Deflected Hearts: Chapter 20

Dinner went better than I had expected. After meeting the Whitleys, I realized I was nervous for no reason. August’s parents are just as warm and friendly as I hoped they would be. They accepted me and our situation with open arms and I couldn’t have been happier with the way it went.

My mom and August’s mother seemed to really hit it off. Isla made sure to corner the two of them so they could start planning the gender reveal party and a baby shower. Hearing them talk was overwhelming and Isla eventually made me leave the room, claiming it was top secret and I wasn’t allowed to know what they were going to have planned.

I ended up in the den with August, his father, Logan, and Benjamin as they were all immersed in their talk of sports. After such a long drive and all of the excitement from dinner, I ended up drifting asleep on the couch. When I woke up, everyone had already left and August was carrying me to my bed.

Isla and Logan waited for him, since he was their ride home, and I could see how badly he didn’t want to leave me. I struggled with the same feelings, because after spending the night with him before, one night together just didn’t seem like it was enough. I was still so tired, though, so August made sure I was tucked in and comfortable before kissing my head and leaving with promises of calling me the next day.

As I roll out of bed now, I’m still tired, but have a long day of classes ahead of me. I’m getting closer and closer to graduation with each day and I can’t let this slow me down now. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I see that I already have a message from August and a smile touches my lips.

August: Good morning, beautiful. I know it’s early, so I didn’t want to wake you, but couldn’t resist not at least leaving a message for you to find.

Rising to my feet, I shuffle across the room toward my bathroom, typing out a message to the boy who has his hands wrapped around my damn heart.

Poppy: What are you doing up so early? I have a break between my first two classes, so I will call you then if you aren’t busy?

Setting my phone down on the counter in the bathroom, I use the toilet and wash my hands before brushing my teeth. August’s message comes through, but I quickly run a hairbrush through my long strands before pulling it back in a ponytail.

August: We ended up having early practice. And I’m never too busy for you, baby. Call me whenever you can.

My heart soars and I’m riding on a cloud of ecstasy, the high of August coursing through my system. The effect he has on me scares me. I can’t help but worry about the future and the what-ifs. It’s a struggle, but I attempt to not focus on the thoughts that plague my mind. All I can do is take things one day at a time and hope for the best between August and I.

I just hope this doesn’t eventually fall to pieces because dread fills me at the thought of the crash. And I’m afraid of the force of that fall.

After throwing on an oversized hoodie and a pair of sweatpants, I head over to campus and park my car as close as I can to the front. I’m tired as hell this morning, so having to walk too far across the parking lot seems like a daunting task. I have ten minutes until my first class begins, so I don’t have to rush, but I like to get in and get my things organized before it starts.

As I’m walking into the building, I feel my phone begin to vibrate in the pocket of my sweatshirt. Veering off to the side, out of the way of other students, I stop along the wall and pull it out in a haste, checking the screen. My stomach rolls as I see that it’s the doctor’s office and I quickly answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Poppy Williams?” The woman on the other end says, her voice warm and friendly. “I’m calling from The Woman’s Place about scheduling your appointment for a 3D ultrasound with your anatomy scan.”

“Yes!” I can barely contain the excitement from my voice as the butterflies violently flutter in my stomach. “This is Poppy. And I would love to go ahead and schedule that appointment.”

“Would you be able to come in tomorrow, by any chance? We just had another patient have to reschedule their appointment, so we would be able to have both scans done back-to-back.”

My heart crawls into my throat and tears instantly prick my eyes. “Yes, of course. I have classes all day, but I can make any time work.”

The woman schedules my appointment for three in the afternoon tomorrow and I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. As I end the call, I notice that I literally have two minutes left to get to my first class and it throws off my entire routine. But at this point, it doesn’t even matter. We get to see our baby tomorrow.

And I need to tell August as soon as possible, because he is going to be ecstatic.

My first class feels like it’s dragging. It could be because I’m more distracted than I should be and am barely paying attention to the lecture. After getting the call from the doctor’s office, that’s all that I can think about. That and August fucking Whitley.

Class wraps up and I’m one of the first people out the door, already pulling my phone out before I’m in the hall. Finding my messages, I tap on August’s name and hit the Call button before bringing it up to my ear as it begins to ring.

He picks up on the second ring. “Hey, gorgeous. How was your first class?”

A stupid grin consumes my lips and I don’t even bother attempting to hide it. “It was good. I’m just pretty tired this morning. How was practice?”

“It was good,” he tells me, his voice matching mine with how tired he sounds. I can’t even imagine having to get up early and skate the way they do. “I’m getting ready for class now and then have two this afternoon, thankfully.”

“Well, that’s good,” I respond, stepping out of the way as I dodge another student who comes barreling down the hall as I make my way to my next class. “I’m glad you don’t have a full day so you can relax.”

“Speaking of relaxing,” his voice is husky, the charm dripping from his words. “What are you doing after class? Come spend the night with me tonight?”

Chewing on the inside of my lip, I resist the urge to yell yes at him. Yesterday wasn’t enough time with him and I’d much rather tell him in person about the appointment tomorrow. I want to see the look on his face when I tell him. “I would love to. When should I come over?”

“I get done with my last class around 4:30. Why don’t you go home after your last one and pack a bag for the night and then just head over?” He pauses for a moment and I can hear the smile in his voice. “If I’m not home by then, Isla should be there. And you know I’ll be on my way to you as soon as I can.”

The smile doesn’t leave my lips, the sound of his voice warming my soul in ways I never knew were possible. “I’ll call Isla on my way to make sure she’s home. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me neither, baby. This day is going to drag ass now.”

A soft laughter falls from my lips as I pause outside of the door to my next class. “It’s only a few hours, babe. You’ll see me sooner than you think.”

August is silent for a moment. “Babe, huh? I think I like you calling me that.”

‘I gotta get to my next class, but I’ll talk to you later, babe.”

“Mmm,” he murmurs into the phone. “Say it again, just one last time for me.”

Laughter escapes me and I roll my eyes at him as I enter the classroom. “Bye, babe.”

“Goddamn, I’m ready to see you.” His voice is husky and I can hear the frustration in his words. “Fuck. Okay, I’ll let you get to class. Later, beautiful.”

Ending the call, I silence my phone and slide it back into the pocket of my hoodie as I find my seat. I sit down, not paying attention to anyone as I still hear August’s voice in my head, and the damn grin is still on my face.

He’s already worked his way under my skin, penetrating my soul. August has my heart and as much as it scares me to admit—I’m in deep, falling hard for him. There’s nothing I can do to stop it from happening. All I can do is just fall and hope he’s falling with me.

Even though our relationship is still relatively new, this has been growing between us for a long time. And now with a child, it just intensifies my feelings for him, especially seeing the effort he’s been putting in. I never expected him to step up like he has and I’m so grateful for how caring and doting he has been.

Realization strikes me and it’s a blow to my chest—hitting me directly in my heart.