mean, it would have been weird if you were holding my hand through it.”

I frown at her attempt at humor. “That’s not funny. You know what I mean.”

Blue eyes fix on me from a face set in shadows and annoyance. “Don’t worry about it, okay? In the end, we won and that’s all that matters.”

Reminders of our actions only the day before have my stomach churning .

“Do you think I should tell Lachlan?” I blurt.

Lauren’s brows pull together. “Tell him what? That his son’s a piece of shit? I think he already knows.”

“You know what I mean,” I mutter.

“Why? What difference will it make?”

I shrug, shifting uneasily. “Bron was his son. What if he goes on wondering what happened to him?”

The other woman studies me for a long moment. Too long. Long enough that I have to drop my gaze to keep her from burrowing into my skull.

“It was your idea,” she reminds me, not with malice, but a gentle reminder. “You can’t back down now. It’s too late for regrets.”

“I don’t regret what we did. I know I would do it over again, but...”

“But nothing. You tell Lachlan, you really will have something to worry about. No matter what, he will not understand. He won’t thank you for ridding the world of one piece of shit. So, keep it to yourself. You can’t change what we did, nor should you give that motherfucker anymore power.”

She’s right of course.

The deed is done. Bron is gone. He will never hurt another person. We saved his future victims from his terror. That should be enough.

“What if he comes back? ”

Lauren considers my fear and dismisses it with a shrug.

“What are the chances?” About fifty percent, I wager, but she’s still talking.

“Even if he gets free of his binds and somehow finds his way out of the woods in the dark with a broken leg, he has no clothes. Plus, he’ll get arrested and go to jail.

” She gives an unconcerned shrug. “He did not find his way out. I am sure of it. Not in the dark, naked in those temperatures with a busted knee. He’s definitely dead or will be soon. ”

I sigh. “You’re probably right.”

“I am right.” She grins and slaps my knee lightly. “Now, let’s worry about one problem at a time, okay?” Without waiting, she slips off the side of the bed and turns to me. “Let’s go wash your face and brush your teeth.”

I don’t argue with her. My face feels itchy and raw from crying, and even I can’t stand the stench of my breath anymore.

In the washroom, I clean up the best I can with one arm. Lauren helps, but it’s an awkward task for both of us.

Complete, I return to the warmth of the bed, certain I’ll be spending a lot of time there if things go horribly.

“I’m going to go grab your ... men, and you’re going to tell them the possibly good news. Meanwhile, I’m going to make pancakes to celebrate.”

I say nothing as Lauren twirls on her heels and stalks to the door. It’s thrown open and we both jump at the sight of the two figures already standing on the other side, each leaning against an opposite wall. Waiting.

They push upright and move past Lauren before she even opens her mouth and stalk straight for me.