Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

“Is it yourbirthday, Lexi?” Carly asked, knowing it was. “Because I didn’t getyou jack shit.”

I gentlyshoved her shoulder. “Sorry, this rude bitch here is my best friendCarly. Carly, this is Will, Matt and Derek. They are members of theband Bryce plays in.”

“Yes, I know.I saw you guys in Shepparton. You were all fantastic.” She pointedher glass at Derek. “And you, have a voice to die for.” Oh God.Carls the epitome of obvious.

I smirked ather as I unwrapped my present, discovering a Live Trepidation CD.“I love it! Thank you.” I really did love it. Now I could cruisearound in my car and listen to my sensationally talented sexy rockgod, play his guitar chords. I looked up at Bryce with a big smile.“You didn’t tell me you had a CD.”

“We’ve onlyjust recently produced it. It appears you would be one of the firstto own a copy.”

“Oh, lucky me.Can you all sign it?”

“I think trackfour already has your name on it,” Matt said, as he took hold of abeer from the tray a waiter before us was balancing.

“A track thathas my name on it?” I repeated, confused.

The buzzer tothe door sounded again, and this time the people entering seemed tobe never ending. Bryce quickly interrupted my train of thought andexcused us.

“Your familyis here.” He gently guided me toward to apartment entrywaydoor.

***

I spent thefirst part of the evening as a tour guide, showing my friends andfamily around the apartment, Tash being the only exception to thewelcoming expedition, having already visited after taking Bryce upon his offer of a job at the hotel. She was due to begin her firstshift as an event supervisor starting this coming Monday.

Lil, Jade, andSteph, together with their husbands also seemed quite impressedwith my new home. Honestly, how could you not be, this place isa palace. I still feel like royalty when I am here and I loveit. I might make all my friends curtsy uponentering.

My brotherJake playfully tutted every time I showed him a new room, andJen...well she was just about ready to move in, having taken aliking to Lucy’s room with the cot.

The eveninghad gone rather smoothly, with every one happily talking amongstthemselves to low volumed background music. The kids were having agreat time at the arcade, allowing us parents to relax and enjoyeach other’s company together with food and drinks. Rick was evencontentedly mingling with our mutual friends, however, he wasclearly avoiding my family—especially Jake. Even Gareth had gladlyarrived with Samantha by his side and appeared to be enjoying hissurroundings and company. Seeing him and Sam look somewhat jovialeased my concerns in regards to their relationship. However, Istill felt Sam deserved to know the truth about Gareth’s diagnosis,so that she could decide for herself if his condition was one shecould overlook. I knew deep down I had to tell her. I think I hadmade that decision the moment I became aware that Gareth sufferedDissociative Identity Disorder, having had an apprehensive notionin the pit of my stomach that told me one way or another I wouldenlighten Sam. I just hoped it didn’t reverse Gareth’s clearpositive progression of late.

I knew thetime to make a speech and deliver our exciting news was fastapproaching, so I decided I would take the opportunity to speakwith Rick privately on the balcony. He was in deep discussion withDean, Tash’s husband, about the Grand Prix when I politelyinterrupted.

“Excuse me,guys. Sorry, but could I talk to you for a moment, Rick?”

He looked atme sceptically. “Sure. I’ll be right a back, Dean.”

I motioned himto follow me out onto the balcony and around the corner to wherethe Crow sat silently in the night’s darkness. I led us both to thebalustrade, hoping the twinkling city skyline would provide a calmand serene atmosphere. It didn’t seem to work, because I suddenlyfelt nervous as fuck, knowing the news I was about to deliver wasgoing to hurt and anger Rick. And regardless of what he had put methrough, I didn’t want to hurt him.

“Um...so areyou having a good time? I know coming here, especially on your own,could not have been easy. I appreciate that you did decide to come,though. It means a lot to me that we can still share these types ofmoments in our lives together, regardless of what has happened.” Ihad made it clear that Claire did not form part of the invitationand that his ‘plus one’ could be anyone else but her.

“Yeah.Although Jake keeps giving me a death look, but apart from thatit’s been alright. No matter what we’ve been through, Lex, we werefriends before we became lovers then enemies, and friends aresomething I want us to go back to...no matter what. I don’t want usto be bitter anymore.”

“Good. I’mglad you think that, because I don’t think you are going to likewhat I’m about to tell you,” I looked at him as I bit the inside ofmy cheek. He turned to face me, a look of unexpected angst on hisfeatures.

I closed myeyes for a split second to muster the courage, then opened them andlet it out. “Bryce and I are having a baby. I’m due in November. Weare announcing it tonight...shortly. I wanted to tell you in personrather than spring it on you in front of our family andfriends.”

He blinked afew times then turned to look back out over the city. He was deadlysilent for what seemed like minutes on end.

“Rick?” Iprompted him to say something.

“Could it bemine?” he asked quietly, barely sounding his voice at all.

“No.”

“How can yoube sure? A November due date puts conception pretty fucking closeto when we were last together,” he hissed.

“No, Rick! Youare not the father of my baby. I’ve had testsand conception was weeks after we had sex for the final time.”

“Had sex,” hemuttered angrily under his breath.

“Look, I knewyou’d be angry, but it is what it is. At least I didn’t fallpregnant with Bryce’s baby while we were still together.” Shit!I just can’t fucking help myself, can I?

He looked atme with hatred. “I want a paternity test. The timing is tooclose.”

“You knowwhat, Rick? Fuck you! You