His Secret Obsession
Chapter 117

(Jack)

What the f**k did I just do?! I quickly swerved the truck to the side of the road..my heart was beating out of my chest as I tried so damn hard not to have a panic attack or whatever the hell was happening to me. I freaked out..no I f*****g panicked and am having a mental breakdown.. The moment she uttered those words..telling me what I felt deep down, I blacked out..it felt as if I was falling down some type of abyss as my vision blurred and before I knew it I was peeling out of the driveway. I didn't know what the hell to do...it all got so real so f*****g fast and I did the worst thing..I ran.

I quickly put the car in drive, pulling a U-turn as I sped back down that road. I needed to tell her it was okay..that I was sorry for freaking out. I know I helped raise Em as a baby but I was f*****g twelve years old and I don't know what the hell to do with a baby! Do I want kids of my own? I never thought I did honestly..but now, seeing Lacey standing there with her round bump and knowing that the child in there is mine..I think I do.

But I can't lie and act like this is some type of f*****g fairytale. I don't really know Lacey. I mean..I have heard things about her and everyone says she is great..but really the only thing I know about her is we have some pretty damn good chemistry and that was the best s*x I ever had in my life. So I know that there was some type of connection when we first met and even today I felt drawn to her but it's freaking me the f**k out.

I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I ran away, as soon as she told me it was my baby and that I didn't have to do anything, it made a thought that scared the shit out of me fill my mind. I wanted to do everything..I wanted to be there for it all and be there for her.

It was all too much and I felt like I had to make a decision right then and there to be with her and have a family and do all of this shit. I overreacted..I fucking know this and now I have to go back there and apologize because I f****d up royaly. This was bad..she probably thinks I want nothing to do with her or the baby.

I pulled back into Patrick's driveway and saw a gate I hadn't noticed before was now closed and blocking the driveway. Then I saw Patrick..he was stomping towards my truck as I quickly jumped out. He looked beyond pissed...I can already tell Lacey must've told him what was going in.

"Patrick please, I need to see her..I fucked up." My voice was filled with desperation as I ran my fingers through my hair anxiously and began to pace back and forth.

Suddenly Patrick's eyes softened, obviously seeing that I was struggling.

"I freaked out and I didn't know what the hell to do. If I can just explain to her." I began, stopping once I saw his hand raise up as he let out a long sigh.

"Jack, I think she just needs some space. I can tell her that you stopped by but all this stress isn't good for the baby. I can give her your number and when she is ready to talk she will call you. I just can't let her go through this shit again..she just got healthy..I know you're not a bad guy Jack..but that was a shitty thing to do and she will need a few days to recover I think." He spoke honestly and suddenly my heart began to ache. I just wanted to see her..to tell her I'm sorry and that I want this baby. That I want to be there for her and to try..whatever this is, I want to try it.

After reluctantly saying goodbye to Patrick I pulled the truck back out and started driving. I wasn't going home though..I wasn't ready...I just couldn't face Allen. I couldn't stand the disappointment that I knew would be on his face. I know Allen loves me and would always be there for me..but he would be so pissed if he knew what I did.

So I am going to call the one person who never judges me..she never thinks lowly or has that look of disappointment..no, Em loves me unconditionally and she will know what to do. She will know how to help me.

I placed the phone against my ear, hearing it ring a few times before she answered.

"Hey Uncle Jack what's up?" She answered cheerfully. Her sweet voice making me break down as I began to freak out.

"Em, I screwed up everything..I don't think she will ever talk to me and she thinks that I don't want the baby but I was just scared and now she doesn't want to see me..but I want it Em..I really do." I cried out, my hands trembling on the steering wheel. "Baby?! what the fuck!" Asher cursed in the back, making my heart stop..oh god..did that punk just hear everything?!

"Asher!..Sorry Uncle Jack..you were on speaker phone." She whispered..I quickly stopped at a red light and rested my head on the steering wheel. F*****g really? Now that kid will never let me live this down. I could hear him following Em around as she must've hid herself in some type of bathroom or something because it suddenly got really quiet.

"Okay, now tell me what's going on. Start from the beginning." She spoke so calmly that I actually began to relax. I knew she was the right one to call.

I glanced up, seeing the light was now green and I pulled into a parking lot at the gas station in town.

I quickly put the car in park and rested my head back before closing my eyes and letting out a deep breath.

"Remember that pregnant woman at Sandy's you saw a few days ago? After Asher's game?" I asked, recalling Em asking about her at the time.

"Yeah, Lacey Sampson. Dad told me about her and how you have been hung up on her for a while." What she said caused me to sit up straight and snap my eyes open.

"What the hell?! How does he know this stuff?!" I snapped, feeling annoyed that he had it all figured out.

"You know Dad..he is like psychic or something I swear." She laughed, making me groan as I placed my arm over my eyes dramatically.

"Well yeah, her name is Lacey..and we kind of hooked up once six months ago and it turns out..well..you know." I muttered, feeling awkward for talking about s*x with Emery.

"So, you found out the baby is yours?" She whispered..probably trying to hide from that damn giant. I could picture him with a fucking glass pressed up against the door trying to listen in or some shit...

"Yeah..she said it's mine." I sighed, and what I heard next surprised the hell out of me. Emery squealed..like actually squealed as I pulled the phone away from my ear and winced.

"I am so excited Uncle Jack..a baby..a freaking baby! You are going to be such a great dad. I knew something was up with that girl..she is so perfect for you too..I wonder if it will be a girl or a boy..what do you think?" She prattled on, making me feel surprised by her reaction.

"You..you think I will be a good dad?" I asked, trying to process everything she said.

"Of course you will be..you are like my second dad after all. I feel like I'm getting a sibling or something." She chuckled, making me join her as I tried to wrap my head around all of this.

"Yeah..if Lacey even lets me see the baby..I kind of messed things up." I admitted..feeling even worse after hearing how excited Em is. So she thinks I can do this..

"Oh no..what did you do?" She asked worriedly, making me rub up and down my face as I let out another groan.

"I kind of freaked out and maybe ran away without saying anything." I explained the whole story while Em just listened quietly and encouraged me to continue.

"You know, Asher kind of did something like that before. When we first started dating. Then he just explained everything and told me what he was feeling. That's all you have to do Uncle Jack..just don't pressure her and wait for her to call, then you can tell her you are excited but were just caught off guard. I think she will understand that. Do you..well..do you want to try and be with her? Or do you just want to co-parent?" She asked curiously, and I didn't even have to think about it..I wanted to be there..I wanted to hold her hand during appointments and learn everything I could about her. I want to feel the baby kick against her swollen stomach and help Lacey tie her shoes when she can't reach them..I want it all.

"I want to try it all." I confessed and I could tell Em was smiling just from here.

"Well, I think you deserve it all, Uncle Jack..and I know you can do this. But make sure that's what she wants too.." Em spoke softly, and suddenly a realization slapped me in the damn face..that's right..what if Lacey doesn't want me? Oh god..I guess I just have to show her that I won't run away again and I am here..I will be waiting..just you wait Lacey Sampson, I will prove to you that I can do this..I will show you just how much I want this..how much I want you.