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Jackie's POV

I looked from one person to the other, trying to understand what I had just seen. They had been hugging each other when I stepped in, making me confused because they were not too touchy with one another. They barely had any conversations, so it was suspicious the way they had been hugging themselves.

"You're back," Maddy said, getting off the stool. She pulled down her dress and I eyed the motion.

I could trust them but I was still human and felt jealous or suspicious. Lucas and Maddy had a past, which made me easily feel uncomfortable about what I had seen.

"Lucas and I were just talking about our families. Since we used to kinda know each other before," Maddy said and walked over to the couch in the living room. "I got you the dress for the event."

I pushed away every feeling I had and smiled.

"Really? What dress?" I asked as I approached her. Maddy raised the bag and handed it to me.

"You can try it out later. Right now, I want you to tell me all about the plans you have for the baby."

"Can I have my woman for a moment?" Lucas asked.

I blushed at his sentence and walked over to where he was in the kitchen. I got to him and he wrapped his strong arms around my waist and then pressed his forehead against mine.

"I hope you're not angry because of what you just saw?" He whispered to my hearing and I bit my lip.

"I was but you're my boyfriend and she's my best friend, I don't think any of you would disrespect our relationship like that," I said to him and he leaned away from my face.

"Are you sure you want to go to Redside? If you don't want to, I can tell Maddy that you're not interested. Going back there holds a lot of memories for you," Lucas said in a soft voice that held concern for me.

"Lucas, I know but I think it's time I just let some things go past me even if I am standing before them. My stepfather is dead, that's a relief. I barely even have any memories there because I was always alone with no friends," I said and he held my cheek.

"Alright... Since tomorrow is Friday, we'll leave tomorrow by noon," Lucas said to the hearing of Maddy.

I turned my and saw Maddy on her phone. She raised her head and grinned.

"Perfect. The event is on Sunday. By Monday, we should be back," Maddy added enthusiastically. "You have no idea how much your presence will help me."

I chuckled at the relieved expression on her face. It was funny how she had a perfect family yet they were not as good as they seemed to outsiders. I realized at that moment how each of our families affected us in one negative way or another. We were alike and that made us stand in a strong understanding with one another.

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"We'll be arriving in Redside in thirty minutes," Lucas said from his spot behind the wheel.

I felt a sudden tension inside of me as I heard him. I had not been expecting to return to Redside so early but it was better than how I imagined it before. I didn't have anything to fear in Redside anymore.

"I called my mom and she said they aren't at home now," Maddy said from the back.

"Are you feeling okay?" Lucas asked me in a low voice, sparing me a glance.

"Lucas, can you stop at that gas station up front? I need to get some," Maddy said and put herself between our seats.

Two minutes later, he pulled into the gas station and Maddy rushed out. As soon as she shut the door, Lucas unfastened his seat belt and patted his lap. I eyed his face incredulously.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Come sit on my lap," he said and I gasped.

"Are you crazy? Maddy could come back any minute," I said, looking at the store through the tinted window.

"Come here, Jackie," Lucas ordered in a deeper voice that sent a tingle down my spine.

I swallowed and unfastened my seatbelt then moved to his side. I climbed onto his lap, straddling him. He smiled and held my waist before pulling me closer to him, making me feel his length through the sweatpants he was wearing. My breathing changed when he slid his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me closer, our lips brushing.

"I know you're not fully fine with the idea of us going to Redside," he whispered and brushed his lips on mine. "If you feel uncomfortable, we can leave today or tomorrow, hm? I don't want you to go through any mental stress now that you're pregnant."

"I'll be fine," I said and played with the fabric of his long-sleeved shirt. I looked from my hands to his eyes, which were darker than their normal shade.

I felt a stir between my legs when I felt him going hard. My body heated up a bit and I nibbled my lip as I felt the need to grind into him. Lucas did nothing yet I was already turned on. A soft gasp left my mouth when he slid his hand under my shirt, raising goosebumps. I looked at his parted plump lips and licked mine.

"Kiss me."

I met his eyes at his command and gulped at the intensity of his gaze on me. I leaned down and took a deep breath before pressing my lips against his. He did not move his lips and I mentally rolled my eyes before molding my lips with his. In a few seconds, he opened his mouth and kissed me back with a deep moan.

He cupped my butt and lifted his hips, jutting his hard-on into the spot between my legs. I was turned on and started to ground into him. He stuck his tongue into my mouth and rolled it against mine. I felt hot and in need of his body on mine.

The sound of the door opening caused me to abruptly move back to my seat while Lucas placed his hand over the tent in his pants.

"Seriously? I would like it if the car does not smell like sex," Maddy said as she climbed into the car. "I leave for almost five minutes and you two are already planning on how to disturb the baby in her womb?"

I didn't know when I started laughing but I just laughed at the humor in what she had said. Lucas chuckled silently while he dealt with his hard-on which only made me laugh harder.

"Y'all are nasty," Maddy said and sprayed her perfume.

I laughed more.

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We arrived at Maddy's family mansion which, I could see from the car, had people moving around, busy with one thing or another. Once Lucas parked his car, Maddy got out and I continued to stare at the people outside the mansion.

They carried boxes, pots, and shopping bags in and out of a van while a woman in a red dress and pixie-styled hair motioned at the van and the people around. I watched as Maddy ran up to the woman and hugged her. They said some things to each other before she turned in our direction.

"Let's go," I said, exhaling hard. I opened the door and got out. I was nervous to face Maddy's mother as she did not like me at all right from the day she found out her daughter helped me in college.

I closed the door and waited for Lucas while Maddy and her mother approached us. She walked majestically with an air of confidence and wealth all over her. Her neck and wrists were adorned with golden jewelry, adding to her appearance.

Once she stopped in front of me, I got a whiff of her perfume. I avoided her eyes and kept them on Maddy.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Kingston," I said and sighed in relief when Lucas appeared and stood beside me.

"Lucas?! My boy! I am so glad to see you. It's been so long... Oh, have you reconciled with Maddy and brought her home as your girlfriend?" The woman asked, smiling cheekily.

My heart dropped at her question and I wanted to walk away because I just realized how hard this was going to be for me.