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He grabs my arms to stop me and looks down at me with concern. “What’s going on?”
I shake my head, and he releases me, seeing the tears filling my eyes.
“Don’t you hate that about pregnancy? The nausea comes when you least expect it,” Parker says.
Ben’s vision locks with Emmett’s over my head.
“Pregnant?” Ben steps around me, fury transforming his face.
“Ben, have you seen—” Gillian stops in her tracks. “There you are.” She looks at me and then at everyone else. Her forehead creases, not knowing what’s going on. “Oh, hi.”
“Wait.” Parker points at Ben. “You’re that football player.”
“Ben Noughton,” Gillian says proudly and smiles. “And you are?”
“Parker. Parker Hemmons.”
Nausea churns my stomach.
“Nice to meet you. Are you a friend of Sadie and Jude’s?” Gillian looks at Ben as if he might recognize them.
“No. I met Briar”—she points at me—“and Emmett at the doctor’s office. I saw the video of the gender reveal and wait…” Her eyes light up. “Is the thing today for Sadie and Jude?” She says it as if she knows them. “Is that the family party going on?”
Gillian steps closer and glances over her shoulder at me. “Did you say doctor’s office?”
“Why is everyone out here?” Jude steps out and joins us. “The presents are done, thank God. Now you jackasses have to help me take them to the house.” He draws back when he notices Parker and Chad. “Who are you?”
“Parker, and this is my husband, Chad.” She rests her hand on her swollen belly. “Is there a bathroom here? This baby just loves to sit right on my bladder.” She walks toward me as if I’m going to show her, which is probably the best idea right now because she’s about to become collateral damage.
Lottie steps out of the building and draws back. “Is the party moving out here now?”
“Excuse me, can you point me to the bathroom?” Parker asks when none of the rest of us answer her.
“Right through the doors on your right.” Lottie points at the doors she just came out of. “What’s going on?”
“Who are these people, and what doctor’s appointment were you at?” Gillian asks, stepping up in front of me.
“I, um…”
“You better be fucking kidding me, Emmett.” Ben steps toward him, and I try to step away. I can’t deal with all of this right now.
“What?” Gillian stiffens. “What’s going on?”
Emmett holds up his hands. “It just happened.” He steps back. “I love her, man.”
“You love her,” Chad says, his gaze shooting my way.
Gillian looks from Ben to me. Maybe putting the pieces together, but I don’t know.
Lottie steps over to stand next to me, her hand going to my arm.
“You love her? Are you kidding me?” Ben shouts. “We had a deal! And you go off and get her pregnant?” Ben cocks his fist back.
Jude grabs Ben’s arm, stopping him. “I’m done with this shit. We’re brothers. We have each other’s backs.”
Emmett steps to the side, and Ben yanks his arm from Jude’s hold.
“Briar? What is he talking about?” Gillian asks.
