Jaden and Josh were sitting out back in the dark, sharing a drink on the patio.
Jaden: "They're kids, man. Well, she is. He's too old for her."
Josh: "They're one grade apart. Most of her friends are already dating."
Jaden: "God, where did the time go?"
Josh: "You've been gone, man. The rest of us have been here living it."
Jaden took another drink knowing how much he'd missed. He really should have let her Mom handle it. She always knew the right thing to do with Harlow.
*END JOSH'S POV
Bryce: "Hey, can I drive you home?"
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You nodded and grabbed your stuff as Bryce went to give Addi a kiss and tell her he'd be back for her. The drive started off silent, when Bryce finally sighed: "I knew."
You: "What are you talking about?"
Bryce: "Harlow told Addi and me about Lucas."
You: "WHAT!? Why didn't you tell me?"
Bryce: "Relax, she just told Addi a few days ago and wanted advice on how to tell you."
You: "She could have told me!"
Bryce: "Really? Because you've been acting so rational lately?"
You knew he was right: "It's just been a rough few weeks."
Bryce: "And do me a favor... go easy on Jaden. He is probably way madder at himself for freaking out then you are."
You: "That's not the only reason I- Bryce, I'm pregnant."
Bryce: "Oh my God! Are you serious?"
He pulled into your driveway and rushed around to the passenger side. He pulled you out of the car and into a tight hug the way he had so many times over the years when you needed him most.
Bryce: "I'm gonna guess you haven't told your husband?"
You: "How could I? You heard him. He's already talking about going on tour again."
Bryce: "Hey, he didn't exactly agree to that. Don't get ahead of yourself-"
Your tears flooded out, interrupting his reasoning: "How could he do this to me? He promised me."
Bryce wrapped you up even tighter as he reassured: "You are such an amazing mom, babygirl. Everything is okay to be okay."
Josh's car pulled in the driveway and you pulled away from Bryce's hug as Jaden and Harlow climbed out of his car. Harlow pushed past all of you and stormed inside without a word. You smiled at Josh, appreciatively and then made eye contact with Lucas in the backseat. He looked so nervous and you couldn't help but mouth Thank You to him knowing he was the reason Harlow had agreed to come home. Bryce and Josh got in their cars and headed home, leaving you to face your husband.
Jaden: "I understand why you're scared but I promise I wasn't going to accept that offer without talking to you first. I am so grateful that you've supported me touring and held down the homefront-"
You: "We need you here, Jaden. Harlow needs you here."
Jaden: "Apparently. What the hell has been going on with our daughter?"
You: "Look, Jaden. I was shocked too, but we know this kid. We can't just-"
Jaden: *interrupting* "Just what? Forbid her from seeing Lucas? Yeah, we can."
You: "I'm not doing that and you have another thing coming if you think I'm going to just let-"
He interrupted your sudden change of opinion by crashing his lips into yours like he'd done so many times in the past when he didn't want to fight. Your body responded by moving closer and melting into his embrace.
Jaden: "I don't want to fight. I just- God I missed you."
He led you into the house and upstairs past Harlow's dark and quiet bedroom. His lips were back on yours before you made it to the bed and you couldn't bring yourself to stop him no matter how angry you still were. He pushed the door closed as he pulled you out of your shirt. You stumbled towards the bed, dizzy from his touch. Being apart for days on end always felt impossible but the second you reconnected it was as if you were back in that bedroom at the Sway House all those years ago.
You didn't want to fight either. You didn't want to worry. You didn't want anything but for the ache only he could satisfy to take you away. He fell on top of you as your legs wrapped around him, squeezing to pull him in even deeper.
