discussing this right now!” I glare at Lucky. “I told you to take your bags and get the hell out of my house, and I meant it.” I point at his suitcases. “Start gathering your shit or I’m going to throw it out on the front lawn.”
Thibault moves to stand between us, placing one hand on Lucky’s shoulder and one on mine. My attempt to knock him away is futile; Thibault’s grip is like iron.
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on here, but I think you guys need a referee.” He pushes us both toward the kitchen. “Go on. Go sit down.”
Normally when my brother starts acting like my father used to I tell him to screw off, but this time there’s a little piece of me that wants him to take over. I want him to stare Lucky in the eye and tell him to fuck off. I need somebody on my side, especially now when it feels like Lucky is standing opposite me, and Lucky’s never been in that place before.
“You can say whatever you want, but I’m not going anywhere,” Lucky proclaims as he heads to the kitchen.
Thibault says nothing and neither do I, and it makes me feel even more united with my brother than I did two seconds ago. It gives me confidence and fills me with hope. I am not going to be railroaded just because I’m pregnant. I am Toni the badass, according to my teammate May, and I am perfectly capable of doing all the things I’ve always done, and I don’t need anyone’s permission to do them. May’s statement about me earlier today makes me proud of myself. I should probably thank her for having so much faith in my strength when it seems like no one else does.
Thibault takes another chair at the table, and I sit back down in front of my mug. The tea is cold, but I don’t want it anyway. Lucky made it.
“So, is this true?” Thibault has turned his attention fully on me. “You’re sure?”
I squirm under the attention. “Maybe. Yes. I guess.”
His right eyebrow goes up. “It should be an easy question to answer. Are you or are you not pregnant?”
I grit my teeth a couple times to keep from growling at him. “Yes. Fine. I’m pregnant.”
His expression softens. “Are you absolutely sure? Have you been tested?”
Lucky speaks up as my mouth opens to answer. “She did four different tests. It’s for sure. She’s pregnant.”
I whip my head in his direction. “Do not speak for me. I am perfectly capable of answering my brother’s questions without your help.”
Lucky looks over at Thibault. “I’m here to be supportive, but she’s not happy about it, obviously.”
Thibault looks at Lucky, his expression as tough as I’ve ever seen it. “Maybe it’s your approach that’s the problem, bro.”
Lucky is clearly surprised by the attitude. Joy surges through me.
“Toni knows I love her, man.” He looks at me. “You know I do, Toni. You know I have your best interests at heart.”
My heart feels like it’s going to collapse in on itself. He used the L word. He probably doesn’t even realize he said it, the idiot. “You don’t decide what’s best for me.” I jab my thumb into my chest. “I decide.”
Thibault holds up his hands like he’s trying to slow us down. “Okay, I get that this is a seriously stressful situation, but I think we can work through this together without any bloodshed.”
I’m not against shedding a little of Lucky’s blood at this point.
Thibault folds his hands and rests them on the table. “Toni, everybody on the team knows that you’re one hundred percent capable of taking care of yourself.”
I nod. “Thank you.” I sneer at Lucky. Told you so, jerk.
“However, I think anyone who knows anything about pregnancy and childbirth knows that it’s much easier when you have a partner to help you through it.”
I glare at my brother. Traitor. “I don’t need anyone.”
Thibault reaches over to take my hand, but I yank it away and rest my hands in my lap. He is not going to try to manipulate me by acting all nicey nice.
“Everybody needs somebody, and you’re no exception, young lady.”
My eyebrows go up. “You better be careful, bro. You don’t get to call me ‘young lady’ and get away with it.”
He smiles, the bastard. “Sorry. I was channeling Dad there.”
“Bad move.”
He nods. “Yeah. It just slipped out. Sorry.”
I look at the two severely misguided men sitting in front of me and