His Secret Obsession
Chapter 127

(Emery)

I was officially on edge...every word Jackie spoke made me jumpy as my stomach tied into hundreds of knots I swear. Does she know somehow? What if she has some type of sixth sense about this stuff and asks me? There is no way in hell I can lie.. "Em, you want me to chop the onions first?" She asked, making me drop the pot I was holding on the counter while Jackie stared at me with amusement in her eyes..why was I freaking out so bad? Is this how Carson feels every time he has to keep a secret? Karma.. that's what this is..Karma for making fun of Carson. At least Asher can keep it in.

I know I was teasing him before but Asher can truly keep a secret like nobody else..He did keep his identity for an impossibly long time. I couldn't even last a damn week once I found out who he was.

"Yeah, you can start with the onions." I choked out, wiping my sweaty brow. Wow..is it hot in here?

"Aww, look at this cute little baby one." She laughed, before holding up a small onion. The word baby made my eyes widen as I laughed like a freaking psycho before turning around and cursing myself for being so awkward.

"So Em, how's everything going? Your classes aren't too hard?" She asked, making me let out the breath I had been holding. This is good..this has nothing to do with babies or pregnancy..I can do this.

"Statistics are kicking my ass still.. It was hard to pick up at first but I think I'm getting it now." I said more calmly, making Jackie nod her head.

"Yeah, I heard it's pretty rough..my older brother is actually a registered nurse. He works in labor and delivery." She mentioned casually, making me miss the tomato I was cutting and causing it to fly out and land on the floor. Of course, he does..is this a sign I should just tell her?!

"You okay? You seem really jumpy Em." Jackie stated while trying to stifle a laugh as I bent over and picked up the tomato.

"Just peachy." I squeaked..never having used that statement in my damn life..just peachy?! Asher would be laughing his a*s off if he was in here right now.

"Em, I know this might be weird to say.." She began, her voice filling with nerves making me freeze..This was it..she knew...she freaking knew. "Just..thank you.." Well, that wasn't what I expected.

"Thank you? For what?" I asked curiously..wondering what she could possibly be thanking me for.

"For being my friend... I never mentioned this, but I come from a pretty big family. I am the youngest of five. I have two older brothers and sisters..they are up in New Jersey and I was the only one who moved for school. It's hard being so far away from them at times. Don't get me wrong though, I love it here and have made friends and stuff..but with you, it almost feels like hanging out with one of my sisters. Like I can tell you anything." She explained, making a pang of guilt unlike any I had ever felt boil up inside of me..then the tears started. No, not now..dang hormones!!

But Jackie...she trusts me..and I am hiding this from her. She is like a sister to me too. With Mack, I know I could tell her stuff because I have known her my whole life and she is my best friend..But with Jackie, I feel like I can learn from her and get advice on things I don't know how to approach. She is truly like a big sister to me.

I have to tell her..I freaking have to. Shit..she won't blab to anyone. Jackie is trusting..she can keep a secret.

I opened my mouth, ready to tell her this secret that was eating me up alive, and then the sound of my uncle's voice booming through the house shut me up instantly.

"We're here!" My uncle announced, making me blink my eyes rapidly as I cleared my throat.

Oh god, that was close..Asher would've never let me live it down if I was the one to spill.

"I feel the same Jackie." I responded quickly and felt her pull me in for a hug as I wiped away my tears discreetly. Then my uncle came striding into the kitchen with the pregnant woman I saw before on his arm. Wow, she was gorgeous..I couldn't help but beam as I walked over to my uncle and let him pull me into a tight hug. "Hey kiddo." Uncle Jack greeted me happily before pulling back and dragging Lacey to his side.

"Em, this is Lacey, Lacey, this my Em." He said confidently, making me smile brightly as I looked the beautiful woman in the eyes.

"It's so nice to officially meet you." I exclaimed and was surprised when she went in for a hug, her pregnant belly bumping into me as I felt like I was about to break down again. I can't believe my Uncle is going to be a dad..I'm so happy for him.

"Em, what's wrong?!" My uncle asked in a panic, making me sniffle before wiping my eyes.

"Oh, I just..I'm so happy for you guys." I sobbed, causing my Uncle to panic even more. Everyone was just staring at me like they didn't know what to do.

"Hey.. it's.. it's okay." He patted me on the back and I just nodded my head. Then I noticed Lacey was staring at me curiously as I tried to stop the crying. What the hell is wrong with me?!

Just then Asher rushed into the room like he had some type of sixth sense about this stuff.

"Baby..what's wrong? Did your uncle make you cry?!" He accused, making my uncle lift his hands up in confusion.

"What?! why would I make her cry? What the hell did YOU do?" He glared towards Asher as they both began staring each other down. Oh God, do they really have to do this right now?

Then my eyes were drawn to a shifting Carson. He was avoiding my gaze at all cost as I pulled back from Asher and began to feel very suspicious..he didn't..did he?

"Okay, that's enough. Everybody calm down." My dad's deep voice filled the room. The amusement in his tone not going unnoticed.

"Lacey, thanks for coming, we are so happy to have you. Bud, can you go help Melody and Tina with the stuff in the car? Jack, why don't you show Lacey around the place, she hasn't seen the main house yet...and Em and Asher..let's go talk in the back?" He instructed, making both Asher and I freeze in place as I swallowed hard and watched everybody disperse.

My dad gave me a pointed look as Asher gripped my hand and we started following my dad toward the backyard.

I glanced up at Asher, narrowing my eyes at him as he looked down at me with amusement.

"What?" Asher mouthed, making me glance ahead as I looked at my dad's broad back walking in front of us.

"Did you tell Carson something?!" I whisper yelled, making Asher shoot his gaze straight ahead avoiding me.

"I knew it!!" I tried not to cause a huge scene as I pointed my finger at him.

"Shh, focus baby. You are going to get us in trouble." He whispered, making me scoff louder than intended.

"Okay, spill it." My dad suddenly stated, making me and Asher glance between one another.

"You have been avoiding me for the past two days bug..and I suspect you would rather tell me this without your uncle being present for now." He spoke more softly and then I lost it..

"I'm sorry dad..I didn't want to keep it from you... just...I thought you might get mad and I didn't want to tell you over the phone because..because...I'm pregnant." I sobbed out, covering my face with my hands as Asher pulled me to his chest.

"We were going to tell you today Sir." Asher stated in a respectful tone, making me blink up at him. Did he just call my dad sir? Was Asher scared of my dad? That was new..

"Bug, come here." My dad whispered softly and I pulled away from Asher, making him pout as I trudged over to my dad and threw myself into his arms.

"Em..you know you can tell me anything..were you scared I would be disappointed or something?" He asked, reading me so well like always. I just nodded my head before burying my face into his chest.

"You both are young, and I do worry about the draft..but I know you will be great parents. Asher loves you and will always put you first, so that's not what worries me.." He started, making me hiccup as I tried to stop my sobbing.

"You know, your mom and I got pregnant young too..and that was the best thing that had ever happened to us. We made it work and I know you two will as well..but I do worry about you moving to California." He spoke softly, and I know his concerns were valid..but I refused to give up on Asher's dreams. There is no doubt in my mind that Asher would throw it all away in a heartbeat, but I won't let him..no matter what I want us to at least give it a shot if he does get drafted.

"I know sir, that's why we decided to give it a try, and if it's too much then we will move back. Emery and my future child are the most important thing to me, and I won't do anything to jeopardize their happiness." Asher stated, making my dad nod his head.

"I know son, I just worry about you too though. You worked very hard to get to where you're at. That's why I have been thinking about this.." He started, making my eyes widen as I couldn't help but interrupt him. "Wait..you knew?!" Of course he did...he always knew everything.

"I had my suspicions.." He smirked, making me laugh as I pulled away from him and went back into Asher's arms. I could tell he was feeling anxious and needed me by his side.

"But I wanted to say, if you two do decide to go to California, I was thinking of buying a place out there, and I can split my time between the two houses to help out with the baby. I don't want you both to have to go through this alone." He stated, making Asher and I look at my dad with surprise. "You..you would do that?" I asked quietly and he nodded his head and gave me one of his loving smiles I cherished so much.

"Of course I would bug..you are my world..and we are family. I want you to be able to do this...Asher, I want you to stick with your dream no matter what. I know Em is the most important thing to you..but that goes both ways and I know for a fact that if you didn't follow through with this..Emery wouldn't be able to forgive herself. You and I both know that's true." My dad stated and Asher nodded his head before bending down and kissing me tenderly. It was true..if I ruined this for Asher I would never be able to live with it..the guilt would eat me alive.

"We have time to figure it all out..but now..now we just have to get through dinner without Jack flipping his lid." My dad laughed, and it was true..Uncle Jack will be the hardest part of all this..but who knows..maybe since being with Lacey he has chilled out a little..right? Oh god..I hope so..