Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,36

here for three minutes.”

“So?”

“Come on. The sooner you get this over with—”

“I can’t ask you to do this, Jude. It’s one thing to pretend at the field—”

He interrupted me without hesitation. “I promised I was going to help.”

“We’re lying. To everyone.”

“Do you want to do this alone?”

“Do you want to pretend with my family?”

If I wanted to call it a family. More a trial by fire.

I stared at my step-mother’s door. The fortress’s gate. Regan owned a suburban castle. A perfect, custom built five-bedroom home in the heart of the upper-middle class. The cream base and red siding was a charming, yet distinctive, look for the subdivision. Not too garish but pleasant enough to catch the eye. The white picket fence framed manicured beds of darling shrubs and flowering bushes—no weeds in sight. Not that Regan would have tolerated anything that wasn’t in its rightful place. The flowers weren’t the only thing under her thumb, they were just what made it green.

Regan managed her home the same way she ruled her pediatric ward—ruthlessly efficiently with an expectation of perfection.

Even if I hadn’t come home to finally tell my family about the baby, I still would have disappointed Regan. The casserole would be too salty. My dress wrinkled. My hair an inappropriate length for a professional. We couldn’t all rule the world with poise, class, and pretention. I learned long ago, only Regan set the standard.

“Don’t be afraid of her,” Jude said.

“I’m not afraid.” I lied. “I’m already disappointed in myself. I don’t need her lecture.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of. So you’re pregnant. You’re doing great, and you’re doing what’s right. She’ll understand that.”

Oh, I did envy his optimism.

Maybe she’d forgive something like this with Eric or his brother, Adam. Her biological sons were free to do as they wished. She expected greatness from Eric of course—she had always prided herself on her athletic and gifted son. Adam, her oldest, moved away long ago. The lucky bastard. His political aspirations honored the family. He was already mayor of his own little municipality.

But me?

Regan had plans for me. From the instant Dad had married her, Regan had decided I was to become a doctor. I followed in her footsteps—or rather, I tripped along after her.

“I don’t know what she’ll say,” I said. “If she even says anything.”

“She might be shocked, but that’s okay. It’s a baby, not a bomb.”

“You’ve been away from home for too long, Jude. I don’t think you remember my family as well as you think you do.”

“And I don’t think you’re giving them a chance.”

Was he crazy? I came home to announce that I was unwed, pregnant, and potentially jeopardizing my career. The only thing worse than disappointing the accomplished doctor was insulting my Better Homes and Garden step-mother with a cold casserole that substituted breadcrumbs for Ritz crackers on top.

The scandal.

Jude squeezed my shoulder. “Repeat after me. I’m pregnant.”

I took a breath. “I’m pregnant.”

“And Jude is the father.”

Oh lord, a phrase that might have once been scribbled on a junior high notebook.

Rory + Jude = 4EVR

This was not the way I’d imagined it all those years ago, doodling my life away in trigonometry.

“I’m pregnant, and Jude is the father.”

“Good,” he said. “Once more, with conviction. Sell it.”

“I’m pregnant. Jude is the father. I’m selling it.”

“So close.”

This was it. Now or never…preferably now because I suddenly had to use the bathroom.

I knocked, awkwardly, but the shave-and-a-haircut thud sounded off-tempo and out-of-tune even against the door. I pushed it open.

Eric rushed at me first, but I stood my ground braver than any quarterback who ever faced the blitzing defensive end. I didn’t let him get mad. I spread my arms and demanded a hug with a pout of my lip.

I’d broken my brother a long time ago. He squeezed me tight.

“How are you feeling?” He reached behind me and hauled Jude into the hug too.

“It depends,” I said. “How’s her mood?”

Eric laughed. “Ask grandma.”

Oh no.

As much as I loved Grandma Mildred, Regan was never in a good mood when the pride of St. Cecilia’s retirement community broke away from the bridge game long enough to cause trouble at home.

I squirmed away and grabbed Jude. “Let’s get out of here.”

Eric didn’t let him leave. He pulled Jude away and shook his hand. “How’s camp, All-Star?”

“You’ll find out when you play me in week three.”

Eric took the challenge. “Maybe I should check you for a hidden camera, or don’t the Rivets do that anymore?”

“Don’t need to. They signed me.”

Eric