Wynn

My pulse hammers away as I re-enter the pole barn hand-in-hand with Ari Castillo. He may have his flaws, but the guy can't stand to see anyone hurt. It's a good thing he's here too because, despite my reputation for not giving a shiz what anybody thinks of me, it's quite the opposite right now.

I'm not okay.

Our classmates gape at us as we push through them, chattering about the new pieces they've gained for their gossip games. All around me I hear my name whispered alongside Wyatt's and Cole's. Apparently, I've been slutting it up with the two of them, half of South's football team and a couple of Dallas Cowboys.

Seems I really get around...

My throat tightens as tears threaten to form in my eyes, and I immediately hate myself for being so affected by my classmates and their vicious tongues. I want to be stronger—unfeeling. But the truth is, in this moment I'm just shy of broken.

Ari releases my hand, casually draping his arm over my shoulders and completely unafraid of what his associating with me might do to his rep. "Let's show 'em how much we value their opinions, huh?" he says quietly, with an arrogant wink. His eyes sparkle mischievously with the kind of twinkle that I know his mama dreads.

"We'll give 'em hell," I reply with a smile, drawing courage from Ari's significant confidence. My heart may be in pieces, but friends like these bless me far beyond what I deserve.

After a few minutes dancing with North High's most eligible bachelor, it's apparent that he might affect my reputation as much as I am his. We look ridiculous— a jolly green giant and a pregnant Playboy bunny dancing like a couple of morons. It's easy enough to ignore my problems when I have Ari dancing shamelessly before me like some sort of maimed giraffe. Every move he makes is off-beat, snapping his fingers out of time as he jumps and gyrates to the music.

"You look like you're being electrocuted, Aurelius," Mari giggles, playfully bumping her enhanced backside into my hip. Nash sidles up beside her in a getup that looks as if it got into a beef with a lawn mower, his clothing distressed in a fashionable manner beneath his gold chains. They're Kim and Kanye... genius.

"Jealous much?" Ari chides, flicking his leg out in a poor attempt to channel his inner Michael Jackson. It hurts to watch, and this is one of his better moves...

"As if!" Mari scoffs, patting my shoulder. "He's embarrassing, right?"

I laugh, bringing a scowl to Ari's face. "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet, little mama," he says, sweeping me into his embrace and leading me in circles.

Nash takes his cue from Ari, spinning Mari into his arms, and they begin dancing beside us. I watch as they move together, showing their affection for one another without hesitation. I can see the love they share, written plainly in the goofy grins they wear unabashedly, and I long for the freedom they have.

I need to find Cole.

I owe it to us both to at least try and salvage a future together. I'll be lucky if he hasn't left yet, and I'm really hoping he hasn't because goodness knows he probably won't answer my calls. I wouldn't either if I were him.

"I think I'm gonna get going," I shout to Ari over the thumping bass. This boy won't have any trouble finding a new dance partner, as there's always a small army of girls waiting in the wings, praying he'll glance their way.

"We can take you home if you need a ride," he hollers back, mellowing his groove as he jerks his thumb toward Mari and Nash.

"I'm good, I promise," I assure him, placing my hand on his arm. "Thank you for the... for the dance." I smile, feeling grateful for the diversion he's provided, though I'm not certain referring to it as dancing is quite right.

"Anytime, gorgeous!" he shouts, saluting as I make my way through the horde of disguised peers. And while Ari helped bring some levity to my mood, it doesn't take long for the chaos to trickle back in. I know that I need to maintain my composure and explain things to Cole.

If I can find him.

I don't think I'll ever forget the look on his face tonight. The betrayal he felt was palpable to me, and all I want to do now is take that from him. I shouldn't have kept this to myself, and I shouldn't have tried to run from what we had. I've hurt him so deeply. All I can do now is pray that the damage isn't beyond repair.

...

I trudge through the dampened soil with no real direction, each step helping to further aerate the property as the heels of my pumps sink into the dirt along my path. Sighing, I kick off my shoes in irritation. They were pinching my toes anyway...

The feel of the dirt beneath my bare feet brings back memories, reminding me of a spot that Cole and I found here a few years back. I know it's not likely he'll be there, but it's worth a try.

I'd forgotten how vast this property is. It takes me a few minutes of exploration, but the old apple tree finally comes into view. Just beneath the heavy foliage, I make out Cole's silhouette as he glides back and forth on the rickety wooden bench the owners have chained to a thick branch.

I watch him for a few moments, hiding like a coward behind a tree trunk from several yards away. I know that I need to woman up, as I owe him so much more than an apology, but I haven't thought this through in the slightest.

I want to tell him that I'm ready for us to be together, that I've never stopped caring or loving, but how can I possibly convince him that I'm sincere when I've done nothing more than play with his emotions since the day we met?

For years he's been the one relentlessly pursuing me. At first, I was nothing more than a challenge— just another game, another opportunity for victory for the man who's competitive to his very core. I don't know when it all changed, or even how, but somewhere along the way, it became real.

He broke down my walls and made me feel wanted. Our desire for one another was consuming, and I fell so deeply in love with him that I was willing to sacrifice our happiness to keep him safe. To me, it was the only thing that made sense, even though he said that we were worth it to him, that he would handle his father because I gave him something to look forward to.

Maybe I was wrong, but I simply couldn't accept that. Hell, I still can't. Harris is a factor that I can't ignore, and neither can Cole. But in our time apart, I've come to realize that I can't make his decisions for him either. Things have changed and I'm tired of pretending that I'm alright without him. If he'll still have me, I'm ready to take a stand and face the consequences, no matter the cost. We'll do it together this time, do it right.

If it isn't too late...

Cole raises his head as I approach, his sneakers scraping against the gravel beneath him as the bench sways. He glances at me before looking away, examining his knuckles with a clenched fist. I seat myself beside him, tossing my shoes to the side. My feet still don't reach the ground, reminding me of a time when everything was so simple.

Things have certainly evolved since then.

"Is what you said back there true?" Cole says suddenly, breaking the burdened silence hovering between us.

"Yes," I breathe, my voice nearly inaudible.

The awkward quiet returns as we sit together wordlessly, with neither of us able to articulate our feelings. The sky is clear, sprinkled with stars shining through the blackness. We've spent so many perfect nights like this one in the solace of each other's' arms, the memories making the rift between us that much more agonizing.

Cole pushes at the gravel underfoot, rocking the swing gently as he stares up at the inky curtain of night stretching beyond the trees. It's peaceful here with him, despite our inability to share the inner workings of our hearts with one another.

"I'm so sorry," I finally manage, my voice cracking. His blue eyes meet mine, and even in the dark, they draw me in. "I should have told you right away, but I was just—"

"Scared?" he supplies. His tone is stale and laced with pent-up frustration that he's more than earned. "Don't you think I'd want to be there for you through that? That maybe I'd want to help you figure everything out considering I'm the father? But instead, you choose to confide in Wyatt Matheson of all people."

I drop my chin to my chest before the tears begin to fall. He's right, and I have no excuse aside from my own fears and doubts surrounding us, all of which are unfounded.

"I never told him on purpose," I continue, unable to meet the storm in his gaze. "He found me crying in my car after the game last week and wouldn't let me out of his sight until I told him."

Cole scoffs, and I can see his head shaking in my periphery. "Good ol' Wyatt," he mutters, biting the inside of his cheek. It's an old habit I know well, something he does whenever he's trying not to say what he actually thinks.

"He's been a friend since we were kids, Cole, and for the past few days he was the only one I had until Colby and I made up."

"Was he really there with you at the clinic like Lana said?"

The pain in his voice is so profound that it breaks me all over again. I only nod in response.

"Did he enjoy getting to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time? Did he get to see a nice little snapshot of the life we created together?" he continues in irritation.

"Cole, please!" I cry, sobbing into my hands and folding over myself as I weep. My body trembles with regret and sorrow, as all of the emotions I've kept bottled up and hidden free themselves. I shouldn't be surprised, though. Cole always gets the real me, the good, the bad and the ugly— he always has.

Before long I feel a warm hand resting on my shoulder, and the comfort it offers is far greater than what I've earned. I turn to face him, and when our eyes meet, I find that the fury has left his. He's softened, resembling the version of him that I fell so head over heels for.

"Do you have a picture?" he asks quietly. I nod, sniffling as I work to compose myself.

I retrieve my phone from where I've had it strapped to my thigh with a garter, unlocking it to the image of our baby. "All I do is look at it," I admit.

Cole nods, taking the phone from my hands. An expression of awe forms on his face as he takes in all that the image has to offer, effectively melting my heart as I silently observe his wonder. I can tell he's not sure what he's looking at, but he knows it's ours, and for the Galloway that I know that's more than enough.

"This is the face," I say, tracing the outline with my fingertip. He smirks then, a chuckle of amazement passing his lips, and I can't help but smile at his reaction. "And here are the little legs, and arms."

He stares at my phone without uttering a word, undoubtedly a bit overwhelmed by his first glimpse of our unborn child, just as I was. The phone screen times out and shuts off, but he continues staring at the blank rectangle in his hands.

"Why didn't you want to tell me?" he prods. "Why'd it take you being caught with Matheson for you to finally clue me in?"

"I guess I needed to process the news first," I admit. "I had just found out when Wyatt saw me in my car. He told me I needed to tell you, too, and I wanted to, only I wanted to do it when I felt ready." I slouch into the bench, resting my head on the backrest behind me.

"I never should have kept this from you," I continue. "Everything between us has been such a rollercoaster. I didn't want to throw this into the mix on top of everything else, but we don't have much of a choice, as it turns out. I've never stopped loving you, Galloway." The admission rolls off of my tongue with ease, as I rest my hand in his. "I was worried about your dad, and all I wanted to do was protect you, but I love you so much. I don't want to run anymore."

"Thank you for finally telling me." He smiles sadly, squeezing my hand and rising to his feet, placing my phone on the bench where he sat beside me. I'm afraid he's going to walk away, but he doesn't. Instead, he turns, tipping my chin upward with his finger. "I need a little time for all of this to sink in, okay?"

"I understand," I whisper. We watch each other then, and I see a thousand promises hidden behind his eyes, though he reveals nothing to me.

He leans toward me, pressing his lips to my forehead before he wanders slowly away. I can't even begin to imagine what he's thinking, what he's feeling in this moment, his life having been flipped upside down just like mine was only one short week ago.

And while I know that we are far from healed, it seems, at least, like we've taken a step in the right direction.