“Can we talk?” Drew asks.
Apollo releases my chin, a low growl coming from his thick chest.
“I’ll catch you later?”
“Sure,” I tell him.
Then the man presses another cold kiss to my cheek, his hand running over the exposed skin of my belly. Several guys chuckle at Apollo’s display, but I don’t have time to evaluate the entire situation.
I knew a bikini was a bad idea, but none of my other bathing suits fit.
“Izzy,” Drew hisses. “A moment alone?”
“Okay,” I tell him, trying my best to get out of the lounger without help.
It’s impossible, but when Drew reaches down and takes one hand while using his other at my lower back, I don’t regret that Sophia, the one who normally helps me stand, is too entranced by Colton to notice.
The second I’m on my feet; however, he releases me and steps back, like someone would do after bumping into a stranger on the street.
As we walk toward the back door of the clubhouse, I attempt to stiffen my resolve, try to tamp down the anger that has been slowly building since this morning and his declaration that he never wanted to be a father.
I don’t know why I expected anything different. That very reasoning is why I didn’t plan to seek him out with the news of my pregnancy in the first place, and this high horse he’s on right now is enough to make me shove him in the pool despite the frigid water.
Knowing people will be in and out of the kitchen, I lead us to the hallway.
“Yes?” I ask, turning around to face him.
I attempt to cross my arms under my breasts, but my stomach gets in the way, so I drop them to my sides.
His eyes flare watching the movements, but they stay on my chest when I lower my arms.
Goosebumps form on my skin, and as much as I want to blame the wet spot on my suit from contact with Apollo’s damp swim trunks, I know it’s his eyes on me once again that makes it appear.
“Drew,” I whisper, and it seems to snap him out of whatever trance he was in.
“You let him touch you.”
“Apollo? He’s my friend.”
“And that’s my baby.”
“And what’s your point?” I snap.
“I don’t like seeing another man touch you.”
“You don’t own me. One night definitely doesn’t grant you any rights where I’m concerned, even if I am pregnant with your child. Apollo is just a friend.” I step closer, hating that he steps away from me.
What was I expecting? For him to hold his ground and wrap his arms around me once I got close enough? Maybe that’s what I wanted, even in my angry state.
“You never wanted to be a dad? Well, I never wanted to be a single mother either. I’m not one of those women that’s going to fight for independence and turn away every man interested in me just off principle. So either step up or step out of the way. I’m not going to be alone forever.”
“I didn’t…” His mouth hinges open and closed, but he doesn’t speak.
“If love is in the cards for me, I’m not going to snub my nose at it, Drew. I deserve to be loved and so does this baby.”
With the threat of tears clogging my throat, I spin around and walk away from him. Rejoining the get-together outside isn’t an option. Dad will take one look at my face and would then run the possibility of being arrested for knocking Drew’s lights out. I don’t know why I let that man get me so riled up. It’s fine, albeit a little heartbreaking, if he doesn’t want to be involved in the baby’s life, but I’ll be damned if he’s going to stay in the shadows and only poke his head out when he thinks another viable candidate is sniffing around.
“You okay?” Relief washes over me when I see Apollo standing in the living room.
I knew he wouldn’t be far.
“I think I need to go lie down.”
“What did he say to you?”
“Nothing. This isn’t about him. I’m tired.”
“He’s jealous of me.”
He has nothing to be jealous of, and that rubs me more wrong than anything. I could understand him being upset if I had feelings for another man, but getting angry at a guy that doesn’t have a chance? Ridiculous.
“I’m not discussing this with you right now.”
“Do you ever plan to talk to me about it?”
“I’m going to go lie down,” I repeat.
“I’ll walk you.”
Apollo’s warm capable hand presses to my lower back and the touch is comforting. Apollo is comfort and help and reassurance. He’s friendly and willing to put in the time.
Why can’t I feel something more than platonic love for this man? He’s handsome and generous. He’s genuine, but has never once looked at me with the type of charismatic smile Drew gave me the night we met.
Allowing him into my life, letting him love this baby and love me like I insisted to Drew I deserved would be so easy, seamless really, but I see the love Gigi and Dad have. I’ve witnessed my best friend fall in love. I’ve watched everyone around me with their significant others, and I want that too. Apollo deserves someone willing to look at him the way Diego still looks at Emmalyn even after decades.
“Thank you,” I tell him when he helps me down the front steps. “When you go back, will you let everyone know where I am? Dad will worry.”
“I can text him. I’d rather not leave you alone.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“We can cuddle like we did a few weeks ago.”
I smile. “I fell asleep, you cuddled me.”
“It was nice.”
I pause before climbing the steps to my front porch and turn to face him. Placing a soft hand on his bare chest, I want to comfort him, but then he covers mine with his own, and he looks so damn hopeful it makes me feel like a jerk.
“Apollo,” I sigh, pulling my hand away. “We’re friends.”
“I know.” He gives me a weak smile.
“We’re only ever going to be friends.”
“I want to help you raise your son.”
“And I want a romance worthy of a love story.” I didn’t know it was what I needed until the words left my mouth, but as they meet his ears, I know every syllable is true. “True love doesn’t start with let me help you with that kid.”
“It does.” He claps both of my hands in his, excitement filling his eyes. “My grandad was in the Navy. He met a woman who had four kids, and he offered that to her. They were married for over forty years before he died. I don’t care if love comes later. We’ll get there.”
“Do you love me?” He opens his mouth, but I shush him. “Really love me, Apollo?”
He swallows. “I’ll get there.”
“I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but you need to understand, friends is all we’ll ever be. I don’t want we’ll get there. I deserve more. You deserve more.”
I lift up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek. He’s reluctant to release my hand, but he doesn’t say a word as I climb the steps to the house and disappear inside.
Chapter 8
Drew
“Crap,” Lawson hisses as he wipes at his eyes with back of his hand. “That one is stout.”