Growing Love (Brookfield) (2 page)

Chapter Two

“What are you doing here?” Diane asked, not looking happy to see him the way he’d hoped.

Matt
gazed at her. “I don’t want to play games. Can I come in?”

She stepped back and he brushed past her. He stopped in the tiny foyer and glanced around. The place looked the same. They
’d furnished this house together and fought the whole time as they tried to find a happy medium on décor. He’d figured that by now she’d have gotten rid of most of it. She hadn’t.

He turned to
Diane and saw her belly for the first time. He’d always heard that pregnant women had a glow about them, but never had he believed it—until now. She was absolutely beautiful. She could be a model in her current state.

“What did you want to talk about?” She leaned against the wall
, one hand on her protruding belly, his reason for being there.

“The baby
,” he replied, like she didn’t know.

“The baby you don’t want.”

Her words cut him clear to the bone. “I didn’t mean what I said. It was in the heat of the moment. We both said things we didn’t mean.”

“Well, I meant what I said.
And I took your words and action to heart. You let me leave Brookfield, which told me you didn’t want me or this guy.”

Ouch. That stung
too. He moved farther into the house, looking for any sign she still loved him. He’d been wrong; some things were different. His photos were gone. He no longer existed in this house. There were a few pictures, but one in particular caught his eye. Picking it up, he saw it was a recent one too. Tom and Diane.

“So
, Tom’s still in the picture?” He set the frame down, a little harder than necessary.

“Of course.” She took a seat on the couch, rubbing her belly. “He’s going to be the father.”

He resisted the grunt, but it wasn’t easy. Had she really thought she could just sweep him under a rug? “I want to be the father.”

“You can’t change your mind when it’s
convenient for you.”

Matt rubbed his temple. “And you can’t deny my child from me.”

“The child you don’t believe is yours,” she reminded him, impatience creeping in her tone and anger sparking in her pupils.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
“I was stupid. I’ve had a lot of time to think about this.” The next part was hard to say. “I’m an asshole.”

“Yeah, you are. An asshole who isn’t going to be in this kid
’s life.”

He sat down in the recliner
,
his
seat. He didn’t want to fight with her. That wasn’t why he’d come. To be honest, he’d hoped she’d been missing him as well and they’d rekindle. But as he stared at her, he realized she hadn’t forgiven him and she hadn’t forgotten the fight they’d had when she came to him wanting to make things right. He’d thrown Tom in her face and demanded she choose one of them, declared she could no longer have them both. She chose Tom.

“What can I do to make things right between us? Even if we’re just friends
?”

Diane took deep
, shallow breaths and closed her eyes.

Something was wrong. His anger melted away, as concern for her well
-being entered the picture. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Just a Braxton
Hicks.”

What was that?
It sounded awful. “Do you need to go to the doctor’s?”

She held a hand up
and continued taking deep breaths. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.
” Her voice was strained, her pallor pale. “Where is Tom anyway? Shouldn’t he be here with you?”

“He’s at home.”

“He doesn’t live here?” Matt couldn’t believe it. Diane was pregnant. She didn’t need to be living alone.

“I’m hungry and tired.
The doctor said I need to keep my stress level down. You’re not helping. Is this talk about over?” Her tone was laced with irritation and he could see in her face she needed rest.

“I drove a long ways to be here. I was hoping before
I left we would have this all resolved. Even if you don’t love me anymore, I want to be here.”

She was silent and he worried she was in pain.
“I want you to leave. Please.”

“I’m not leaving you here alone.” He pulled his cell phone from his hip. He scrolled through his contacts until he got to Tom’s number
. “Is his number still the same?”

“Yeah.”

A moment later, Tom answered the phone. “Matt, what a surprise.”

“I’m at Diane’s place. She’s having something called Braxton
Hicks. You need to get over here.”

“Tell her to relax and put her feet up. I’ll be there soon.” Matt was about to end the call but heard his old friend continue to speak
and stopped his finger halfway to the
end
button. “Will you be there?”

Matt
snorted. “No.”After he pressed the
end
button, he slid the phone back into his pocket. “Your boyfriend will be here shortly. I’m getting a hotel room. I’ll be back.”

There was nothing left to say. He could find his own way to the front door.

* * *

Diane woke up several hours later
to the scent of garlic and onions sautéing. Tom was here cooking her favorite, spaghetti and meatballs. That man was too good to her. She didn’t deserve it.

Stretching, she pulled herself up and off the couch
, letting the cashmere blanket drop to the floor. She entered the kitchen where Tom stood with his back to her, dressed in khakis, a white button-down shirt, and an apron. His blond hair didn’t have a strand out of place. If she were pregnant with his child, it would have blond hair and blue eyes, since his features almost matched hers. But it wasn’t his.

“What are you doing?” she asked, even though she already knew.

He turned and smiled, holding a bamboo spoon in his hand. “Cooking for you. It won’t be much longer. Go rest.”

She sat down at the kitchen table
. Her chest was heavy from seeing Matt. “What do you think about Matt being here?”

He poured pasta into the boiling water. “It might be a good thing.”

She knew he’d say that. He’d been hounding her for months to at least be the man’s friend. “What we have is good. I’m happy.”

“I’m happy too.” He paused. “But I’m not the baby’s dad. He is.”

“Last time I talked to him, he denied it.”

“And he’s had a lot of time to think.” Tom stirred the sauce then tasted it. “Perfect.”

“He said he’s getting a hotel room and he’ll be back. Stay here, with me. I don’t want to face him alone again.”

“If that’s what you want.” He leaned against the counter. “You
r whole future is in your hands.”

She stood and walked over to Tom, who opened his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder
and felt the crisp, cool cotton under her cheek. This man was her life. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.
We’ve been over this.”

She pulled back, releasing him
with reluctance. “I’d be lost without you. Now hurry up and finish dinner. I’m starving.”

He chuckled. “Patience, dear.”

* * *

Matt parked outside the
big chain restaurant where Tom and Diane had requested they meet. Apparently they wanted to chat in public only. Something about his anger outbursts. And here he’d thought he’d been doing a decent job. But whatever; he was willing to do this for his child. While he and Diane might never be an item again, he had to do whatever it took for his son.

Upon entering
the restaurant, he saw Tom first. His former friend and rival sat at a table alone.
I can do this.
Matt walked through the semi-busy restaurant and slid into the opposite side of the booth from Tom, who put his hand out right away to shake.

Matt did the friendly thing and shook his hand
, even though the idea of touching this man made him sick.

“It’s so good to see you again.” Tom grinned. “It’s not been the same without you.”

Yeah, you get to sleep with Diane anyway you want to now.

“Diane will be right back. Potty break.”

A waitress came over holding a pen and notepad. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Matt saw his dining company already had drinks. “Coke.”

She smiled big and spun around on her heels, her ponytail bouncing.

“Your son is growing so much. He’s going to be a big one.”

Damn right, he’s my son.
“Oh, yeah.”

“He’s active too.”

“Cool.” What was he to say to the man Diane had chosen over him? The man who was so excited about
his
son.

The waitress returned with his drink. “Are you guys ready to order?”

“Yeah, grilled cheese for the lady, I’m gonna do the double cheeseburger,” Tom said.

The perky woman looked at Matt.

“Uh, the double cheeseburger as well.”

“All right! I’ll have that out soon.”
With a snap of her gum and a spin on her heels, she left to take their orders to the cook.

A moment later, Diane appeared. God, she was a sight pregnant. Her blond hair had gotten so long. She wore a light layer of makeup, mainly around her eyes. She had beautiful crystal
-blue eyes. She’d always complained her lashes were too light and she could never leave home without mascara.

Just like the day before, she took his breath away.

She sat next to Tom—of course. Like usual, it was two against one.

“You look nice
.” She really was a natural beauty.

“Thanks.” She glanced at Tom. “Remind me to call the doctor when I leave. I’m worried about th
ese Braxton Hicks I keep having.”

Matt made a note to look up Braxton
Hicks and see what it was. He felt so out of the loop. “Is everything okay?”

“Fine. It’s normal
,” Diane said quickly as she grabbed the water glass on the table.

If it was so normal, why did she want to call the doctor? “Could I
go with you to your appointment?”

“That’s a—” Tom began.

“No.” Diane set the glass down hard and leaned back as best she could. “I told you yesterday I didn’t want you around. Nothing’s changed.”

Matt was confused. When he’d sat down and seen how happy Tom was to see him and
heard the way he spoke, he thought maybe Tom had talked some sense into Diane. But she was still as stubborn as ever.

“I’m not asking to get back together with you.
I know you’re with Tom. I want to be a part of my child’s life, that’s all. Even if it’s every other weekend. Come on, you can’t keep me away legally. I don’t want this to get messy.”

“You wouldn’t.” Her gaze was almost like a dagger
, her words a dare.

“I don’t want it to come to that.
That’s why—”

“Then back off.”

“Diane.” Tom rubbed her arm. “Let’s not get upset. It’s not good for Baby Bean.”

She sighed
and visibly slumped. “I know. I’m trying.”

The waitress returned with their food. It smelled and looked good, so hopefully something would go right today. He picked up a fry and bit off a piece.
Not too salty.

“I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me today.” Matt wanted to change the tone of this conversation.

Diane was silent as she ate. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever come around. Six months later, she still hated him. Of course he didn’t want to take this thing to court, but he wanted to be a part of his child’s life. It wasn’t as though he was unfit. He had a good job thanks to Cody, Diane’s brother. Matt never thought he’d enjoy construction as much as he did. But it was busy-work and the pay was good.

“Are you still working?” Matt asked.

She shook her head. “Tom’s helping me.”

Oh, good for Tom. He was the perfect guy apparently.
“I’m sure you need to rest.”

He needed to get a book on pregnancy so he knew what he was talking about. When he got back to Brookfield, he’d ask Alyssa
who owned the bookstore in town, to order him a copy of every book he might need.

Diane set her fo
rk down. “I’m not feeling well. Is this over? I want to go home now.”

Tom stared at her with a concerned look, which then made Matt worry. “Can I help?”

“No. I’ll be outside in the car. Get this boxed up for me.” She scooted out of the booth and before Matt could speak again, she waddled quickly past.

He let out a loud and much needed sigh. This was not going to be easy at all. He pushed his plate forward.