The last six months had been some of the hardest of your life.

You and Eddie had been together for over a year when everything fell apart. After one of Corroded Coffin’s gigs, Eddie had gone out celebrating with the band and gotten far drunker than he ever should have. The next morning he woke up beside Chrissy Cunningham—disoriented, sick, and horrified—while she calmly informed him what happed between the two of them.

He told you immediately.

The second he saw you.

Because Eddie had looked devastated. Guilty. Like he hated himself for even saying the words aloud. He swore he didn’t remember any of it, swore he never would have done that to you knowingly, and the worst part was… you believed him. You knew Eddie. You knew how deeply he loved you.

But believing him didn’t make it hurt less.

Then Chrissy got pregnant.

And just when you thought the universe had twisted the knife enough—

You found out you were pregnant too.

Two weeks ahead of her.

Now six months had passed, and somehow you and Eddie were still trying to hold yourselves together through all of it. He stayed by your side through everything, made it painfully clear you were who he wanted—who he loved—but Eddie also refused to walk away from the child Chrissy carried. He insisted he’d be there for the baby.

Just never for her.

Unfortunately, Chrissy didn’t seem to care about that distinction.

The school parking lot buzzes with noise as students pour out for the day, but all you can focus on is Eddie beside you as the two of you head toward his van. His hand is laced tightly with yours, his thumb brushing absentently over your knuckles while he rambles about something Gareth said during lunch, trying—like he always does these days—to keep you smiling.

“You know he seriously thinks our band name should’ve been Skull Reaper instead?” Eddie scoffs dramatically. “Like I’m sorry, but absolutely not. That sounds like a cheap comic book villain.”

You can’t help the laugh that slips out, and Eddie’s face immediately softens when he hears it.

“There she is,” he murmurs quietly, giving your hand a squeeze. “Missed that sound.”

Your heart aches a little at how genuine he is, at how hard he’s trying.

But before you can answer—

“Eddie!”

The voice makes both of you stop.

Chrissy.

She’s jogging across the parking lot toward you both, one hand resting over her stomach in a way that feels entirely too practiced. Her smile is bright when she reaches you, but it falters slightly when she notices how close Eddie is standing to you.

“Oh good, I caught you,” she says breathlessly, brushing hair from her face. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Eddie’s whole body tenses.

His hand tightens around yours instantly.

“Why?” he asks flatly.

Chrissy ignores his tone completely. “I was wondering if maybe you could walk me home? I’m just not feeling great today and—”

“No.”

The answer comes immediate.

Firm.

Without hesitation.

Chrissy blinks.

Eddie’s jaw tightens as he steps closer to you instead of her, his shoulder brushing yours.

“I’m taking her home,” he says simply, glancing toward you for only half a second before looking back at Chrissy. “Figure something else out.”

Chrissy’s expression tightens, irritation flickering behind her smile as her eyes dart toward you.

And just like that—

The tension settles thick in the air between all three of you.

Because she isn’t backing down.

And Eddie hasn’t let go of your hand.