Page 77 of Madden

Chapter Twenty-Two

Madden

“Can you believe it?” Kyla bounces on her feet. “Can you believe Leanna is finally here?”

Ivy claps her hands. They haven’t been able to contain their excitement since we got the call Layken was in labor.

“I can’t wait to see them and hold her. I bet she’s so adorable. I’m picturing her with Layken’s freckled cheeks and Trey’s eyes. Oh gosh, he’s gonna be in for it when she gets older. If he thinks he’s a sucker for Layken always getting her way, he’s in trouble now.” Ivy smirks.

“Total sucker,” Kyla adds.

The guys all look at each other, rolling our eyes, even though they’re right.

The thought alone has me thinking about when I have a child of my own. All the drama going on with Hanna has me shaking my head in frustration. This isn’t how I ever thought it would happen.

“How’ve you been?” Brix asks, clapping me on the shoulder.

I shake my head and sigh. “As best as I can, I guess. I don’t even know.”

Abel, Kyla, and I all met with a lawyer this morning to discuss the article and paternity. They’ll file an order of paternity petition. I hadn’t thought it was her behind the break-in at my place, but considering the lies she spun mentioning the window being broken in a fit of rage, it’s clear she had something to do with it.

All of this to try and get back at me? I don’t get it.

The label had their PR team on the phone with Kyla all morning doing damage control.

I’m growing sick and tired of this shit.

Abel is working with the local authorities to see what leads they have on the break-in. Although we don’t have proof, we know who’s behind it all. He did manage to get a restraining order in place until we’re able to clear my name.

“Don’t worry, man. The truth will come out in time, and you know we’ll all have your back until it does.”

I nod, and he pulls me in for a hug.

Lord knows we’ve been through enough shit together. Nothing can or will separate us now. We always figure out a way through it, although I wish right now it hadn’t come to this.

Trey steps out of the room and nods his head, waving us over.

“Can we all come in?” Ivy asks, looking around. It’s clear she’s concerned about whether it’s okay for the group, not wanting to wait another minute.

“Yeah, sis.” Trey chuckles and holds the door open for us.

Layken sits in bed, her hair pulled away from her face, holding what looks to be a little ball in her arms.

“Oh my goodness.” Kyla steps in close to her bed, looking down at the two of them. Her eyes soften, flashing up to Trey, and she smiles.

Ivy moves behind her, following suit, and they both gush over how adorable Leanna is.

I’m thankful for the break away from reality for a while. It’s the first time in a couple weeks I haven’t been anxiously checking my phone, wondering what is being said about us in the media or on social pages.

Kyla had to threaten to take my phone away from me if I didn’t stop. She worried about what it was doing to my mental health.

Truth be told, I think I’m growing more and more anxious, wondering what Brielle is thinking. We haven’t spoken again since this morning when the latest article dropped. She told me she would talk to her boss about coming to visit, but who knows how soon she’ll be able to make it here.

After Kyla and Ivy get their time holding Leanna, I’m able to swindle her out of their arms and take a seat in the rocking chair with her. They take off down to the gift shop, likely going to buy out everything they have for a little girl, leaving me alone with Trey and Layken.

“Sorry I haven’t kept in touch much over the past few days. I heard about the news earlier, though,” Trey mentions, taking a seat on the edge of the bed next to Layken. “Is it true? Are you going to be welcoming a little one of your own soon?”

I stare down at Leanna, the way her little lip moves to her button nose, and my chest aches. As much as I hate to say it, this isn’t how I wanted it to happen, and I hope it’s more of Hanna’s lies.