Pregnant to my Dad's Best-Friend: Axel and Chastity, #2

By Lexie Miers

From the humiliating and explosive moment Chastity's father discovered her with his long-time best friend, her complicated relationship with the gorgeous billionaire went from daring to disaster.

 

But as they say, time heals all wounds. So, now that tempers have cooled, and everything's out in the open, the unlikely couple hope that their path forward will be a little smoother.

 

They couldn't be more wrong.

 

Chastity's father knows Axel is all wrong for his daughter and is just waiting for them to fail. With Chastity balancing college life and hot hook-ups with a workaholic, something's got to give. And the sassy student might just have to concede her father was right when a little secret comes to light…

 

Indulge in this contemporary billionaire whirlwind romance and discover what's next for college student Chastity and billionaire Axel as their relationship reaches the next level. The passion and drama will not only satisfy but lead you right into Book 3 of the Axel and Chastity trilogy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamsin Baker
• Release date: Jan 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201085674

Book preview

Chapter 1.

Axel

WHEN PAT AND CHASTITY left, the whole room fell silent. I shuddered with the oppression of it. I was alone.

I hauled myself up off the sofa and walked to the fridge, got an icepack, and put it to my lip. I was going to be swollen and bruised tomorrow, which was going to look great for those new investors I’d lined up. They’d think I was some sort of thug. Or even worse, a guy who couldn’t defend myself. Maybe I better reschedule.

I’d seen Patrick’s punch coming, but I let him hit me. How could I not? He was furious and needed his pound of flesh. Better my face than his relationship with Chastity. I could take a hit, though it had been a long time since anyone had landed one.

My jaw throbbed, my lip was still bleeding, and yet that wasn’t the most painful part of my body. My heart ached like someone held it in a vise and was squeezing. Hard. I shook myself. Pull yourself together. It was nowhere near noon, but I poured myself a whiskey anyway. It’s five o’clock. somewhere. And it wasn’t like it mattered, anyway.  My best friend had just pointed out that I had no morals, so really, a drink at ten in the morning should be the norm for me.

I took a sip, wincing from the pain in my mouth, then held the cold glass to my lip and sighed. What a colossal fuck-up. I ran a hand through my hair and groaned. Fucking hell.  I shook my head and tipped back the glass, finishing my drink and pouring another. The amber liquid sloshed into the glass, and I gulped it down as well. I’d never imagined losing my best friend and my girlfriend on the same day.

Not that she’d been my girlfriend, technically, but Chastity definitely fit the role. And she said she’d loved me... holy shit. What a thing to say at that point in time. It was the last thing I’d expected her to say, and the last thing Pat had wanted to hear.

My legs weren’t feeling all too stable any longer, so I stumbled over to the dining table and sat down on a chair.  The words from our brief fight kept going round and round in my head. But the last encounter had been the most hard-hitting. When Chastity had announced to her father that I’d slept with her every night, then left the room in a huff, Patrick had walked over to me and demanded an answer.

Is she telling the truth, Axel?

Yeah. I’d returned, then lifted my gaze to his bewildered expression. So what?

So what? Patrick had repeated, his eyebrows flickering up. So that means— Oh my God. You love her too. Then he’d walked away, collected his daughter, and left my life forever.

Now, what was I supposed to do with that information? Go after them? Call Chastity? Fight to keep her for what... another few days? There wasn’t room in my life for her, and it was obvious she didn’t have any space for me either. Not when she was going back to college. And certainly not once she headed off to chiropractic school in another state.

I groaned and pushed myself to stand. I needed a shower, maybe a nap, then it was time to get back to work. I’d neglected my business a lot this week in favor of time with Chastity. It was time to get my life back on track, and my priorities straightened out.

I headed to the shower in an attempt to clean myself up for work, but the plan backfired. I got a pounding headache and ended up in bed for most of the afternoon. It never developed into a migraine, which was lucky because Chastity wasn’t going to come over and massage away the pain.  Not tonight. Not ever again.

Chapter 2

Chastity

THERE WAS A KNOCK AT my door that I’d been waiting for. I’d been home almost an hour, so I was kind of amazed mom had left me alone this long. 

I hugged my pillow tight to my chest and squeezed my eyes shut. Come in.

The door squeaked open then a moment later mom sat down on my bed behind me, the mattress dipping to accommodate her weight.  Your dad told me what happened. I’m so sorry, Chastity.

I rolled onto my back and looked up at her. You and Dad actually talked?

She nodded, a small smile lifting the corners of her lips. Yeah. I even made him coffee and he sat at the kitchen table. 

I wiped at the tears still covering my cheeks and pulled myself up to sit against the headboard. No way.

She chuckled. Yeah, well, what can I say? It’s a Christmas miracle.

My stomach churned as I recognized the truth. More like you two finally had a reason to talk about your troublesome, delinquent daughter. I’ve never really given you a reason to get together before, have I?

Mom ran her hand over my arm. No, you haven’t.

My eyes burned and more tears slid down my cheeks. I swiped them away, and my mother sighed.

Chastity, I’m so sorry. I knew I recognized Axel from somewhere but couldn’t work out where. It must have been when I’d been around your father’s place.

Or on his Facebook profile, I teased Mom, sending her a sideways waggle of my eyebrows. Like most women, my mom occasionally stalked her ex’s FB profile. Why, I didn’t know, but she did.

Mom shook her head and withdrew her hand. I’m still sorry I didn’t realize sooner.

I sighed, glancing down at the blankets with a heavy heart. We broke up when we found out about the connection to Dad, but we couldn’t stay away from each other. We didn’t want to. So, it’s my fault as much as Axel’s. We knew what we were doing, but we just hoped—

You’d get away with it, Mom finished with a sigh. What was the plan? Just have a Christmas fling, then forget about him?

My throat closed up as a wave of depressing emotions pushed over me.

I nodded and swallowed hard. Yeah, I thought I could.

Mom inhaled sharply, going still. I knew you wouldn’t.

What do you mean?

She pushed her hair back off her face. Oh, honey, you’ve been head over heels in love with him since your first date. Axel isn’t the sort of guy you just see a few times then get over.

What sort of guy is he? I asked, though my spidey senses told me not to inquire.

Mom tilted her head at me. The sort that breaks your heart. Then you have to spend the next ten years trying to get over him.

I pressed my lips together, considering her words. Was that who Dad was for you?

She stared at me, her eyes wide and searching. Then she nodded. Yeah, he was.

And now? I asked. What is he?

She shrugged. It’s too late for him to be anything to me now, Chastity. I made some mistakes, and so did he. And in the end, we didn’t find our way back to each other. Even though, I’d kind of hoped we would.

I reached for my mother’s hand and squeezed it with my own. I’m sorry, Mom.

And I’m sorry for you, sweetheart. I wish I could have saved you the heartache.

I picked at the corner of the pillow I held in my hands. I don’t regret it. Being with Axel was the happiest I’ve been ever, I think.

And what happened with your dad?

I laughed, but not with humor. Yeah, I could have done without that part.

I bet. Mom got to her feet and started backing towards the door. How about I make us some pasta for lunch, put on a movie, and veg out on the couch?

I lifted my chin and nodded. Thanks, Mom. Be there in a minute.

Okay. She left my room and shut the door behind her, leaving me alone with my broken heart.

I put my hand to my throat, touching the solitary floating diamond Axel had bought me for Christmas. Such a beautiful gift. I still couldn’t believe he’d spoiled me so much when supposedly I meant nothing to him. Well, he is a billionaire, after all. Something I kept forgetting. Sure, he had a nice car and a flashy apartment, but he didn’t really live the way I thought a billionaire would live. A fact I kind of loved about him.

I rolled onto my side and squeezed my eyes shut to stop myself from crying again. It wasn’t fair. None of it. I stayed that way until Mom called me from the living room. When she called, I managed to get up, walk through the apartment, and eat lunch. Everything felt numb now. And all I wanted to do was go back to school and pretend nothing had happened.

Maybe I could? If I went back to campus I could try and forget I’d ever met Axel and fallen in love for the first time, only to be told that falling in love wasn’t the deal, like I was some sort of business merger. I closed my eyes and fell asleep while a rom com played on the TV. No room in my life for fake romance today.  Real-life romance had already broken me, and there was nothing left to feel.

Chapter 3.

Axel

IT WAS NEW YEAR’S EVE, and I’d been invited to a dozen parties. And where was I on the most party-centric night of the year?  Home. By myself, drowning my sorrows in my second bottle of red wine. To be fair to my liver, the bottles cost over a thousand dollars each, so hopefully the hangover tomorrow wouldn’t be as vicious as a cheap one. To me, I announced to the room, holding my glass up in the air. And a prosperous new year. I chuckled to myself as I took a gulp of wine. It had been a prosperous new year for twenty years now. Was I due for a bad year? I felt like I certainly deserved one. I’d broken Chastity’s heart and ruined my oldest friendship.

Yep. Definitely got a kick in the ass from Karma this year. I took another sip and sighed as I pushed my cell phone around on the counter. Neither Patrick nor Chasity had called me since the event. I hadn’t even received an angry text. Nothing.

I flicked open my phone and pulled up Pat’s number. Would he answer if I called? Surely, he had to be over our fight by now. A small part of my brain told me to stop. But the larger, drunk part of my brain forged forward, dialing his number with a single press of my finger. I put the phone to my ear and within a few rings, he answered.

What do you want?

I laughed, though I didn’t mean to. You picked up! Didn’t think you would.

Are you drunk?

I nodded to myself, then realized he wouldn’t be able to see me. Yep. Are you?

No, but I’m at a party, so I can’t talk long. What do you want, Axel?

I want some advice.

Advice? Pat asked, scoffing. From me?

Yeah. You know me better than anyone else, apparently. I let the barb sit there, stuck in his gut.

Ask. And make it quick.

I wanted to ask him if Chastity was with him but bit my tongue. Okay... so. You know how you told me to go for that girl I was into?

I didn’t mean—

You said that if I was finally interested in someone for more than a quick fuck, then I should pursue her, did you not?

Patrick huffed and puffed on the other end of the line, and I got off my bar stool and staggered around the living room, needing to move.

Yes, he begrudgingly admitted. I did. But I didn’t know—

I know you didn’t know it was your daughter, but the facts of the case haven’t changed, so can I ask your advice again? Even though it didn’t work out so well last time.

There was an exaggerated groan on the other end of the line, and I took that for acquiescence.

Okay. Well, the girl, the one I’ve been seeing for the last couple of weeks... we broke up. Again. And I cannot stop thinking about her.  I paused to see if Pat hadn’t hung up on me, but when I checked the screen, the timer was still ticking away, so I knew he was still there.

She’s so different, Patrick, from anyone else I’ve ever met. I eased myself down onto the sofa and threw my head back. She’s sweet. But so fucking strong. She doesn’t let me get away with anything, and we talk about everything. She’s smart. And funny. And... I swallowed against the memory of her helping me the other night. 

And what? Pat bit out.

I sighed, not really wanting to admit this to a friend, but if there was anything that was going to win Patrick over, it was the truth.

And compassionate and honest. I had a migraine the other night and didn’t cancel our date. And you know what she did? She just sat on my bed and did this head massage thing until I fell asleep. I’ve never had anyone look after me before. Not my mother, not anyone. How does someone so young have such a big fucking heart?

There were tears in my eyes now and I tightened my fingers into a fist and pressed my hand against my mouth. You still there? I asked him.

Yeah, he answered, his voice soft. I’m still here.

I put my head up. So, what do I do, Pat? I think I really hurt her when I didn’t say I loved her back, and her dad fucking hates me.

Patrick sighed on the other end of the line. You’re an old man, Axel. She’s at the beginning of her life. What are you going to offer her to make up for the twenty years of life she missed out on with you?

I inhaled sharply. Was he really asking what I had to offer his daughter? As, in this lifetime? Forever? I put my head up and opened my eyes, grabbing what little courage I had left by the balls, and speaking from the heart. I’ll give her everything, Pat. Marriage. Babies. Houses all over the world. Whatever she wants.

Patrick groaned. Axel, don’t fucking promise things you don’t mean!

But I do! I practically yelled into the phone. Don’t you get it? She’s the one I want! She’s everything, and I’ll wait for her. To finish college. Go to chiropractor school. Everything, if she wants that. She doesn’t have to work.

She’ll want to work, Pat ground out.

I laughed. Yeah, I know. I can give her the world, and she’ll still want to earn it herself. Kind of poetic, isn’t it? The only woman who doesn’t want me for my money.

There was a long, drawn-out silence. Then Pat spoke. I don’t forgive you.

I know.

And you have to convince Chasity of all that shit you just said, not me.

I closed my eyes, relief washing over me like a cold, cleansing rain. I know.

There was another long silence. And if you ever, and I mean ever, lie to me again—

I won’t, I promised, though I knew there would be instances in the future where Chastity would want to tell her dad a thing, and I had to lie about it. I hoped Patty would forgive the trespasses. Because I knew what he really meant.

Okay, then, he finally huffed out.

Okay, then... I can call her? Try and win her back? My heart leapt in ecstasy at the idea. 

You can try, Pat said, his tone now turning sad. But I’m not sure she’s here anymore.

What do you mean? I asked. She wasn’t heading back to school until next week, was she? That was the original plan, anyway.

He sighed. Yeah, well, her mom said that she wasn’t coping and wanted to head back early. So, I’m not sure if you wanna brave an on-campus declaration of love, but you might have to, if you want her back.

Her mom? I asked, hearing the unusual tone he used Are you two seeing each other again?

My old friend sighed. We had lunch the other day. I don’t know, man. Maybe too much water has gone under that bridge to start again.

You’re wrong, I managed to say, though my drunken brain was beginning to lose the fight to stay clear and conscious. You two never really had your chance. The odds were stacked against you from the start.

There was a pause, then Pat said, So you think I should, you know... give it another go?

Yeah, I do, I managed to say, though Katherine and I weren’t exactly the best of friends. After all, any woman who brought up someone like Chastity can’t be all bad. Right?

Pat groaned at me. I’ve gotta go. Let me know how the groveling goes down.

I laughed as I navigated the island counter and headed towards my bedroom. You’ll probably see it on YouTube. It’s gonna be epic. I hung up the phone to the sound of my best friend laughing his ass off and fell into the middle of my bed.  The room was spinning, but it wasn’t all bad. All the nasty emotions and feelings of the week were gone. They’d drowned in alcohol, and Pat’s reassurances would make sure they wouldn’t come back.

I had to apologize to him again. Properly. When I wasn’t soaked in aged alcohol. And I would. I didn’t regret what Chastity and I had shared. But I did regret lying to Patrick. We shouldn’t have done it, though would we have had the chance to get to know one another like we had if we’d been honest from the start? We’d never know.

I crawled up to the pillows and closed my eyes.  Below me, I could hear people cheering and music continued to pound.  I forced my eyes open and stared at the clock on the other side of the room. Midnight. Happy New Year.

I smiled as I closed my eyes again and pulled the blanket over me. This year was going to be different. I needed to scale back at work. I wanted more of a life. More vacations, more time off. More hours and days and nights with Chastity.

I just had to win her back. But how? She wasn’t a typical woman. She wouldn’t be won over by flowers or chocolates, or a standard apology. Pat was right, I’d need to go big. And I’d work it all out in the morning, when the alcohol was cleared from my system, and I could think straight. But for now, I would celebrate getting Patrick back on my side, at least a little, and tomorrow I’d start to build the road back to Chastity’s side.

Chapter 4

Chastity

THE DAY AFTER EVERYTHING went to hell with Dad and Axel, I got my period. I was so devastated, I packed up to go back to school, and talked my mom into driving me. Not that I’d wanted to get pregnant at almost twenty-two. But in that moment, it felt like I’d lost all connection to Axel, and it had broken my heart all over again.

It was stupid, I know, but that was how I’d felt. And in some ways, it