Adeline

"Okay, time to spill!" Bonnie chimed, taking a long sip of her glass of wine. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow around us, but my mind was still buzzing from this morning's revelation and Ethan's lingering touch. After a morning filled with awkward moments and a million questions from my friends, Ethan and Beast finally left. They had both taken the barrage of questions like champs and when Ethan promised he'd be back tomorrow for our pumpkin patch date, I felt a flutter of excitement in my chest.

As the girls turned their attention toward me, I realized they weren't going to let me off the hook easily. "What's going on with you and Ethan?" Bonnie pressed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I felt my cheeks heat as I recalled the way Ethan had kissed me goodbye, his lips lingering against mine, igniting a fire deep within me. "We're just... figuring things out," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"Figuring things out? That sounds like code for 'I've almost had my first time with the guy I've had a crush on since forever.'" Bonnie winked, and I laughed, both amused and embarrassed.

"Well, it's true that we've gotten closer," I admitted, the weight of the words sending my heart racing. "But it's not just about that. I mean, there's so much more at stake here."

Before I could elaborate, Abby shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes darting between Bonnie and me. I knew we had been hounding her to open up about Connor, and it was her turn to spill. But I wanted to hear about my feelings first.

"Adeline, you need to tell us everything," Bonnie insisted, leaning in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. "What's going on with you and Ethan?"

The tension in the room thickened as I tried to gather my thoughts. "I mean... it's complicated. There's a lot of history there, and with everything that's happened recently..." I hesitated, thinking about the attack and how it had changed everything. "I just don't want to rush things. I want to take my time with him."

"Girl, if he's making you feel this way, don't let fear hold you back!" Bonnie said, her eyes wide with excitement. "You deserve to be happy, especially after everything you've been through."

"I know, but what if I mess it up?" I replied, biting my lip as anxiety bubbled up inside me. The thought of getting hurt again sent a shiver down my spine.

Just then, Abby cleared her throat, drawing our attention. "Okay, okay. I need to tell you both something too."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "What is it?"

"I'm pregnant..." Abby finally confessed, her voice shaky.

Bonnie and I stared at her, processing the bombshell she had just dropped. The air seemed to thicken, and I reached for my glass of wine, downing it in one go. "Are you serious?" I asked, my heart racing as the implications of her words sank in.

Abby nodded, taking a deep breath. "It's Connor's."

The reality of her situation settled like a heavyweight in the room. "Oh my God, how are you feeling about that? Are you okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned for my friend.

"I don't know..." she admitted, tears glistening in her eyes. "I wasn't expecting it. The worst part is, I'm terrified of how he's going to react. What do I even say? 'Hey, I know we've been fighting like cats and dogs, but surprise, I'm pregnant!'"

I felt a pang of empathy for her. "You have to tell him. He has a right to know, especially if you want to keep the baby."

"I thought about it, but what if he doesn't want anything to do with me? I can't be tied to him because of this," she said, a tremor of uncertainty in her voice.

Bonnie reached out, squeezing her arm reassuringly. "You need to be honest with him. You owe it to yourself and the baby."

"I don't even know if I like him anymore," Abby said, frustration seeping into her tone. "We started off with such intense hatred, and then it turned into... something else. But now? I'm confused."

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

I exchanged glances with Bonnie, both of us trying to figure out how to support our friend. "Abby, it's okay to be confused," I said gently. "You're allowed to feel however you feel. But we're here for you, no matter what happens."

Bonnie chimed in, "And let's not forget that you can lean on us during this crazy time. We're your girls."

"Yeah, we're all in this together," I added, hoping to lighten the mood. "So, what about you two? Have you talked to Connor since... you know, the baby?"

Abby sighed and shook her head. "I can't face him right now. I need to wrap my head around it first. I can't deal with the possibility of losing him again."

Just then, I remembered how Ethan had embraced me so tenderly this morning. "Well, just know that we're all here to support you, no matter what," I said, feeling a surge of protective instinct toward my friend.

As the evening wore on, we exchanged stories and laughter, trying to keep the mood light. I couldn't help but notice how our friendship felt stronger than ever, like an unbreakable bond forged in fire.

Later that night, as we all settled on the couch to watch a rom-com, I stole a glance at my phone, wondering what Ethan was doing. My heart raced at the thought of him and the sparks we had ignited earlier.

But little did I know, the calm before the storm was only just beginning.

*** *** ***

Ethan

Spending a night away from Adeline felt like an eternity. As I sat around the table with my friends, the laughter and camaraderie seemed hollow without her presence. Each time I thought of her, the warmth of her smile haunted me. I had been a fool to let her slip through my fingers for so long.

After a rough start to the day, my mind drifted back to our awkward breakfast. She had been radiant, even as we stumbled through conversations, both of us aware of the electric tension lingering in the air. I was becoming more attached to her than I had anticipated, and the thought terrified me.

"Ethan?" Derek's voice broke through my thoughts. "Earth to Ethan! You with us?"

I shook my head, refocusing on the game. "Sorry, just thinking about the pumpkin patch date," I admitted, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Dude, you're gone. You need to get your head in the game!" Connor laughed, nudging me with his elbow. "But seriously, you better take her out and make her feel special."

"I know," I sighed, downing another beer. "I want to. It's just... I want to do it right this time."

Just as we were joking about my impending relationship status, Mike chimed in with a serious tone. "You know that this year marks the 200th anniversary of the Headless Horseman legend, right?"

The words sent a chill down my spine. "What does that have to do with anything?" I asked, suddenly alert.

"Last year was bad. People get more worked up about it this time of year. With the murders, it's a volatile mix," Mike explained, his brow furrowing. "The town can get really superstitious. The rumors will fly, and you know how they are with Adeline. They don't hold back."

I felt anger flare within me. "So what, they're going to harass her just because of her last name? That's messed up."

Mike nodded. "They'll make it worse for her. They'll prank her and call her names, and she doesn't deserve any of that crap. This town doesn't appreciate what she brings to it."

My fists clenched, and I felt the tension mount. "I can't let that happen again. Not after the attack. She's already been through enough."

Connor leaned in, serious now. "You need to protect her, Ethan. You know that, right? Make sure she knows you're in her corner."

"I will," I vowed, my resolve solidifying. I wasn't going to let anything happen to Adeline again. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, especially not to the darkness that loomed over our town.

As the guys chatted and played cards, I found myself lost in thoughts of her. I knew I was falling hard, and I had to show her how serious I was about us. There was so much to make up for, but I was determined to prove that this time, I wouldn't run.

Derek broke into my thoughts again, this time with a mischievous grin. "So what's your plan, Romeo? You need to pull out all the stops for this pumpkin patch date."

I took a deep breath, considering their words. "I have a few ideas, but I need your help," I said, feeling the excitement build within me.

"Count me in!" Connor said, leaning forward. "We can set up a little treasure hunt for her. Maybe incorporate her love for Halloween into it?"

I nodded, feeling my mind racing with possibilities. "That could work. I'll ask around to see what kind of decorations we can set up. I want it to be perfect."

"Perfect doesn't even begin to describe it," Derek said, slapping me on the back. "You've got this, man. Just remember to make her feel special. She deserves it."

As the guys started brainstorming ideas, I felt a surge of gratitude for their support. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just about winning Adeline over. This was about protecting her, making sure she felt safe and cherished, especially with the headless horseman legend looming over our town like a dark cloud.

With every laugh and shared idea, I became more determined. I wanted to be the man Adeline needed, and I would fight to make sure she knew just how much she meant to me.