“You need to leave,” Archer warns Gavin, still holding Finn back.
Gavin wipes the blood off his lip. “I’m not going anywhere until Grace tells the truth.”
“You have thirty seconds to turn your ass around, or I’m letting him get another punch in.”
Everyone awaits Gavin’s next move since he’s the star of the show.
I’m brought into a hug, and I cast a glance at Georgia as she takes me into her hold. My sister comes along the other side, doing the same thing. Lola, Cassidy, and Jamie join us. Behind Finn are Cohen, Silas, Brian, and Lincoln. Gavin would be stupid not to leave because the sight of all of them together, pissed off, is terrifying.
“If he doesn’t listen to Archer, I am taking this cake and throwing it at his head,” Georgia says. “I’ll buy you another one.”
“Then I’m kicking him in the balls,” Lola says.
“And I’ll pour my drink over his head,” Faith adds.
Gavin and Finn face off, glaring at each other, and Gavin doesn’t budge.
Brian steps in, walking in front of Archer to speak to Gavin. “Look, this is my home. I’m asking you to leave. Otherwise, I’ll call the police and have them escort you off my property.” Brian fishes his phone from his pocket and holds it up. “I’m sure a police report would prevent you from securing any job in your field in the future. Think about that.”
Reality dawns on Gavin as if that thought never crossed his dumbass brain.
He jerks his head toward me. “You need to tell them the truth because, in the end, I’ll be there for you and the baby.”
I pull away from my friends and bolt in Gavin’s direction. Finn tries to stop me as I circle around them to get into his face, but I swat him away.
“Don’t you get it, Gavin?” My tone is consumed with anguish, and my heart shudders in my chest as my tears come. “I want nothing to do with you.” I swing my arm toward Finn. “This man here, he was the one who picked up all the responsibility you didn’t.”
Talking comes from everyone again at my confession.
“He was there for me at my appointments,” I continue. “He’s already providing for the baby, buying everything she’ll need—”
“She?” Gavin’s eyes widen, and he flinches while retreating a step. “You’re having a girl?”
I ignore his question and go on, hoping my words sink in, and he never comes back. “He takes care of me, and goddammit, he’s not married!”
That’s when the reaction from the crowd goes ballistic in shock. I’ve never felt as on display in my life.
Gavin cowers, and his eyes bore into mine. “When he leaves you—because you know he will—you’ll regret pushing me out of your life.”
“Not fucking happening,” Finn scoffs.
“He’s not like you and me,” Gavin says. “A man like that doesn’t go for sweet girls, Grace, baby. You’ll bore him, and he’ll run off with someone else.”
“You motherfucker!” Finn breaks from Archer, but Brian scurries to stand in front of Gavin, protecting him from a beatdown.
“Whatever happens, happens.” I play it off as if his words didn’t hurt me, but my chin trembles and more tears appear. “I’d rather be a single mom than be with you.”
Brian pushes Gavin back. “The cops”—another push—“will be here any minute”—another push—“so go.”
Gavin solemnly nods, finally getting the hint, and he turns and walks away.
Finn rushes to my side and pulls me against his chest.
“Get me out of here,” I say, finally allowing the tears to break free.
“I got you.”
He cradles my head into his chest as he walks me into Faith’s house. We pass a few people sitting in the dining room, and he takes me upstairs to their open guest bedroom. He shuts the door, carefully sits me on the bed, and falls to his knees, so our faces are level with each other’s.
My chin quivers as he stares at me with pain in his eyes.
“Baby,” he croaks out, nearly in tears himself, “I am so sorry.”
I run my hands through his soft hair. “That wasn’t your fault.”
It was mine.
I’m the one who allowed Gavin into my life.
Who slept with him.
How did he even know where to find me?
The details of my baby shower?
“When something painful happens to you, it hurts me too,” Finn says, taking my hand in his. “And all that bullshit he said about me getting bored with you? That’ll never happen.”
My hands fall when he leans forward to press his lips to mine.
“I love you, Grace, and we’ll figure this out.”
Our attention turns away from each other at a knock on the door. It slowly opens, and my mother and Faith stand in the doorway. My mother’s eyes are red and glistening with tears as she scurries into the bedroom.
“Oh, honey,” she cries out, falling onto her knees next to Finn. “Is that true? What that asshole said?”
I can’t help but chuckle at her reference to Gavin.
I nod. “It’s true. We started dating, but then I found out he was married.”
My mom sighs.
“I told him it was over, but then later, I found out I was pregnant,” I confide. “I thought I’d have to do it alone, but Finn stepped up.” I cast a glance at Finn. “We’re in love, and we plan to raise the baby together.”
“We will,” Finn says. “I don’t care if we have to fight him tooth and nail in court.”
“We’ll figure out a way for that to happen,” Faith says. “You have a family who works in law.”
I wipe my eyes. “What am I supposed to do about everyone out there? I can’t go back out. I’m humiliated.”
It’ll be rude, but there’s no way I can face everyone after what Gavin did. I’m already going to be the gossip for the next year and considered a joke. I lied to everyone about who the father of my baby is. Then he, the biological father, showed up and turned out to be a giant asshole, and while I confronted him, I aired that he was married.
Oh, what a baby shower to remember.
Chapter Forty
Finn
I hold my head high as I thank everyone for coming after telling Grace I’d take care of the people at the baby shower. I’m embarrassed as fuck, but I can’t imagine the humiliation she’s going through. A few ask questions before leaving, to which I give them quick one-worded answers. Others thank me for being there for Grace. No one has said anything negative … to my face, at least. I’m sure there will be tons of talk about this later.
I have a shit ton of stuff to figure out.
How did Gavin find out about Grace’s baby shower?
How can I get him to leave us the fuck alone?
Brian helps me see people out while the girls are with Grace.
“Thank you.”
I glance over to see Gregory stopping next to me.
I raise a brow. “What?”
“Thank you.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it. “I was worried about you and my daughter—not going to lie. Tyra and I thought it was too fast. We were upset we’d never met you … well, met you as our daughter’s boyfriend. It was strange to us, but we didn’t know to think otherwise. What you did for Grace, being that hand for her to hold, means a lot to me. I’m sure playing the part was largely so Grace didn’t disappoint us. As far as I see it, you’re the father. A father is more than genes. A father is someone who will do anything for his child, who is there for them through thick and thin, and that, Finn, is you. I’m honored to have you as part of our family.”