This is true. Ryland built his whole life around raising Gunnar. I think him being here is more about seeing Gunnar and working alongside him than just loving the job.
“It works out since I need someone here the nights I have ball,” he continues, talking about the community baseball league he plays in. “Which reminds me, we finally got our schedule last night. First game is Wednesday. You coming?”
My brow lifts at the question. “Don’t I always?”
He chuckles. “Just checking.”
He doesn’t need to, and he should know that. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never missed one of his games. Bear and I are his biggest fans. We even have matching jerseys with his number that I had made.
The rest of our lunch passes in easy conversation, words flowing effortlessly between us as always.
I wait for the right moment to bring up the reason I came here, but nerves hold me back.
Gunnar saves me the trouble. “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to guess?”
I meet his gaze, feeling more than a little embarrassed. “Is it that obvious?”
He grunts. “Please, Elle. The only time you show up here unannounced is when you have something important to tell me or you’re trying to rope me into some ridiculous plan of yours.”
I’m about to deny that but know what he says is true.
“And since you brought food from my favorite take-out place, I’m guessing it’s the latter,” he adds, leaning back in his chair with an arrogant smirk. “So, go on. Hit me with it. What are you dragging me into this time? Another wedding? Because if it is, there better be free booze.”
I’m not surprised this is the assumption he chooses to go with since I’ve had to talk him into being my wedding date more than once. “It’s not a wedding,” I promise. “It’s bigger than that. Much bigger.”
His amusement fades. “Sounds serious.”
“It is,” I admit softly, my nerves growing by the second.
“What’s going on, Elle?” he presses. “Did something happen? Has someone hurt you?” The anger that creeps into his voice sends a chill down my spine.
“No.” I rush to assure him. “It’s nothing like that. It’s not bad. It’s good. Really good. I’m just nervous to tell you because it’s probably going to shock you.”
His easy demeanor returns, body visibly relaxing. “I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to, Elle. You’ve roped me into some crazy shit over the years, I doubt there is anything you can say that will truly shock me.” He chuckles.
He has no idea …
“Besides, if you’re excited about it, then I am too.”
My heart warms at the added response. “Really?”
“Of course. So, out with it. Tell me, what are we excited about?”
Knowing it’s now or never, I place my carton of food down on the desk, then take one of his hands into both of mine.
The gesture catches him off guard, but before he can ask any more questions, I tell him the secret I have been keeping. “I’m going to have a baby.”
Gunnar
Deafening silence fills the room as I stare back at my best friend, the only girl who has ever mattered to me, and know without a doubt that I just heard her wrong.
I shake my head, trying to clear the echo. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. What did you say?”
A soft smile flutters across her lips, her eyes lit with excitement. “I’ve decided to have a baby, Gunnar. I’m going to be a mom.”
My brain struggles to process those words but can’t because they make no sense.
I look around the room, expecting a cameraman to jump out at any moment and say gotcha. It would be a typical Ellie thing to do. Hell, I’ll bet even Ryland is in on this, the sneaky bastard.
I chuckle at the thought. “Nice one, Elle. You almost had me.”
She doesn’t share in my amusement. Hurt flashes in her eyes before she releases my hand. “It’s not a joke.”
Realization suddenly strikes, evoking a storm of emotions. Disbelief, confusion, and … panic. “What the hell are you talking about? Since when did you start seeing someone?”
She tells me everything and she has not mentioned any fucking guy to me. I’m the only guy in her life. It’s always been that way. It’s supposed to always be that way.
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
Relief floods my senses, giving me a moment of reprieve until another disturbing thought emerges. “Wait, are you telling me you’re someone’s sidepiece?”
I’ll kill the son of a bitch.
Ellie is not the kind of girl you screw around with. She’s the girl you marry. Not that I want her marrying anyone either, but that’s not the point.
“What? No.” She laughs, finding it funny.
