Page 68 of His Flawed Ride

“Not that I know of, why?”

“I was wondering if you would show me around town? I want to see where our baby is going to grow up.”

I frown. “You wanna know a lot for someone who doesn’t care.”

“I thought we established I do.”

“True.” I sigh. “Yeah, okay, why not. I warn you though, there’s not much to see.”

I couldn’t care about the town but if it makes her happy and keeps her stress free, it’s got to be good for the baby.

“Can you eat now without throwing it all back up?”

She nods. “My stomach is settled.”

“Good. We can grab lunch at the diner.”

We walk over to the truck, and I open the passenger side door for her.

“What about your family?” she asks. “Are they from around here?”

I shake my head as we pull away from the club.

“No. My parents are back East, and my sister lives on the coast with her husband and three kids.”

“Are you close?”

“I speak to my parents a couple of times a month, and I see my sister when I can. We all get on with life, but we all know we’re here for one another if needed.”

“That’s nice. Our baby will have grandparents.”

“What about you and your family?”

“My relationship with my parents is… brief. They work overseas and check in once a year or so, and I have no siblings.”

“That must be lonely.”

“It is what it is.”

“What about when you were a kid?”

“I spent most of my time in boarding schools and occasionally went home for the holidays if they were home or not.”

“Who looked after you?”

“The butler became a second father and his wife, our housekeeper, became the mother I’d always wanted.”

“Annie, that’s sad as fuck! And hold on, you grew up with a butler and housekeeper? That’s fancy.”

“There was nothing fancy about it when all you wanted was a family. As soon as I could, I left and went out on my own. I haven’t been home since I was nineteen. I don’t reckon they miss me, and I certainly don’t miss what I never had.”

“Our child won’t know loneliness if you don’t count not having a mother around.”

“Are you trying to guilt me?”

I sigh heavily. “I have no fuckin’ idea.” We approach town and I slow down. “I don’t tend to judge anyone and I’m glad you came to me before putting our kid up for adoption, I know parenting ain’t for everyone, but it’s still hard to fully accept.”

I park up in the diner’s parking lot and jump out, rounding the truck to open her door.