Page 87 of Her Filthy Grump
When I flip on the blinker, the ticking sound fills the cab of my pickup. I didn’t bother twisting on the radio when I left the airport. The silence has been a godsend.
As I approach the turn, I glance down the street to Layla’s place, but everything’s dark. My shoulders slump. What did you expect? That she’d be up at two o’clock in the morning pining over you? She’s likely sleeping like a baby and moved on, making this trip and all the plans I’ve made meaningless.
The neighborhood is devoid of all movement. There isn’t even a stray cat to break up the silence. This time, I skip the blinker and turn into the paved drive. A part of me is concerned that a police officer will flip on his lights and stop me from breaking the law, but the blinker seems a bit redundant.
After I put the vehicle in park, I lay my head against the headrest and sigh. Every inch of my body feels like it’s weighed down by a ton of bricks.
Tabitha.I roll my eyes.She’s such a joke.The memory of the conversation fills my head.
“I’m so glad to see you.” Tabitha rushed across the bar. Each movement was exaggerated by the swaying of her hips and the flipping of her hair. Then, there was the giant diamond on her finger.
“Hey, Tabitha.” I nodded and stood to greet her because I was raised to be a gentleman.
“Is she pregnant?” Dom barked from his seat.
“Looks like.”
“Is it yours?”
“Not a chance.” Unlike with Layla, there wasn’t one time I’d lost control and had unprotected sex with Tabitha, and it’s been over eight months since we had sex.
From the looks of it, she appeared to be three or four months pregnant. You wouldn’t be able to tell except for it looked like she was blowing out her stomach for dramatic effect.
“Thank fuck.”
Tabitha opened her arms and embraced me. “I’m so glad to see you. I wanted to tell you the good news in person.”
“What good news?” I patted her back. I’m not stupid enough to congratulate her on either her pregnancy or her engagement.
For two reasons, you never imply a woman is pregnant unless you’re prepared to be punched in the face for being wrong, and you don’t take Tabitha’s thunder.
She leaned back and cringed. “I’m getting married.”
“Congratulations.” I stepped back, and her arms dropped to her sides.
“Thank you.” She wrung her hands together. “I hope you aren’t too upset. I wanted to be the one to tell you. To break the news to you gently.”
“Thank you.” I placed my hand over my heart. Good Lord, I’m going to be up for a Daytime Emmy award. “I’m so glad I didn’t hear it from someone else.”
She bit her bottom lip and stared with obvious pity. “And I’m pregnant. Jim and I decided not to wait.”
“Jim?” Interesting. I fought back a snort. Jim Ferguson was the guy who tried to get into Chloe’s’ pants at Tabitha’s meddling. Talk about two people who deserve each other.
“I’m so sorry.” She clutched my forearm.
Ring. Ring.
Was that my phone? I twisted to look at the table where my brother still sat, but before I could ask, Tabitha placed her hand on my chin and twisted me to face her. “I didn’t mean to fall in love with someone else. Especially so soon. It doesn’t trivialize what I felt for you. I hope you can forgive me.”
How did I ever date this drama queen? Her overinflated sense of self is amazing. “I’m fine. Tabitha, I appreciate you telling me, though.”
“Do you forgive me?” Her eyes filled with tears, and her bottom lip quivered.
“Absolutely. I forgive you.” Saying, ‘There is nothing to forgive,’ would only make the situation drag out longer.
“Oh, goodie.” The tears instantly disappeared, and she jumped up and down. “We want you to be in the wedding.”
I choked on my spit and broke into a coughing fit. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. These two are nuts. “I don’t think I’ll be able to attend the festivities.”