by Megan Green
I pulled my lip back in between my teeth, his offer sounding way too good to pass up. But, no matter how amazing it seemed, I knew I had to leave. Last night was a mistake. The fact that I’d even momentarily considered jumping back into bed with him was all the proof I needed.
“I wish I could, but I’ve got to get to work. Not all of us are bazillionaire baseball players.”
He shot me another grin. “Believe me, baby, I work. Where do you think I got these?” he asked, flexing his hands behind his head, causing the muscles in his arms to tighten.
“Right. Well, I should be going,” I said again, turning toward the door. The sooner I got out of there, the better.
“Can I stop by later?” he asked, stopping me dead in my tracks.
Looking back over my shoulder, I gave him a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “You said you worked at the bookstore, right? Can I come see you in a bit?”
“Why?” I asked stupidly, my mouth hanging open in confusion. His question didn’t make any sense.
“To say good-bye before I leave?” It came out as more of a question than an answer.
Nothing that was happening was right. I was supposed to spend the night with him, have mind-blowing sex, and then go about my merry way. He wasn’t supposed to be asking me if he could come visit me at work. That wasn’t how any of this worked.
But he was also Ian’s best friend, and with what was developing between Ian and Lexi, I didn’t want to be the cause of any discord between them. Her best friend being a mega-bitch to his best friend could potentially be an issue.
“Sure,” I heard myself saying, telling myself it was strictly because of Lexi.
Hell, I’d probably already fucked things up for her. I normally didn’t get involved with friends. Or friends of friends. It made things…sticky. But Brandon was leaving. I’d never see him again. A guy like him had girls lining up to be with him. So, if I could just get through the next few hours until he left without causing any major fallout, I’d be in the clear.
I ignored the tiny part deep inside me that fluttered at the idea of him wanting to see me again before he left.
Brandon smiled at me as I turned back toward the door.
“See you in a bit, Tink.”
Like hell he would. As soon as I got home, I was calling in sick.
“Earth to Liv.”
Lexi’s voice brings me back to the present.
“Did you hear anything I just said?”
I didn’t, my mind too wrapped up in memories of Brandon. But I’m sure as hell not going to tell her that.
“Erm, I…” I turn back to the shelf before me, my eyes scanning for something I can use to save me from having to admit to my friend that I tuned her out to daydream about my biggest mistake.
I must move too quickly because, the next thing I know, I’m clinging desperately to the ladder, my head swimming as the room spins around me.
“Liv, are you okay?” Lexi’s voice sounds far away as I struggle to catch my breath.
Resting my head on the top rung of the ladder, I slowly breathe in and out, trying to calm the whirling in my head and the sudden rush of nausea flooding my stomach. I feel Lexi’s hands come to rest on my hips, and I’m grateful for the reassurance that she won’t let me fall.
When I finally feel like I can lift my head without spewing the contents of my stomach onto the books before me, I gingerly climb back down the ladder with Lexi’s help. She helps me over to the chair in the corner of the room, rushing off to the restroom as soon as I’m seated.
She’s back before I can even get my bearings, a damp cloth in her hands. She presses it against the nape of my neck, perching her ass on the arm of the chair as she pats me on the shoulder.
The cool cloth makes me feel better almost immediately. The room is still spinning slightly, and the worry that my lunch might make a reappearance if I get up too quickly is still there, but the worst of it has passed. And, as such, I can’t help but give my best friend some shit.
“Thanks, Mom. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been here to grab a towel and coo in my ear.”
She gently shoves me, careful not to jostle me too much. “Shut it. You went white as a fucking sheet. Don’t scare me like that, and I won’t have to play mother hen.”
“I just wanted to give you some practice for all those little Ians you’re going to have.”
She giggles. “Seriously though, what was that?”
I shrug. “Not sure. It’s happened a few times in the past week or so. I brushed it off as lack of food the first couple of times, but that can’t be it this time. Not after I just inhaled that sandwich at lunch.”
“Maybe you should get in to see the doctor. Just to be safe.”
I brush away her comment. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably just need more vitamins. I’ll pick some up at the store on my way home tonight. I’ll admit, I haven’t exactly been the healthiest lately. Been too damn busy with this place to worry about trivial things like my health,” I say jokingly.
She playfully swats at me. “You need to take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Mom. I promise I’ll take my Flintstones vitamins every day from now on.”
She rolls her eyes at me again. “God help your child if you ever decide to reproduce.”
I scoff. “Ain’t nobody got time for that. Besides, you have to find someone who actually wants to have sex with you in order for that to happen. And, Lord knows, that ship has sailed.”
Except…
Oh, shit.
I shove past Lexi, my momentary spout of dizziness and nausea forgotten as I frantically rush to my purse. Pulling out the planner that holds each and every detail of my life, I search for the red frowny face I use to mark the start of my monthly nuisance.
Nothing this month.
Or last…
I desperately flip back another page, but I already know what I’m going to find.
Son of a bitch.
I’m pregnant.