“You guys are constantly traveling. It’s not like he’d be here all the time anyway. So what’s the point?”
“The point is, he would be here a lot of the time, and that’s what matters the most. And when he’s not here, Winnie and Blakely can check on you.”
“Thanks for volunteering me,” Blakely says. “But I’ve already told her that I’d be here, even if Hornsby chose not to be a part of this.”
“I want to be a part of this,” Hornsby says, his voice lacking its usual jovial tone.
“Oh yeah, really sounds like it,” Blakely says sarcastically.
Hornsby turns to her. “Can you not start shit?”
“I’m not. Just making sure you’re stepping up.”
“Why the fuck do people keep saying that?” he asks, his voice now tainted in anger. “I’m not some deadbeat fuckup who doesn’t own up to his mistakes.” He motions to me. “What happened between Penny and me is between Penny and me, and I’d really fucking appreciate it if you would both leave so I can talk to her. Alone.”
Without blinking an eye, Blakely is moving around my apartment, collecting her things while Pacey stands ramrod straight with his arms crossed at his chest. I can tell he’s not going to move unless I say something.
So I walk up to him, place my hand on his shoulder, and say, “I’ve got this, Pace. Please let me handle it.”
Turning toward me, he looks me in the eyes, and says, “I’m good with making sure this is seen through.”
“Pacey.” I let out a deep sigh. “Please leave. I’m asking you to please let me handle this myself. I’ll call you later, okay?”
We exchange looks for a few beats before he finally gives in and pulls me into a hug. Tears well up in my eyes as I wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly.
Quietly, I whisper, “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t,” he says. “It’s fine. We’ll figure this out.” He places a kiss on the top of my head and then gives me one last squeeze before walking toward the front door with Blakely. He holds it open for her, and together, they exit the apartment, the door softly clicking shut behind them.
And that leaves me alone with Hornsby once again, but instead of the electric excitement that bounced between us toward the end of our night together, there is an awkward, uncomfortable feeling suffocating us, pulling all the air from the space.
He can’t be happy, and I don’t blame him. I went about this all the wrong way, and I’m not ashamed to say that I owe him an apology.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask him.
He shakes his head and when he looks up and his eyes connect with mine, I can see it written all over his face. He’s just as scared as I am.
“We need to talk.” He walks past me and goes to the couch, where he takes a seat.
Okay, scared and angry.
Like I said, I’ve seen Hornsby angry before, but it’s only been during a game. I’ve never seen him angry outside of hockey. He’s always the jovial, good-time guy. So this side of him, it’s new for me.
I follow him to the couch and take a seat as well, draping the blanket over my legs. Anything to add an extra layer of comfort for the conversation we’re about to have.
“Listen,” I say, pinning my gaze on him, “I need to apologize.” His eyes connect with mine. “How I told you about the baby, that wasn’t fair to you at all. I was being selfish because I was scared, and I figured telling you both at the same time would be easier for me. I didn’t think about how you would take it, or how Pacey would take it. I’m really sorry. If I could do it all over again, I would. I’d offer you the respect you deserve as the father of this child and tell you alone. I hope you can forgive me.”
His eyes soften. “I’m not mad at you, Penny. I know you did what you had to do out of self-preservation. Let’s face it. I don’t have the best background when it comes to women, nor do I have a childhood with positive parental influencers. I seem like a flight risk, I get it.”
“I didn’t think that at all. None of that was taken into consideration,” I say. “I don’t even know about your childhood or anything like that. I was just scared, and I acted before I thoroughly thought everything through, and for that, I’m really sorry.”
“Please stop apologizing. It’s not necessary.”
“It is for me,” I say. “This has been weighing heavily on my chest, and I truly am regretful for how . . .” My throat chokes, and my eyes water. God, what is with the emotions? I suck in a deep breath as a tear springs free and drops down my cheek. “For how I handled everything. I’m sorry, Hornsby.”