Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 107823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Why would I ask about something that doesn’t exist?” she insisted.
“Just because you don’t want there to be one doesn’t make it true. We’ll do an exam and an ultrasound to make sure there isn’t an immediate issue with the fetus, but I highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN. Not only for a follow-up, but to get you on prenatal vitamins and everything else you’ll need for your pregnancy.”
Tessa stared at the man with the MD after his name. He seemed sane enough. “You’re wrong. I can’t be pregnant.”
Both dark eyebrows shot up the doctor’s forehead. “Are you sexually active?” He blew out a breath. “With someone capable of producing sperm, I should ask. I don’t want to assume…”
Tessa blinked.
Was this a sick joke?
Or had she died in that crash and was now stuck in some sort of purgatory?
The doctor didn’t wait for her answer. “If you do, then yes, you can. And are. Again, my advice is to make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as possible.”
“Did Easy get you to prank me?”
The doctor frowned. “Easy?”
She sighed. “Ethan.”
He scratched his thumbnail across his forehead. “Right, the gentleman you were in the crash with. No, I haven’t had a chance to talk with him since he was under the care of another doctor. Anyway, a pregnancy isn’t something I would joke about, Ms. Colby. Especially one at risk.”
“At risk,” Tessa murmured.
“From you being thrown from the motorcycle. Is he the father?”
“I don’t…” She chewed on her bottom lip.
How was any of this possible? This couldn’t be right. None of it could be right. They always used protection. Every damn time. Just to avoid this very fucking thing!
“Was it consensual?”
Wait. What? “Was what consensual? Getting pregnant? Fuck no!”
The doctor’s mouth gaped open for a second, then snapped shut. “I meant sexual intercourse with the father of this baby.”
“Why would you ask that?”
“Well, you’re making it very clear that this is an unplanned pregnancy. Before I release you, I want to make sure everything is okay. With you. With your situation. We have people you could talk to—”
“Nothing is okay!” she interrupted him. “Not only did we crash E’s new sled, I just found out I’m… I have a…” Potential parasite inside her.
“But he didn’t force you, right? You feel safe with him?”
She stared at the man in the white coat. Was he for real? “I did. But apparently I’m not safe around his bionic sperm.”
The doctor cleared his throat. “All right. Well… Let’s get your arm set and we can go from there.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
“Them?”
“The people in the waiting room.”
Please say no. Please say no.
The doctor adjusted his glasses, looking all sorts of uncomfortable. If anyone should be uncomfortable, it should be her. “No. Not unless you give me permission.”
“No!” She winced as her outburst made her head throb worse. “No, I don’t. Don’t say a word. You have to keep it secret, right? Some kind of doctor-patient privilege?”
“Sure. I don’t have to tell anyone, but it won’t be long before it becomes obvious. That is, as long as the pregnancy remains viable. Being thrown from a motorcycle like that along with the impact from you hitting the ground… I’m going to tell you now, it’s possible you might lose this fetus.”
“So, that’s a good reason to keep it secret. In case of that. In case I lose…”
“I guess so. For now, but…” He released a soft sigh. “Ms. Colby… I suggest talking to your OB/GYN not only to confirm how far along you are, but so you and your doctor can discuss your options if this pregnancy is unwanted.”
Great. Her OB/GYN was Carly Bryson. All the Fury women went to her. Like they all went to Teddy Bryson for their hair. The sisterhood was nothing if not consistent.
Even so, Carly would be obligated to keep it a secret, too, right? If so, then Tessa should be safe from anyone knowing until she could wrap her head around it all. Until she figured out what her next steps would be.
“I’m sorry for the shock. I figured you would’ve already known since my guess is you’re quite a few weeks along.”
Quite a few? “I didn’t know.”
“When was the last time you had your period?”
She thought back and shook her head. “I don’t know. They’ve never been regular, but… We used wraps.”
“Wraps?”
“Condoms. Every damn time.”
“But you weren’t on any other form of birth control?”
“No.”
“Unfortunately, condoms aren’t one hundred percent effective. Especially if they break or leak. Failures occur with them just like any other form of birth control. They reduce the risk but not completely.”
No fucking shit.
She was living proof of it.
So was Dyna.
Ah, fuck. Dyna. She was the perfect example on how wraps failed. And, Jesus Christ, Tessa took care of a child that came from a condom failure every damn day.