Page 81 of Consumed By Fire
No!
The tunnel has to go.
I squint my eyes, looking around, but I don’t see Trinity. For a few moments, my heart sinks. I drop the bag at my feet. It weighs very little. It’s ridiculous, considering that most of my life savings are in there.
Moments later, she appears from behind one of the bushes. I grin like a fool before I remind myself that this is goodbye…for good this time. Then, my smile falters.
“Hey,” she says, waving as she approaches. Her hair is tied back. She’s wearing a beautiful green dress that hugs all of her glorious curves.
Fuck me!
She’s beautiful.
When I look into her gorgeous chestnut eyes, I know that this is going to be impossible.
“Hey,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
I see her throat work, telling me that she’s feeling it, too. The weight of this moment.
“You look beautiful.” I take her hand.
“Thank you.” She smiles, her eyes glinting a little too much. She blinks a few times.
“How are you feeling? How is the baby?” Her belly is more curved than it was when I met her. I want to put my hand on her belly. I want to touch her, but I don’t.
“I’m good. My dragon is nearly gone. I can barely feel her. I’m not sure I’d be able to shift anymore.” She gives me a sad smile.
“You don’t need to. Just concentrate on growing a healthy baby. I wish I could be here for you. To see you grow ripe with child.”
She laughs, and I love the sound. It warms me right up inside.
“You want to see me looking as big as a house?” She’s grinning, her eyes sparkling in the sun. “That’s quite rude, Octane.” She gives me a stern look.
I smile. “Not as big as a house, but yes, I would have loved to have seen you swell with a beautiful, healthy baby. I think it’s sexy.” I hope I don’t sound like a weirdo, but it’s the truth, so I lean into it. “I wish I could be there for the birth, too. I would give anything to hold your hand and encourage you.”
Her eyes cloud. “You’re not his father, so I would never—”
“I would have done it, anyway.” My voice is gruff, full of emotion.
She starts to say something and then stops herself.
I pick up the bag and try to put it in her hand, but she shakes her head. “Thank you, Octane, but I really can’t take your money.”
“I want you to have it. I insist.” I try to hand it to her again, but she won’t take it.
“I’ve moved in with my best friend. Her name is Nova. We’ve known each other for years. We hadn’t spoken in the longest time, but when I went to see her, it was like nothing had changed. I’m staying with her for as long as I need to. I’m fine.” She pushes the bag back to me. “Keep it, please. I need to be my own person, to stand on my own two feet. I went in to work today to see my boss. Although they weren’t very happy about my disappearing act, they agreed to take me back.” She smiles. “I start again tomorrow. They’ll let me work for six, maybe even eight more weeks. We’ll be fine…I swear it.” She sucks in a breath. “I also found out that I will get a grant from the royal family. They encourage people to have children. Nova told me about it last night. The grant will be paid into my account monthly once the baby is born. It will be enough to cover the basics. So, you see, I will be fine. More than fine.” She nods a whole lot, wringing her hands together. “I do appreciate it.”
I want to beg her to take the money, but I know that it would be for me. It would be to appease this worry I have inside me. To appease this churning inside my gut. I have to honor her wishes, though.
“Are you sure?” I need to double-check. “Maybe you could take some of it?”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine. I swear. I mean, aside from how much I’m going to miss your grumpy, arrogant ass.” She clears her throat when her voice hitches a little. “Aside from that, I’m just dandy. I promise. We will be okay.”
My throat clogs up, and my eyes get watery. I blink rapidly, because it just won’t do to have a grown male bawling his eyes out. I’m right on the verge of breaking down.
“I’m going to miss you too, Little Red,” I choke out just as soon as I have half a handle on my emotions. I touch her belly. Fuck it! It’s for the last time. “Will you tell him…about me? I’ll understand if you leave some things out.”
“I don’t plan on leaving a single thing out. I will tell him,” she agrees. “I’ll tell him everything. You’re going to make an amazing father one day. I’m just sorry I won’t get to see it.”