“What?” Ian said.
“Why not?” Collin asked.
Everyone started talking at once, and her father hushed them all. “Tell us what’s going on,” he said, taking her hand.
“Um.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat and fought back the emotion threatening to overwhelm her. “So, we broke up a few weeks ago. I’m not really sure what happened, to be honest. Caden had been really sick and stayed at his house. And then when I saw him after he was better, he just seemed off. He said we were moving too fast for him, and that was it. I’d just found out that I was pregnant and in the midst of everything, I didn’t have a chance to tell him. And then I didn’t want to tell him if that was the thing that would make him come back.”
His expression full of concern, her father nodded. “How far along are you?”
“Almost twelve weeks,” she said. “I’m seeing a doctor and everything looks good.”
“Are you going to tell him?” Collin asked. All three of her brothers wore the same look on their faces—part concerned, part angry, but trying to rein the latter in.
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m going to invite him to my next ultrasound, which isn’t for over a month.”
“So, you’re keeping it?” Ian asked. Only the gentleness of his tone kept her from flipping out on him.
“Of course, I’m keeping it. This is my baby, too.” The one bright spot of certainty in all of this was knowing without question or reservation that she wanted this baby. No matter what, he’d been conceived in love. And she already loved him. And if this was the only part of Caden she got to have, she was holding on tight with both hands. “So, that’s…that’s my news,” she managed.
“Aw, you’re going to be an amazing mother,” her dad said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “And we’ll be here for you every step of the way.”
The unconditional support beckoned the tears she’d been holding back. Finally sharing this news with her family took such a weight off her shoulders. “Thanks,” she whispered.
“And I’m sorry about Caden,” her dad said as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I know this isn’t easy.”
She gave a quick nod, sniffling. “I’m sorry, too.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?” Patrick asked, sitting forward next to her.
“About?” she asked, studying her brother’s face.
He braced his elbows on his knees. “Just feels like something doesn’t add up, Makenna. The guy I met on Thanksgiving was way into you. Then two weeks later, he’s just up and done?” Patrick shook his head. “Something doesn’t add up. And I’d kind of like to know what it is since Caden’s presumably going to be in your life whether you’re together or not.”
Makenna was torn, especially since his instincts were on the money. There was more to it. And it had to do with Caden’s history. In saying she deserved more than him, he’d all but laid that out. But his pain felt too private to share with them, even if it would help explain hers. “Let me think about it,” she said, scrubbing at her cheeks. “But I appreciate it.”
“Okay,” Patrick said, clearly unhappy not to get the go-ahead. “Just say the word.”
“Dad’s right,” Ian said. “You’re gonna be great, Makenna.”
“Yeah,” Collin said. “And we’re gonna be the most awesome uncles ever.”
That set off a round of jokes and plans for the baby that had Makenna crying again, this time with happy tears. “Thank you,” she said, her cheeks hurting from smiling. “Thank you for being here for me.”
“That’s what family’s for,” her dad said. “No matter what.”
“No matter what,” Patrick said, nodding.
“Absolutely,” Ian said.
“No matter what, Sis,” Collin said. “Except for changing poopy diapers. That’s all Patrick.”
Of course, her brothers couldn’t pass up a good opportunity to make jokes about poop, which had them all laughing again. The tension bled out of Makenna’s shoulders as she shook her head at them and laughed along. She was going to be okay, because she had these four amazing men standing at her side.
But who did Caden have?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The new year hadn’t made Caden a new man, but at least he was eating more and showering regularly and basically fucking functioning. Thanks to Joe. And twice-a-week sessions the past three weeks with Dr. Ward. And the wonders of modern pharmaceuticals.