Page 205 of Josephine and Clay

The disbelief fades from Clay's face, replaced by a look that makes my stomach twist.

"What were you going to do?" I already know what he's asking. "If I hadn't called."

My gaze drops to the stained motel carpet.

"Josie."

I drag in a breath that doesn't help. "I don't know."

His brow furrows. "You don't know?"

"I kept telling myself I'd figure it out." My fingers knot together in my lap. "Every time I decided I was going to tell you, I'd talk myself out of it again."

The admission sits between us.

Clay watches me for a few seconds before asking, "When exactly did you find out?"

"June."

His entire body stills. "June as in two months ago?"

My throat tightens. "Yeah."

He lets out a breath and looks away, staring at the wall.

I can see him working through it. The texts. The video calls. The barn dance. Breakfast together. Every conversation we've had since then.

His hand drops from his hair. "Who knows?"

The question comes quietly this time.

"Penny knew from the beginning." He nods once. "And I told Tessa. But it’s my fault she kept it a secret. Don’t blame her; she wanted me to tell you, but I just… I was scared. Scared that you would hate me. Scared that I would be forcing a life on you that you didn’t want. I didn’t want to pull you away from the rodeo.”

His eyes squeeze shut.

The hurt on his face hits harder than anger would've.

“You were always leaving."

Clay's jaw flexes. "I left for work."

"You left because you wanted to."

The words slip out before I can soften them.

He flinches.

Instantly, guilt follows. "I don't mean that the way it sounded."

"Then tell me how you mean it."

I swallow hard. "You spent months talking about the circuit. About getting back on the road. About how Buckhorn made you feel trapped." My eyes burn. "Even after you got hurt, all you talked about was leaving again."

Clay drops his gaze.

"So when I found out about the babies..." I laugh weakly and shake my head. "I panicked."

The confession opens a door I can't close again.