Writing a Wrong by Tiffany King Read Free Book Online

For the first time since being given the news, I was almost grateful for my impending trip.
    Alec looked at me with concern. "You okay?" We were headed to my mom and dad's house for their annual New Year's Eve party, but I was still stewing over the damn plant.
    I shifted the Crockpot on my lap. Alec's world-famous chili, or so he claimed, was inside. "I'm fine." I smiled halfheartedly, wondering if it looked as weak as it felt.
    Obviously my smile wasn't masking anything, especially from Alec, who didn't look fooled. "Are you worried about your trip? I'll take care of Severus. Scout's honor," he said, holding up his hand.
    "Promise?" I asked, letting him believe he was on the right track. How could I tell him the real reason I was freaking was because I was having cold feet? And we weren't even married. That the trip was coming at a perfect time because I needed some time to gather myself? There was no way he would understand.
    "I swear. By the time you get home, that cat and I will be old friends," he said, pulling behind Tony's pickup. Mom and Dad's driveway was packed with cars, forcing us to park in the street.
    I juggled the Crockpot with one hand while opening the door of my jeep. Alec rounded the vehicle and plucked it from my hands. "Was I right? Are you just worried about leaving, or is it something else?" he asked, blocking my way.
    I nodded, not wanting to open a huge can of worms the night before leaving for two and a half months. I was being silly anyway. It wasn't like Alec had asked me to step in as Lily's mother. She already had Candace. I was probably simply stressing over the trip. Nothing more. "I'm just sad that tomorrow I'll be hundreds and hundreds of miles from you. I'm going to miss you," I said honestly, lacing my fingers through his.
    "Ditto, babe." He dropped a lingering kiss on my lips.
    "Aren't you supposed to be happy? You're getting rid of the old ball and chain for ten weeks. Shouldn't you be making a list of strip clubs and bars you plan on hitting up?" I asked, pressed against his lips.
    "Well, that's a given, but I'll miss you when Severus is waking me up at seven a.m. sprinting through the house like a complete wacko. Seriously though, we'll make it work. Okay?"
    "Okay." He was right. Things would work out. I'd survive the trip. My misgivings about sudden parenthood would fade and the burden of responsibility would become tolerable. This was what being an adult was about. I only wish it wasn't happening so quickly.
    Practically everyone I knew was shoved into Mom and Dad's spacious living room, making it feel tight on every side. Any other time, I might have felt claustrophobic, but since I was familiar with all the people in the room, it was bearable.
    Alec and I circulated around, stopping to chat with Mom and Dad and some of their friends first. Mom's friend and coworker, Trina, acted like I was some sort of celebrity, asking about the bus and all the cities I would be visiting. Some of her and Mom's excitement rubbed off on me as we discussed the museums and other landmarks I should visit. Tony dragged Alec away to help set up fireworks out back on the basketball court. Years ago, Dad and the guys poured the court behind the screened-in porch. Mom claimed he did it so he wouldn't have to mow the backyard, but in reality the guys spent countless hours there. Even I developed a pretty decent jump shot over the years. When they weren't playing basketball, my brothers would set up homemade skateboard ramps or in Riley's case, he used it to work on his street art.
    The court didn't get much use now that all the guys no longer lived at home, but New Year's Eve fireworks were still a tradition.
    Watching their retreating backs, I wondered what fruit they planned to blow up this time. Thankfully, watermelon wasn't in season like it was during the summer. I thought Mom was going to have a coronary when they blew up her watermelon centerpiece during the Fourth of July.
    "I've always dreamed of