Secret Plunge - Jasmin Miller Page 0,10

at least try and enjoy the hell out of my time with Dad and Sharon while I’m here.

He’s the only man I trust right now, and Sharon has been a fixture in his—and my—life for as long as I can remember. She easily slipped into the stepmom role, treating me like I was her own, especially since she can’t have kids. I don’t see them very often, but I always love the time I have with them.

Lying to both of them about Ryan and the pregnancy will definitely get me on the naughty list with Santa this year, but I’m not ready for my dad to know that he will be a grandpa this year. As for telling my mom? Gah. Thank goodness she’s away right now.

Five

Ryan

The last two days have been a blur. I can’t describe it any other way. My body, my brain, everything was working on autopilot. I got up at five every morning and had breakfast, then a training session followed by lunch and another training session before having a quiet evening at home.

Normally, I spend my evenings watching a show or movie, or by playing video games, but I can’t even recall what I watched last night because my brain is focused on one thing, and one thing only.

Harper.

Gorgeous Harper. Sweet Harper. Fun Harper. Sexy Harper.

Pregnant Harper. Harper growing a baby inside of her body. Our baby.

My baby.

How the fuck am I supposed to wrap my head around that?

I’ve always wanted kids but never thought it would happen like this.

The result of a one-night stand.

To make things more difficult, the woman I accidentally impregnated lives on the other side of the country.

When the clock hits nine, I go through the motions of getting ready for bed. It’s late for my standard, and I need a good sleep so I can face Harper in the morning when she comes over. I wanted to take her out, but she asked if she could come over instead.

My phone vibrates in my hand as I walk the short distance from my en-suite bathroom to my king-sized bed.

Jace: Hey, dude. Are you coming over tomorrow?

Shit. The baby bomb has fried my brain. Jace, along with Noah and Hunter, are professional swimmers like me, though quite a few years younger, but I’ve been friends with them for several years now. Good friends. Sunday is the only free day the guys and I have, and we usually hang out at Jace’s place.

I’d already had one Olympic Games under my belt when I met them during swimming camp. I always liked going back there when I had the chance. Meeting new people, competing against younger swimmers, keeping up with the competition.

The screen turns off in my hand, bringing me back to Jace’s text.

Ryan: Sorry, but something came up.

I’m not ready to tell anyone. How can I do that when I’m still having trouble coming to terms with it? And what if something happens to the baby? Or Harper. My stomach recoils at the thought. Suddenly, it makes sense why so many people wait before they make a pregnancy announcement.

I might do the same, especially with our situation. Having to explain to people that I got a one-night stand pregnant is not anywhere at the top of my list of things I want to do.

There’s nothing wrong with having one-night stands, but it also makes things more complicated. A lot more complicated. Like getting to know the mother of your future child after you spent a wild night with her. After you were buried deep inside her.

If I’m honest, I’ve thought of her a lot since New Year’s. I wouldn’t have said no to another round or three with her. She was funny and passionate, and man, could she kiss. In the bedroom we were a definite match. But I’m not sure what she expects from me as a dad, or if she wants anything to do with me personally. What if she doesn’t? And why do I not like the idea of that?

Jace: Anything I can help you with?

No one can help me with this, that’s for sure.

Ryan: Not really, but thanks.

* * *

Jace: You know it. Get some sleep, old man. You looked exhausted today.

* * *

Ryan: Thanks, dickhead.

But Jace isn’t wrong. I haven’t slept a lot or well since Harper’s visit.

Jace: Welcome.

This exchange does the trick and I chuckle. It feels good to have people like this in your life, even if I keep Harper and the baby a secret for