Free First Verse (Second Verse Book 1) by Emily Snow Page A

as the deputy called to let me know you were being released early, I told my ...” Her words trailed off when I stood up and her focus zeroed in on my stomach. “That wasn’t there the last time I saw you.”
    “Lyra,” I whispered.
    “Oh my god.”
    “Lyra.”
    She pulled me close, careful not to squish the giant bump when she hugged me. “This is why they let you out early?” When I nodded, she shook her head in disbelief and then grinded her teeth together angrily. “That cowboy boot-wearing asshole knocked you up.”
    Hooking my hand under her upper arm, I led her out of the lobby and outside. “We can talk about this in the car.” It was February now, much cooler than it was when I stepped foot in the building seven months ago, but I welcomed the chill and dragged in a harsh breath.
    As soon as we were behind closed doors in Lyra’s rental car, she placed one of her small hands on my shoulders. “Does he know?” She dragged her other hand through her jet black hair, still trying to come to terms with what she’d just discovered. “Jesus, Kinz, you haven’t even said a word to me about this.”
    She looked hurt, and I rushed to explain why I hadn’t broadcasted my condition. “You would’ve worried. Every day you’re performing or practicing, dangling several feet in the air. There was no way in hell I was going to have you stressing over me while you’re doing that.”
    Lyra sighed and started the engine. “Um, hell yeah I’d going to worry. And I understand why you didn’t say anything, but I wish you had.” She tapped her fingernails anxiously against the steering wheel. “You didn’t deserve to go through this alone.”
    There was a long moment of silence between us as Lyra drove. I finally broke it, softly whispering, “I wrote him a letter telling him what was going on.” I’d written several, but I wouldn’t tell Lyra that because it hurt too much to admit it aloud.
    “Did he respond?”
    Sharp needles pierced my chest, but I managed to shake my head. “No.”
    “Then you’ve got to call him.”
    “No.”
    She shot daggers at me as she merged into another lane. “If you don’t, I will. The asshole has a number one single right now. He can take a little time away from his adoring—”
    “What?” Emmett’s first single had already been released? God, I’d missed everything. I missed him.
    Lyra cringed. “I thought you knew.”
    “Well ... congratulations to him.” I didn’t want him to think I was calling him for money, but I knew Lyra was right. In a month, I’d be a mom. And what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t do everything in my power to make sure Emmett at least knew what was going on. Some naïve part of my brain desperately hoped he hadn’t gotten the letter. That he had no idea I was pregnant.
    That it was still possible for there to be an us.
    “Kinz?” Lyra’s soft voice crept into my thoughts, and I took a deep breath.
    “I promise I’ll call him tonight.”
    ♫
    I still had money from my old job at the nursery in my savings account, but Lyra insisted on covering the hotel room. Tomorrow morning we’d go apartment hunting. After that, I’d get to visit Mrs. H’s grave and then I’d get my phone reactivated, but first—first, I had to call Emmett.
    I waited until Lyra left the room to look up the number I’d saved for him. Shaking from head to toe, I dialed the number into the phone by my bed and waited. What would I say? Hell, would the tears start again and turn me into a blubbering fool?
    Would he even answer?
    “Hello?” A silky female voice purred, and my shoulders tightened. When I didn’t immediately speak up, she murmured, “Are you there?”
    “Yeah.” Digging my fingernails into my palm, I continued, “I-I’m trying to reach Emmett Hudson.”
    “Yeah?” she sounded like she was teasing me. “Who is this, darlin’?”
    “Kinsey. McKinsey Brock.”
    She didn’t bother to cover the speaker when she drawled, “Baby,