Laying in the dark, the aching in Summer’s heart was overwhelming. All she wanted to do was run off to some faraway place, have her baby and never see Nick again. Just when she believed nothing else he said or did could hurt her, he managed to prove her wrong. He actually entertained the idea she had slept with another man who he thought might possibly be the father of her baby. Summer was devastated. How could he think she would do such a thing to him? to them?
Summer groaned as she felt a faint twinge in her lower abdomen. No not now. What had been a horrible night was tumbling into a nightmare. The discomfort in her lower abdomen was a premature contraction rearing its ugly head. No doubt from the stressful day ending with the altercation with Nick.
Slowly rising up, going into the kitchen finding the largest glass, filling it with water, Summer begin to drink. Hydration and lying on her left side with her feet elevated should hopefully abort the threatening premature contractions.
After she forced three large glasses of water down, Summer dragged herself back to the den. Resuming her fetal position on the sofa, lying on her left side, the second her head hit the
sofa tears had begun to fall. Protectively she cradled her belly. Why is this happening to me? What did I ever do but love him? Summer yawned as her eyelids became heavy as she wrestled to keep them open. Too exhausted, both physically and mentally she succumbed to a state of slumber, praying when she opened her eyes she’d be home.
Chapter 10
The hallway wall supported Nick’s two hundred twenty pounds as he leaned against it in the dark. Listening to Summer’s sobbing was stripping him bare, exposing feelings he never knew existed. The sight of her red, swollen eyes and tear streaked face sickened him. How had he let himself sink to such a level to treat her the way he had? Despite everything she didn’t deserve to be made to feel unsafe, especially with him. Nick had never admitted to loving Summer, however, he’d always made her feel safe in his presence when they were a couple.
Heavy legs carried Nick back to his office as he replayed the scene over again in his head. It’s no wonder she was frightened of him. He had literally lifted her off her feet like she was a ragdoll. Regret coursed through him at how he handled things, handled her.
I need to check on Summer, make sure she’s alright.
Nick took long strides as he hurried to the den. Not wanting to wake her, his steps became feather light. Gingerly he sat on the opposite end of the sofa.
Closing his eyes, leaning his head back on the sofa he thought about what Summer said. “I had my last period the beginning of May.”
May. What happened in May? Where was I in May?
Nick slowly rotated his head and allowed his gaze to fall on Summer’s fetal positioned form. How could I forget? He had asked her to trust him and she did. Deep within his soul there was a stirring he could not quite explain. It was true. He was going to be a father. But would he be up to the task? Was all of his anger a mask to cover up perceived inadequacies he held about himself?
♥♥♥
Summer was thrilled when Nick requested she spend a week with him at his cabin in upstate New York. After he finalized the Canada deal, he wanted to get away with Summer and decompress. Working fourteen, sometimes sixteen-hour days was starting to take its toll on their relationship. She never made a fuss about all their cancelled dates. Nor did she complain when he promised to show up at her place at eight-thirty and wouldn’t arrive until close to midnight because some crisis came up at the last minute demanding his attention.HeHh
Always taking everything in stride she’d simply tell him, “I understand.” And understand she did. Summer’s father worked long hours to make his small business a success. There were many swim meets, school plays and softball games her father missed because an emergency had come up at work. Summer learned at an early age to hide her disappointment.
Nick offered no apologies. Summer was aware his work came first and everything else second, including her. Nick knew she would be disappointed by the slight change in her voice she tried, yet failed to conceal when their plans were altered. He appreciated that Summer was not the whiney, clingy, type that threw tantrums when he had to cancel on her at the last minute.
Whenever he showed up at her house late at night she would always have a surprise for him. Everything from sexy lingerie to wearing one of his dress shirts partially button exposing just enough skin making him want her the second he laid eyes on her. Once, she was so brazen, she answered the door wearing nothing but three-inch pumps and one of his silk ties tied in a bow around her neck as if she were a gift. That night they never made it to the bedroom.