Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Amelia

My mom has her faults but I always thought she’d have my back when it really mattered. Until now.

I’m pacing my tiny apartment, staring at the baby furniture when my phone rings. I rush over, expecting it to be Luke but it’s my mom. Again.

I don’t know what to say to her. I must have asked her a million times not to share my private life with the world, but she continues to— Nooo . She wouldn’t have leaked it. Right?

“Did you speak with someone in the media?” I answer her call before it goes to voicemail.

“Excuse me? Is that how—”

“Just answer the question.”

“That wasn’t me.”

I let out a long sigh of relief until she continues speaking. “I think it was your father.”

Jesus. As if he hasn’t hurt me enough.

“The original photo didn’t name you—it only named Luke—but the second I saw it, I called your dad. I was excited, and I wanted someone to share that excitement with me. But when I saw the article again a few hours later, it had been updated.”

“Why him? Why not call one of your friends?”

“He’s your dad.”

“No, he’s not. He hasn’t been my dad for a long time. Not since he walked out of my life. And I know we’re different, that you were never able to cut him off, like I was, and I get it… you never stopped loving him. But didn’t you love me too? Don’t you love me too? Because my child hasn’t even been born yet and I know with absolute certainty that I would never treat them the way you’ve treated me. No matter what happens with Luke, my child will always be my number one priority.”

“I’m sharing good news. Why would you assume that means I love you less?”

“Because I explicitly told you not to. Many times. And after I separated from Preston, I begged you not to talk to anyone about me, and yet I still got calls from both Preston and Dad when I got my new job.”

“They care about you.”

“I want it to stop,” I snap and then pause, shaking my head as a dizziness rolls through me. “I wish I’d never told you I was pregnant,” I add, softer this time. “But I wanted to trust you and I can’t do it anymore. Dad walked away when I was thirteen, and I left Preston over a year ago. It’s time you moved on or…” I trail off. I’m not someone that dishes out threats. That’s not me. But I can’t let her continue to bring me down. There’s too much at stake now.

“Or what?”

“Or you won’t see your grandchild at all.”

“Amelia, you’re being—”

“I can’t, Mom. Please, just give me some space.”

I hang up without saying goodbye and drop to the couch as my head throbs. It’s been a long time since I ended a conversation with my mom in a good mood, but she’s never made me physically hurt.

Taking a deep breath, I massage my temples to try and alleviate the stress, but it doesn’t work, so instead I lie down and close my eyes, hoping I just need to rest.

I’m not sure how much time passes, but I’m startled awake with a knock at my door. My first thought is Hayley, but I know she has a meeting about her new film today, which means unless someone’s found my address, it’s Luke.

I get up slowly and walk over to the door, but I don’t make it before he knocks again, and when I open up, his hand is raised, ready to go for a third time.

“Hi, I—”

He doesn’t say a word before pulling me into his arms and wrapping me in his hold, allowing me to breathe him in. And God, is he the air that I didn’t know I needed.

“Are you okay?” he asks, holding me at arm’s length so he can look me in the eyes. “I didn’t see anyone taking a photo of us or I would have paid them off, and I would have been here sooner but I wanted to wait until morning. You said you were tired. But God, it’s a mess. I was walking through the airport today and the whispers were everywhere. Please tell me you’re alright.”

“I’m fine.” I smile to reassure him before adding, “Unless you count the fact that I was recognized at the local store this morning and told I was a lying whore. Okay, she didn’t actually say that, but the look she gave me screamed it in my face and it’s only a matter of time. Oh, and my mom called. It turns out she told my dad about our baby and you, and he thought it would be a great idea to speak to the media and tell them who I was. Have you actually seen the article? The photo is so clear and—”

“I’m sorry.”

“What?” I may have been staring at him since he walked through the door, but for the first time, I stop and really focus on him. And the regret in his expression guts me. “Oh, Luke. You have nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t do this.”

“I know, but it’s because of me that they made a big deal out of it. If you were walking down the street, pregnant with some other man’s baby, no one would have batted an eyelash.”

“Depends. If it was Preston’s they might have.”

“Amelia,” Luke growls, making me smile for the first time since my mom called. “Can we please not mention—”

“No, hear me out. This was always going to be my life. If I’d stayed with Preston, I would have been photographed. It’s something that’s always lingered in the back of my mind. But that’s not what bothers me in all this.”

“Okay?” His expression turns puzzled. “What is?”

“That we lost our bubble. It was nice knowing that we had this huge secret only a few people knew.”

The corners of Luke’s lips pull into a small grin before he reaches for my hand and tugs me toward him. “Yeah, it was. But we can keep that up.”

“How? The world will know soon enough.”

“True, but we can still keep secrets. Like the secret of me sneaking into your office to pleasure you while you’re editing the show.”

“What?” I bite back a laugh while that pleasure pools between my legs.

“Or the secret of what we’re going to name our kids or their due dates.”

“Kids?” I raise an eyebrow. “Plural?”

Luke laughs out loud as he tugs me again until I’m engulfed in his arms. “The point is that they don’t know everything. We’ve got some secrets left.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being you.”

A spark flickers across his eyes but before I can process it, it’s gone. “You’re always welcome.” He smiles instead, but it barely lasts more than a second before it’s replaced by a scowl. “Now, who the fuck looked at you like you were a whore?”

His serious expression has my insides melting as I stare at the man that’s worked his way back into my heart, or maybe he’s the man that never truly left it.

“It was harmless, but thank you.”

“It’s not harmless if it hurts you.”

“I’m sure it’s not the worst that will happen.”

“Fuck, I hate that but you’re right. I want you to stay at my place.”

“Luke.”

“No, wait. Now it’s your turn to hear me out. You can come and go as you please, parking in my garage without anyone ever knowing. You’ll have more space. We can set up an office for you on the days you don’t feel up to going to the stadium. And…” He pauses, leaving me in suspense.

“And?”

“Lainey lives around the corner. You’d have someone nearby if you needed them.”

“Hayley’s close by.”

“Yes, but she’s about to be a movie star.”

“And what? You don’t think she’ll have time for me anymore?”

“No. Not in the way you’re saying it. She’ll always be your friend, but you know she’ll have less time. If you’re worried, this arrangement can be until Jelly Bean is born. We can have separate rooms and—”

“You’d let me have a separate room?”

Luke’s face scrunches as he shakes his head. “Hell no. What was I thinking? Can you pretend I never said that?”

“Consider it erased.”

“Thank you.”

I smile before shifting my gaze to the ceiling and blowing out a raspberry. “What happened to us taking it slow? To dating?”

“Life happened and I promised you I’d do whatever it took to be there for you. This is me doing that.”

“It’s not just you wanting sex every night?”

“Nooo. Wait. I mean, I obviously won’t say no to that because I’d be crazy, but it’s not the main reason.”

“Okay.”

“I’m serious, Amelia. I—”

“I said okay.”

His head flicks back as his eyes widen, clearly expecting more pushback, and I don’t blame him. I haven’t exactly made things easy on him. “You’ll move in?”

“I will. But for the record, I think we’re both crazy for this.”

“There’s nothing wrong with crazy. Should we pack now?”

I huff out a laugh and bury myself in the comfort of his arms, my heart racing when he presses a kiss to my head. I have no idea what the future will bring, but right now, his warmth is keeping me grounded. And I never saw it coming. So while my head tells me to say no, to delay this move as long as possible, my heart is screaming at me to say yes. And for the first time, I’m going to listen.

“Let’s do it.” I rest my chin on his chest and smile up at him.

“Yeah?” he asks, surprise lighting up his face.

“Yeah. I’d love to move in with you.” I smile before adding, “For now,” making Luke burst out laughing.

I wake up in Luke’s arms, his heavy limb under my belly, just like the last time we woke up together, as if even in his sleep he’s protecting our child. After wriggling out of his hold, I stretch my body, feeling better after a proper night's sleep in his ridiculously comfortable bed.

Only my headache still lingers.

After pressing a kiss to Luke’s shoulder, I get up and leave him sleeping as I get ready for work. But when I’m packing my bag, I sense his presence behind me before he wraps his arms around my waist. “Who knew that sharing my bed would help me sleep better.”

“Probably a large majority of people who partake in that thing called monogamy.”

“Ah, those people. Smart.”

I laugh as he spins me around, but the second his mouth meets mine, my laughter turns to longing as his lips gently caress mine. This is what I always wanted. Someone who wants me as much as I want them. “I wish I could have stayed in bed all day,” I whisper when he pulls away, my head a little dazed.

“Now there’s an idea.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door but I hold strong.

“I have to go.”

“I know.” He sighs, his shoulders dropping in defeat. “But one day we are making that happen. You deserve a day to rest.”

“Deal.” I smile.

“In the meantime, I’ll be there at some point today, so I might pop in.”

“I thought you were off.”

“We are, but I’m meeting a few of the guys for a workout. A stipulation of a new group chat we’ve got.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that a few of the guys started a group chat to offer me some dad advice. But Easton only agreed to be a part of it if we also made it about football. So…Reed texted to say we should all work out today and Easton was happy about that.”

I fall silent and bite back a smile. God, I wish I’d heard about that in one of their interviews. Audiences would eat that up.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m not laughing.”

“Your veins are practically popping with how hard you’re trying to hold back.”

“Okay.” I giggle. “It’s not funny so much as freaking adorable, and I wish I could show that side of you all on the show.”

Luke bites his lip before gracing me with a mischievous grin. “Want me to mention it on the record? It might help my image. I want to be adored.”

I work hard to keep my straight face, but when he bounces his eyebrows, I burst out laughing. “You don’t have to worry about that. Wait until they see Luke the soon-to-be dad. Because I can guarantee, Tom will be begging us to talk about that before the end of the day.”

“Do you want that?” His face softens as the smallest crease forms between his eyes.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to avoid it. But I’m telling you now, I won’t be making an appearance and neither will our child.”

“Good, I’d rather keep you both to myself.” He tries to secure me in his hold again but I wriggle free.

“I have to go.”

“Fine. I’ll see you later.”

“You will.”

N o one says anything when I arrive in the edit suites a short time later, but it’s obvious that everyone knows. There’s a strange energy in the air that’s following me around, and I notice people stop talking when I pass by, or watching me out of the corner of their eyes, like I’m about to do something newsworthy.

I keep to myself, focusing on what needs to be done, but when my headache gets progressively worse over the course of the day, I can’t do it anymore.

“I’m going to work from home for the afternoon,” I announce to the crew in the production office, and I swear everyone collectively relaxes. Which means, I have to address the elephant in the room. “Tomorrow, we’re going to chat about the article I assume you all saw, and then by Wednesday everything will be back to normal. Deal?”

“What article?” our runner asks while others chuckle and nod.

“Someone fill him in while I’m gone. And be here tomorrow, eight a.m., for a chat.”

A weight lifts as I make my way out to the parking lot, but it’s short-lived when I find what’s waiting for me. Or more specifically, who.

I freeze, as I stare into eyes the same olive-green color as my own, my pulse racing as a shiver runs through me. It’s been years. Probably close to fifteen, but other than his gray hair and wrinkles, he’s barely changed. “What are you doing here?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

“Nice to see you too, Amelia. I came because I wanted to talk.”

“Now?”

“You’ve been avoiding my calls, why else—”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I cut him off loudly, before scanning the lot. The private lot for players and staff. “How did you get in here?”

“A friend. It doesn’t matter. The point is that I needed to see you in person. To talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, we have plenty, but first, you’re pregnant with my grandchild. Surely that warrants a conversation.”

“Okay. Yes, I’m pregnant. But you knew that a month ago, didn’t you? You’re here because of Luke.”

“That’s ridiculous. Your mom called and I have a right, Am—”

“Excuse me? You lost all your rights the moment you left. Actually, you lost your rights long before that.”

“You’ve labeled me as the bad guy and yet you’re with someone exactly like me. What kind of guy do you think I was when I met your mom? Hasn’t she ever told you? Warned you away from guys like me? I was on the college basketball team, I slept around, and I never wanted to settle down. But then guess what? I thought I’d try something different. That I’d sleep with one girl for a while. And within a month your mom got pregnant with you…” He trails off as my eyes widen and a pit forms in my stomach. Why hasn’t anyone told me this story?

“I’m going to guess by the shock on your face that you’ve realized it’s history repeating itself.”

“You’re not half the man Luke is. You have no idea—”

“Everyone knows his reputation, and if they didn’t, the current articles circulating are filling them in. I’m not saying this to hurt you. I’m trying to prove a point. If you don’t think I can change, what makes you so sure that he can? You were always so naive, Amelia. So—

“Stop.” Luke’s booming voice echoes from behind me before he rushes forward and stands between us, his hand resting against my hip as he moves me behind him. “Say what you want about me, but stay the fuck away from Amelia.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll make you.” Luke gets up in his face, but I grab the back of his shirt to pull him away. Not that it works. He barely budges.

“Yeah, right.” My dad— Damien —sniggers. “You’d fuck up your entire career if you did.”

“Try me.” Luke stands his ground, his fists now clenched by his sides. “Amelia means more to me than any of this.” He waves back toward the stadium. “I don’t give a fuck what happens to me. So I suggest you leave before I ask my friends to help remove you.”

I turn slightly to find Reed and Thomas hovering near the door, and I have to bite back a groan. Now they’re all risking their careers for me.

“Go, Damien. Please,” I beg, my eyes boring into his, hoping that if he actually cares about me like he says he does, that he’ll give in and walk away. He stares back at me, anger in his eyes until a moment passes and they finally soften.

“I want you in my life, Amelia. That’s all.”

“Just go.”

My body deflates as he turns and walks away, but I wait until he’s gone before allowing myself to crumble.