The Right Kind of Wrong: A Brother's Best Friend Romance by Fabiola Francisco (open ebook .TXT) 📗

Easton’s reaction to the news. I’ve never seen him grow so serious so quickly in my life. My brother is my rock, he’s always been there for me, and the idea of not having his support on this kills me. I need him in my life.

I bury my head into my pillow, my anxiety spiking as different scenarios cross my mind. I take a deep breath, attempting to control my emotions, but the pounding in my chest only intensifies.

From somewhere in my room, my phone buzzes, but I choose to ignore it. I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone, especially if it involves questioning my pregnancy, my relationship with Camden, and how I’m feeling. It’s not easy being away from home and my loved ones, but I do love what I’m doing. However, now that I know a baby is on the way, I’m questioning everything. How will I balance working and taking care of the baby? I don’t have many people here that I can count on, much less to take care of a baby.

How long would my maternity leave be since I’m in Spain? Do the same regulations apply here as they do in our Richmond office since it’s the same company? I would assume so. Would my baby be an American or Spanish citizen if I have the baby here?

First, I need to talk to my boss, but I want to do the prenatal tests I have coming up to make sure everything is okay before I do so. That will put me into my second trimester, which would be a good time to start announcing it.

The buzzing of my phone keeps going, competing with the incessant thoughts in my mind, both driving me crazy. I shift on the bed, holding the pillow tighter, and close my eyes, focusing on my breathing to see if that helps calm my nerves and the tears that don’t stop welling in my eyes.

When my apartment buzzer shrills through my home, I curse. By the time I get up and make my way to the door, it rings again.

“I’m coming!” I yell, even though the person can’t hear me.

“Si?” I ask, speaking into the system.

“Ally?”

I close my eyes and expel a breath.

“What happened, Camden?” I lean my head against the wall above the intercom.

“Can you open up?” I buzz him in and open the door, waiting for him to make his way up to my floor.

When he rounds the corner, he sighs. “I called you, and you wouldn’t answer. I got worried.”

He stands before me, wrinkles around his eyes, and creases on his forehead.

“I was trying to sleep,” I lie.

“Were you crying?” Camden reaches up and swipes his thumb across my cheek. I guess my eyes missed the memo that they had to keep up with my lie.

“No,” my voice cracks.

“Come on.” He steps into my apartment, closing the door behind us, and pulls me into his arms. I breathe him in, all masculine and woodsy mixed with the smell of fall on his shirt.

Silently, Camden guides us to my bedroom and motions for me to lie down.

“I’ll make you a cup of tea. Relax.” I nod and get under the covers.

He returns a few minutes later with a steaming mug and places it on the nightstand next to the bed. Then, he sits on the edge and removes his shoes before lying next to me. I eye him cautiously, my heart rate kicking up and body tensing.

Camden is oblivious to my reaction as he begins to speak, his words hitting me in the center of my chest. “I know you’re scared. I am, too, but we’re going to be all right.” He brushes strands of hair from my face.

“If I had to choose a mother for my unplanned child, I’d totally pick you. You’re strong, smart, beautiful, and kind. There’s no way this kid isn’t going to have the best life and qualities being yours.” My stomach contracts at the feel of his hand landing over it.

“The uncertainty of everything is scary,” I confess. “No matter how okay I try to make myself feel.”

“Ally, I think even people who have been waiting their whole lives to have kids get scared. Even couples who have prayed for a baby have their moments of weakness.” His thumb brushes back and forth over my belly.

“It’s normal because we’re all human trying to do the best we can. And now being responsible for another, tiny human who depends on us adds to the importance of our role in this world. We have to keep that person alive, healthy, loved, and sometimes it’s difficult to do that for ourselves, let alone someone else,” Camden continues, a vulnerability I’ve never seen in him before shining through his features.

He continues talking, though, not shying away. “But I’m here for you. You aren’t doing this alone. I’ll provide for you and this baby, even if I have to live thousands of miles away.” His hand moves over my waist to my back, pulling me to him.

His body against mine causes me to tremble. The way he holds me, protective and possessive, it’s what I’ve always wanted to find in a man. Except, Camden isn’t really mine.

“Thank you,” I gaze up at him.

He moves his hand up my ribs toward my face to cup my cheek and runs his thumb across my lower lip. His caresses move tingles up and down my spine. “You don’t need to thank me. This is my responsibility, too. You weren’t some random one-night-stand, and even if you were, I’d stand up for that kid, but you’re…you’re my Kiwi.” A hint of a smile ghosts over his lips.

Maybe for this moment in time, he can be mine.

I drape my hand over his waist and scoot closer, burying my face into his neck as I allow his warmth to wrap me up in a blanket of safety.

“Ally…” Camden’s strangled voice lands on my ears, his hand coming back around my waist and his