Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 37

He held his hand out. “I’ll always make the time. Come. Sit.”

I took a seat in front of his desk. “I don’t know what to do about Mom and Dad.”

He grinned. “Still haven't told them yet?”

I shook my head. “No. But, they know something’s up.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dad randomly invited me over on my lunch hour to spend time with him. He knew I was seeing someone, and I know it’s only a matter of time before someone blabs to him what’s really going on.”

“Ah. So, you want me and Brenden to keep the girls silent.”

“Among other things. I think Mom and Dad should hear it from Roxy and myself. They’ve invited us over for dinner, so I just need to work out the kinks of when that’s going to happen.”

Zane leaned back in his chair. “And how does all of this make you feel?”

I snickered. “What are you now? My therapist?”

He shrugged. “I’m your brother. So, I might as well be your therapist.”

I smirked. “Asshole.”

He grinned. “Jerk.”

I crossed my ankle over my knee. “Really, though. I feel a bit lost at sea right now.”

“I mean, are you happy?”

“Of course I’m happy.”

“No, no. I mean, are you really happy? As in, if Roxy hadn’t gotten pregnant, would you still want to be with her?”

“For fuck’s sake, what kind of question is that?”

He shrugged. “A good one. So, what’s the answer?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Of course, I’d still want to be with her. I lo--.”

I caught the words before they flew out, but it didn’t stop Zane from smiling.

“Don’t worry. I keep secrets better than Karina.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fuck you.”

He leaned forward. “I’m happy for you, Clint. But, I know this is also new territory for you.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure. Shoot.”

“How did you make Karina comfortable during all of this? How did you reassure her that you’d be there, no matter what?”

He paused. “You mean, other than proposing to her?”

I glared at him. “Yes. Other than that.”

He clicked his tongue. “I kept telling her.”

“That’s it?”

He nodded. “That’s it.”

“You just kept reminding her that you weren’t going anywhere?”

“Yes. That, and I proposed. And I asked her to move in.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

He chuckled. “Hey, you asked.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I don’t want Roxy to feel like there will be a point that she does this alone. Even if things don’t work out romantically for us, I want her to know that I’m not abandoning our child. Ever. She’s never going to do this alone. Ever. And I’m concerned she doesn’t know that.”

“Then, tell her.”

“What if that smothers her, though?”

“Then, only tell her every other day.”

I sighed. “I’m serious, Zane.”

“So am I. Look, Clint. You’re doing that overthinking thing again that you’re so good at. You don’t have to overthink this. Just spend time with Roxy. If she calls, pick up. If she calls in a meeting? Excuse yourself and pick up. Answer her texts. Send her a gift every now and again to let her know you’re thinking of her. Do the kinds of shit men in relationships do.”

“You mean, treat her like I treated my ex-wife?”

“Treat her better. Because you know damn good and well she’s better than that sorry excuse for a woman.”

I sighed. “What if she’s not, though?”

He blinked. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Unfortunately, I’m not. What if I do everything right, and she still leaves? What if I put all of this energy into us, and she still steps out? What, then? And there’s a child in the mix, to boot.”

He chuckled. “You really don’t know what to do with yourself right now, do you?”

“And that’s funny to you?”

“A bit.”

“Care to enlighten me as to why my misery is funny?”

“Oh, come on. You’re afraid, but not miserable.”

“I’m not scared one damn bit.”

He grinned. “Could’ve fooled me.”

I shook my head. “I knew it was a mistake coming to talk to you.”

“Now hold on just a minute, asshole. There’s nothing wrong with being scared, now. You’ve been handed a shit stack of cards in life. No one denies that. But, if you’re really going to do this right with Roxy, then you have to be all in. No matter what it might cost you. You need to be there to listen to her, you need to talk about how you feel sometimes, and you need to never deviate yourself.”

I pointed at him. “I’d never step out on Roxy, and you know it.”

“Yes, I know it. But does she?”

I blinked. “You think she thinks I’m going to cheat on her?”

“I’m saying that you’re not the only one to have your heartbroken, and you’re certainly not the only one who’s scared in this scenario. Clint, Roxy is unwedded, pregnant, living by herself on a terrible side of town, and working a job she’s literally learning along the way. If you think for one second that she isn’t scared? Then, you’re the idiot in this situation.”

I blinked. “Shit. I never looked at it like that.”

“When do you see her next?”

“Uh, uh… tonight. She’s coming over to my place tonight.”

“Then, tonight would be a great time to talk with her about living arrangements once the baby comes. You know she’s thinking about it, and you know it’s worrying her. So, go ahead and tackle one worry at a time. You’ll be surprised how much it abates your own worries to help heal hers.”

I stood to my feet. “You know what? You’re right, for once.”

He paused. “For once?”

I chuckled. “Don’t push it.”

He held up his hands. “Fine, fine. I won’t. But, don’t think I’m not calling you in the morning for details.”

I walked toward his office door. “Just don’t call too early. I hate your voice in the mornings.”

He laughed. “Noted. I’ll wait until you get to your office, then.”

I slipped out of Zane’s office and headed back to mine. But, on the drive over, I heard my phone go off. It kept dinging, one right after another. When I finally reached the stoplight, I yanked my phone