Free The Brookfield Series Volume One by Lacey Wolfe

the good kind. She excused herself and disappeared to her mom’s room before saying hello. She didn’t want to air her dirty laundry in front of Mark.
    “You finally answer,” Jeremy said on the other end.
    “My phone was in the car for days, snowed in. A blizzard hit,” she explained and then wondered why she was. Ending things meant she no longer had to.
    “I find that hard to believe. You always have your phone.”
    “I’m on vacation.” Why did she answer? She was having a wonderful evening, and now he was ruining it. If she’d been smart, she would’ve let it go straight to voicemail. “What do you want?”
    “We need to talk about our situation.”
    “Okay, let’s see. We’re over. I’m keeping the baby, and that’s about it. Anything else?” she snapped.
    “I don’t want to be a father.”
    “Then don’t be.”
    “You think I’m stupid? You’ll come after me for child support and everything else. I’m not supporting it until it’s eighteen.”
    “I’m not having an abortion!” she said sternly.
    “Well, you’re not keeping it.”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “If you do, I will make your life hell,” he threatened.
    “What are you going to do exactly?” Her blood was boiling. To think, she actually considered marrying this guy.
    “You know what, it probably isn’t even mine. You’re a slut, and I’ll let everyone know. You have been fucking everyone, and you don’t even know who the father is. That’s why you left me and ran home to mama.”
    Her mouth dropped open, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “You. Are. An. Asshole.”
    “You want me to stop? Get rid of the baby.”
    Julie heard footsteps then Mark took the phone from her hands. “Leave Julie the hell alone, do you hear me? You’re a pussy of a man.” He sat quiet for a moment, and she could only imagine what Jeremy was saying back. “It doesn’t matter who the hell I am. Just do her a favor and sign away your rights. You would make a pathetic father.”
    Mark hit the End button then tossed the phone onto the bed. Julie gazed up at him. She couldn’t believe he had just done that. Part of her was in awe that he’d stood up for her, but she was also afraid of how Jeremy was going to react. He was a jealous man and knowing she was here with another man now was going to be icing on the cake.
    “I won’t let him do anything to you,” Mark assured her.
    “I never knew he would be like this.”
    “It’s not your fault. People can come across any way they want to.”
    He was right about that. “I think I’m just done for the day. I’m going to turn in.”
    Mark took her hand and pulled her into an embrace. “Can I spend the night with you?”
    “I would love it.”
    Taking a step back, she held his hand and led him toward her childhood bedroom. Once inside, she climbed into the bed, noticing it was still in an array from earlier. He had been an amazing lover. So thorough and kind, making sure her needs were met before his. A connection clung between them. It was something she had never experienced before.
    Pulling the covers up, she turned toward Mark. “You know we are just going to sleep, right?”
    He chuckled then kissed her. “This isn’t about sex, Julie.”
    The flutters returned, but this time it was the good kind. An instant smile crossed her face, and there was no way she could wipe it off even if she tried. This man renting her mother’s house was something else. Perhaps another blizzard would hit, but this time they’d be stocked up with lots of condoms.
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    It was the next day, and it wasn’t going any better for Julie. Her phone had been ringing non-stop, and she had to be on several conference calls. It was like everyone forgot she was on vacation. If it wasn’t for her hoping her mom would call, she would most likely have buried the damn thing out in the snow.
    She stepped out of the shower, letting her toes touch the cool tiled floor that actually felt nice