Children or no children.

It was her and him to the end.

He knew that nothing would change that either.

With a satisfied grin on his face, he started the truck on the third try and then drove back to his condo. Audrey had said that she was making some cupcakes this morning, and that she needed him to test them. Tate had no problem with that. This was the life he wanted. He didn’t need anything more, just Audrey and her cupcakes. One day, after they had been married and enjoyed life with each other, they would see if she could have kids, if not, then they would adopt.

Tate had made a big deal out of something that didn’t need to be a big deal. He was such an idiot.

Shaking his head, he pulled into his driveway, and grabbed his bag. Heading to his door, he opened it, and threw his bag inside. That was the only reason he came to his place. So he shut his door and turned to Audrey’s. He opened the door with his key, and went inside.

“Lucy, I’m home,” he said in a horrible Desi Arnaz accent. They had been watching a lot of old I Love Lucy re-runs. That Lucy was a hoot and hearing Audrey’s commentary on that show was better than any other show. When he passed the couch, he found Audrey at the counter with her phone in her hand, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. She had been crying, her nose was red, and her eyes were swollen. He knew at that moment that the conversation he had at lunch had made its way back to her.

“You told Lucas about me not being able to have kids?”

Fuck.

Chapter 23

All Tate could think was that he had really f**ked up.

Panic stirred in his chest, his palms started to sweat all over again, and his heart tripled in speed. The way he was feeling at that moment was different from anything else he had ever felt. Of all the anxiety attacks he had ever had, it never felt like the world was closing in on him, but with this one, it did. He didn’t know if it was because he wasn’t sure how he was going to fix this, or if it was because he could see the hurt in Audrey’s eyes and knew things were about to get really bad. He never meant for her to find out, and he definitely never meant to hurt her.

“You told Lucas, Tate? Lucas! Didn’t you know that he would tell Fallon? I just had to explain my whole situation to her! Do you know how hard that was?!” she yelled. Tears streaked down her face as her lip quivered. Not looking up at him, she whispered, “She said that you were questioning the guys about me.”

“Audrey, it’s not what you think,” Tate said, even though it was probably everything she thought.

Shit, this is going to be bad.

“It isn’t? Then what is it? Because from my understanding, you said that you weren’t sure you were okay with not having kids.”

“Okay, I did say that but, baby--”

“You told me I was enough!” she cried, “You said that you didn’t need a child of your own, that we could adopt if it came to that, that maybe one day I could have a baby! Was it all a lie!?!”

“No, Audrey, please, listen to me--”

“You promised!” she screamed, “You made me believe that we were good, that you were the person for me, and that this could be forever! You knew how I felt about this, how I hid it from you, how I didn’t even want to tell anyone and you told everyone!”

“I know, and I’m sorry, baby, I had no one to talk to about it but my friends--”

“You could have talked to me about it!! I’m the person it deals with! I’m the problem, Tate!”

Tate shook his head, coming around the counter. She took a step back, but he took a hold of her wrist, bringing her to him, “No, you are not a problem, you are my everything. You are right, I should have come and talked to you, but I freaked, baby. I promise you are enough. You are more than enough.”

“Then why, Tate? Why are you second-guessing us? Me? I told you from the beginning I couldn’t give you everything you wanted and now after my heart is totally invested in you, after… after…” she stuttered, then she looked up at him, her wide beautiful eyes, pooling with tears. It was gut-wrenching because he caused the tears. His throat felt like it was closing, and his eyes itched with tears. “After, I fell in love with you, Tate, you do this to me?” she finished, putting the last nail in his coffin.

She loved him.

Taking in a sharp breath, Tate wrapped his arms around Audrey, holding her tight even though she tried to get away. “Look at me, baby, please,” he said, trying to hold on as she buckled against him. “Stop for just a second!” he yelled.

She finally stopped. Looking up at him as the tears poured from her eyes, “Let me go,” she said through tight lips.

“No, not until you listen to me,” he replied, squeezing his arms around her.

“What is there to listen about, Tate?”

“A lot, actually,” he said, leaning his head against hers, “You are completely right. I should have come to you first; told you what I was feeling but I freaked, love. I wanted to talk to someone, and the guys were there. I shouldn’t have, I know, but I didn’t want to hurt you, even though, I obviously did in the end. But I never meant to. I was confused, and scared, because these feelings I have for you are so strong, baby. My heart is just as invested as yours, if not more.”

“If your heart was invested then you wouldn’t be second-guessing us, Tate. Fuck it, just go, I’m giving you the out. Take it,” she said through tears that were like spears going into his heart.