Page 64 of Rulebreaker

I’ve fallen deeply in love with him and the idea of losing him is…well, I can’t even imagine my world without him in it. His quirky smile. Incredible intellect. Fierce business acumen. All of that coupled with his gentleness with Frankie. With me. WithBriar.

And none of that even touches the passion between us.

It’s not just good sex.

It’s a connection that surpasses anything I’ve felt before–by a lot.

Somehow, some way, I have to find the words to come clean.

Sooner rather than later.

Atlas won’t be happy, that much I know, but he’ll be extra unhappy if he finds out any way but from me telling him.

If only I could figure out how.

Maisey is an absolute doll.

My friend Sandy has two kids and both of them came out looking like squished aliens with bad skin. They all outgrew it and are adorable now, but most newborns are kind of funny looking.

Not Maisey.

She looks like a Gerber baby–with big blue eyes, roundcheeks, and the plumpest, pinkest little lips below a button nose. It’s the most ridiculous stereotype but there’s no denying how beautiful she is.

“How areyou?” I ask Aspen as the five of us girls gather in the great room of her and Banks’s house. Maisey is sleeping fitfully in my arms–she’s a warm, cuddly handful and I’m enjoying holding her more than I thought I would.

“All things considered, I’m fine,” she says with a smile. “Banks refuses to let me do anything but sleep and take care of the baby, so I’m a very lucky lady.”

“How’s the night nurse working out?” Briar asks.

“She’s amazing.” Aspen says with a happy sigh. “I mean, I knew Atlas would only hire the best, but she’s beyond my wildest dreams. By the time I wake up in the morning, Maisey is changed, fed, and ready for quality time. And Banks is incredibly hands-on. He goes to the gym in the morning, when she’s the least fussy and I’m the most rested, and the rest of the day we take turns. It’s been a lot better than I thought it would be.”

“That’s nice,” Jade says, clapping a hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. “Geez, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m either starving or sleeping. I probably need a check-up.”

“Or a pregnancy test,” Willow murmurs.

We all freeze, staring at her like she’s suddenly sprouted wings.

“What?” Willow asks, frowning. “She’s been eating like she just got done with a year-long fast, and she’s tired all the time. When was your last period?”

Jade’s mouth falls open and then she snaps it shut. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not…pregnant.”

“You sure?” Briar asks quietly.

There's another weird silence.

“And how would you feel if you are?” I ask.

She frowns, blinking a few times.

“Would Royal be okay with it?” Aspen asks.

“Aren’t you going on tour soon?” I add.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Jade says, shaking her head. “We haven’t even been together for a year. Babies are not on the radar.”

Aspen arches her brows. “You know Banks and I were barely together a few months when I got pregnant.”

“I’m supposed to be leaving on tour in October,” Jade whispers. “Pregnancy would be a disaster.”