Picking up the gift bag from her dresser, she carried it out and handed it over as she sat back down.
Kyle let out a shout of laughter as he peeked into the bag. He pulled out the cute, furry penguin she couldn’t resist buying and shook his head, still grinning.
“You have to give him a name now,” she said.
“Percy of course. Percy Penguin.”
Fin rolled her eyes. “Of course.”
“Fuck,” he muttered, and putting the stuffed toy to the side, reached out and took both her hands in his. Fin looked at him, surprised at the hint of anger in his eyes. “Ryan’s an idiot.”
Her mouth fell open. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Because he’s a stubborn asshole who let you go.”
A wild kick forced the air from Fin’s lungs. Gasping, she closed her eyes.
“Christ, you’re not—”
“Kyle!”
“Jesus, Fin. It didn’t help any with you faking a labour thingy just to get ice cream.”
“They’re called contractions.”
“That’s more than I needed to know.”
Her brows flew up with surprise. “I feel sorry for the mother of your future children. It was just the baby kicking.”
Kyle eyed her belly with deep suspicion.
“I promise.”
“It’s not a real promise unless you cross your heart.”
Pressing her lips together, Fin crossed her heart. “Feels like I’m back at school when I’m around you.”
Kyle nodded knowingly. “I make you feel young again. I get that a lot.”
Fin laughed, rubbing her hands over her belly in a gesture that was becoming familiar.
“Can I …” He looked at her before glancing down to where her hands now rested comfortably, hesitating. “Is it okay if I …”
“Sure. Everyone does. Most don’t even ask.”
With gentle hands, Kyle raised the soft cotton of her stretchy tank top and placed both hands over her huge stomach. Fin closed her eyes, shivering at the warm scrape of his palms on her skin. Her heart ached for Ryan and what he was missing.
The baby kicked hard as though understanding her feelings, and Kyle let out a shout. “Holy shit! There’s a real baby in there.”
“Umm … so I’m not going to ask what you thought was in there,” she replied.
Her phone rang from where it sat on the bench in the kitchen, and Kyle removed his hands, yanking her top down haphazardly. He stood up. “I’ll get it for you.”
Pressing the answer button for her, he held it out. She answered absentmindedly as Kyle flopped back down on the couch beside her.
“Fin?”
The air left her lungs in a whoosh. “Ryan?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
Fin burst into tears at the deep, familiar voice. How did she think she could ever get past loving Ryan? Hearing his voice had the entire world fading out, as though nothing existed but him.
The phone was taken from her as tears ran down her face. The more she tried to control them, the faster they fell. She could hear Kyle murmuring softly while his other hand began rubbing her back in warm, soothing circles. Sniffling quietly, she heard Kyle say that maybe Ryan should ring back.
“No!” she blurted out and snatched the phone from Kyle before Ryan could hang up.
Looking at her, he mouthed, “Should I go?”
Fin shook her head. “Stay,” she mouthed back. She had no idea how Ryan would react to her news, and she was scared of being alone right now. Getting up, Fin left Kyle on the couch and went outside. With the phone clutched to her ear, Fin rested her elbows on the railing of the deck and looked up at the stars.
“Sorry. I’m here.”
Ryan leaned against the wall as he rubbed at his brow. He hated hearing her upset and being unable to do anything about it. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she replied, sounding anything but. “How are you?”
He wanted to tell her he wasn’t doing so great, that he missed her more than anything. She was the only one he could talk to, the only one who knew him like no one else and still loved him anyway. “Doing okay.” He cleared his throat. “So, I thought you would’ve left by now. When do you go?”
There was a pause. “I’m not.”
“Not what?”
“Not going.”
“Dammit, Fin,” he ground out, his body tense with anger. He’d walked away from her so she could have this opportunity. Ryan tried to rein in his anger. She wasn’t supposed to be pissing it away. “Not going is not an option.”
“Stop,” she whispered. “Don’t be angry. There’s just … something you need to know.”
“What? What in hell could be so damn important for you to give up everything you’ve ever worked for? Tell me because right now I just don’t understand.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Ryan’s heart raced in the deafening silence. “You … you’re having my baby?”
“Yes.”
His anger deflated, rapidly replaced with shock. “You … I’m …”