Tough Love

CHAPTER FOUR

ISABELLE.

I was pulled into a hug as soon as I stepped inside Parkers one bedroom apartment. Tears spilled uncontrollably as I held him tightly, sobbing against his chest.

I had called him, asking if I could spend the night here as Ash was right, I had nowhere else to go and driving to mums wasn't an option this late. It wasn't awkward for me to call him, we'd become good friends since I had begun dating Ash, and Parker was just like a brother to me.

It took everything in me not to turn around and drive back towards the house. I wanted nothing more than to run inside, tell him about the baby and work this all out. If only it could be that easy, the issues of Jenna were a main problem, and after tonight I didn't want to go back there if she hated me so much.

"What happened?" Parker finally asked, as we broke apart. I hadn't told him what had happened between Ashton and I. I half figured he may have called and told him, they were like brothers after all.

I looked, scanning the room for a tissue box to dry my eyes. My sleeves were already soaked from rubbing them on the drive here. The agony in my chest as I closed my eyes and tried to muster up the little courage I had to confess to Parker what the night had brought. "We had a fight. It was pretty bad."

I was grateful that he didn't ask anymore, he nodded and went into the kitchen as I made my way over towards the couch, I needed to sit down before my legs gave out. I tried not to think about the last time we had been here and walked in on an older woman riding Parker to kingdom come wearing nothing but fishnets and a leather corset. I'd slapped my hands so quickly over Ash's eyes as I dragged him out of the living room. It was a sight I didn't wish to see again.

My phone rang again, and like the last time, I ignored it. It hadn't stopped since I left. His texts were all the same. I wanted him to apologise and mean it, not just think I was over reacting. I couldn't be with someone who didn't want a child with me and I know he would have been happy about it, if Jenna hadn't of opened her mouth and thrown a hissy fit. It was that he said he didn't want one, and he would have only been forced to fake a happiness if I told him that I already was during the fight.

He probably wouldn't have believed me.

Parker was in the kitchen, preparing a mug of steaming hot tea as I sat comfortable on the couch, sniffling as I felt my heart cracking into pieces from tonight's argument. I just wanted to go back to where we were laying on the couch, snuggled up and happy.

Another text from Ash, and I had to tell him to just stop.

- I'm staying with a friend. Please don't make this harder for me.

I hoped he wouldn't question any further, asking who the friend was. He knows I haven't exactly kept my social calendar up to date since I took on the role of a full-time mother and my best friend Meg was travelling. She wanted me to come with her, and I wished I had of done now.

When Parker made his way over, joining me on the two-seater sofa, he handed the green mug over and sat back staring. "I thought this might calm you."

"Thank you so much for letting me stay." I didn't have anywhere else to go. I gazed down, feeling my sight blurring over once more. I felt pathetic.

"Don't thank me. You're welcome to stay as long as you like, umm but I wouldn't mind knowing why you're here for? I mean you said you fought, so maybe you'll work it out?" He asked, and I couldn't help but notice he was trying to look hopeful.

If only it was that easy. I dryly laughed, sitting the mug down on the wooden coffee table. "Trust me, this was the worst fight we've ever had and we never fight." I leant back, my head against the cushion. "I gave him a choice, and he made it. That's why I'm here."