The Baby Between Them

Chapter Twenty-Four

"You ready?" Rae looked up at Nash and cringed.

"For what exactly? To potentially be arrested the minute we get back to town? To possibly see Rick for the very last time? Or seeing Hunter again for the first time after breaking his heart ten days ago and being the reason he broke his hand four days ago?"

"All of the above?" Nash answered warily, walking over to strap Milly into her car seat.

"No, but I won't risk anyone else getting into trouble if Milly isn't at Dad's when child safety get there tomorrow." Rae sighed as she closed the door of the AirBNB they'd been staying in. "Have you heard anything about Rick?" She asked as they got in the car and Nash started driving back towards their home town and whatever backlash came from the last couple of weeks.

"Hunter hasn't messaged since he hurt his hand. I've been checking in still and he's reading the messages, but that's all."

"I really messed up hey?"

"I'm Switzerland Rae... I love you both and I hate what's happening. I refuse to take sides, but yes, I think maybe you could have gone about things differently." He replied truthfully and Rae nodded with a sigh.

"I'm so in love with your brother it's not funny."

"No shit Sherlock." Nash laughed. "A blind, deaf man could see that."

"I think he loves me too."

"You think?" Nash slapped his forehead and shook his head. "He's been in love with you since we were fourteen Rae." Nash pulled into a Wild Bean Cafe drive through, ordered them both a coffee and paid. "You've both been hiding your feelings for each other for years and it's gotten to the point where the feelings won't allow themselves to be hidden anymore. They're there, they've been acknowledged and they need to be dealt with. Sooner rather than later would be awesome, but whatever. It's not me that's involved." He added after he grabbed their order and handed her drink over.

"Nash, you are involved. Like you said, you love us both and if we end up hating each other, you're going to be caught in the middle."

"I'd rather not end up there, so please just sort it out Rae. I want you both happy and everyone can see that you'd be happiest together and let's be honest, the age difference is going to mean absolutely nothing come next week, let alone in the years to come."

They drove in silence for the next couple of hours. Milly was so well behaved and they only had to stop once to feed her, then she slept the rest of the way.

Rae's stomach felt like it was full of lead as they drove through the large gates of her father's property. Not just for what was to come with their running away, but also because she saw Hunter's car parked off to the side of the circular driveway.

Nash and Rae had barely opened their doors and stepped out of the car when Mitch came flying out of the house. Rae couldn't remember ever seeing her father move that fast before. She thought he was coming to her, but instead, he ran towards his BMW.

"What's going on Dad?" She called and her voice seemed to pull him from wherever his head was and he looked over, seeming to only just realise she was actually standing there in front of his house.

"Raegan!" He gushed and rushed over, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "I'm so glad you're home and safe baby girl. I'm sorry, but I need to go. Abi can explain when you get inside. Hunter, move your ass!" He called out, looking towards the front door, before kissing Rae on the head and rushing back to his car.

Rae turned towards the front door and time seemed to slow down. It was like someone cued the slow motion moment like in a movie as she watched Hunter rush through the door and pulling it closed behind him before their eyes met.