Page 148 of Tied to You

Taking a quick swig of wine, Janette continues, “Maybe if we’d been harder on you, you would actually give a shit about how we feel. Perhapsthen you wouldn’t make such stupid jokes.”

I smirk, tilting my head her way. I can’t help myself. “Who says it’s a joke?” I mean it. If Mollie tells me she wants to get away and get married just us two, I’ll do it.

“It’s not?”

“I don’t know,” I half laugh. “We haven’t spoken about it.”

Janette looks between us all as we all watch her getting worked up. “What about when you have kids, will you be as mean and decide not to tell anyone?”

I laugh. “No. That won’t happen.”

“Oh, good,” she says disingenuously.

“Because we probably won’t have children.”

“What?” she says.

Shit, this is tiring. “Kids. We’re not having any.”

The table falls into deep silence. Mollie fidgets under my hold. What the hell is happening here? We’ve gone from birthday meal to being quizzed about our future in no time at all.

“What do you mean?”

“Love,” Mick says, trying to settle my aunt who’s positively confused now.

“Don’tloveme. He’d make an excellent father.” She looks at me. “You really would, Travis.” Shaking her head, she links her hands in front of her. “You don’t want kids?” she questions again, checking to make sure.

“Wedon’t want kids,” I correct her. Mollie told me she was fine with not having children if it meant she kept me.

Mollie and Janette exchange a glance, one I would have missed had I not been looking. She doesn’t say any more, but Mollie stands, grabbing her bag. “Excuse me. I need the ladies’.”

She walks off, and I can’t help but admire her as she goes.

“Is she feeling okay?” Janette asks.

Mick takes a sip of his beer, looking in her direction.

“What?” I ask.

“Mollie. Is she feeling okay now?” My eyes meet hers, and her arms cross, elbows leaning on the table.

“I think so.” Why’s she asking me this? “Mollie’s fine.” I pick up my pint, taking a sip. “She’s just getting over her chest infection, that’s all.”

Janette looks away, her eyes downcast.

“You think otherwise?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think,” she says hastily.

I look at Mick who shrugs. “But?” I drag out the word, my free arm resting on the back of Mollie’s empty chair.

Janette looks unsure if she should speak her mind. “I think she might already be pregnant.”

I don’t move, but the inside of my mouth takes a heavy beating.

“What?” Mick asks for me.

Janette’s gaze remains on my unmoving one. “The engagement party you had at the clubhouse. Didn’t you notice how tired she was?”