All I want to do is call Livie, but how do you tell your best friend who has been trying for years to conceive that you accidentally got pregnant. Who gets pregnant this easy at thirty seven after fucking a man once? Well, we did fuck like eight times that weekend, but like, what the hell?
I can’t tell my mom—she’ll have so many questions. Same with all my siblings. And the one person I want to talk to about it is out there rescuing who knows who and not fucking answering the phone.
The spiral might have conjured him into existence, because my phone is ringing.
On the bed.
Where I tossed it.
On the other side of the room.
It’s like I’m twelve again and the boy I have a crush on is about to find out. I mean, I don’t expect him to do anything, since I decided I’m keeping the baby regardless of what he says, so I’ll have to deal with my own decisions.
And . . . he hung up the phone. Damn it, Hailey.
I grab the phone and call him back.
“I’m sorry, I was on a mission and my phone was at my place. What’s wrong?” he says after not letting the phone ring once.
I let out a breath.So he is alive.
“Baby?”
I laugh.
Yup, that’s exactly it.
A babyis all I want to say. “I’m fine.”
“Hailey.” His annoyance is clear. “I thought we talked about this. I thought something happened to you or your mom.”
“I know,” I whisper, but he continues.
“My brain has been hardwired to worst case scenario, and all the texts?—”
“I know,” I interrupt. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve had thirty six hours of hell. Can I call you back after I shower and sleep if you’re fine?”
“No.”
“No what?”
“No, we need to talk now, but I need you to video call me.”
“I look like shit.”
Like he could ever. I’m going to chicken out and not say anything, but he needs to know, right? So I need to look at him when I tell him. I need to know what his thoughts are about this. He deserves to know.
I click accept on the request to video chat, and damn, he was right. He looks rough.
“I told you.” His eyes shine with elation and humor. Damn it—even now, he’s makingmelaugh.
“No, no, you look great.”
“Now don’t be lying to me. It’s fine. You just have never seen this side of me. I’m still sexy and I know it.”
He did not go there. I scoff.
