I don’t much care about any of it, really, since my main focus now is getting Wyatt to stop acting as if I’m about to shatter and have a nervous breakdown at any moment.
On top of all this, my period is late by two days. If it is what I think it is, I’m going to have something else to worry about besides myself and some maniac targeting the Lanes and me.
“You okay, Ellie?”
I look up from the book I’ve been pretending to read and see Jared sitting beside me, his blue eyes way too observant for my liking. Part of me avoids him no matter how much I love the man, because he just seems to know things.
It’s creepy and discomforting when you’re trying to keep a secret like the one I’m holding on to. And no, I’m not freaking out about it or anything. I want a family.
I’m just not ready to be on bedrest for a full nine months with Mr. Guilty Pants babying me to death. I think I’ll tell him just before I pop if his behavior doesn’t improve soon.
The man tries to cut my food, for God’s sake! You try living with that level of crazy and see how you like it.
“Fine, I guess. Just wondering if we’ll ever be free of this stuff. I want to go out and explore and go to those cooking workshops Jude and I scheduled. And I want your brother to stop hovering like I’m at death’s door or something,” I huff, making him laugh.
“Not gonna happen, even if we crack this thing and stuff goes back to normal. If you want any sort of peace, I’d suggest you keep your secret a little longer, or he’s likely to lose his fool mind and actually wrap you up in cotton wool, honey,” he warns.
“How did you know?”
Seriously, is there nothing I can keep to myself with these Lane men? It seems not when he grins and winks before answering me.
“Ellie, I watched you for months and reported back to Wyatt. There’s not a thing, and I mean not a thing I don’t know about you, sweetheart, and that includes keeping track of your cycle,” he admits, making me blush so red, I feel my face go hot as a flame.
Did he just admit to knowing when I get my period?
“You and your brothers had better keep a wide berth from me if you all want to live,” I growl, narrowing my eyes at him and his smirking face.
“El, it’s a natural part of life and not something a real man should shy away from, so stop feeling embarrassed. Besides, how else was I supposed to be the first one to know your secret if I wasn’t looking for the signs?”
“Fine, whatever, just don’t open your fat trap, idiot. I’m not sure it’s true yet, so I’d really like to at least know before he goes mental and refuses to let me walk anywhere.”
“Deal. Now then, let’s go start lunch and leave Ma and Lynn to talk while Jerry drives Pop crazy,” he says, pulling me up and behind him to the kitchen.
“Where’s Wyatt and Miah?”
That gets me a scowl and I start laughing so hard, I choke on my spit.
“Oh God, you are Miah, aren’t you?”
I’m still laughing when he gets me in a headlock and gives me a playful noogie.
“You think Jared would be this comfortable discussing a woman’s cycle? The fool almost had a fit when Pop gave us the talk and he found out that woman bleed. Swear to God, any poor female who gets stuck with him will have to be a paragon of saintliness or some shit.”
“Sorry.”
“No worries. At least you didn’t mistake me for Jace this time.” He chuckles.
“That was one time! And my eyes were still blurry because I just woke up!”
One time I make that mistake, and no one will let me live it down.
***
I’m not pregnant. I discover later that night when I stand up to get out of the bath. To say that the disappointment is crushing is putting it mildly.
I clean up and dress before sitting on the toilet seat and crying my eyes out.
Don’t be a fool, Ellie, it’s not the end of the world.
No, but it’s one less guarantee that everything will be okay and I hate it. Poor Miah is going to be so disappointed.
“Ellie? Baby, why are you crying?” Wyatt demands, coming down at my feet and taking me into his arms.
I cry harder because he’s trying to comfort me for something that I shouldn’t even be crying about. Besides, it’s just plain stupid to want a baby so early on in a relationship, and especially when we’re not even married yet.
Stupid love. It’s turned me into an illogical ninny with nothing better to do than focus on things I shouldn’t even be thinking about right now.
“Baby. Talk to me. Please. Is this about the stalker and—”
“No. No,” I rush to say, hugging him closer and taking in his scent.