My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,71

write this paper. It’ll be the end of me,” Miles said as he dried his hands. “You think I’m dramatic enough?”

“Yes.” I shook my head. We made our way back to our respective study areas just as the doorbell rang. I frowned.

“Are we expecting anyone?” I asked.

“The girls are all sitting at their place but are coming over for dinner. At least, Elise and Mackenzie are,” Dillon added quickly.

Nessa was still being cautious, which meant Natalie wasn’t coming over as much either so Nessa didn’t feel left out. It was an awkward situation. One I intended to fix. And from the way Miles glared at me, I knew I would have to fix it soon.

I went to open the door and gritted my teeth.

“Father,” I said. My dad gave me a small smile.

“I thought we could talk.” I looked over at my father’s girlfriend and gave her a tight nod.

“Finals week is coming up. I really don’t have time,” I said softly.

“Please, son,” my dad said. I swallowed hard and let him in.

“We can go back to the kitchen. My roommates are studying.”

“We can head to our rooms,” Dillon called, and I gave him a small shake of the head.

“No, it’s fine. You guys don’t need to leave.”

“Are you going to introduce me to your roommates, son?” my father asked, his voice as proper as ever.

“Why? I don’t know if you’re going to be staying that long, Dad.”

“I’m Jessica,” my father’s girlfriend said and waved at the guys.

They just blinked, and Miles waved awkwardly before lowering his hand.

“Fine. Miles, Dillon, Tanner, this is my father and his pregnant girlfriend. My parents are still married, though I think they just separated. And as they’re both in the United States at the moment, they’re not even separated by an ocean. Yes, this is my father’s girlfriend. And I’m pretty sure she’s near my age.”

“Pacey,” my dad snapped.

My head shot up. “What? You haven’t called or texted or done anything since that dinner and when I got sick. What do you expect me to say right now?”

“Your mom gave me updates on your health. I was updated.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You made my mother deal with you after you cheated on her? So you could get updates about me rather than just talking to me yourself?”

“I didn’t think you’d receive me well. Clearly, I was right.”

I could hear the guys leaving, and Jessica shifted from foot to foot, her hands on her ever-growing stomach. I didn’t know how far along she was, but she wasn’t in her first trimester anymore for sure.

I didn’t even know what they planned to name the kid.

“I just want you to tell me why,” I said.

“Why? Jessica and I get each other,” my dad answered as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She looked up at him dreamily, and I wanted to throw up. “Your mother and I went through some hard times. She didn’t understand what I needed. But I love you, Pacey. And this baby in here will be your little sister. She’s going to need you.”

I swallowed hard. “A sister. And you couldn’t even put that in a text. I’m going to have a fucking sister, and I don’t even know this woman.” I cringed and looked at Jessica. “I’m sure you’re a nice lady, but you did help my dad cheat on my mum, so I’m not going to have good feelings about you right now.”

She blanched, and I cursed.

“Pacey!”

“You know what? You should probably go. I can’t deal with this right now. I have things to do, and it’s already been a tough enough semester. I don’t need to deal with you, too.”

“Pacey, some things are just better kept private.”

I threw my hands into the air. “You say that, and yet the more things I keep to myself, the harder it is when people find out about them. You should be open and honest. Why the hell did you cheat on mum?”

“Because I didn’t love her anymore.”

I took a step back and swallowed hard. “I thought you did. You guys waxed poetic about each other for my entire life. You’re the reason I thought relationships could be functional and extend into adulthood, rather than everyone getting divorced as all my friends’ parents did.”

“Pacey, maybe one day when you fall in love, you’ll realize that it can fade.”

I growled, actually growled. “You need to go. I’ll talk to you soon, but I can’t focus on you right now. There’s too