Broken

• Chapter 95 •

"I'm going to miss you."

I turn around to glance at Eric and Isabella, who are exchanging their goodbyes before the break starts. Eric takes her face in his hands and smiles down at her lovingly, "I'm going to miss you too."

Isabella sighs, "Well, have a safe trip."

"Thanks. I'll call you," he says before taking her into his arms and giving her a passionate kiss.

They pull apart with huge smiles on their faces. "I love you, Isabella."

"I love you, too."

Ugh, they're so happy it's disgusting.

"Wrap it up you two, I haven't even eaten yet and I want to throw up!" I call out.

They laugh and break apart, Isabella waves him off as he walks over to me. "Come on, your mom's lasagna awaits."

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"Eric!" mom exclaims when she sees him walk through the front door, "It's so good to see you, dear!"

Eric grins, "Hey Aurora, good to see you too."

"Will you be joining us for dinner?" she asks hopefully.

Eric shrugs, "If that's okay with you."

"Of course! It's more than okay, sweetie! We've missed you around here," mom gives me a look. As though I should be hanging out with him more than I'm hanging out with Ashton.

I've had Ashton around a couple of times, she still hasn't warmed up to him. It's strange. She used to be so open and kind, I don't know what her deal is with Ashton. I wish she would let it go. Even dad likes him.

"Do you want to feel it?"

Eric's brows knit together, "Feel what?"

Shit. I didn't tell him.

"My bump, duh!"

Eric's face contorts into a grimace, "Um... I don't think that's really appropriate—"

I blow out a laugh, ew. Mom looks confused, "What? Why not? It's just a baby bump..."

Eric's eyebrows fly up in surprise, he gives me a disbelieving look. "I didn't even know you were pregnant," he tells her.

Mom laughs, "Well, I'm only at three months. Doesn't show that much, unless you focus."

Eric gives me a side-look that reads really? You've kept this from me? Then looks back at mom, breaking into a smile, "Of course."

He bends down and puts his hand on her belly, "Oh, wow."

Even I've found an excuse to flee every time she tries to get me to feel the bump.

"Neat, huh?" she beams.

Eric nods, "Congratulations, that's really cool."

"Thank you sweetie, we're all very excited!"

Eric glances at me, feeling my utter resentment for this fetus. "Minty, could we go to your room?" Eric cocks his head.

I clear my throat, "Sure."

"I'll call you when dinner is ready," mom winks. I purse my lips and make my way to my room, Eric is on my heel.

"What the fuck?" he says as he shuts my door behind him.

I groan, "I forgot to tell you."

Eric rolls his eyes, "You didn't forget shit. You just didn't want to tell me."

I huff and walk over to my desk, organizing my papers, "Just shut up and drop it." There's a silence. "Stop being difficult and talk to me," he breathes.

I glance back at him, and decide it's best not to argue any longer, "Hm. Fine. I just... It's not that I'm not happy about it, it's just... I don't... I—"

"You don't want to be neglected?"

I roll my eyes, "Why'd you ask if you already know?"

"Cause you needed to say it," he shrugs.

I swallow slowly, then shake my head. It's as though these new weird emotions are bubbling up in my chest, seeking a way out, "It's just... She barely has time for me right now, imagine when she has a newborn baby. She'll forget my very existence."

"That's not true."

I click my tongue in irritation, "How would you know?"

"Because no one could ever forget your existence."

Hm. "Anyway... I—I already feel like a fish out of water, being Derek's daughter and all... I feel like mom and dad are going to love this kid more. Because it's their kid. Both of theirs..." I sit on my bed and stare at the floor, feeling an ache in my chest, "You should've seen Brandon's face when he found out he was going to be a dad... It's like—I don't know. I know he loves me, God I know. But... This is his first kid. I'm happy for them... Really. I just—I don't want to be forgotten now that their real kid is coming," my throat throbs and my voice cracks.

Crap. I have latent humanity. Do not cry right now, or I swear to God.

Eric frowns, "Minty..." he wraps me in his arms, "They love you. More than anything. You know that, don't question it. Everything they've ever done was to protect you. Brandon would die for you. Aurora would take a bullet for you. They're not going to forget you, you're their daughter. Both of theirs. And if Brandon heard you talk like this right now, it would break his heart."

I let out a shaky breath, I suppose he's right. Brandon would go berserk. Still. I can't control how I feel.

"... Besides, you are his flesh and blood if you think about it... Cause technically he's your uncle—"

"Not helping."

He snorts, "I'm just saying." I sigh into him, relaxing in his arms.

He smells like home.