After the Ex Games (The Ex Games #4)(25)
Author: J.S. Cooper

I felt heartbroken that this is where it had all ended up. Brandon and I had wanted to rule the world. We’d run the club as if we were the only ones who mattered and we’d ruined lives. We’d ruined so many lives. I felt sick to my stomach.

“I’m so sorry,” I muttered again as we waited for the police to show up. I didn’t know what else to say. There were no words adequate enough to convey my guilt about what Patsy had turned into.

She was a monster. A monster I didn’t recognize. A person I hated with all of my heart. When I thought of everything she’d done and tried to do, I felt sick to my stomach.

“I’m so sorry, Brandon.” I looked at my best friend. “I’m sorry to have put Katie and the baby at risk.”

“Katie’s not pregnant, Greyson.” He took a deep breath. “The test I saw wasn’t hers.”

It was then that it hit me. I was going to be a father. My heart started thudding with joy and I couldn’t stop the wash of wonder and excitement that ran through my body. I looked down at Patsy and knew then that she also knew what Brandon’s words meant. She looked broken, and if looks could have killed, I would have fallen dead on the spot.

“So I guess I got it all wrong once again,” she muttered. “I should have killed her at the club.” She shook her head. “I had my opportunity when you guys were in the pool. I should have killed her then.”

I stared at her for a second and all guilt was gone from my soul. I hadn’t broken Patsy. I’d never promised her anything. She was just an evil bitch, and I hoped she got a life sentence for everything she’d done.

***

I walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed next to Meg. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She looked up at me with tired eyes. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. The police have taken her into custody. We’ll all have to go down tomorrow to give statements.”

“Okay.”

“I know about the baby.”

“I see.” She nodded and looked down. “Sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“I understand why.” I sighed. “Do you hate me?”

She looked up and shook her head. “No.”

“Do you trust me?”

“I trust you.”

“Are you going to leave me?” My breath caught and I grabbed her hands as she shrugged. “I don’t blame you for hating me. I waited too long to tell you about everything.”

“I understand why you wanted to keep it to yourself.” She sighed. “It was Brandon’s secret to tell. I just wish you’d told me.”

“I didn’t know what to say. I was ashamed of myself for persuading him to give the baby up.”

“He’s the one who made the decision.”

“But he looked up to me. I was like his big brother. I’m the one who got him on this path. He was a good guy when I met him. I corrupted him.”

“I hate to break this to you, Greyson, but Brandon is his own man. He made his own decisions and he made plenty of mistakes after you guys stopped being friends as well.”

“I know, but—”

“But nothing.” She shook her head. “You are responsible for you and he is responsible for him. That’s it.”

“You know how much I love you, right?”

“I’m glad you told me.” She kissed me softly. “I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me before today.”

“I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I needed you to know. I didn’t want you to think I was keeping secrets from you. I wanted you to know that I love you and I need you in my life. Forever. I want us to be forever. Your loving and trusting and believing in me was more important to me than keeping it in anymore.”

“You’re a good friend.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I know why you wanted to be loyal to your friend.”

“He really does love Nancy,” I sighed. “I hope Katie will forgive him.”

“She loves him.” She smiled at me softly. “She’s always loved him. She said a lot of things make sense now. Things she didn’t understand when they first dated.”

“I’m glad.” I looked into her eyes. “Do you love me, Meg?”

“Are you keeping any more secrets from me?” She looked up at me with wide eyes, and I pulled away from her.

“Yes,” I sighed and took a deep breath. “I am keeping one more secret from you.”

“Oh, God.” Her face paled, and I could feel my heart beating fast. “What is it now, Greyson?”

“Meg, I never thought I’d see this day. I never even dreamed about a time when this day would be possible.” I took a deep breath. “I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. I was in a dark, dark place for so many years. I never believed in love. Never wanted it. I was fine being the man who screwed and made money.”

“I see.” She looked away from me, and I fell to the ground and grabbed her hands.

“No. No you don’t. When I met you, I felt like something in the earth shifted. It was like my whole life had been building up to that moment. You were like the catalyst to something good. I fought it so hard, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed you. I craved you. I wanted your smile, your body, your wit. I wanted to be around you, needed to see you. I couldn’t function without you. You came into my life and brought sunshine that had long been gone from my world. Quite simply, you put the beat back into my heart. Meg, I do have one more secret from you. It’s the biggest secret I’ve ever had to keep. It’s one I want to tell you about now. I’m done keeping it a secret. I don’t care about the timing or the circumstances.”

“What is it, Greyson?” Her eyes were wide with unshed tears.

“I bought this for you.” I pulled a small box out of my pocket. I’d been carrying it around with me for the last week, scared that if I put it anywhere else, I’d lose it. “I was going to wait until the right time. I wanted the moment to be perfect, but I don’t want to keep anything from you. I love you, Meg. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Greyson!” she gasped and sat up, staring at the ring. “Oh my God.”

“I wanted to do it now.” I stared into her eyes. “I want you to know that I want to marry you because I love you, not just because you’re pregnant with my baby.”

“You’re sure it’s yours?” She laughed and then groaned. “Sorry. Bad joke.”