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

Her confession catches me off-guard. “I’m glad.” I lean my head back a bit to look into her eyes. “I may not have been the best example of what settling down looks like, but I promise I’m determined to be the best father to this child and a partner to you if you give me the chance.”

Allyson tilts her head. “I want that, but I don’t know how we can make it happen. I have three years left living in Madrid before I decide if I want to stay in this office or move back to Richmond. A long-distance relationship with a child just isn’t ideal.”

“Shhh…” I kiss her. “Day by day.”

She nods quickly and takes a deep breath. “Okay.”

I smack her ass. “Go get comfy. I’m going to turn on Netflix.” I kiss her deeply, erasing every doubt swimming in her head and replacing them with memories of me, of us, of how good we could be together.

chapter 20

Allyson

It’s been three weeks since Camden flew back home. What was supposed to be a five-day trip has become uncertain as he tries to work with his client—something about a bug or hacker that I didn’t quite understand when he explained it to me.

He missed the appointment I had for my prenatal testing. When the doctor asked me if I wanted to know the gender once the results came in, I said no. It felt wrong knowing without Camden, even if I never expected him to be such a big part of this pregnancy as he’s become.

I miss him, though. I miss what we could be if life hadn’t taken us down different paths. But somehow, we meet in the middle of our journey before moving along again. Except, this baby is forever. I feel split between two lives. I can only do so much. The choice would be to leave my job and figure out as we go, but doubts about resentment and failed relationships sneak into my mind.

I reach for my phone and find Noel’s name in my contact list and call her. I chew on my bottom lip while I wait for her to answer, hoping she isn’t busy. After numerous rings, I hang up and try Berkeley. I get the same result.

I sink into the couch and grab the remote as if surfing through channels would make a difference. Any other moment of my life, I would be heading out for dinner or drinks with my friends. Now, I’m home, questioning life while my friends are questioning me why I’ve imprisoned myself at home lately.

It’s not like me to turn down their invitations, but until I tell my boss that I’m pregnant, I don’t want to tell my co-workers. Thankfully, I have a video conference with my boss this week. I’m over the first trimester, so it’s safe to share this news. The only thing stopping me is what will happen with my job. Obviously, women go on maternity leave all the time, but I’m the only person in the Madrid office that does my job, and that is the clear communicator between this office and the one in Richmond.

I take a deep breath to slow my racing thoughts.

“Everything will be okay,” I say aloud.

My phone rings, and I quickly reach for it, grateful for the distraction. I smile, seeing Camden’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” I answer, putting the phone on speaker and placing it on my chest as I get comfortable on the couch. My feet rest on the coffee table, and I slouch down, sinking into the cushions.

“Hi, how are you?” His familiar voice soothes me, and a smile brightens my face.

“I’m good, and you? How’s work?”

“It’s okay. I hate that it’s taking longer than I thought it would. I should’ve been done weeks ago and been back there with you.” Camden sighs, the frustration evident in his hard tone.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. I don’t even know what exactly we are or our limits.

“It’s not, at least not for me, but I’ll let you pretend you’re okay with this.” I could almost hear him roll his eyes.

“This would’ve been the plan all along. I live here, and you live there.” How does he not see that this is our life? We don’t get to be one big happy family, even if we wanted to unless one of us made a sacrifice.

“Kiwi, I don’t want what would’ve been. I want what I want, and that’s you,” he says firmly.

“So what do you expect? I leave my job and move back there? I can’t exactly ask for a transfer. I signed a contract committing to five years here.”

“Breathe,” Camden says softly, and I obey him. “I’m not asking for any of that. I would never ask you to leave your job for me. We just need time and a plan,” he placates.

I take a few deep breaths, closing my eyes. “Yeah.”

“I know that yeah was dismissive, but I’ll forgive you because you’re pregnant and hormonal,” his tone turns teasing.

“Don’t tell a pregnant woman she’s hormonal unless you want to be on the receiving end of said hormones.”

“Babe, I’ll be on the receiving end of whatever you want to give me.” My stomach flips, and my body reacts to his words, my core clenching.

“Camden…” I whisper, blinking back tears.

“I mean it.” He’s serious now.

I want to tell him so many things, but they all get trapped in my throat.

“Now,” Camden lightens up. “Let me talk to my child.”

I smirk and move to lay back on the couch, placing the phone on my swollen belly. When he sees me, he’s going to be surprised.

“He’s all ears. Well, not literally since they haven’t developed yet, but you know what I mean,” I babble.

Camden chuckles and begins speaking to our baby. He’s been doing this every time we talk, wanting to make sure the baby recognizes him even if he’s not physically here. He wants to create a bond, and hell if I don’t become