My Player Bestfriend (Book #1)

Chapter Twenty Two

I spent the entire night turning over what to do, my mind racing in every direction. I couldn't keep this secret from either of them anymore. I just had to decide who I was going to tell first.

The choice wasn't easy. Austin was the one I wanted to be with. He was the one I was building something with again, the one who had been patient, who had shown me kindness and love after everything had gone wrong. But there was also Luke — the one who had been there for me when I thought I had no one else, the one whose actions had led to this mess.

I knew I had to tell both of them eventually. I couldn't hide this forever. But for some reason, telling Austin, the person I truly wanted to be with, felt like a weight I wasn't ready to carry. If I told him first, I risked everything. I risked our future. I risked everything we had worked so hard to rebuild.

Luke? He had a right to know too, though. This was his baby.

I didn't know if I was making the right decision, but I knew one thing — I had to tell Luke first.

The next morning, after Austin left for his rehearsal, I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed, clutching my phone. The screen blinked back at me, reminding me of what I had to do. I hesitated for a moment, then opened a new message thread.

I typed out the words I never thought I'd say, my hands trembling:

Luke, we need to talk. Can you meet me?

I stared at the screen for a long time, my heart pounding in my chest. I hit send before I could stop myself.

I didn't have to wait long. Luke's reply came almost immediately:

I'm on my way. I'll be there in twenty.

I put my phone down and rubbed my temples, trying to calm the storm that was brewing inside me. I had no idea how Luke would react. I didn't know what he was going to say, but I knew that this conversation would change everything.

When he knocked on my hotel room door, I froze. My palms were sweaty. My heart raced in my chest.

I opened the door and saw him standing there, looking concerned. He looked the same as always — casual, his hands shoved in his pockets, a familiar, unbothered expression on his face. But I could tell something was different. The tension in the air between us was palpable.

"Mary?" he asked softly. "What's going on?"

I stepped aside to let him in, and he walked in slowly, studying my face carefully.

"Sit down," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I... I have something I need to tell you."

He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on mine. "What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the words about to come out of my mouth. This was it.

"Luke," I began, "I'm pregnant."

His expression didn't change at first. He blinked a few times, like he was processing it, trying to make sense of the words I had just spoken.

"What?" he said, his voice quiet but full of disbelief.

"I'm pregnant," I repeated. "And... it's yours."

The room fell silent, and for a moment, I thought I might choke on the words. But Luke didn't say anything. He just stared at me, his face unreadable.

"I didn't know what to do," I continued, feeling the tears threaten to fall. "I didn't know how to tell you. I thought it would be easier to tell you first before Austin finds out."

Luke's expression softened, his jaw tightening as he processed everything I had said. "So, you're going to tell Austin too?"

I nodded. "Eventually, yeah."

He stood up suddenly, his energy shifting. He paced the small space in front of me, clearly lost in thought.

"This is... this is a lot," he said, running his hands through his hair. "I don't know what to say, Mary."

I watched him, my heart sinking. He had every right to be confused, to be scared. This wasn't what either of us had planned.

"I don't know what to do either," I whispered. "I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I don't know how to fix this."

Luke stopped pacing and turned to face me. His eyes were searching mine. "We'll figure it out. Together."

I nodded, trying to convince myself that it would be okay, that we'd somehow make this work. But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. Nothing would ever be the same again.

One Hour Later...

I was still sitting on the bed, my phone in my hand, when I got a message that stopped me cold.

Austin: We need to talk. I know about Luke.

I dropped the phone in shock. The message had only been sent a few minutes ago, but already, my mind was racing.

How? How did he find out?

I didn't even know what to say. I quickly typed back:

Mary: Austin, please... I can explain.

But I didn't get a reply immediately. Instead, a few minutes later, I heard a knock at the door.

I opened it, and there he stood — Austin. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed with a mixture of anger and hurt.

"Mary," he said, his voice low, "I need the truth. Right now."

I froze. The moment I had feared had finally arrived. Austin knew.