Chapter 52: The Idea

Three weeks later

Heidi stood in her bathroom, staring at the pregnancy test sitting on the counter. Her stomach twisted, her whole body suddenly feeling hot. She knew this was coming. The second she saw those two pink lines, she felt it in her soul. This wasn’t an accident. This was inevitable.

Jalen had told her the truth about his whole situation, and still she chose to keep having sex with him unprotected. Now here she was, pregnant with Jalen’s child.

But what the hell was she supposed to do now? Heidi gripped the counter, exhaling shakily. She had to tell him. Tonight.

She sat down on the edge of her bed, trying to calm the whirlwind in her head. She had chosen this. When she and Jalen had sex in the basement, and she let him cum inside of her, as well as every time after that, she knew what she was doing because deep down, she wanted it.

Not just the baby, but Jalen too, and now, she was going to have a piece of him forever.

Heidi grabbed her phone, hesitating for a long moment before finally pulling up Jalen’s contact. She typed out a message.

Heidi: “Hey ... I need to see you tonight. It’s important.”

She stared at it, debating whether to send it or not, but there was no point in delaying this. She hit SEND.

Now, all she had to do was figure out what the hell she was going to say.

That night, Jalen opened the door to his apartment after hearing the expected knock. He had a feeling this was coming.

The second Heidi asked to meet, he knew what it was about, and now, here she was, standing in his doorway, looking at him with those piercing green eyes.

Her face was serious, and her lips were slightly parted like she was still trying to find the right words.

Jalen stepped aside. “Come in.”

Heidi walked past him into his apartment. She crossed her arms, pacing slightly as if trying to shake off the nerves. Jalen watched her carefully.

Finally, she stopped, turned to face him, and let out a shaky breath, “I’m pregnant.”

Jalen nodded slowly, taking it in. Even though he expected this, hearing it out loud still hit hard. He stepped closer.

“How are you feeling?”

Heidi let out a dry laugh. “You’re the only man alive who hears ‘I’m pregnant’ and asks how I feel before anything else.”

Jalen shrugged. “It’s important.”

She bit her lip, looking away for a moment. “I don’t know how to feel. I mean ... I knew this was a possibility. Hell, I should’ve known it was a damn guarantee, but now that it’s real?” She swallowed. “It’s terrifying.”

Jalen nodded. “I get that.”

Heidi sighed, running a hand through her long red waves. “So, what now?”

Jalen didn’t hesitate. “Now, I step up.”

Heidi stared at him. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” he said.

Heidi shook her head. “How? You already have five other women who are pregnant with your children. How the hell do you have enough of yourself left to give?”

Jalen looked at her, his voice steady. “Because I don’t abandon what’s mine. I don’t run, and I sure as hell don’t let the women in my life feel like they’re alone in this.”

Heidi swallowed again.

Her lips parted slightly. “Jalen...”

Jalen stepped forward and gently took her hands. “Heidi. You’re not alone in this. No matter how crazy it gets, no matter what your family thinks, I’m here.”

She searched his face but didn’t find any doubt or hesitation. She knew Jalen meant every word.

Heidi exhaled shakily, gripping his hands tighter. “I’m scared.”

“I know,” Jalen replied softly.

She stepped closer, resting her forehead against his chest. “I love you.”

Jalen kissed the top of her head, holding her tighter. “I love you too.”

Heidi looked up at him, her face looking more serious. “We need to keep this a secret from my father. At least until you’ve finished the guest house. I want you to get your pay day. You deserve it. After that, I’ll figure out the best way to break it to my parents.”

“Heidi, I care about you, not the money,” Jalen responded.

“I know, but I can at least do this much for you, so just let me, okay?” she said.

“You know your parents are going to want to kill me when they find out I’m the father. Regardless of if the guest house is done or not.”

“They don’t have to know it’s you,” Heidi said, “All they’ll know is that I’m pregnant. They’ll ask who the father is, but I don’t have to reveal that to them.”

Jalen sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Heidi, come on. Do you really think they’re just gonna accept ‘no comment’ when you’re carrying a child? Your dad especially?”

Heidi crossed her arms. “I’ll handle it.”

Jalen shook his head. “Heidi—”

“I will handle it, Jalen,” she said cutting him off. Her green eyes were fierce and unwavering. “I know my parents. If I tell them now, before the guest house is finished, my dad will shut everything down and try to ruin your business out of spite. I’m not letting that happen. So, for now, I say nothing.”

Jalen exhaled through his nose and running his tongue along his teeth as he thought. Every part of him wanted to reject this plan.

He didn’t like hiding or lying, but he also knew Heidi was right. If Tim Horner found out before the guest house was finished, it could cost Jalen a lot. Not just the payday, but his reputation, his network, everything.

Jalen studied Heidi’s face. She was dead serious about this.

“Alright,” he said slowly. “I’ll go along with this for now, but the second this starts eating at you, we do it my way.”