Songbird (18 page)

“Umm . . . okay. But can you give me about half an hour? There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Oh?” Her tone immediately brightens. “A man?”

“Yes, a man.”

“No one too serious, I hope. You know your focus should be on your career.”

Well, that didn’t take long.
Instead of arguing with her like I normally would, I ignore her comment completely and tell her to drop by in an hour. As soon as we hang up, I text Devin to tell him my mom is on her way. Suddenly very anxious, I busy myself by making my bed and picking up around the living room. I’ve barely fluffed the sofa pillows when I hear a knock on the door.

He must drive like a maniac.

Secretly happy that I won’t have to face my mother alone, I rush to let him in.

“That was qu—”

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom says, smiling brightly as she makes her way inside. With a frown, she glances around, looking for imperfections. She’s never liked my apartment and has no problem telling me so every time she visits.

I roll my eyes and kick the door shut. “You’re very early.”

“Honestly, Callie, you know how I feel about killing time.” She kisses my cheek and heads to the couch. “Besides, I’m on a tight schedule today. I have to be at the plantation by noon.”

“Can I get you something to drink?” I don’t wait for her to answer before heading to the kitchen.

“Is this a new couch?” she asks.

“Nope. Same couch.”

“Hmm. New pillows? Something’s different.”

Joining her on the couch, I hand her a bottle of water.

“Same pillows, Mom.”

She eyes the fabric. “You know chevron’s not my favorite, but you manage to make it work.”

I smile tightly and drink my water.
What I wouldn’t give for alcohol right now.

“So, tell me about this wedding you’re shooting.”

“Tell me about this boy you’re seeing.”

“There’s not much to tell,” I mutter, already losing my nerve.
Why did I think this was a good idea?
“His name’s Devin. He’s a lawyer. His family’s great. I met them at a hospital benefit. They’re really nice people.”

While I babble, Mom shifts around on the couch.

“What is . . .” she reaches around and pulls out a book that’s buried behind the pillow. My entire body freezes when I recognize the cover. Mom looks up at me, then back down at the book. “What is this?”

A knock on the door makes me jump.

“What is this, Callie?”

I ignore her question and head for the door. Devin’s all smiles until he sees the expression on my face.

“What’s wrong?” he mouths.

Shaking my head, I pull him inside and lead him over to the couch. Mom’s holding the baby book and glaring at the man by my side.

“Mom, this is Devin McAllister. This is my mother, Kim Rhodes.”

Always the charmer, Devin offers his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Rhodes. Callie’s told me a lot about you.”

“Funny, she’s told me absolutely nothing about you.”

The two of us sit down, and Devin takes my trembling hand. Mom’s forehead creases as she watches our fingers lace together.

“You’re pregnant.”

It’s not a question, so I don’t feel the need to confirm it. She knows. The lawyer, however, has other ideas.

“Yes, we are.” Devin smiles and squeezes my hand reassuringly, as if this is just the most wonderful news in the world.

Mom’s face turns various shades of red before she finally finds her voice again. “And you’re getting married.”

I shake my head. She shoots a glare in Devin’s direction, as if it’s his fault we’re not planning a wedding.

“I see. And how far along are you?”

“About seven weeks.”

Her face brightens. “Oh! Well, then, this is easily taken care of. You had me worried there for a minute.”

I frown. “What does that mean?”

“You’ll have an abortion, of course.”

I feel Devin’s body stiffen. This time, I’m the one who squeezes his hand.

“No, Mom. I’m not getting an abortion.”

“You can’t be serious, Callie. Your career is finally taking off. Trust me. They won’t send pregnant journalists across the globe. You’ll be chained to your desk. And this man won’t even marry you.”

“We don’t have to get married in order to raise this baby.”

Mom laughs bitterly. “You’ll end up alone. You realize that, right? He’ll leave you and you’ll have to raise this baby by yourself.”

Devin clears his throat.

“Mrs. Rhodes, with all due respect—”

She interrupts him with a steely glare. “You have knocked up my daughter and refuse to marry her, so I really have no interest in what you have to say.”

“Mom, this isn’t 1950. The world won’t explode if we bring a baby into it without getting married. People do it all the time.”

“Callie, you aren’t listening to me. You have plenty of time for babies. Please don’t let this baby ruin your life like—”

“Like I ruined yours.” Angry tears trickle down my cheeks.

“That’s enough,” Devin snaps. “Mrs. Rhodes, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“Excuse me?”

“I won’t have you upsetting her.”

Mom snorts. “I don’t know who you think you are—”

“Well, then, let me introduce myself,” he says as he walks over to the door. “I’m the father of this baby, and I won’t have you upsetting her. You’re going to be a grandmother. Congratulations. The choice is yours if you want to be part of its life.”

“Callie, you’re making a mistake. This man . . . and his baby . . . will ruin your life.”

“Get out,” I whisper, wiping my tears away. “Go to your wedding and then fly back to Atlanta and forget all about the daughter who ruined your life.”

“Callie . . .”

“She asked you to leave.” Devin opens the door.

My gaze remains on the floor as my mother walks over to him.

“You’re just going to hurt her,” she says coldly.

“I’m going to try very hard not to do that, but I can guarantee I’ll never hurt her as much as you have today. Goodbye, Mrs. Rhodes.”

I don’t watch her leave. I rush toward my bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

To Devin’s credit, he leaves me alone for a while, because I need time to get a handle on my emotions.

My mom’s words had cut through me like a knife. I’d expected her reaction, but I hadn’t been at all prepared for it. Not really. She’d been cruel, which isn’t really new. Mom takes every opportunity to remind me what a mess I made of her life. But this time, she was talking about my baby.

Of course, my doctor and I had discussed my options. Abortion. Adoption. But I knew, deep in my heart, neither of those were options for me. Sure, this baby was unexpected and unplanned, and yes, I’d completely freaked out at first, but I never considered not keeping it. This is my baby, even if I end up raising it alone.

While Mom’s words had been cruel, I have to admit she had a point. Devin’s protective and sweet
now
, but will it last? Very soon, I’ll be grumpy and hormonal and fat. He seems determined to be in my life, but what if he changes his mind? I have no idea if I can truly rely on him, so that means I shouldn’t try.

I’m on my own. I need to remember that.

“Callie?” He knocks on my bedroom door. “I’ve tried to give you some space, but I’m losing my mind out here. May I come in?”

I wipe away the last of my tears. “Yeah.”

Devin walks into the room and climbs into bed with me. He doesn’t say anything. He just pulls me into his arms. I go willingly. Clinging to him, I bury my face against his chest while he strokes my hair.

“I’m sorry I made you go through that,” Devin says softly. “I had no idea.”

“I did. I knew. But it had to be done. At least she knows. It’s over now.”

He kisses my hair. “Callie, look at me.”

Blinking away my tears, I lift my head. Devin gently strokes his fingers along my tear-stained cheek.

“I’m not going anywhere. You know that, right?”

My throat tightens.

“I know you don’t believe me, and I can’t blame you after the way I reacted last week. But I’m in this, Callie. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I want you to know you can depend on me.”

I shake my head. “Please don’t make me any promises. I don’t expect you to. I don’t expect anything. You seem like you really want to be part of the baby’s life, and I’m glad. We’ll work it out. Schedules and stuff. It’ll be fine.”

Sadness radiates from his eyes. “Unbelievable. She was here ten minutes and managed to destroy what little progress we’ve made.”

“Yeah, she’s good at that.”

Devin sighs heavily. “Look, I know you’re scared. I’m scared, too. And not just about the baby.”

I close my eyes. “Please don’t.”

“I mean it, Callie. I have never, ever felt this way about anybody.”

I can’t handle this. Not right now.

“Please don’t be sweet. Please don’t make me any promises.”

“But I want to, Callie.”

A fresh wave of tears wracks my body, and I bury my face against his chest.

“Can we please just take things one day a time? One hour at a time? I can’t handle much more than that right now. My emotions are all over the place. I just want to get through morning sickness and the mood swings and try to figure out how to be a good mom. I have absolutely no frame of reference when it comes to that because . . . well, you met my mother. I really don’t want to be like her.”

Devin pulls me close. “You need to relax. All this crying can’t be good for you or the baby.”

Nuzzling his chest, I take deep breaths and try to calm down. Devin strokes my hair and whispers over and over that everything’s okay. I close my eyes, letting the steady beat of his heart calm my worries.

“Are you always going to be this protective?”

He laughs. “Probably.”

“That might be a problem. I’m used to being alone.”

“I know, Callie, but you aren’t alone anymore. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Looking into his eyes, I can see he really means what he says. I just wish I could trust it.

“I know you don’t believe me. That’s okay. I’m just going to spend each and every day trying to convince you.”

“More convincing? Aren’t you tired of having to work so hard?”

“Worth it.” Devin leans down and kisses my forehead. “Feel better?”

“Yeah.”

“Good, because I’m getting ready to introduce you to the best parents in the world.”

I grin and struggle to sit up. “We’ve met, remember?”

Devin chuckles and helps me climb off the bed. “Yeah, but this time you’re meeting them as the mother of their first grandchild. Be prepared. They’re a little excited.”

“How excited?”

Are they really happy? Don’t they have their doubts about me? About us?

Devin lifts my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss against my palm.

“Almost as excited as I am to take you home.”