Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,14
and on it is a picture of Colby and Lennon. It looks like it was taken on a camera phone by someone trying to be discreet, but you can definitely tell it's them. They're sitting at a hibachi table and looking very cozy.
“That's the one. Apparently, her name is Lennon.”
She hums but doesn't take her eyes off her phone. “They've been seen together a few times, but he's also been seen with other women in the same time frame.”
My brows furrow. “Should it concern me how much you know about him?”
Her head falls back as laughter bellows out of her. “Don't even start. Given the chance, I'd punch him in the nuts for what he did to you. Celebrity gossip just also happens to be my thing.”
“Yeah, well, gossip about this. Topher James dumps sorry ass fiancée for lying about who her daughter's father is.”
She cringes. “I forgot about that. Are you going to tell him?”
I shrug. “I don't think I have any other choice.”
After coming to terms with the fact that Colby was gone and never coming back, I had to deal with the reality that I was pregnant and having a baby. The easiest way to do that without total humiliation was to tell everyone that the father was someone from a one-night stand. It may have made me sound like a slut, but, at the time, it was easier than admitting the truth.
Except, now I have no choice but to tell everyone I lied.
Starting with my fiancé.
THE DAYS WHEN TOPHER gets back from a work trip are always my favorite. He's super attentive and wants nothing more than to spend time with me. Other than understanding these things are just part of his job, it's one of the main reasons I don't mind him being gone for days at a time.
While he puts Brenna to bed, I text Colby to finalize our plans for tomorrow. We're meeting at a park, a secluded one, after he gets out of practice. To say I'm nervous would be a massive understatement, but I'm more nervous for what I'm about to do.
“She's adorable when she falls asleep,” Topher tells me as he comes into our room.
I smile. “When she was going through her terrible twos, I would watch her sleep just to remember the angelic side of her.”
He chuckles. “Her? A terrible twos stage? No.”
“You'd be surprised.”
Coming over, his arms wrap around my waist and he pulls me close. “Well, now it's alone time for us. My favorite part of the day.”
Our lips press together in a kiss that shows how much he missed me, but I need to get this out. If I don't do it now, with Maddie's pep talk fresh in my mind, I might not be able to do it at all. I kiss him once more and pull away.
“As tempting as that sounds, there's something I need to tell you first.”
Confusion etches across his face. “Is everything okay?”
I tilt my head to the side. “In theory, but you might be mad.” Looking down at the floor, I admit the secret that's been eating me alive. “I lied when I said Brenna's dad was just some guy from a party. He wasn't. He was a guy I dated for a little while, and he broke up with me before I could tell him I was pregnant.”
Topher scoffs. “Why would you lie about something like that?”
“I was nineteen and pregnant and scared. It was the lie I got used to telling everyone. The only person who knew the truth is Maddie.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and steps back. “So, why now? Why are you finally telling the truth?”
I sigh heavily. “Because during the interview with Chastity, he saw the picture of Brenna and did the math. He showed up on Tuesday night, and I had no choice but to admit she's his daughter.”
“He was here?” he asks, surprised. “How did he get past security?”
Running my fingers through my hair, I finally meet his gaze. “He's Colby Hendrix.”
His brows raise. “Colby Hendrix? Football star, douchebag playboy, hooks up with more women than a zip code, Colby Hendrix? That Colby Hendrix?”
“That's the one.”
“Wow.” He looks like he doesn't know what to say. “Well, to be honest, it's probably better he hasn't been involved. Brenna doesn't need him as a role model.”
Fuck. “That's the thing. He wants to see her, and I'm going to let him. We have plans to meet tomorrow.”
“You're what?” he shouts, and I have to