Damon's Challenge(26)

“Everything was going so well. How can you not blame me?” she asked.

Cupping her chin, he turned her to face him. “No matter what happens, Meredith, I’m not leaving.”

“You didn’t want children.”

“I want them. I just wasn’t ready to share you. Now we don’t have a choice.” He kissed her lips before resting his head on top of hers. “I’m a selfish bastard.”

“What if he runs from us?” Meredith asked.

“We’ve got each other.”

“I’m falling for him, Andy. I think I might be in love with him.” She sobbed against his chest.

“Me, too, baby. Me, too.”

His heart broke, but he couldn’t allow himself to give in to the emotion. Meredith needed him now, and he didn’t have all the answers. Whatever happened now was up to Damon.

****

A baby changed everything. He threw his jacket into the passenger seat before climbing into the driver’s side. Sliding the key into the ignition he started up the truck, needing the drive to clear his head.

The road was bumpy but free of snow. The snow was piled up on the sides of the road. He’d never been to a more beautiful town before.

Pregnant.

Shaking his head, he shoved the thoughts aside. Meredith could just have a stomach bug.

Pregnant.

The thought didn’t fill him with fear. If Meredith was pregnant then he was happy. His problem was how people changed with a baby on the scene. She could be pregnant with either his or Andy’s baby. He wouldn’t give a shit whose baby it was. Damon knew in his heart he’d love any children who came from Meredith. Slamming his hand on the steering wheel he shouted out a curse.

“Fuck.”

What if Andy got overprotective and no longer wanted to share her? He was in love with her and Andy. Damon couldn’t allow either of them to kick him out. This is why he didn’t settle down.

Wrong, you want to settle down with the right people.

He slowed the truck down as the town came into view. A couple of street lights were aglow, lighting the way to the pharmacy. Parking up in the first available parking spot, he went in the direction of the pharmacy to discover it would be open in ten minutes. He put his jacket on, rubbing his hands together. There was no way he could sit in the truck. He’d be too tempted to simply drive, and he didn’t want to run from this.

Meredith and Andy would need him, he was sure of it.

As he stood waiting he saw Kade Edwards pull up and climb out. The other man looked pale as he stood beside him.

“You waiting for this place to open?” Kade asked.

“Yeah.”

“Holly may be pregnant again.”

He’d noticed the town would talk about everything to anyone. Was he one of the townsfolk now?

“I know you’re with Andy and Meredith. They’re good people, and I know she’s in need of a Dom,” Kade said.

“Wait, what? Do all of you people just talk to strangers about everything?” Damon asked. How the fuck did this man know about Meredith’s submissive streak?

Stop the jealousy.

Fuck, he was jealous, more jealous than he’d ever been in his life.

“You’re a local now. Creek Valley has accepted you. You’ve got to treat Andy and Meredith well, or we’ll kick your ass. We don’t take kindly to someone hurting one of our own.”

“I’ve no intention of hurting them. I love Andy and Meredith. I’m here to get a pregnancy test as well, all right?” Damon lost it shouting at Kade. He noticed a couple more of the locals were also wandering around who heard him. Cursing, he could have kicked himself for his stupidity.

“Congratulations,” Kade said. The other man slapped him on the back. “You better be a good Dom, or I’ll kick your ass myself. Never give us a bad name.”

The door to the pharmacy opened up. Damon grabbed the test, paid, and walked out. He ignored the stares of some of the people. He wasn’t in the mood to be gawked at.

Climbing back into the truck, he removed his jacket and headed back toward the ranch. When he arrived he saw some of the cars parked out front. Some of the ranch hands were already working. Keeping his head down, he walked into the kitchen to find Meredith sat at the table. She was biting her nails with her head bowed.

Damon cursed in his mind. She looked broken, and he knew he’d been the cause. The house was large, but she’d be able to hear him yelling. Dropping the test onto the floor he pulled her into his arms.

She began to sob. He’d read somewhere that women were more emotional when they were pregnant.

“I’m sorry, baby.”

Meredith gripped his jacket, crying. “I didn’t mean to make a mess of everything.”