Worth the Wait

chapter 29


Sunlight cast a cheerful glow in the hotel lobby. Even though the rays were warm on her face, Tasha felt ice cold. Three pregnancy tests were in her purse, all positive. She’d brought them in case Jared didn’t believe her. She’d prayed for strength all night. The strength to cope with telling a man who’d deceived her she was carrying his baby. The strength not to cry if he asked her to get rid of it. She’d thrown in a selfish prayer too. She’d prayed he’d take her in his arms, say he loved her, and ask her to marry him. It was a long shot, but that was the point of praying. Too ask God for the impossible.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Shayla reached over and wrapped her warm hand around Tasha’s icy one.

Tasha shook her head stiffly. “I’ll go alone.”

Shayla’s glossed lips twisted into a tight smile. “It won’t be so bad. Just say, I’m pregnant, it’s yours, and I’m keeping it.”

“And if he says get rid of it?”

“Then tell him you’ll see him in court. It takes two to make a baby.”

Tasha closed her eyes and groaned. “I don’t even want to go through that. This isn’t supposed to happen to me. I’m not supposed to be a baby momma. I’m supposed to be a wife, then a mother.”

Shayla shrugged. “Stuff happens. Life happens. You’re not a bad person because of a mistake.”

Tasha laughed bitterly. “Tell my dad that.”

“First you have to tell the father.”

Tasha nodded. “You’re right.” She took a deep breath and squeezed Shayla’s hand. “Don’t leave yet. Jared isn’t as tough as he appears, so I think things will go well but … just in case.”

Shayla pulled her in for a hug. “I’m here as long as you need me.”

Tasha smiled and left her friend. The elevator ride had to be the fastest in history. Before she could even think of what to say, she was standing in front of their door. Taking another deep breath, she reached into her back pocket and pulled out the room key. Jared was sitting on the couch when she entered. He stared at her with cold and impassive eyes. Her bags were packed and sitting beside the door. Dread washed over her.

“Jared … last night … ” She stopped speaking. He hadn’t moved. He just continued to stare at her, hurt and anger in his eyes. She frowned. Why was he angry? He was the one who’d lied about loving her. He was the one who’d used her for his own gain. “Are you mad at me?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why did you come back?”

There was a sharp pain in her chest, as if her heart were fracturing. “You didn’t want me to come back?”

“Do you have something to tell me? Is that why you came back?”

She nodded. “I do, but first I want to know why you’re so angry.”

“Let me guess. You’re pregnant.” He spat out the words.

Another pain pierced her. “How did you know?”

He finally stood and marched over to her. He threw a condom that hit her chest and fell to the floor. Stunned, she looked from the condom to him. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I found your secret. I know you’ve been punching holes in my condoms. I know you’ve been trying to trick me into having a baby. I’ve told you over and over I don’t want kids. I swear to God, Tasha, I don’t want this kid. You did this, and I’ll be damned if you’re gonna make me pay for it.”

She stood there, her mouth gaping as she tried to comprehend what he was saying. “You think I planned this? You think I want to have your baby? You don’t care about anyone but yourself. I’d rather it be anyone’s baby than yours.”

His eyebrows formed an angry line as he scowled at her. “Are you sure it’s even mine? Were you sleeping with the good doctor too?”

She staggered back. “You know I’ve only slept with you.”

“I don’t know anything, Tasha. I didn’t know you were punching holes in my condoms!”

“I didn’t punch holes in your condoms.”

He scoffed and turned away. “Then who did? Tell me? What other woman has been in my stash?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know? If anyone was promiscuous in this relationship it was you.”

He whipped around and pointed at her. “Don’t call what we did a relationship. You were a booty call, that’s it. Someone to keep me company at night. Nothing more.”

The pain from the shattering of her heart was so great she gasped and clutched her hand to her chest. “So you did lie to me. You never did love me.”

“Oh, I was fool enough to believe I was falling in love with you. I should have known better — you can’t turn your side piece into your girl. I’m glad I found out what you were before … before I really got caught up.”

“Jared, I’m having your baby. Doesn’t that count for something?” she whispered.

His face hardened. “It doesn’t count for anything when you tricked me. You know how I felt, how I still feel. This is your problem, not mine.”

“I didn’t trick you.”

He picked up the condom and held it in front of her face. “Don’t lie to me. Don’t stand there looking as if I’m breaking your heart, when you’ve tap danced all over mine. But that’s what you’re good at, isn’t it? You play the innocent role, you look wounded, you tell me you’re getting caught up and I need to commit or you’re leaving. Oh, you played me well. So damn well I actually believed you were different. I thought you cared. But you wanted something from me, just like all the rest. And you’re not getting a damn thing from me. I don’t want this baby, and I don’t want you. Get out.”

“Jared.”

He pointed to the door. “Get out.”

Tasha stared at Jared. She was too stunned to cry. She couldn’t believe he would think she’d be capable of something so horrible. He couldn’t have ever loved her, or truly known her. Not if he could believe she would trick him into having a baby. Her pain was so intense it numbed her. There was nothing left to say, nothing that would heal this hurt. Without a word, she picked up her bags and left the room.