Page 31 of Baby, It’s Hotter Inside

I might as well admit it to myself, even if I can’t admit it to him. Some part of me always dreamed we’d end up together. That he would be my forever guy.

My hand drifts to my belly. In some weird way, I guess he is my forever guy, because no matter what else happens, I’ll always have some part of him in my life.

Of course this is when Ginger finds me. Because she's my best friend and she can always sense when I need her. I’m the same with her.

She takes one look at me and crosses the room. "Oh sweetie, it's going to be okay. I promise. I'll help you every step of the way, I know this is overwhelming."

I shake my head. "It's not that." I mean, that’s part of it, I guess. But mostly right now, it’s just him.

"Then what is it?"

"It's the father. I told him."

"And he didn't take it well?" Ginger then frowns. "Did you call him?"

I shake my head. Shit, she's going to hate me. "I'm sorry, Ginger, I really am. It's Kris."

Her gaze falls to the picture in my hand. Her mouth opens in a silent “O.”

"I know I should have told you and I know I should never have slept with him." Again. "But I've always wanted him."

"I mean I knew you had a crush on him growing up, but I figured it was just a thing. Why didn't you tell me?" Then she shakes her head. "You know what? That doesn't matter. I don't matter right now. This is about you. Let's grab some cookies and then I'll take you home. We can order food and watch movies or whatever you want."

I wipe at my eyes and give her a watery smile. "You're the very best, you know that?"

"I do know that. And as soon as I get my hands on that asshat of a brother of mine..."

"Ginger, don't." I grab her hand. "I shouldn't have told him the way I did. I'm sure he's just processing the information. And I mean we used a condom so this shouldn't have even happened."

"But it did happen. He was raised to take responsibility for his actions. He's better than this." She squeezes my hand. "I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he comes to his senses by tomorrow. If not, I make no promises about his ability to father future offspring."

I laugh despite the situation because that's what Ginger does. She's always there for me.

chapter nineteen

Kris

I ring the doorbell and wait for it to open. Ginger's boyfriend opens the door.

"Hey man, we were just talking about you." He narrows his gaze at me, like he’s trying to decide whether or not to punch me.

With my background, I know he can’t take me, but I don’t blame him for thinking about it.

"Yeah, I bet."

"Is that my shithead of a brother?" Ginger's voice comes from inside their place.

"Yes," I answer as I follow Brock into the kitchen.

Ginger is sitting at their table surrounded by yards of green garland and red ornaments and bows. She's got a glue gun in her hand which she waves menacingly at me.

"Sit down," she snaps.

Brock must have decided not to punch me, because he opens a beer and sets it in front of me. "Here, man, I think you're going to need this."

Then he goes back to the stove where he's making something that smells delicious. Herby with a hint of citrus.

"Thanks." I take a swallow, then look at my younger sister. She’s still giving me the stink eye. "I freaked out."