Free When You Make It Home by Claire Ashby Page A

was going to be a dad, I’d want to know. This isn’t only about you.”
    “Leave her alone, man.” Theo’s tone was low, but firm. All eyes turn to him.
    “Stay out of this!” Steve snapped back, and Ellie gave me a pained look.
    “Let’s all calm down,” Jake said.
    I got up because I knew I had to leave once I revealed the truth. Turning back to the room with my arms crossed in front of me, I took a deep breath.
    “Wait a minute,” Steve said, the hard look on his face made it clear he’d had enough of my vagueness. “I’m calling Bradley, tonight. He has a right to know.”
    I blinked, still trying to work out how to explain that part of the truth.
    Theo crossed the room to Steve. “Back off, man,” he barked, getting right in Steve’s face. “It’s not your place.”
    “Dude, I’m not going to fight a man on crutches—move out of my way.”
    “Steve…” I looked around the room, trying to mask my embarrassment. “Bradley did not get me pregnant.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Who, then?”
    “After Bradley and I broke up, Jason and I reconnected… on Facebook.”
    “Are you kidding me?” Steve’s hands were knotted into tight fists at his sides. “Why haven’t I seen him around? Did he get a divorce? Did you tell him?”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “Meg.” Steve closed his eyes. “How many times are you going to let that dirtbag hurt you?”
    “Yes, he knows.” I nodded. “He’s back with his wife.”
    Chapter Five
    T hunder boomed as I raced, splashing through puddles, across Ellie’s rain-soaked lawn. Rain pummeled me and seeped through my layers of clothes. I fumbled with my keys. Shivering, I bit down on my lip. I flung the car door open and collapsed onto my seat, choking out sobs. I jammed my keys into the ignition, managed to start my car, but couldn’t calm myself, trembling as rain and tears dripped from my face.
    The car door flew open.
    My gaze shot to Theo. “Have you not had enough of the train wreck of my life? Go away!” I yelled over the downpour drumming against the car.
    Lightning flashed, illuminating Theo. “Scoot over to the other side. I’ll drive.” At first I didn’t move. “Listen, I got my driving leg, and that’s all I need to get you out of here. I’ll take you home.” His calm manner and words were exactly what I needed. I wanted home.
    When I climbed across to the passenger’s side, he tossed his backpack and crutches into the back and situated himself in the driver’s seat.
    At first we drove in silence. I sat with my back angled toward him, dragging fingers through my wet hair. Theo deftly maneuvered through the downpour. His driving kept me preoccupied. It hadn’t occurred to me that he could still drive.
    He glanced my way. “I keep my old chopper in Mom’s garage. A Harley-Davidson.” He spoke as if he were talking about a lover. “I miss her. It’s only a matter of time before I ride her again.”
    I looked at his profile in the darkened car and tried to imagine him racing down the highway on a bike. I figured he needed more than time to get back on a bike, but I could imagine his long, hard body straddling a motorcycle, his face set in an unapproachable, cool-guy expression. Theo was hot enough to pull off any variation of the American bad boy.
    “Why can’t you get a car, like everyone else?” I asked.
    “Because I’m not everyone else.” He rubbed his hand over the top of his head. “Who’s Jason?”
    “My best friend growing up. Our best friend. Twins share everything, you know?” Leaning my head against the cool glass of the car window, I sighed. “He lived down the street from us. The three of us did everything together.”
    Theo nodded, keeping his eyes on the road.
    “Well, until high school when Jason and I started dating. He was my first love.”
    Remembering that time still made me sad, not for the loss, but for how easy and simple falling in love was back then, full of naive dreams that things were