Page 10 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

I made a noncommittal noise. I wanted to check on her, but I couldn't be obvious about it. I scanned the room again, noting my brothers were in attendance. Then I made my way through the crowd and outside.

When I got in my car, my fingers curled around the wheel. I didn't like that Ivy was sick. I should stop and pick up soup and crackers, but I didn't want to take the time. I needed to be sure she was okay.

I knew where she lived but not the exact condo number.

So I parked in the lot and searched for her address.

It was easy enough to find. Then I headed up the stairs to her place on the third floor.

There was no beach view here; it was so far away from the water.

And it had a modern feel, so it wouldn't have the cottage feel I knew she'd appreciate.

I knocked on the door, but that's when I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I pushed it up, worried about what I'd find.

The living room and kitchen were empty. The TV was playing a home renovation show, but the sound was off.

I made my way down the hall. "Ivy? Are you okay?"

I hoped she wasn't here with another man. That made my blood run cold. We hadn't talked about being exclusive. I just assumed, and maybe that made me an idiot.

The only light came from the slightly ajar door to the master bath. "Ivy?"

"In here." Her voice was small.

I hurried to the doorway, not knowing what to expect. Ivy was seated on the floor, her back against the wall.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes were filled with tears. "I will be."

"What's going on?" The counter was lined with sticks. When I moved closer, I saw the matching blue lines on a few, and the word Pregnant on the digital screen on another. "Are these yours?"

Who else's would they be? Hadn't we been careful?

I was almost positive we always wore a condom.

Except for the first time. But I'd pulled out and put one on.

Surely, we couldn't be pregnant from that slip.

But then again, we hadn't discussed whether she was on another form of birth control and condoms could fail.

"Are you?—"

"Pregnant." Her voice was flat, but she managed to pull herself to standing.

"Is it mine?"

Her face paled. "Of course it's yours." Then she pushed past me. "You can leave now."

I followed her out of the room, slightly panicked. "I don't understand. Shouldn't we talk about this?"

"I can't. Not now." She dropped onto the edge of her bed.

Was she upset that I questioned whether the baby was mine? Was it rude to ask? I hadn't planned on being a dad.

I was worried it was too much, too soon for Ivy. Would she want to end the pregnancy? It was her choice, and I'd support her, but I had to know where her head was at.

"When did you find out?" I finally asked her.

"Elena brought the tests to the senior center when we were setting up for the party."

"You should have come to me. I would have helped you."

Ivy just gave me a look. "I don't need anyone here for this. That's why I left. I can handle this on my own."

"You don't have to though. You have me, your friends. We all want to be here for you." I didn't need to ask our friends what they'd do in this situation. I saw how we all came together to help Dalton.

She pursed her lips. "I'd prefer to be alone."

"You left your door open. I was worried about you." And I wondered if she left her door open because, on some level, she did want me here. Or maybe the need was buried so deep inside her, she couldn't even acknowledge it yet.

"Now you know I'm fine." She swiped at her face and drew in a steadying breath.

"Are you?" I couldn't imagine getting this news by myself. This was her body. Her life was going to change in ways she probably couldn't even contemplate yet.

"I will be." She stood and moved down the hallway toward the living room. "When I'm ready to talk, I'll reach out."

I didn't want her to shut me out. "What are you planning on doing?"

She sighed. "Eating a carton of ice cream."

"Do you have any?" I looked around the kitchen to see if she'd already put it out to melt.

"In the freezer."

I opened the door, pulled out peanut ripple, and set it on the counter. Then I grabbed two bowls and spoons.

Ivy scooped up the spoons and the carton and went into the living room where the TV played silently.

"No bowls?"

Ivy sat on the couch, her legs crisscrossed with the carton on her lap. She opened the lid and tested the hardness.

I sat gingerly next to her, worried she'd remember I was here and kick me out.

Instead, she handed me a spoon. "We have to wait for it to melt."

I let out the breath I'd been holding. "You want the show on?"

"Sure."

I reached for the remote, raising the volume so that we could hear what the hosts were saying but not so loud that she couldn't talk if she needed to.

"I never planned on this."

I shifted slightly so I could face her. "Getting pregnant?"

She nodded miserably. "I thought I'd be smart about it. I'd always use protection, and if the worst happened, I'd deal with it.

"Do you know what you want to do?" I asked gently, not wanting to sway her one way or the other. She was different from her mother. I was positive she'd be amazing, and I had more than enough to support both of them, if she didn’t.

She rested a hand on her belly. "There's a baby. It might be a bean at this point, but it's mine."

I wanted to add that it was mine too, but I didn't want to ruin the moment. This was extremely personal to her since she carried the baby. This would disrupt her life in ways it wouldn't mine. "You don't have to make a decision now."

Her shoulders tightened, and she kept her gaze on the ice cream. "I'm keeping this baby."

I closed my eyes, the air whooshing out of my lungs. "I'll support you, whatever you decide to do."

She looked at me. "But I can do this on my own."

"You don't have to. I'm here, and I want to support you."

She shook her head. "You can't mean that. And even if you do, you won't stick around."

"Are you talking to me or your father?" I asked tightly.

She sucked in a harsh breath. "What do you know about him?"

"Nothing. Other than he's never been around. He's not someone that's worthy of the title," I said bitterly.

"He couldn't be bothered to stick around and meet me. I always hoped he'd change his mind and come back, but he never did."

"Did he know about you?" It was hard to believe anyone could do that.

Ivy chuckled without any humor. "Mom told me a million times over the course of my childhood that he didn't want me."

I bit off a curse. I didn't want her to know that I was angry on her behalf. Her mother shouldn't have done that, even if it was the truth.

I took her free hand in mine. "That's not our situation. I'm going to be by your side whether you want me there or not."

Her nostrils flared.

I held up a hand. "You're wrong about me. I want to be the dad our child deserves."

I was going to prove her wrong. I'd be with her through everything, and I was fully prepared for her to push me away. To expect me to leave at any moment. It wouldn't be easy, but I was up for the challenge.