Chloe dragged Linc to meet a friend of hers who it turned out he already knew and disliked. A guy who tried to push an investment on him, here. At his brother’s concert. Annoyed, Linc told the man to call him at the office to make an appointment and walked away, heading back to the spot where he’d left Jordan and Aurora. He’d be sure to tell Jordan not to put the man through when he called.
As Linc crossed the room, he realized the women weren’t where he’d left them, but he caught sight of Jordan sitting in a chair, eyes closed, her head tipped back against the wall. He strode toward her just as Aurora stepped in front of Jordan, her back to Linc, a cup in her hand.
“When I was pregnant, I lived on sour sucking candies to help the nausea. You should try those,” Aurora said to Jordan.
Jesus fuck. She was pregnant?
“You’re pregnant?” Shock blanked out all common sense, and he blurted out the question.
Jordan’s eyelids flew open, her gaze meeting his, panic etched across her features. “Linc–”
“Oh, God, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for him to overhear,” Aurora said, her voice shaking.
“It’s okay. Honest,” Jordan said in an attempt to soothe his obviously distraught sister.
But Linc didn’t glance over. His attention remained on Jordan as he waited for her to deny it, to tell him he’d heard wrong or misunderstood.
“I’m going to… I guess I’ll just go.” Aurora spun around and headed back into the VIP room, leaving them alone.
Jordan rose unsteadily to her feet.
“You’re pregnant,” Linc said. Again, he heard the harshness in his tone, but all he could think about was the fact that kids were the last thing he’d ever wanted or planned.
She nodded. “I was going to tell you tonight.”
“How?” If he had to name one thing he was careful about, it was using protection.
“Excuse me?” she asked, straightening her shoulders.
If looks could kill, he’d be dead on the spot.
“I would think you could figure that one out yourself. Maybe that ancient condom we used the first time?” she reminded him with no lack of sarcasm.
Son of a bitch, he thought, clenching his jaw. He’d been so hot, so eager to get inside her he hadn’t cared what kind of protection he’d used as long as he was covered.
How the fuck did he process this? He’d been fifteen when he’d discovered his father was cheating. Seventeen when the man had slapped him on the shoulder and said, “Always wrap up, son. You don’t want to end up with a kid you don’t want,” before Linc went out on a date one night. Not to mention finding out about Aurora about a month ago. But even before he learned his father had gotten his secretary pregnant and abandoned the baby, Linc had promised himself he wouldn’t bring kids into the world. Never wanted them to end up miserable like he and his siblings had.
“Shit,” he said louder than he should have, running a frustrated, angry hand through his hair.
“Don’t worry about it. This baby isn’t your problem. I’m not your problem.” Jordan’s voice brought him back to the present.
He’d never seen the blank look on her face before, and a sudden rush of fear ran through him. A different kind of fear than when he’d overheard she was pregnant with his baby. He simply couldn’t get ahold of all his emotions. They were too big. Too panic-inducing.
“Even if you wrote me a check like Collin or your father, I wouldn’t take it,” she spat.
Oh, shit. Her words shook him to his core, and he realized exactly what his reaction had done. “Jordan–”
She looked past him and rushed for the door. A large group of people was entering, but she managed to barrel through them, and though he attempted to go after her, the crowd of fans here to see the band was too big, too rowdy.
And when he finally stepped out of the room, he looked up and down the hallway, but he didn’t see Jordan. There were so many people lined up against the wall he couldn’t hope to find her. And with an exit sign at both ends, he had no idea which way she’d gone.
“Son of a bitch!” He slammed his palm against the wall, the pain excruciating, but he didn’t care.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he dialed Max, who waited in the town car in a nearby lot.
The man answered on the first ring. “Hi, Max. Have you heard from Jordan?”
“No, Mr. Kingston.”
He clenched the cell tighter in his hand. “If she happens to call you, contact me immediately. I need to know she’s safe.”
“Of course. Is there anything else I can do?”
Linc groaned. “No. If she doesn’t call you for a ride, I’m sure she’ll take an Uber. Do me a favor? In five minutes, start driving around. I’ll meet you at the same exit where you dropped us off. Thank you.” He disconnected the call.
He intended to meet Jordan back at her apartment and discuss things more rationally, but he needed to let his family know he was leaving or else they’d worry.
He didn’t explain his reasons for rushing out, but he did take the time to pull Aurora into a reassuring hug. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But it was Jordan’s place to tell you.” She blinked back tears.
He had a feeling she was afraid she’d lose the family she’d just found. “I overheard you. You didn’t intentionally tell me. Now please try and enjoy the rest of the night. I’m going to find her and we’ll talk.”
He glanced at Chloe, who obviously also knew about Jordan’s pregnancy, and she stepped up to wrap an arm around Aurora’s shoulder. “Come on. Dash and the guys are finishing up. Let’s go hang out with them, okay?”
He nodded his thanks to Chloe, who smiled reassuringly as she led Aurora away.
“Linc? Is everything okay?” his mother asked.
He met her concerned gaze. “It will be. But I have a feeling I’m going to need to talk to you soon. It’s too complicated to get into now.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Well, now I am worried.”
He patted her hand. “Don’t be. I just need to fix some things I screwed up.” He just hoped like hell Jordan was open to listening.
He made his way down the escalators at the Garden, found the VIP exit he’d told Max to park near, then called his driver and met up with him.
“Did you hear from Ms. Greene?” Max asked.
“No.” Linc had continuously checked his phone.
Once he was in the car and could concentrate without weaving his way through people, he called her, but it went straight to voicemail.
Next, he texted her: I fucked up. I’m coming over to talk.
He kept an eye on the screen, but it didn’t show she’d seen it. Either she was ignoring him or she’d changed her settings not to show other people she’d read her messages.
Throughout the ride uptown, his stomach churned with concern. She’d run off by herself, upset. His shock had worn off, as had the thoughts he’d let fester in the back of his mind for years. He’d had a knee-jerk reaction to words he’d never thought to hear and responded like a complete jackass.
He wasn’t proud of himself, and he was worried about what he’d done to Jordan’s feelings, knowing he’d been no better than Collin the asshole. He curled his hands into fists and wished the time would pass faster, but eventually they pulled up in front of her building.
“Hang out, Max?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Kingston.”
“Thank you.” He opened the door and slid out, rushing inside.
The doorman greeted him on sight with a friendly nod, which meant Jordan hadn’t put him on a not-allowed-to-come-up list. “Hi, Jerry. Can you please tell Ms. Greene I’m here?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kingston. She’s out tonight. She left earlier and I haven’t seen her since.” The man sitting behind the desk in a black long-sleeve collared shirt shrugged in apology.
Linc narrowed his eyes. “Is there any chance you took a break and missed her?”
The middle-aged man shook his head. “Sorry. I’ve been here all night. Although I could use a break now,” he said with a laugh Linc couldn’t bring himself to return.
“Thanks.” Linc slapped his hand on the desk and headed back to the car.
He climbed in. “Let me think for a few minutes, please.”
Max nodded.
Her sister lived in Westchester County, where she had a job as a court clerk. Jordan might have taken a car there. He had Claire’s number in his phone in case of an emergency, and he looked up her name, hitting send on the number.
A quick conversation and Linc struck out there, too. He had to tap-dance his way around not being able to reach Jordan on the phone but convincing Claire her sister was fine.
Friends? Jordan’s social circle was small. She hadn’t kept in touch with high school friends. Most of her college people had moved out of state, and though she was friendly with some of the office staff, he didn’t think she’d confide in anyone there. Any other friends he didn’t know well enough to call.
He drummed his fingers on the seat beside him. That left her mother, he thought, with a loud groan. There was a fifty-fifty shot Jordan would go to the one woman who would only say, I told you so, if Jordan told her the truth. And if she had gone to her mom, there was no way Tamara would let him in.
He’d fucked up so badly, he’d become the man he’d never wanted to be, reacting like his father. He hadn’t thrown money at the situation, but he hadn’t stepped up like a man. The man he wanted to be.
Running a hand over his face, then through his hair, he knew he had no choice but to go home, keep calling and texting. And hope she eventually responded.
* * *
Jordan told theUber she’d called to drive around but head toward the address she’d put into the app, her parents’ house in Queens. She needed time to pull herself together before she faced her mother.
All the I told you so’s were going to hurt, mostly because this was Linc they were talking about, and despite her fears, she’d so wanted to trust him. And his reaction had been like a punch in the gut. Or the heart. Basically both. She could have gone to her sister’s house, but a big part of her wanted her mother.
When she’d been pregnant the first time, she’d been young and too afraid to admit the truth to her mom. She’d lost the baby before finding the courage to tell her, and she’d kept it hidden. But she was ready to stand up for herself and her choices now. No matter the consequences.
Finally the car pulled up to her parents’ house, a small two-bedroom, two-bathroom house. She’d enjoyed growing up here, the warmth and the love. Despite her complaining about her mother’s feelings about Linc, her mom loved her and only wanted to protect her from being hurt.
Maybe Jordan should have listened.
She thanked the driver, opened the door, and stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut. For safety’s sake, she waited until she exited the car to turn off her phone, but she’d shut the sound and vibration, not wanting to talk to Linc. And she’d seen him start to text almost as soon as she finally left the venue.
Realizing she’d come here in a rock concert outfit and shoes with no change of clothes, she muttered a low curse, but she’d make do. She rushed up the path leading to the house and rang the bell. The curtain moved on the window beside the door. Thank goodness her parents liked to stay up late, she thought, as the door opened and her mother stood in the entryway.
Wearing a long caftan with a pretty pattern, her blonde hair pulled back in a bun, her mother glanced at her, her unlined face worried. Despite how hard she’d worked, Tamara had beautiful skin, and she had pride in her appearance. Once her father’s electrical business took off, she’d been able to quit her housekeeping job, and she turned her knitting hobby into a business, selling items on Etsy.
“Jordan, what’s wrong?” her mom asked.
With the burden of secrets on her shoulders, she met her mother’s gaze. “I’m pregnant with Linc’s baby,” she said as tears filled her eyes.
Which was okay. She was finally safe to let them fall because Linc wasn’t around to judge her. And her mother pulled Jordan into her arms.
A little while later, her mom had shooed Jordan’s father to the bedroom, made them both a cup of tea, and they sat facing each other across the table.
“Please don’t say I told you so.” Jordan poured some milk and added sugar, wrapping her hands around the warm mug.
Her mother let out a heartfelt sigh. “It’s too late to do any good anyway.”
Jordan nodded in agreement. She decided it was time to admit it all. “Mom, this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten pregnant.”
“What?”
Looking down at the light-colored tea, Jordan drew a deep breath and told her mother about what had happened with Collin. “And it was my fault. I had a migraine and skipped the pill, but this time, with Linc, we used protection.” It was old but there was no point in telling her mother that. “I guess I’m just one of those fertile people.” She let out a wry laugh.
Her mother reached out, and Jordan put her hand in her mom’s calloused one. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Jordan swallowed hard. “I knew you thought I was dating above my means and you were so insistent, both with Linc and Collin, I couldn’t face your disappointment.” Tears pooled in her eyes again, and she used a napkin to dab at the moisture, not wanting her heavy makeup all over her face.
“Oh, honey.” Her mother’s expression crumbled, her pain for her daughter obvious and so needed. “I feel terrible. I was looking out for you. I thought I could protect you, but I never meant to make it so you couldn’t come to me when you needed me most.” She curled her fingers tighter around Jordan’s hand.
“I get it now, Mom. I know why you tried so hard to protect me.” Jordan went on to explain how Collin had tried to pay her to get rid of the baby, and her mom cursed loudly.
“Now tell me what happened when you told Linc,” her mother said.
“First you need to know about his father.” Jordan revealed how Kenneth Kingston had gotten his secretary pregnant and paid her monthly for years instead of being a parent.
Her mom shook her head. “That man was always a selfish son of a bitch. Mrs. Kingston put up with too much from him if you ask me. Now what about Linc?”
Jordan pulled in a breath. “He overheard Aurora, his new sister, say something to me about being pregnant. I get he was in shock. But he repeated it twice and he sounded so angry.” She’d wanted to curl into herself, but she refused to let him see how badly he was hurting her.
And then he’d asked how, which was the ultimate in stupid questions. But Collin had asked her the same thing, and that time she’d been at fault. All the memories had come crashing back, especially because she’d just run into him and his pregnant wife.
“So we stood there in silence except for the other voices in the room. And his face might as well have been carved in stone. And in my head, I heard your voice, telling me I wasn’t part of their family, and I needed to know my place. And that one day he’d marry someone else.”
She wiped at her eyes again, her mascara all over the napkin. “Then Linc cursed. And I lost it. I told him not to worry, that the baby wasn’t his problem. That I wasn’t his problem.”
Her mother patted her hand. “That’s my brave girl, standing up for herself. But–”
Jordan pushed the mug aside. “Wait. There’s more. I topped it off and told him if he wrote me a check like Collin or his father, I wouldn’t take it. Then I walked out … and here I am.”
A few silent seconds ticked by as her mother clearly gathered her thoughts. “Has he tried to reach you?”
She nodded. “When I first left. Then I silenced my phone. And now it’s turned off.”
“Okay, good. Because you need time to think. How about I give you some clothes to change into, you wash up and get a good night’s sleep? We can talk again in the morning. Sound good?”
“Yeah. It does.” Jordan didn’t think she’d get much shut-eye, but she needed to be alone and process everything that had happened tonight.
Her mom rose from her seat and Jordan did the same. Walking around, her mother wrapped her arms around Jordan and pulled her close. Her scent was familiar and comforting, and she knew she’d done the right thing by coming home.
* * *
Linc didn’t sleep.Not well, at least. The only good news he’d had since Jordan walked out on him was a one-line text letting him know she was fine. That was all she’d said. I’m fine. She’d ignored everything he’d texted after, asking where she was and if they could talk, and his calls still went to voicemail. But he took comfort in the knowledge she’d thought to let him know she was safe. That meant no matter how big an ass he’d been, deep down she knew he’d worry about her.
Although he had no intention of letting a day pass without seeing her, whether she was at her parents’ house or not, he had one stop to make first.
He felt like driving himself and headed to his mother’s house for a serious conversation. After opening the gate and parking, he rang the bell, and since she’d been expecting him, his mother answered. They’d been out late last night, and she wasn’t dressed up nor did she have on a full face of makeup, but she was still beautiful.
They settled in the large kitchen, which had recently been remodeled, with stainless steel appliances, white granite counters, and state-of-the-art … everything.
She offered him something to eat but he declined. He’d eaten at home.
They sat on barstools at the center island, and he leaned an elbow on the granite. He wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. Until he and Jordan talked, he had no intention of telling his mother she was pregnant. He hoped his sisters had kept the news to themselves.
“So you told me last night we needed to talk. What is it?” his mother asked.
“How do you feel about Jordan?” he asked, diving right in.
She tipped her head, confusion in her expression. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
He let out a groan. “Okay, there’s no easy way to ask this. Chloe mentioned to me that Jordan isn’t one of us. That people in our so-called social circle consider her the maid’s daughter and … they look down on her.”
He wasn’t asking his mother these questions because he needed her approval before making things right with Jordan. Rather, he was asking because he wanted to counter any argument Jordan herself might have about them being together and having a future.
He knew he was getting ahead of himself. First he needed her to forgive him for his reaction to their big news. But Linc was a man who prepared for all situations before taking a leap. Another reason her pregnancy had been such a shock. He’d never considered the possibility.
He glanced at his mother, who looked like a woman trying to formulate her answer, and his stomach churned. Not for himself but because he wanted to be able to tell Jordan she’d be welcome in his family.
His mother clasped her hands together on the counter and blew out a long breath. “Are you asking how I feel or how other people feel?”
Was she hesitating to answer or was she really confused? Linc wasn’t certain.
“I don’t give a shit how the outside world thinks. I do, however, care about Jordan being treated with respect by everyone. And frankly I think this conversation is ridiculous in today’s world, but I believe Chloe when she tells me that’s how some people feel.”
His mother nodded. “Unfortunately, there are people who come from money and think they’re better than others. Your father being one of those people.”
“Yes. He hated Jordan being a big part of my life.” And the fact that his father had been rude to her had put up yet another barrier between them.
His mother glanced down at her perfectly manicured nails before meeting his gaze. “But if you’re asking how I feel, I’ve always liked Jordan. I think she’s a lovely young woman who has been a good friend to you.”
“She’s more than a friend.” He kept his eyes on his mother, wanting to gauge her reaction.
She blinked. “Oh. Oh! Well, that’s a surprise. I guess I should have been paying more attention, because I had no idea!” Sudden awareness lit her expression. “And that’s why you want to know how I feel about her.”
He inclined his head, nodding.
An unexpected smile lifted his mother’s lips. “Sounds like I should be asking you the same question. Except I don’t think you’d be here if it was just a casual thing.”
At her calm acceptance, the tension in his shoulders eased. “It’s far from casual. And you need to know I’m not asking you for myself, because I’m all in no matter how anyone else feels. But I would like to be able to tell Jordan she’s a welcome part of our family.”
He’d never sensed any issues coming from his mother, and he already knew his siblings liked Jordan. But as Chloe had said, he was a man. And guys didn’t always think like women when it came to this shit. Social status, money, who you were born to. None of it made a damned bit of difference to him. Hadn’t Beck been his close friend in college before a woman came between them?
And Jordan had always been his best friend. He should have realized sooner that she was his everything.
“Linc, I always liked Jordan and she has always fit in here. She’s always been welcome. As for the snobs who we are forced to deal with outside of our home? If they don’t accept her, then I have no use for them.”
Reaching out, she covered his hand with hers. “So how serious are you two?”
It was all he could do not to tell her everything, but he needed to wait. “It’s very serious.”
“Enough for me to give you your grandmother’s diamond? I know how much you loved her, and the stone is a Kingston family heirloom. I can’t think of a better way to show her she’s welcome.”
And this was why he loved his mother. Standing, he took two steps and pulled her into a hug.
