Legacy by M.A. Foster

January

_____________________________

Three years and seven months ago

Dylan

“Are you coming tonight?”

“Probably not.” Jade sighed. “I’m not feeling all that great.”

Disappointment washed over me. I really wanted her to see me play tonight. The drummer for the band I had scheduled tonight got sick over winter break, so instead of canceling, I offered to fill in for him. We’d been practicing all week.

“Are you sick?”

“I don’t think so. I'm just exhausted. Between work, school, and my hot-ass boyfriend, I’m not getting much sleep.”

I couldn’t help the grin on my face. We were still struggling with our schedules, and what little time we did get was spent in my bed. Ever since that first time, it was all we’d done. Not that I was complaining, but I liked her, and I wanted to do more than just fuck. I wanted to take her out. I wanted to have real conversations with her. I wanted to know her. I wanted to introduce her to my family.

I’d never introduced a girlfriend to my family.

“Want me to come over when I’m finished here? I can bring you something to eat.”

I’d never been to her place before, but I knew she lived in an apartment near campus with her dad.

“God, you're so sweet. I don’t deserve you.” She paused and cleared her throat. “I haven’t told my dad about you yet.”

I frowned. “Why?”

She sighed again. “He’s kind of strict. ‘School first, boys later.’ I’m afraid if I tell him we’re dating, he’ll make it harder for me to see you.”

“You’re an adult. He can’t stop you from dating.”

“I live under his roof. Haven’t you ever heard the phrase ‘Pick your battles’?”

I hummed. “I get it.”

“Have you told your family about me?”

I hadn’t, but not because I was keeping our relationship a secret. If my family knew I had a girlfriend, they would drill me with questions. I figured it would be better to just introduce them to her.

“I was hoping to do that tonight.”

“Can I meet them another time?” she asked through a yawn.

“Yeah. Get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay. Have fun tonight. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” Ending the call, I slipped my phone into my back pocket as I stepped out of my office.

Cole was leaning against the wall with a knowing grin. “Who are you gonna miss?”

I hooked my arm around his neck and ruffled his hair. “None of your business.”

“Dude.” He shoved me away and combed his fingers through his hair, twisting it into a messy faux hawk.

I barked out a laugh, shaking my head. “Such a pretty boy.”

“Fuck off,” he mumbled.

“What’s up?” my dad asked as he came out of his office with my youngest brother, Aiden.

“Nothing,” I replied at the same time Cole said, “Dylan’s got a girlfriend.”

Which prompted Aiden to start singing, “Dylan’s got a girlfriend,” while thrusting his hips.

The fuck?

“Aiden,” I chided, pinning him with a glare to knock it off, while Cole laughed, egging him on.

My dad grinned like he’d just struck gold, oblivious to the little pervert beside him. I shot Dad a pleading look to change the subject, but I knew better. Nothing was sacred in this family. We Mackenzies were like a dog with a bone. We didn’t let shit go.

Dad leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest. “You haven’t had a girlfriend since high school. This girl must be pretty special.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not now, Dad.” Shaking my head, I headed down the hall toward the bar. “I have a show to get ready for.”

* * *

Ihad just drifted off to sleep when a soft knock hit my bedroom door. My eyes popped back open and I stared into the dark, wondering if I’d imagined it.

Another knock came, and Jade’s voice echoed from the other side. “Dylan, it’s me.”

“Hold on a sec,” I called out as I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check the time. The fact that it was well after midnight and I hadn’t seen Jade all week meant something was wrong.

I rolled out of bed and shuffled over to the door, turning the lock before pulling it open to find her standing in the dimly lit hall crying. Her eyes were red and swollen, cheeks wet with tears. Gone was the sassy woman who’d gotten under my skin, and in her place was a fragile girl. She looked even smaller.

Did someone hurt her? Did something happen to her dad?

A dull ache spread across my chest, and the need to protect her kicked in. “What’s wrong?”

Jade surged forward, burying her face in my chest. My arms wrapped around her instinctively, feeling her body shake against me.

“I’m so sorry, Dylan,” she cried, the sound of her voice muffled against my chest. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

My heart dropped to my stomach. “For what? What happened?”

She shook her head, pressing herself into me as her tears soaked through my T-shirt, her fingers curling into the fabric.

Releasing my hold, I stepped back and pried her hands from my shirt, then scooped her up bridal style and carried her over to my bed. Dropping down on the edge of the mattress, I reached over and turned on the side lamp. Jade immediately rolled over, putting her back to me. I rested a hand on her hip to comfort her.

“Jade,” I said softly. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong. Did someone hurt you?”

“No,” she murmured.

“Did something happen with your dad?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?” I squeezed her hip and gave her a gentle shake. “You can tell me.”

“I’m a terrible person,” she murmured.

I rolled my eyes. “Hey, don’t talk about my girl like that.”

Her body stiffened under my hand, and I quickly pulled it away as dread coiled in the pit of my stomach.

“Jade,” I said firmly.

Several beats passed before she heaved a sigh. “I did something—”

“Did you cheat?” I cut her off.

My throat tightened as I waited for her answer. I hated cheaters. I’d never cheated on any of the girls I’d dated, nor had I ever been cheated on. At least not that I knew of. Unfortunately, it happened a lot in college, at our parties, and even in our house. What my fraternity brothers did in their relationships wasn’t my business, but I wouldn’t lie and say I didn’t love it when karma came back around and kicked them in the ass.

“No.”

“O—”

“Worse,” she continued.

Did she kill someone? What the fuck?

I stood from the bed and stared down at her small form curled up in a ball. This emotional roller-coaster ride she had me on was making me sick to my stomach.

“You’re freaking me out, Jade.”

Finally—fucking finally—she rolled over. There were so many emotions overtaking her, I didn’t know which one to latch on to. I hated that she was hurting, but it was the remorse etched on her face and the plea flickering in her eyes that had my pulse racing. Whatever she’d done was going to shred me. I could feel it down to my core.

“The party over Thanksgiving break,” she began in a shaky voice.

“The night you took off,” I stated matter-of-factly.

“Yes,” she breathed. “I was so pissed at you for following that girl.”

Why is she bringing this up?

“I thought we moved past that.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I fucked up, and I apologized.”

She nodded and closed her eyes as she swallowed. “I fucked up that night, too.” She exhaled a shaky breath. “I don’t remember much from that night. I wasn’t wasted, but I was pretty drunk. And pissed off. I definitely had no business getting behind the wheel. There were people everywhere, so I don’t even know where he came from.”

My back straightened. “Who?” I snapped. “Did you hurt someone?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing like that. There was this guy. He was nice. He saw I was upset and alone. He asked if I was okay to drive, and I told him I was fine, but there were a lot of people around, and he insisted on walking me to my car. He did most of the talking, but I tuned him out because my mind was on you. I got behind the wheel, and he climbed into my passenger seat. I think he was just trying to stall so I wouldn’t drive off drunk or pissed. He reclined the seat and crossed his arms like he was waiting me out.” She paused. “I kissed him.” Her eyes flicked to mine, pinning me in place. “Things got heated pretty fast, and the next thing I knew, we were in my back seat.”

My jaw clenched as my pulse pounded in my ears. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because—” Her breath hitched. “I’m pregnant,” she cried, bringing her hands to her face.

It felt like she’d just hit me with her car, knocking the wind out of me.

I couldn’t breathe.

I blinked in shock.

“So let me get this straight. You hooked up with some random guy in your car because you were pissed at me?”

“I’m so sorry, Dylan. Yes, I was pissed at you. When I left that night, I’d pretty much written you off as just another douchebag frat boy. I had no intention of ever speaking to you again, but you were so persistent. Then we met for coffee, and I realized I was wrong about you. I did something stupid and reckless, and I wanted to forget,” she admitted.

I huffed out a hollow laugh. “Well, I guess that plan backfired. So now what?”

“I guess I’m having a baby.”

My stare was incredulous. “You guess?” I shoved my hands into my hair and tugged at the strands. Any pain was better than the throbbing in my chest. “Is there any chance it’s mine?” I choked out, clinging to the only shred of hope holding our relationship together.

I wasn’t ready for a kid. We were only two months into our relationship, but if there was a chance the baby was mine, I’d man the fuck up.

Pulling her hands from her face, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of my bed, wrapping her arms around her stomach. The slight shake of her head was all it took to snap the thread.

“I’m too far along.”

I felt like she’d reached into my chest and plucked my heart out.

And just like that, our relationship was over.

We were over.

“You don’t know how much I wish it were yours,” she hiccupped.

“What’s the guy’s name? You’re gonna tell him, right?”

Her head lowered. “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?” I raised my voice. “The guy deserves to know.”

“I mean I don’t know his name. I didn’t even ask because I didn’t care. I just remember he had dark hair, and I think he said something about being a freshman. I’d probably recognize him if I saw him or heard his voice. For some reason, his voice is the one thing I do remember.”

She lifted her head; the remorse was still there in her eyes.

Her lying eyes.

I averted my gaze as I tried to wrap my head around this. We’d only been together for two months and I was falling for this girl, or maybe I already had. Maybe that was why it hurt so much.

I wanted to believe Jade wasn’t a shitty person. She made a mistake, and as a result of her actions, her life was about to change in a big way. Wasn’t that how karma worked? Yet I couldn’t help feeling like somehow this was my fault. I’d set the events in motion. If I hadn’t wandered off like an asshole, she wouldn’t have hooked up with someone else, right? No, that was bullshit. Yeah, it was a dick move to follow that girl. I was curious and wanted to know who she was, not because I was trying to hook up with her. I wasn’t that much of a dick. But what did that say about Jade? Was she sorry? Or was she sorry she got caught?

“I lost you,” she whispered, pulling me from my thoughts.

My eyes darted back to meet hers. “I don’t know what to say.”

She pushed to her feet and stepped in front of me. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m so sorry, Dylan.” She wrapped her arms around me, but I didn’t return the gesture. “You mean so much to me, and I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”