Page 106 of The Moments You Were Mine

That twisted a knife inside my heart all over again.

Was this what my dad had felt when he’d decided to leave me with Spencer and Mom? Impossible choices that always risked someone?

“Stop overthinking this.” His voice was quiet and sure again, just like when he’d told me he would marry me.

“Are we going to tell your mom when we get there? About us getting married?”

His hand was still in my hair, stroking, soothing.

“We can’t keep it hidden. If you want this to fool JJ, then we have to tell everyone and anyone we can.”

My lungs squeezed tighter. “How are we going to explain it without telling everyone I’m pregnant?”

“The truth. That after denying our feelings for years, we don’t want to wait another moment to start our life together.”

They were beautiful words, ones that should have made me feel elated. Instead, they hurt because no matter how long I stared into his eyes, I couldn’t tell if they were words he’d come up with to convince others or if they were really the truth.

He leaned in and kissed me. This one was different. It was strong and firm and held a promise. A vow. As if we’d already saidI do.

“From here on, Ducky, you’re not alone. You and me—we’re in this together. And I swear you’ll be safe. The baby will be safe, and Theo will be too. None of you will ever be hurt again on my watch.”

And as much as he wanted that to ease my worries, it did the opposite.

Because once again, I’d become a duty. An obligation. A responsibility.

I closed my eyes and evened out my breathing, pretending to sleep.

But my heart wouldn’t stop berating my brain for getting me into this predicament. It was too late to back out. I’d do anything to protect my baby, even risk everything I’d ever wanted for myself, which is exactly what my dad had done for me.

A cycle on repeat. Unwed pregnancy. People sacrificing themselves and their dreams.

Heartache and betrayal.

I swore the cycle wouldn’t continue with my child.

This would be the last time anyone in this family had to give up their dreams. The last time anyone felt like they were nothing more than an obligation that had to be fulfilled.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Parker

BE YOUR EVERYTHING

Performed by Boys Like Girls

FIVE YEARS AGO

HIM: You know what girlie pop song I hate most?

HER: ‘Thinking Out Loud’?

HIM: That’s a good guess for many of the same reasons. But no, it’s ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.’ Every frickin’ time it comes on, some girl thinks I should sing it to her.

HER: Stop wearing your Navy Whites to the bar, and you’ll eliminate half the problem.

PRESENT DAY

I woke from a nightmare whereWill’s face contorted just as the bomb went off at his feet. The agony of knowing he was dead before I could even make it across the charred street to his side still filled me as my eyes flew open. It took a few seconds for the warmth at my side to bring me back from the dark of that moment. To bring me back to the Harrington ranch, with me in Fallon’s bed, having agreed to marry her.