Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 65683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
“It takes two to tango, Tru. Have you told him?”
Bowing my head, I hid my eyes. I wasn't ready to tell him the truth yet. Shaking my head no, I was unable to say it out loud.
I didn’t even realize my period was late, and I was never late.
Dammit.
I was a statistic. I spent my whole life trying not to be like everyone else.
“I know you’re scared, but that doesn’t change the fact he’ll be there for you. He’ll do right by you. By both of you.”
Sweat pooled at my temples, and my heart beat out of my chest. Desperately trying like hell not to scream out, “I’m pregnant!” to anyone who’d listen.
“You know Brady and I will help too. That baby will be so loved by everyone.”
“Except his family?”
“Meh, who cares about them? I know this wasn’t in your plans, but everything happens for a reason. I’m a firm believer in that. You’ll make it work.” She pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m here for whatever you need, even babysitting.”
“Okay.” I laid my head on her shoulder, sniffling. “I don’t know what I think.”
“You need to tell him, Tru. The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.”
“I will. After I confirm with my gyno.”
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
“What did I do to deserve you? You barely know me.”
“I love you too.”
A few days later, the OB-GYN confirmed what we already knew.
Pregnant.
To say I didn’t bawl my eyes out in the doctor’s office would be an understatement.
I cried.
And cried.
And cried some more.
I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts. I wiped the tears from my face and went to grab a water from the fridge when someone knocked on the door. Frowning, I shut the fridge and walked over to open it.
All the air left my lungs. “Clara?”
It was Vaughan's mom. She was in a white pantsuit and carrying a large gift bag in her right hand. “Hi.” She swallowed. “Is Vaughan back from class yet?”
I shook my head. “No, he should be back soon, though. His class ended a half hour ago.” Which also reminded me I needed not to look like I’d just had a sob fest in the kitchen.
“You can come inside and wait if you want?”
“Oh.” She smiled. “Sure, that would be nice.”
Why did I suddenly feel like I needed to offer her tea or biscuits or something? I wasn’t a host, just her son's girlfriend. She’d always been really kind to me, though. Also, I wasn’t in the right headspace to make any sort of small talk. I moved over to the couch and sat down while she took the leather chair and awkwardly set down the gift bag.
She obviously brought him a gift for making it onto one of the national football teams. He was already sent a practice schedule and a shit ton of daily workouts he needed to complete. His agent stopped by once, and I immediately felt like I needed to give him a firm handshake and ask him not to kill me. He looked lethal, but then again, I was sure that was what you wanted in an agent—someone willing to go to bat for you.
I exhaled. “So it’s exciting, right?” I sounded half dead.
Clara looked over at me. It wasn’t just eye contact. It was like she saw through me, and I didn’t have the energy to shield myself. I had nothing. So I could only stare back and beg her not to ask me if I was okay.
Because no, I wasn’t okay.
“Tru.” She got up and moved to the couch and sat down on it. “You’ve been crying.”
I opened my mouth to say allergies, but what came out instead was a choked sob as I completely broke down.
She quickly wrapped an arm around me and held me while my body shook. “Shhh, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay whatever it is. I promise.”
I pulled back and sniffled. “But what if it isn’t? I don’t even know how to tell him! It’s not like this is planned and…” Her eyes narrowed. "I’m pregnant. I found out a week ago, and I’m freaking out, and every time I think to tell him, I feel like I’m drowning. He’s so happy, he’s worked so hard, and this wasn’t part of the plan. I can’t even think about how this will affect his future or mine. We’re so young, and we just finally got back together, and I just—“
“Deep breaths.” Clara smiled softly. “Do you want to be a mom?”
More hot tears streamed down my cheeks. “I never thought I did.”
“Until now,” she whispered, covering my hand with hers.
I nodded. “Until Vaughan. Only with Vaughan would I ever even—dream.” I choked out the word. “That I could be a mom—the one I didn’t have.”
“Oh, honey.” She squeezed my hand. “You would be a wonderful mom.”