Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“What’d she say?” Raelyn asks.
“She understands,” I mutter. I should be grateful that she’s not arguing or asking questions, but somehow her understanding only makes me feel that much worse.
One Week Later
“I wish you were here,” Raelyn says over Facetime. Today is graduation, but since I told Sienna I couldn’t make it, there’s no point in going. Walking across the stage won’t be the same without having her in the audience.
“Are you at least going to come to the after party?” She pouts, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m pregnant, Rae. I’m tired, hormonal, and I can’t fit into half my clothes. The only place I’m going to is the mall to buy some jeans that don’t make me feel like I’ve eaten an entire chocolate cake in one sitting.” Mmm...chocolate cake. Maybe I should stop by the bakery on the way and get a slice.
“Fine,” Raelyn relents. “But tomorrow is our day. I need to pack Saturday because I leave Sunday to go home.”
“You got it,” I tell her. “Have a good time. Love you.”
“Love you more.” She blows me a kiss and then ends the video call.
I drop my phone into my purse, hook it over my shoulder, and then swing the front door open, ready to get out of here and get some clothes that fit and a slice of chocolate cake.
Only when I go to step out, I’m blocked...by my brother-in-law. As I stare at him in shock, trying to make sense as to why he’s here, I don’t think about the fact that I’m dressed in tiny cotton shorts and an even tinier tank. Not only is it hot as hell here, but I wasn’t kidding when I said my clothes don’t fit. I’m only a little over three months along, but my belly already has a noticeable bump that makes it hard to wear my clothes that had fit me like a glove before I got pregnant. The second his eyes stop on my belly, I know shit’s about to get real.
Never one to beat around the bush, he asks what we both know he’s thinking. “Are you pregnant?”
I swallow nervously as my hand instinctually goes to my protruding belly. I should deny it, tell him he’s crazy and then slam the door in his face, but there’s no point in delaying the inevitable.
“Does your sister know?” he asks when I don’t verbally confirm. “Who am I kidding? Of course, she doesn’t know,” he adds, answering his own question. “If she knew, she’d be all over you...Which is why you haven’t told her. Why you canceled our visit for your graduation and said you were taking a job here this summer. Holy shit,” he breathes. “You weren’t planning to tell her, were you? You were going to keep this from her.” He shakes his head, and my stomach sinks at his evident disappointment.
“Who’s the dad?” he asks.
His question causes me to panic. I wasn’t planning for an interrogation. And I sure as hell can’t tell him who knocked me up.
“Ellie!” Micah barks, obviously fed up with my silence. “Who the hell got you pregnant?” If I was considering telling him the truth, the crazy in his eyes would stop me dead in my tracks.
“I-He’s not exactly in the picture,” I tell him, speaking around the truth.
He stares at me for several seconds and then nods. “You’re coming home.”
Oh, shit. Fuck. “What?” I say, as my heart picks up speed. “No...I can’t. I—”
“Stop,” he says, cutting me off. “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I’m not going to listen to your half-truths anymore. You’re done with school and there’s no summer job. You’re coming home with me now, where your family is, and we’ll deal with this together.”
“No.” I shake my head, my blood pumping so fast I’m slightly dizzy. “I can’t. Sienna is going to get upset.” I back up slightly. “I messed up, but she’s pregnant and shouldn’t be stressed.” I plead with him with my eyes, begging him not to do this, even though it’s futile. “Please, Micah. Pretend like you didn’t see me. Please. I can’t go home. Everyone is going to hate me.”
“Impossible. You’re family. We deal with shit together. The stress of you trying to handle this on your own, hiding it from your sister, isn’t good for you or that baby. You’ve been gone long enough. It’s time to come home.” He extends his hand, silently telling me to take it.
“Wait,” I tell him. “My stuff...I need to—”
“We’ll pay someone to pack it up. We’re leaving now. Let’s go.”
The drive to the airport is awkwardly quiet, and the long flight in the private plane is as well. I spend the time I’m not sleeping trying to figure out how to get out of this mess. I text Raelyn to let her know what’s happened, apologizing that I won’t see her before she leaves. Of course, her only concern is for me and texts that if I need anything to let her know.