It was never my intention to deceive you in any way. Hopefully, James is going to be a part of your lives, and so will I.”
“Let’s just go talk to them.” He pivoted on his heel and headed into the living room.
Well, that went well.
“Hey, Evie. I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Cassie said, standing up and giving me a hug.
My arms instinctually went up to return the embrace.
“Hey, Evie,” Bash said, waving from the couch. “Tris said he had something to tell us. I didn’t know it also involved you. You guys elope or something? Ooh, having a baby? You work fast, man,” Bash said, looking at Tristan, and I wanted to vanish.
“Uh, no. Are you insane?” Tristan rushed out.
“All right, so what’s going on?” Cassie asked, stepping back from me, and retaking her seat next to Bash.
“Evie?” Tristan hedged.
Guess we weren’t slowly leading into my confession. I would not bristle at the total lack of support he was giving me. I guess I deserved that, but it stung like hell.
I sat down on the chair across from Bash and Cassie and tried to steady my nerves. My stomach was about to riot and my hands were shaking.
Just let me get through this with a sliver of my dignity intact.
“Evie, what’s going on?” Cassie asked, concern in her eyes.
“I have something to share with you and please know it was never my intention to do it like this.”
“Like what?” Cassie asked, moving to the edge of the couch.
Tristan took a seat on the other side of her so she was bracketed by him and Bash. The lines had been drawn.
And I hated that I deserved that.
“I’ve never talked about James’ father. No. Okay.” I paused. “Sorry, I just want to get this right.”
“You’re freaking me out, Evie,” Cassie said.
“I really don’t mean to. So, a little background. While I was married, my ex and I tried for years to get pregnant. The doctor said I had unexplained infertility, and my ex couldn’t handle it.” I paused again. “No, that’s not important right now.”
“Sounds like a dick,” Bash said, and I couldn’t help my small smile.
“He doesn’t matter. After my divorce, to take my mind off of everything, Mac got us tickets to see you guys in concert. With backstage passes.”
“Did we meet?” Bash asked.
“Could you just let her finish?” Tristan asked.
Was he as antsy as I was?
“Anyway, we did hang out after the concert and have some drinks with a few of the guys and…” I trailed off, staring down at my hands.
“Did something bad happen?” Cassie asked, and I let out a light laugh.
“No. Something amazing. I met your brother. We were both drinking and one thing led to another and we hooked up.”
“Oh my god,” Cassie said, and I think at that moment she realized what I was saying before I could.
“What?” Bash said.
“Almost four years ago, you slept with my brother.” She almost whispered it.
“Yeah. It was a one-time thing.”
“How old is James?” she asked, her tension palpable.
“Holy fucking shit.” Bash’s eyes widened, and he tightened his arm around Cassie’s shoulders.
Tristan reached for Cassie’s hand, and I hated the spark of jealousy that rocked through me. There was nothing romantic about him comforting her, but I wanted him next to me.
“I wasn’t supposed to be able to get pregnant. I’d tried with my ex for years and nothing.”
“Guess Jamie had super sperm,” Bash said, and Cassie punched him in the arm.
“Could you not do that right now?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Sorry, babe.”
“Um. So, I found out when I was three months along. It was the biggest shock of my life. It took me a while to process it, and then I didn’t really know how to reach out to him.”
“You never told him?” Cassie exclaimed, pain in her eyes.
“No. I mean, it wasn’t something I would’ve put in an email and the band was out touring, so it’s not like I could’ve shown up somewhere to tell him.”
“So what? You were going to keep his kid—my nephew—from him?”
“Cassie. I’m so sorry. I was in shock. I didn’t think I could get pregnant and then there I was, single and pregnant with James, my little miracle. You guys are famous. Jamie was a rock star. Maybe he didn’t want to know? I don’t know.”
“That’s not fair. You don’t know us. You didn’t know him,” Cassie shouted, her eyes sparkling with tears.
“That’s right. I didn’t know him. We had one night together. I was