A Little Secret (The Little Things #4)

Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

FINLEY

J oke’s on us. The house is empty by the time Griffin and I reappear. No notes. No texts. Only a positive pregnancy test on the kitchen counter and a stone of guilt in the pit of my stomach.

“Any suggestions on what we should do?” I ask, turning to Griffin.

He checks the time on his phone and sighs. “Not sure, but?—”

His phone buzzes in his hand.

Leaning closer, I see his mom’s face flashing on the screen, and my eyes dart to his. “You gonna answer it?”

With a nod, he reaches for my hand, squeezes softly, and heads into the family room, lifting his cell to his ear. “Hey, Mom.”

I tiptoe back to my room, close the door behind me, and pull up Everett’s contact info. Pressing call, I wait for him to pick up, but it goes straight to voicemail, confirming my suspicion. He’s pissed. I get it, but still.

I dial his number again and lift my phone to my ear.

Ring. Ring .

“This is Ev. Leave me a message?—”

Hitting end, I open my messaging app and click on my conversation with Everett.

Me

I know you’re mad, and you have every right to be, but if you could not be an ass and let me explain myself, that would be great.

I hit send, then stare at the delivered notification at the bottom, waiting for it to shift to read. When it doesn’t, my teeth dig into the inside of my cheek.

Three little bubbles pop up, and I hold my breath, waiting for his response.

Ev

Can’t talk now. Gotta get my head on straight for the game. We’ll talk later, though. I’m sorry I was an ass, and I love you.

Me

Love you, too.

Tapping my cell against my chin, I squeeze my eyes shut. One down. One billion to go.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I pull up my friends’ group chat and type out a message.

Me

So…I probably owe you girls an explanation…

Before everything exploded, we agreed to meet outside the arena for the game, but still. The radio silence? It feels off. I need to fix this. I need to clear the air. I need to…do something. I feel disconnected now more than ever, and I kn ow it’s my own fault. I should’ve told them. I should’ve smoothed things over. I should’ve…I should’ve done so many things.

My phone buzzes in my hand, and my heart leaps as I find a text from Ophelia.

Ophelia

Oo…already?! I was kind of thinking we were giving you space until the game, but we’re ready whenever you are for the explanation if you want to give it.

Dylan

Yup. We’re definitely ready whenever you are. No pressure, though.

Me

Not sure I’ll ever technically be ready since this is kind of a doozy, but I was wrong for keeping this from you guys. I screwed up.

With a deep breath, I hit send, anxious to clear the air so I can finally breathe.

Dylan

Don’t get me wrong. I think we all would’ve liked to have been in the loop, but I can’t imagine being in your position, Fin. I think it’s normal to spiral a bit after getting news like that, you know? You had every right to keep this close to the chest until you were ready to tell people.

My phone buzzes with a second text.

Raine

I agree with Dylan. And I’m sorry your brother was an ass. I promise I smacked him upside the head after dragging him out of the house. You’re still coming to the game, right?

Me

Planning on it. And thanks for smacking Everett, even though I kind of deserved the freak-out.

Ophelia

No one deserves a freak-out like that. I think the real question is…when are you going to let Everett back into the house since you guys all live together? Lol

Me

Har, har. You’re SO funny, Lia.

Dylan

Pretty sure she gets it from you, Fin.

I roll my eyes.

Me

I repeat: Har. Har. And I didn’t kick him out. You guys all disappeared. What the hell?!

Ophelia

We figured you could use the space for a minute, and you know you love us. PS-How are you feeling?

I hesitate, considering her question, and type my response.

Me

Freaked out, but also kind of excited.

Raine

As you should be. And can I tell you how excited I am to be an aunt again? It’s the best title ever, and I know Everett and I aren’t even close to getting married or anything, but am I allowed to claim the title anyway?

Dylan

Oo, me, too! Maybe I can buy your baby a frog once you get home from the hospital!

Me

So help me, I will murder you.

Dylan

Then who will babysit?

Ophelia

I volunteer as tribute!

My mouth lifts as I type my response.

Me

Of course you do.

But seriously, thank you. For not ripping my head off for keeping you guys in the dark.

Ophelia

We forgive you, Fin. You’re kind of stuck with us.

Raine

ALL of us ;)

Me

Thanks, ladies.

Raine

Honestly, I should be thanking you. Now I don’t feel like I need to impress your parents anymore, because as long as I don’t wind up pregnant, I’m golden, lol.

Ophelia

I should thank you, too. We’re all going to be aunties!!! Do you have any idea how excited I am?

Dylan

You’re excited? I’m already shopping for frog onesies online ;)

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a quiet laugh when a soft knock hits my door.

“Hey,” Griff murmurs.

I set my phone on my nightstand and sit up. “Hey.”

“Something funny?”

“Just…the girls,” I admit. “They’re crazy but awesome. And supportive,” I add, “which is kind of a miracle. What did your mom say?”

“She called about the game and asked how you’re doing.” Walking toward me, he wiggles his cell phone back and forth. “And I ,uh, I told her.”

My eyes pop. “You told her how I’m doing or you told her…about the baby?”

The mattress dips as he sits down beside me. “They’re kind of synonymous, aren’t they?”

“I mean…”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “I guess I was tired of keeping secrets.”

“So you created more?” I counter.

The warmth of his palm spreads across my belly as he palms my stomach. “I know it’s a technicality, but now that we agreed to do this, I can’t imagine not being this baby’s dad in every sense of the word other than blood, and even that feels…so fucking small in the big picture.” He leans in, kissing my temple. “Did you try calling Ev?”

“Went to voicemail,” I mutter. “He texted me, though.”

“What’d he say?”

“That he loves me, he’s sorry for being an ass, and we’ll talk after the game.”

Griffin nods, digesting my words. “Good.”

“I think so,” I agree.”

“You gonna tell your parents yet?”

My face scrunches. “Or, hear me out. We go to tonight’s game, then come home, eat junk food, and watch movies in bed. Eh? Eh?” I give him a wide smile and bat my lashes. The man folds in an instant.

Tossing his arm around me, he tugs me into his side. “I’m gonna let you take the lead on when to tell your parents, but now that mine know, it’s only a matter of time until your phone rings, though I did tell them you want to tell them yourself if you can help it.”

“So, basically, you gave me an unofficial deadline.” I give him a mock glare. “Gee. Thanks.”

“Can’t hide from this forever, Fin.”

“I know.”

“For now, I’m gonna head out and see if I can smooth shit over with Ev before the game. You still driving with the girls?”

With a nod, I give him a squeeze. “Yup.”

“And you’re good?” he prods.

“Never better.”

“That’s my girl.”