in threes
chapter 87

Chapter 87

Alex’s POV

“Did you plan for Lottie to do that?!” Del weakly chuckles, as I land myself down beside him on the sofa, handing him a cold whisky.

“It was her idea, I must admit!” I laugh out, as he takes a swig of the drink without hesitation.

Jace and Key were preoccupied playing darts at the far end of the room, while Anna and Erik whipped up some cocktails behind the bar in the blender. This is the perfect time to talk with Del, figure out what’s going on with him and the pregnancy dilemma without anyone replaceing out yet.

“What’s going on with you? You look miserable today!” I nudge him playfully, attempting to be lighthearted as Del groans knowingly.

“Well, the situation hasn’t improved much. We have the hospital appointment in two days though. She tried to convince me not to come again, but I did what you said and put my foot down with her, told her I wasn’t doing this shit unless I was involved,” Del rants, keeping his tone low as I listen intently – hoping that Lottie could keep Clara occupied long enough.

“So how far along is she?” I suddenly question, as Del shrugs before thinking on it.

“Probably like three months? I only slept with her that one time at the party, Alex, before she started telling everyone we were a couple. I tried to tell her I didn’t want anything serious and she begged me to give it a shot… then not long after, that was when she said she was knocked up!” Del rambles, still seeming shocked by how everything had worked out.

I take a moment to process Del’s words, a mixture of sympathy and concern filling my thoughts. The situation he found himself in was far from ideal, and I could see the weight of it burdening him.

“That’s a tough spot to be in, Del,” I respond, my voice filled with understanding. “But you did the right thing by insisting on being involved in the hospital appointments. It’s important for you to have all the information and to be a part of this process,” I begin.

“Did you ask her about doing the DNA test too? I read up on it and you can have a paternity test done as early as seven weeks in, you know? I also hate to be the bearer of bad news, Del, but Quinton on the football team confirmed that he had slept with Clara twice around the same time you did…” I inform him of what I had managed to replace out through my own investigation, as Del turns to eye me in shock.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Did Quinton seriously tell you that? So there’s a high chance that the kid isn’t even mine?!” Del complains in disgust, as I don’t blame him.

If Clara was a nice girl, who treated Del and everyone around her with respect, then maybe we would all have a different reaction to this scenario.

“Just get the test done for your own sanity and we can take it from there. If the kid is yours then it’s yours, there’s nothing we can do. You’ll just need to step up and be the best fucking young dad to ever exist! That doesn’t mean you have to be with Clara though, co-parenting is another option, you know!” I try to comfort him on the possibilities as he nods along in thought.

His expression flashes between a mix of resignation and frustration. “Yeah, I guess so. I just wish things weren’t so complicated. Clara’s been making it difficult for me to even be in the same room as her! On top of it all, she’s fucking suffocating me by doing everything possible to keep me from hanging out with you.” He adds, before finishing his second whisky the moment that I top it up for him.

I lean in closer, keeping my voice low. “Listen, Del, I know this is a sensitive matter, but you need to prioritize your well-being and mental health over keeping that girl at bay. If Clara is causing you stress and making things harder for you, then you have to assert yourself and set boundaries.” I state firmly.

Del’s gaze meets mine, slight gratitude shining in his eyes. “You’re right, Alex. It’s just… I’m worried about what might happen if I just leave her. I don’t want her using the baby as leverage or causing more trouble for any of us – she’s fucking wild.” He adds, as I laugh slightly.

“We can easily handle a little bratty girl like her, Del, don’t worry about us! As for the baby thing, you’ll have legal rights if it comes down to it. We have the best lawyers available too, so don’t stress about it. If you don’t want to be with her, then don’t be, that doesn’t mean you’ll be a bad father!” I encourage him, as Jace and Kev suddenly cheer loudly from the corner, engrossed in their game.

Del hesitates for a moment, his eyes flickering with a mix of emotions. Finally, he takes a deep breath and opens up further. “Alex, there’s something else I haven’t told anyone about yet. Last night, things got out of hand between Clara and me. We had an argument, and she fucking pressed a lit cigarette onto my hand while I was driving. It stung and I nearly crashed the damn car.” Del holds up his left hand for me to inspect, showing off the very red and blistered wound.

My eyes widen in shock, a surge of anger rising within me. “You’ve got to be kidding me?! That’s completely unacceptable, Del, it’s fucking abuse! You can’t tolerate that kind of behavior. You should have shoved the damn cigarette down her throat! Why is the idiot smoking while she’s pregnant anyhow?!” My voice heightens slightly before Del nudges me, not wanting the others to hear.

“I know, but it’s complicated. She even threatened to make false accusations against me if I ever tried to leave her. I’m stuck, Alex. I don’t know what to do. She’s just a total twisted bitch, there’s no other way to describe her,” he mutters, his head hung low.

My heart aches for Del, knowing the difficult position he is in. He is in no way, shape, or form a coward. He could kill Clara with his bare hands if he wanted to, but he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t hurt a pregnant woman, no matter how horrific she was to him.

I choose my words carefully, trying to offer support while emphasizing the importance of his well-being. “Del, it’s important to remember that abusive behavior is never acceptable. You deserve to be in a safe and respectful relationship. We’ll replace a way to navigate this situation, step by step. Your safety and happiness matter to all of us. Let her try that shit and shout all she wants, but everyone who knows you will know it’s false! I’ll have her sued!” I demand.

Del nods, his eyes reflecting his gratitude and apprehension. “Thanks, Alex. I appreciate your support in all of this. I just hope I can replace a way out of this mess without things getting worse… I shouldn’t have slept with her in the first place, honestly. What a mistake!” Del expresses his drunken regrets as I feel his sorrow.

“We’ll figure it out, Del,” I assure him, a determined edge to my voice. “For now, hold yourself together until we know for certain. If she hits you again, my family would be happy to teach her a lesson in the future… she won’t be pregnant forever! You know my friends – she won’t get away with this.”

“Sure! Thanks, Alex… keep this between us until after Friday though… then I’ll tell the others.” He adds, as I nod in understanding.

I’m just happy to have had an update now… at least he’s opened up to someone about his troubles.

“Want to play darts with us? She won’t be able to cling to you all night if you stay active,” I suggest as Del smirks at the thought before following me to stand up.

As the evening progresses, I remain by Del’s side, offering him quiet reassurances whenever it becomes overwhelming.

Lottie has done an excellent job at distracting Clara, but the annoying female soon returned. It took every fiber of my being to control my temper at the sight of her… but I did it for Del.

Sitting in the corner, looking pissed off and smug, the challenges ahead are daunting. I’m determined to help Del navigate through them and ensure his well-being.

That little bitch won’t take him down without a fight, that’s for fucking certain!