“You said that’s what you wanted,” I remind her.
She giggles as she rights her clothes. I smile as I get one last glimpse of her round belly.
It’s still hard to believe that this is real. That I get to be the father of Samantha’s growing droid.
“How do I look?” she says, giving a little spin.
“Like you just got smashed in a bathroom.”
“Wow, this is really shaping up to be quite the conception story,” Samantha says with a sarcastic drawl.
“Oh, the conception is over. This is me wooing you.”
Thankfully, there’s no one around when we exit the room, and we’re able to sneak back to the bus with no one suspecting a thing.
“You gonna be okay tonight? I know the bus is less than friendly, but hopefully that will change.”
She smiles sweetly and lifts to her toes to whisper in my ear.
“Don’t worry about me. It’s them you should be worried for.”
TWENTY
Samantha
It would begenerous to say I’ve slept in worse, but I have to admit, cuddling with Toxic has been an unexpected pleasure.
His arm is slung over me protectively, and for once in my life, I feel important. But that feeling doesn’t last for long, because my mother’s words are never far from my mind.
You have to understand. I never wanted this…
I wasn’t enough to make her stay, and if it weren’t for the baby, Toxic would leave.
And I can hardly hold that against him.
Taking great care not to wake him, I move his arm back over to his side of the bunk and slide into the aisle as quietly as possible.
As I brush my teeth, a message from Elliot pops onto my phone. He’s the only member of my immediate family I haven’t blocked.
Elliot:You really pissed father off.
Samantha:Hopefully, he’ll learn his lesson.
Elliot:I think the only one that’s about to learn a lesson is you.
Something about his choice of words has me on edge.
Samantha:What do you mean?
Elliot:He’s no longer playing your little games, Samantha. He’s pissed, as he has every right to be. Your stuff is being moved into storage and the locks have been changed. If you try to come back home, security will be called.
I let out a shocked gasp.
Be calm. Think with a level head. Father wouldn’t do that.
Samantha:Very funny…
Elliot:Go ahead, try to speak with him. See what happens.
