Chapter 74: Bryn

It’s been easy to hide out in the apartment all weekend after announcing everything on social media, and now my time for hiding is up. I can’t skip class, which means that it’s time to face the music. Of course, today is when the little bean in my stomach decides they don’t like my usual breakfast of nut butter, jam and seed bread toast. I felt nauseous just from the smell of it and ended up eat a giant bowl of watermelon instead. Sawyer also handed me a vegan brownie protein bar on my way out.

Tabetha is eating for me next to her car when I walk out of the apartment and she has a huge grin on her face.

“Hey!” I say without looking at her too long and I make a dash for the passenger door.

“Hey yourself.” She says, sounding chipper.

I ignore her knowing looks when she climbs in and starts the car.

“Stop it!” I growl at her with a scowl.

She laughs. “What? I’m proud of you.”

“Why?” I ask.

“You not only told the world that a super hot hockey king knocked you up, but also that you have a second hot hockey player in your love life. The news is all over, with people starting threads of pictures and comments about the up and coming professional hockey players snagging the same girl. You’re going to be a legend.”

I groan and lower myself in my seat as if the floor would swallow me up somehow. “This was a mistake. I should have never posted that, but I didn’t want the guys to lie or keep any secrets for me. Besides, Sawyer and I are married, so it’s not that weird that we would have a baby, but Maddox…he’s different. He’s a wild card that is going to make people ask a lot of questions and saying a lot of hurtful things.”

Her smirk falls. “Yeah, but there is always going to be someone who judges you. You have to ignore that stuff and be happy. If having two guys makes you happy, then do your thing, girl. You aren’t hurting anyone, so all those people can mind their damn business.”

“Sawyer also tried to invite another guy into this relationship.” I blurt out.

She gasps. “Who?”

“The TA in my first period class.”

“The really young hot would have been a doctor guy all the girls have been gushing about? Damn, you have all the hotties after you.” She sounds impressed, but there’s no reason to be.

I haven’t done anything to warrant this attention, so I’m not sure why anyone would be interested in me. Not many people know me except in relation to Sawyer, but Maddox saw me and wanted to be with me. Why? Also, I’m freaking pregnant, which I would think would be a turn of, and yet it hasn’t.

“I don’t have him. We barely said four sentences to each other, two of which were me calling on god for dropping hot guys in front of me at every turn when I’m horny as hell and ripe for making bad decisions. Then I fainted in front of him like a goof and he had to take me to the hospital. Where he was propositioned by Sawyer to join my harem. God, I don’t think I can look him in the face again.” I whimper and cover my face with hands.

“Wow. I’m shocked by that. Sawyer comes off as very…possessive of you. To the point of violence. What the hell has gotten into him?”

“That’s what I want to know. He said it’s because he wants to be sure I won’t be alone if he gets a contract in another state and I have to stay and finish school. I don’t think I’ve ever said anything to make him think I would need babysitters with benefits to handle our time apart.” I push myself back up in my seat and drop my head back. “I just don’t get it. I would be worried that maybe he’s inviting more guys so that he doesn’t have to be a part of my life as much, but then why marry me? I just don’t know.”

Now I feel even more awful.

“Shut up. Sawyer is head over heels for you. It’s beyond obvious. Just the way he looks at you, like you’re the most amazing thing he’s ever seen. There is no way he doesn’t want you. Maybe he just doesn’t want you to be lonely without him.”

“But why do I need more guys to not feel lonely? I would have quit school and followed him wherever he would go, but he doesn’t seem to think of that as an option.”

She sighs. “He doesn’t want to uproot your life. It’s that simple.”

I know she’s right, but my brain just can’t make sense of all this. Of course, I would miss him, but not being with him would have motivated me to finish my schooling a lot faster. There were so many other solutions and options that wouldn’t have included me with other men. How could he not be jealous? And if he is, why would he ignore that just so I’m not lonely? I’m going around in circles on this, and it’s making me tired.

“Why don’t you let him take care of you? Of course, tell him if there is something you don’t feel comfortable with but otherwise keep an open mind. Let him do what he needs to do to give himself peace of mind.”

She has a point. Truthfully, I think I’m more upset because it doesn’t feel that weird having Maddox with me. It’s kind of nice and he’s wonderful. Those boys together have been spoiling me, and I honestly have been liking it. It feels good to be spoiled sometimes and I’ve enjoyed but there is a part of me that keeps saying I shouldn’t. Now I just want to turn that voice off and be happy like Tabetha said.

“I’m over thinking it all. You’re right, I should let Sawyer do what he needs to have peace of mind, and it hasn’t hurt me so far.”

“Exactly! Now what’s the plan on getting the hot TA on the team? It would be helpful to have a med student in the family.”

Family…” Crap, I haven’t talked to my family about the whole Maddox thing. I mean, I don’t think they would care, but I should have told them myself before posting the news on the internet.”

She grimaces. “Maybe. I don’t envy you there.”

I groan and bounce my head against the headrest twice in punishment for being so stupid.

When we reach the parking lot in front of the path leading to the medical building, I feel the breath get knocked out of my lungs. Now I don’t want to assume myself to be a celebrity in any way, but the crowd waiting near the building is staggering. It looks like they’re waiting for some huge star to come walking by so that they can get a selfie and an autograph.

“Holy shit. Uh, maybe we should call campus security to escort you into class.” Tabitha offers, but she doesn’t wait for an answer.

She has her phone out a split second later and has campus security on the phone in an instant.

“Yeah…how soon can you be here…okay, thanks.” She ends the call. “They’re coming and said to stay in the car until they get here. Damn girl who knew being friends with you would be so crazy.”

“Yeah, who knew? Sorry, you didn’t ask for all this.”

She waves her hand at me. “Don’t apologize. This has been an awesome college experience for me, and a huge status boost. You should use this to your favor and pick up some sponsors or something.”

“What?”

“You know companies send you stuff to give you a discount code for your fans and a chunk of the profits.”

I roll my eyes at her. “I know what it is, but why would anyone ask me to do that? I’m not an influencer of any kind.”

“Not yet. You just need a product to get you in the door.” She scrolls on her phone, but my focus moves to the fact that some of the crowd is heading our way.

It doesn’t take long for people to surround the car, and it catches Tabetha’s attention too late.

“Shit! Where is the campus security?” She yells.

I’m in the middle of an anxiety attack and can’t process anything other than the people yelling and taking pictures of me. This is insane!

Then a familiar face appears, and he looks pretty angry. I watch him push people back so that I can open my door and thankfully campus security shows up just then and takes over. My door opens and there is the handsome TA.

“Hey. Need a hand?” He asks and holds his hand out to me.

Crap, I should not let this move of his affect me. Then he gives me a small smile and I’m done. So screwed…