Page 61 of Hold 'Em Tight

“Come on, baby,” Trevor mutters, pulling me away. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not ready to go,” I tell him.

“Guys, Rylee and I are going to head out,” Trevor shouts, and he takes me inside before the guys can say anything else.

“I fucking hate that bitch!” I yell as Trevor hands me my clothes. I angrily pull them on as a few of the girls on the team walk by, giving us odd looks. “Take a fucking photo!” I snap.

“Rylee. Breathe,” Trevor murmurs, rubbing my shoulders to relax me. “Stress like this isn’t good for the baby,” he whispers.

I want to screamwhat baby?There’s no fucking baby, because I lost it. Because the universe is cruel, and took mine away, while that witch gets to keep hers.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, emotion clogged in my throat. When I’m sure I won’t break down in tears, I open my eyes. “Let’s just go. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“Yeah. Of course.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “What do you want to do? Want to go to your room?”

“No.” I shake my head, not really feeling like staying at the cheer house right now.

“How about you come over to my place?” he suggests.

“Is my dad home?” I ask, not sure if he’s someone I want to see right now.

Things between us are still weird. We’ve texted a few times, but now is not the time to be adding anything else to my plate.

“I don’t think so. He’s normally at the office until late on weekdays, then home on weekends.”

Part of me wants to say no, but Trevor is always over at our place. I need to put some sort of effort in to be a part of his life.

It’s still weird that technically we’re step-siblings.

I think a big part of me not wanting to take that step into exploring things with James is because I’m not ready to add that kind of change to my life. A new dad, a stepmom. It’s not what I want in my life right now. And after how things went the last time I saw them, I’m not too keen on a repeat.

“What about your mom?”

“She’s at work too. Both won’t be home until supper,” Trevor says. He gives me a playful smile. “You afraid of them or something?”

“No,” I answer. “It’s just… I don’t know, weird? I don’t know what to say, or how to act around him.”

“It’s okay.” He kisses the top of my head. “Take your time. Mom understands, and your dad…” He sighs heavily. “I’ve talked to him a few times, got him to come around to us dating, and the others.” He laughs. “It wasn't easy, but he’s starting to understand that you're an adult, and your life is how you choose to live it.”

“Really?” I ask, sounding surprised.

“He’s trying to give you the space you need,” Trevor says. “He just hopes you’ll want some kind of a relationship with him someday. He really does love you.”

“I'm not sure how you can love someone you don’t know,” I murmur.

“Well, we don’t know the baby yet. But I already love him or her.” He chuckles and my gut sinks.

“I’ll think about it.” I bring the conversation back to my father. “Maybe someday soon when life settles down.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I keep forgettingyou come from money,” I point out as we make our way through his massive mansion up to his bedroom.

“Why’s that?” he asks, shooting me an amused grin. “Because I don’t act like a rich, pompous asshole?”

“Well, yeah, pretty much.” I laugh.

“The house is nice, but money doesn’t matter to me. You know that.”