Back in Devyn’s room, I say, “Can I see the photo again?”
When she opens the drawer, it’s on top of everything, which makes me think she’s been looking at it, too. The thought gives me hope for a future I never even knew I wanted.
Chapter Thirty-two
Devyn
Aaron joins me on the roof. It’s the first time in a while. I guess he’s been giving me time to think.
“It’s two o’clock in the morning. I thought pregnant women were supposed to sleep a lot,” he jokes.
It’s the first time he’s mentioned the pregnancy or baby since he asked to see the ultrasound photo a few weeks ago. “You’re not funny.”
“Sorry. I’ve been wanting to bring it up. Don’t you think we should talk about it?”
“When there’s something to talk about, we can.”
“Devyn, there is something to talk about. And it’s growing bigger every day. It’s the size of a plum. It’s fully formed, with all of its organs, muscles, limbs, and bones in place. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Amazing,” I say, heavy on the sarcasm. “I meant when I’ve come to a decision.”
“How can you come to a decision if we don’t talk about it?”
I point at the sky. “See those stars? If you look closely, you’ll see five of them making up kind of an M shape.”
Frustrated, he lies back on the blanket. “I don’t see them.”
“Give your eyes a minute to adjust.” I take his hand and trace the stars. “That’s Cassiopeia. It’s most visible in the fall, but you can see it now.”
“Why is it named Cassiopeia? She was a Greek god or something, right?”
“She wasn’t a god. She was the queen of Aethiopia and very beautiful. You’ve heard of Andromeda?”
“The one who was chained to the rock and got killed by the sea monster?”
“So you do know a little Greek mythology. But she wasn’t eaten. Perseus saved her. Cassiopeia, Andromeda’s mother, was incredibly vain. She claimed she and her daughter were more beautiful than Nereus’s daughters. He was the sea god. That brought about the wrath of Poseidon, who was going to flood the city or direct the sea monster, Cetus, to destroy it, depending on which version you believe. To save the city, an oracle told Cassiopeia she had to sacrifice her daughter. Andromeda, as you said, was chained and left for Cetus to feast on. But Perseus saved and then married Andromeda. Poseidon thought Cassiopeia should not escape punishment, so he tied her to a chair in the heavens. The constellation is supposed to resemble the chair.”
“Interesting. You seem to know a lot about constellations and Greek mythology.”
“Not really, but I like the story behind Cassiopeia.”
“Why? Because you think you’re like her? You think you deserve to be punished for all eternity?”
I sit up. “Do all our conversations have to come back to that?”
“Until you deal with it, you won’t be able to deal with this.” He puts a hand on my stomach.
“What exactly do you want me to do, Aaron? I won’t ever forget that Kasey is gone because of me. It’s going to be with me my whole life.”
“Of course it is. It’s the same with me and Cameron. But you have to figure out a way to live with yourself in order to have a life.”
“What if I can’t?”
“You can. I promise.”
I look away. “You want me to go see them, don’t you?”
“Not them. Just her. Your mom.”
“Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, I have no idea where they live.”
“I do.”
My eyes snap to his. “How?”
“The internet can be a wonderful thing, Devyn.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“The first step is the hardest. Believe me, I know. I’ll go with you. I’ll be there every second. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“And if she won’t see me? Will you let it go then?”
“Yes.”
“Fine, but it won’t be anything like the Marshalls. Then we’ll be right back here.”
“On the roof?” he jokes, pushing me down and climbing atop me.
“Aaron, how are we supposed to do this? How can we be together if you want this baby and I don’t?”
“Give me a chance to convince you.”
“Isn’t that what you’ve been doing the last three weeks?”
He grazes my lips with his. “Move in with me.”
I laugh and try to push him off. “Right. Like that’s going to solve anything.”
“It’ll solve the problem of me wanting to have sex with my hot girlfriend and her not being right next to me, so I have to rub one out in the shower just thinking of her incredible eyes.” He kisses me. “And her amazing breasts.” He kisses me again. “And don’t even get me started on her fantastic pus—”
“Aaron!” I cover his mouth.
“What? It’s the truth. I love everything about you. And you know what? You love me, too. You may not say it much, but I see it in your eyes when you look at me. I feel it when we make love. Face it, Devyn DeMaggio.”
“Ugh. Don’t call me that.”
He rolls off me, and I snuggle against him. “I’m thinking of changing my name. It’s easy, right?”
“I think it’s a great idea. Devyn Pearce has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
My mouth hangs open. “I was talking about changing it to Dunlop.”
“Dunlop, Pearce, what’s the difference?”
“The difference is one makes me your wife.”
“I was going to wait and propose some other time, but as long as you’re offering.”
“Oh my god. I’m not offering. Why are we even talking about this?”
“Because you’re moving in with me and having my baby.”
“I haven’t agreed to any of that yet.”
He pins me to the roof. “You will. I can be very convincing.”
He runs his tongue down the edge of my neck. Tingles shoot throughout me. I want to protest, but I can’t. I crave this. I crave him.
So I let him try to convince me. Over and over and over.
Chapter Thirty-three
Aaron
I’m still wondering how I talked her into this. She’s been silent the whole way. She doesn’t want me to hold her hand. I didn’t dare tell her about the gated community. I thought she might bail if she knew we had to lie our way inside. I had an idea, so I snuck into her room and got her ID, knowing she never brings her purse anywhere.
We approach the neighborhood, and Devyn tenses even more. “It’s gated. We came all this way for nothing.”
I hold out my hand and show her the ID.
She swipes it from me. “Why do you have this?”
“Because you’re a DeMaggio, and they are your parents. I figured with him being who he is and all, they might live somewhere with security and this would come in handy.”