Perfect Storm

Chapter 19

Ryan's POV

I stared down at my phone in utter disbelief reading and rereading the text and seeing the picture sent from Bubba.

You know I never liked Laken, and I've kept my mouth shut for this long because she was the girl you had chosen, but dammit man, I can't keep quiet on this. You're my best friend and you need to see this.

The photo below the text was taken from a distance, but it clearly showed Laken wrapped in Denny's embrace on his front doorstep.

My pregnant girlfriend had been screwing Denny fucking Hamlin behind my back.

Seeing three blinking dots appear and disappear, a million thoughts ran through my mind and the phone slipped out of my hand.

I picked my phone up, but there was no follow up text, so instead of texting Bubba back, I called him.

"Where did you get that picture?" I demanded, as soon as he answered.

"Hailey sent it to me?" He replied.

Hailey? Denny's ex? I didn't even realize he still talked to Hailey, but then remembered that she and Amanda were best friends.

"When was this? When was the picture taken?" I asked, praying I was wrong in what I was thinking.

"Two days ago. Hailey said she was early dropping the kids off at Denny's so she was waiting in her car for a while when she saw the two of them come out. She recognized Laken. She didn't really know what to do, but after sitting in it for a day, she knew you should know what was going on. She didn't know how to get in contact with you so she got with me instead." Bubba explained.

Two days ago? I wracked my brain trying to remember where Laken was. She had said she was going to get her hair and nails done before leaving for New York. I never even bothered to notice if her hair and nails were actually done though. Hell, she always had them done.

Had I really been that stupid these last few weeks? Stupid enough that I had been buying all of the stories she had been telling me? I was willing to bet that she also hooked up with Denny the night of Bubba's party during that time when I could not find her. Ha ha. Jokes on me because I really was an idiot.

There was silence over the phone. I had literally been rendered speechless to be honest. What the hell was I supposed to even say? How long has this actually been going on? Was the baby Laken was carrying even mine?

Bubba then spoke. "I'm sorry man. I hate to have to be the one to tell you, but you needed to know."

"Thanks Bubba. I appreciate it."

"What are you going to do?" He asked.

What was I going to do? "I don't know man. Confront her with this. Break it off. I just need a minute to figure things out." I sighed.

"Yeah. Do all that, and then when you're done, you need to get your ass home and fix things with Bree. I know you still love her." Bubba added.

"I don't know if I can. She was the one who left me. A few weeks ago...I thought we might have a chance, but now...I don't know. It's her call. I'm going to damn sure try, but...I hope we do."

"I think you do, but right now, it's time to take out the trash." He chuckled. "Don't give up on her. Bree I mean. He added.

"I thought you were pissed at Bree."

"Only because she broke your heart. I loved Bree like a sister. She was the one for you. I knew it then, and I know it now. I also know she still loves you too. It's written all over her face every time she looks at you. Good luck bro. I hope it all works out."