University Park Series Box Set: Books 1-3 (63 page)

“Luke, please. I need your help,”
Delaney pleaded, but he shoved her hand away. He wasn’t buying it. “Just leave
her alone. We can do it without her.”

“Fuck that.” He shoved past her and
flung the door open.

“Wait!” I bolted upright and the room
spun around me.

“Whoa.” Shelby braced me with her arm as
I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, trying to steady the awful
sensation. “I don’t think she’s okay.”

I held up my hand as my stomach did a
somersault. Swallowing a few times, I managed to keep my lunch down. This
pregnancy thing wasn’t going so well. “I can explain. Just… please, don’t go.
We need your help. I need your help.”

“Then explain.” Luke slammed the door.
“Because I’m always doing everything for you.”

My head spun around. “Seriously? Is that
how you feel? Because I’ve never asked you to do anything for me.” My eyes
welled up, turning me into an emotional rollercoaster again.

This sucks.

“You might not have asked, but Mom and
Dad sure expected it.” Luke’s face turned red and his jaw hardened as he
pressed his lips together.

I straightened, feeling a surge of
adrenaline. The dizziness subsided and I was ready to get to the bottom of his
shitty attitude once and for all. I was tired of it. “That’s what this is all
about?” I shoved my finger in his face. “I never expected you to do anything
for me, other than giving me a ride here or there, but that’s it.”

“Maybe so, but my whole life I’ve had to
watch after you. Go where you go. Follow all your steps. Make sure you didn’t
do anything stupid.” He slapped my finger, knocking my hand to the side. “Well,
I’m not doing it anymore. I’m done.”

“Good. I don’t need you to watch after
me. I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.”

“And how’s that working out for you?”
Luke crossed his arms. “Huh?”

I eyed Delaney. Had she told him? She
made a cross over her heart, as if swearing to the secret only we shared.

“You walked away from a guy who really
loved you and gave yourself to someone who tossed you aside. Just like I warned
you.”

“You’re still pissed about Collin?” I
knew it. Even though he would never admit it to me, he’d been upset all along.
I guess I couldn’t blame him. Collin had been his best friend since middle
school.

“No, I’m not pissed about Collin. I told
you it was between you and him. It just hate seeing you upset all the time and
knowing that he didn’t give a shit about you infuriates me.” Luke balled his
hands into fists.

Josh shifted his weight and I prayed
this wasn’t about to turn into a big fight.

“You don’t even know what you’re talking
about.” Tears poured from my eyes as I battled my emotions for Raven — knowing
exactly what tormented him daily. But it wasn’t my place to tell. “You have no
idea what he’s been through.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Lexi, everybody
knows Raven’s story.”

“Luke, stop.” Delaney urged him to tone
it down, but he ignored her.

“You might know his public story, but I
know his
real
story.” I clutched my hand to my chest, feeling that
familiar tug that gripped my heart. “And I know that he probably still loves
me, but he just can’t get over what happened.”

With a laugh, Luke said, “You’ve got to
be kiddin’ me. If he walked through that door, you’d take him back, wouldn’t
you?”

I stared at Luke, unable to answer him.
Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I embraced our creations. Even though I
loved Raven, I wasn’t sure I would take him back, despite being pregnant. He
hurt me and walked out on me too many times. It wasn’t like I just could brush
it under the rug and give it another whirl.

“You would.” His face turned stoic.

“And if I did, that’s my decision.” I
pointed to myself with two fingers. “Not yours, not Dad’s, and surely not
Mom’s. In fact, what I decide to do is in my control.” I dropped my hands to my
belly. “And if I want to have these babies then I will. And no one is going to
tell me differently.”

“What?” Luke’s eyes widened and his
mouth fell open.

Delaney covered her mouth and shook her
head.

“Oh shit.” Josh looked stunned and his
head jerked back.

“Oh my God, you’re pregnant!” Shelby
through her hands up in the air. “Does Raven know?”

A sudden knock on the door startled us.
Delaney opened the door. “Deliver for Delaney Dukahkis.” A middle-aged guy
wearing a T-shirt with Furniture World over the pocket smiled as he held up a
clipboard. Great timing.

“Oh, yes. That’s me.” Delaney turned toward
the guy.

“You’re pregnant?” Luke said in a low
voice.

With my hands, I covered my face. I had
ratted on myself.

Shit.

“What’s going on?” Shawn’s voice echoed
to the right of me. “Is this where the party is at?”

I dropped my hands. Could this get any
worse?

Everyone looked at Shawn and he
hesitated to step into the apartment.

“Hey, man.” Josh shook his hand. “Thanks
for coming.”

“Yeah, were you guys waiting on me?” He
looked at Luke, Delaney, and then me. “Are you okay, Lex?”

I wiped my tears and took a deep breath.
“Yeah, pregnant.”

“Oh, that’s go—you’re what?” Shawn did a
double take, the whites of his eyes popping out.

Now that the secret was out, I decided
to tell him, too.

“Where do you want this?” The delivery
guy reappeared as two guys followed behind, carrying our sofa.

“Oh, um,” Delaney scanned the living
room, “how about right here, in the center.”

We shifted out of the way as the movers
came toward us.

“Let’s go to your room so we can talk.”
Luke pointed down the hall.

I walked to my empty bedroom and turned
around to see everyone, except Delaney, file in behind me. My personal business
had just became everyone’s interest.

“How long have you known?” Luke’s voice
had transformed from anger to concern.

“I found out yesterday.”

“Do Mom and Dad know?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Are you going to tell them?”

I dropped my chin and peered at him
through my lashes. “I’m going to have to eventually. I’m on their insurance.”

“How far along are you?” Shelby sounded
the most enthusiastic about my situation.

“Eight weeks, but…” I shifted, unsure I
should give them more details than they needed.

“But what?”

I straightened and took a deep breath.
We were all adults and we’d all had sex. We knew about birth control. Or at
least, knew something about it.

“There’s a twenty-five percent chance I
could miscarry.”

Shelby sighed, “Oh no, why?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “They
had to remove my IUD and it could cause the fetuses to abort.”

Luke took a step back. “Did you just say
fetuses?”

“Uh, yes. I’m pregnant with twins.”

“Aw, hell.” Shawn rolled his shoulders,
his body quivering.

“I guess I missed that part.” Luke took
off his ball cap and ran his fingers through his hair. “How the hell are you
going to manage two kids?”

“You got pregnant with an IUD?” Shelby
glanced at me, then at Josh.

“Good thing you’re on the pill, sweets.”
Josh told her and then looked at me with apologetic eyes. “Sorry, Lexi. Didn’t
mean to throw one at ya.”

I blew off his comment. “Word to the
wise, never opt for an IUD. They obviously don’t work.” I smirked.

“Damn, Lexi, I don’t know what to say.”
Shelby gave me deep, sympathetic look. “I’m here for you.” She glanced at Josh.
“We’re here for you. Whatever you need.” She immediately wrapped her arms
around me and I hugged her tightly.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Are you going to tell Raven?” Josh
asked, bringing my situation to head.

“Eventually.” I knew Raven had a right
to know, but I hadn’t decided on when I was going to tell him. I needed some
time to think things through. The last thing I wanted was for him to take me
back because I was pregnant.

“Lexi, I think he has a right to know.” Shawn
wrapped an arm around me. “If he’s the dad, I know he’d want to know.”

I looked up at Shawn. “Of course he’s
the dad. And I know it’s only right to tell him, just give me some time to
process a few things. What I need to do first is rest for a few days, like the
doctor ordered, and then make it to graduation.”

“Okay. If you need help getting in touch
with him, let me know.” Shawn pulled me closer. “I care about both of you.”

“I know you do.” I patted him on the
chest. “I’ll let you know.”

“Then I guess we better get your bed set
up first.” Josh turned to Luke, urging him to follow.

“Yeah, just a moment.” Luke motioned
with his head. “Lexi, can I talk to you for a moment in private?”

“I’ll help you.” Shawn followed Josh and
Shelby out of the room.

Luke shut the door and I took a deep
breath. I’d never liked confrontation and I felt bad about what had just
happened. But a part of me was glad we finally got it out in the open, exposed
our true feelings — they had been repressed for too long.

Luke immediately gathered me into his
arms. “I’m sorry, Sis. I didn’t mean to unleash on you like that. I had no idea
you were pregnant. And I’m sorry that Raven left you. I’m here for you, you
know that.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, resting my chin
on his shoulder. My nose stung and my throat tightened. No matter how hard I
tried to hold back the waterworks, they made their reappearance. “It’s okay.
I’m sorry that you’ve been feeling that way toward me,” I mumbled against his
shirt. “I hate that Mom and Dad put that burden on you. It’s not right.”

“It was more Mom than anything. You know
how she is…”

I shook my head and sniffed. He
increased the space between us and lifted my chin with his finger, bringing our
eyes level. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you need to tell Mom and
Dad. Or at least Dad.

“I know. I will.” I pressed a hand to my
temple. “Everything has happened so fast. I need a day or two to clear my
head.”

“I understand, but graduation is in six
days and…”

My head jerked up. “And what?”

Luke sighed and gritted his teeth
together. “Mom is planning this big barbecue afterwards. She’s sent invitations
to the entire family.”

I let my head fall back as my shoulders
fell forward. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. I’m surprised Dad hasn’t told
you.”

“He’s been texting me since yesterday,
telling me he needs to talk to me. I told him I was busy packing and I’d call
him later. That’s probably what he wants to tell me.”

“Probably.” Luke wiped a tear from my
check. “Don’t worry, Sis. I know you’ll be alright.” He kissed me on the
forehead and released me from his embrace.

“I know I will,” I sighed. “I’m going to
have two babies to take care of. Can you believe that?”

“No.” He smiled. “I guess what happens
in Padre, doesn’t stay in Padre,” Luke snickered.

I punched him in the arm. “That’s so not
funny.”

“Sorry, Sis.” He walked toward the door
and opened it. “You know I’m here for you.”

“Thanks. I’ll make sure to take you up
on that offer once they’re born.”

Later that night, I lay on Raven’s
mattress, cuddled in my new bedding, thinking about what Luke told me. I knew
that I needed to tell my parents. Graduation was on Saturday and I hadn’t
spoken to my mom since New Year’s Eve. I thought about what my friends said,
and yes, they were right. I needed to tell Raven, too. He had a right to know.
I just wasn’t ready. Not yet.

Σ

“Luke’s outside!” Delaney hollered
across the apartment. “He said to hurry. He wants to miss rush hour traffic.”

“Okay, I’m coming.” I grabbed my purse
and headed for the door. I told Luke I was ready to tell Mom and Dad and asked
him to take me. With graduation four days away, I figured I’d better get it
over with.

We locked up the apartment and headed to
the parking lot, where Luke was waiting.

Delaney opened the door and I got in the
backseat. “Thanks, Luke, for taking me.”

“Yeah, no problem.” He lowered the radio
and kept his eyes firmly planted on Delaney’s butt as she got in the car.

“Hey, sexy.” Delaney shot him one of her
seductive looks as she slid into the front seat.

 “Hey there, yourself.” Luke leaned over
and kissed her on the lips.

Her hands cupped his face and then
spread into his hair. She tangled her fingers through his thick waves as they
stayed lip-locked. Luke moaned and I immediately felt uncomfortable..

I hit the back of the seat, stopping
them before things got out of control. “Are you two going to kiss all day or
what?”

After three long seconds, they finally
stopped. “So, Sis, how you doing?” Luke adjusted the rearview mirror.

“Totally disgusted.”

“Sorry.” Delaney glanced back at me, her
eyes pleading for me to forgive her.

“Take a nap, you’ll feel better.”

I yawned and settled against the seat. A
nap did sound really good.

Luke shook his head. “What are you going
to do when you go back to work and classes start? I’m sure grad school is more
demanding than undergrad.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll see how
things go.” I checked the messages on my phone. Nothing new showed up. Now that
Shawn and Josh knew, I wondered if they’d told Raven. A tiny part of me wished
they would so I didn’t have to. But I didn’t have time to think about Raven. I had
to get my thoughts together on how I was going to break the news to my parents.
I typed a text message to my dad, telling him I was on the way to see him and
Mom. Closing my eyes, I thought about my options. What I should say first and
what I needed from them. There was no easy way around the conversation. I just
wanted to get it over with.

“Lexi. Wake up.” Luke slapped the back
of his seat. “Damn, I thought she said she took a nap.” I heard everything he
said, I just couldn’t open my eyes.

“She did,” Delaney answered. “Lex. Hey,
girl, you okay?” She shook my arm and I shifted.

“Hey, Lex, here comes Mom.”

I pried my eyes open and bolted upright.
“Where?”

Luke laughed. “I knew that’d get you
up.”

I hit the back of his seat with my palm,
pushing him forward. He was back to his old tricks like when we were young. It
made me smile. “Shithead.”

Delaney opened the door and I slid out
first. I turned around when I heard the car door shut. “Hey,” I motioned for
her to roll down the window, “aren’t you coming inside?”

She gave me a meek shrug and nodded
toward Luke, as if trying to tell me he was the one making the decisions.

“Sorry, Sis. You have to do this one
alone.” Luke peered through Delaney’s window, giving me a thumbs up. “You’ll be
alright.”

“Uh.” I crossed my arms and pursed my
lips together. “But I ne…” I stopped, realizing what I was about to say. I
really didn’t need Luke or Delaney. He was right; I needed to tell my parents
on my own. I was a grown woman that had been dying to express her independence
and had done so defiantly for the past year. The result of everything I had
done wasn’t anyone else’s problem. It was mine and I was taking responsibility
for the decisions I’d made. “You’re right. Thanks.” I smiled and stepped away
from the car.

“Text me when you’re ready to leave and
we’ll come pick you up.”

I nodded and waved as he backed out of
the driveway. I turned around and took a deep breath. It was now or never.
Taking one step at a time, I approached the front door, rehearsing exactly what
I’d say to them. Just as I reached into my purse to grab my keys, the front
door opened.

“Hey, princess.”

“Hi, Dad.” I smiled.

“I hurried home as soon as you said you
were on the way.” Dad loosened the tie around his neck as he held the door open
for me. “Where’s Luke?”

“He and Delaney went to the mall.
They’ll be back in a little while.”

“Who’s at the door, hon?” Mom’s voice
echoed through the foyer. “I don’t want to be late for—” Mom stopped dead in
her tracks with her mouth ajar. Her eyes darted to my dad and then back to me.

“Hi.” I gave a short wave, waiting to
see if her reaction would soften.

“Lexi. Wh-what are you doing here? I
mean, it’s about time you came home. Your sister and I have been doing all the
planning for this graduation party. I hope you appreciate it.” She tucked her
short hair behind her ear and pushed her shoulders back. Her new hairstyle
definitely made her look more sophisticated and more her age. She still hadn’t
given up on coloring it to cover the grey, though.

“Thanks. I, um, I need to talk to you
and Dad.” I shut the door behind me and walked past them toward the living
room, keeping a straight face. If I didn’t keep my focus, I knew I’d lose it
and start crying. My hormones continued to wreak havoc on my emotions — I found
myself crying at almost anything, including commercials. I was pathetic.

“Well, we were just about to leave for
dinner.” She held up her arm and checked her watch. She fumbled with the
bangles on her wrist and let out a small sigh. “Where’s Luke? I guess we can
all go eat and then—”

“Olivia, I think dinner can wait.” Dad
ushered her toward the living room.

“Travis, we told the Stanley’s we’d be
there at six.” Mom sounded perturbed that her dinner plans had been postponed rather
than happy to see me. Nothing had changed, that was for sure.

“Sit.” Dad placed a hand on her shoulder
and forced her down to the couch. With his other hand, he whipped his phone out
of his pocket and typed a text.

“What are you doing?” she questioned,
but dad remained silent as his fingers worked quickly.

“Now they know we aren’t coming.” He
smiled and sat next to her.

Way to go, Dad!

I wish I could’ve recorded the entire
incident, because I knew Luke wasn’t going to believe me. Apparently, some
things had changed. I hated to say it, but Dad had finally grown a pair.

“What is it that’d you like to talk to
us about, princess?” Dad smiled as he leaned forward with his hands folded in
his lap.

Mom didn’t say anything, just flapped
her long, faux lashes at me, as if telling me, “This better be good”. Oh boy,
would it be.

My legs shook as adrenaline coursed
through my body. Inside my chest, the gun had just sounded and the horses had
been released, galloping at full speed, as if eager to get away from the nerve-wracking
scene. Easing onto a chair, I took a deep breath and positioned myself to face
them.

I can do this.

“I just…” I took a few deep breaths,
trying to get the horses to slow down, but they refused. “I, um, wanted to
let…” No matter how many times I’d repeated the words in my head, I couldn’t
say them.

“I think what Lexi is trying to tell us
is that she’s decided to go to graduate school.” He winked at me and I
whimpered.

“Oh, sweetie,” Mom sighed as her hand
flew to her chest. “I’m so happy for you. That’s the best news ever.” She
scampered toward me and embraced me in a tight hug. Slowly, I wrapped my arms
around her, unsure whether her reaction was genuine. “You’ll definitely earn
more money with a master’s degree. You can work your way up to administration.”
She released me, keeping her hands on my arms. “Who knows, maybe you can become
a vice principal.”

Oh God.

“Yeah, um, I’m not going to grad school
for education.”

“You’re not?” Mom stood upright, her
bubble completely burst. “Then what are you going to do?”

I shifted in my chair. “I’ve decided to
get a master’s degree in English and creative writing instead.”

Her hands flew to her hips. “And what do
you hope to do with that?”

“What I’ve been doing, editing.” I
smiled.

She shook her head and returned to the
couch. “And what exactly are you
editing
?” She pursed her lips together
and folded her arms against her body.

“Does it really matter?” I challenged
her stare, not ready to back down. “I’ll continue editing student papers like I
have been. I was also promoted to a Senior Consultant in the writing lab with
Dr. Phillips. I’ll be working there while I go to grad school. That’s why I
moved in with Delaney.” I decided to leave the whole part about editing for
J.S. Christensen out of the conversation. She’d never understand and I didn’t
feel like explaining it to her.

“That’s great news, Lexi.
Congratulations.” Dad got up and gathered me in a hug.

“Thanks, Dad.” I loved how he pretended
he didn’t know. It was our little secret.

“I thought you were moving back home
this weekend. Don’t the dorms close on Friday?” She looked at my dad and then
back to me. “I thought that’s why you showed up…to tell me you were sorry about
everything and ask if you could live here.”

“Um, I think it’s you that owes me the
apology.” I gritted my teeth. “Your words caused a lot of heartache for me and
Raven.”

“Me?” Mom’s voice raised three octaves.
“I had nothing to do with that boy’s behavior. And what does it matter now? He
got kicked out of school and off the football team, right? And Dad told me he
left you —
again
.”

Thanks, Dad.

“Lexi, Olivia,” Dad spoke up, “let’s not
go down that path. Let bygones be bygones. I want both of you to apologize and
put all of this in the past.”

He looked at me and then at Mom. “Olivia,
you go first.”

Mom rolled her eyes and tilted her head
to the right. “I’m sorry, Lexi. I’ll learn how to keep my opinions to myself
and let you decide how you want to live your life.” Her words were more
sarcastic than honest. “There, you happy?” She glanced at Dad out of the corner
of her eye.

I knew he’d been talking to her, which
was good, but it did nothing for me unless she was sincere. I didn’t need her
to save face. Tears welled up in my eyes again. It really sucked that I
couldn’t have a better relationship with my mother. Especially with everything
I was facing. I had no idea how I was going to raise two babies on my own.

“I’m sorry, too, Mom. I’m sorry that I
don’t meet your standards or do everything that you want me to do. I’m sorry
that you don’t approve of my choices.” I pointed to myself and the tears
released. “I’m sorry that you couldn’t accept Raven, like you accepted Collin.
But most of all, I’m sorry that you don’t treat me like you treat Ashley,
because I could really use a friend right now.”

“Lexi, a mother is not supposed to be a
friend.” Her eyes glossed over, but she didn’t cry. “My role is to make sure I
raise you to do the right thing and put you back on track when you rear off.
And that’s all I’ve ever done. I’ve only wanted the best for you, Luke, and
Ashley. Can’t see you that?”

“Then that explains it.” I wiped my cheeks
with the back of my hands. “I appreciate all of your hard ass advice, but in
the end, it really didn’t help me because I’m pregnant. And I’m having twins,”
I blurted without even a second thought. “And Raven is the father.”

My mom’s face turned to stone, like I
had just knocked the life out of her. Dad did a double take. “Lexi, you didn’t
tell me…how long have you known?” He sounded like he was betrayed or hurt that
I hadn’t told him.

“You’re what?” Mom breathed heavily, as
if still trying to process the words. “Why weren’t you being more responsible? What
about all those condoms. How did…”

“I found out this past Saturday.” I
exhaled, releasing all the tension and calming the racehorses inside of my
chest. It was over. They knew. “I would’ve told you sooner, but it’s been quite
traumatic.”

“Traumatic. This is devastating. How far
along are you?” Mom ran her fingers through her hair repeatedly, turning into a
ball of frazzled nerves.

“I’m eight weeks.”

“Give me your phone.” Mom motioned to
Dad.

“Why?” Dad eyed her suspiciously.

She swallowed a few times. “I, um, need
to look up the cut off for abortions.”

“Abortion? And you call yourself a
Christian?” I shot up, rage hitting my blood stream. “I’m not aborting my
babies!” I cradled my stomach. “Not after all I’ve been through.”

“Relax, Lexi.” Dad rushed to my side.
“No one is telling you to get an abortion.” He eased me back onto the chair,
keeping an arm wrapped around me.

I sat, gripping the handles of the
chair, when I really wanted to be ripping out her hair. The nerve she had. This
was woman was un-freakin-believable. She was never going to give up until she
got what she wanted for me.