“Nuh-uh. She got in at seven this morning.”
They’re all staring at me like I’m about to tell them everything, but I’ve never been one to spill my guts.
“Daphne,” my mother says, but she’s so excited, she’s almost shaking. “My baby’s going to have a baby.”
“Fuck,” I hiss, dropping my head to the bed, and stare up at the ceiling.
This is the worst-case scenario. I’m knocked up. A single mother. Not just that, but I’m pregnant with Leo’s kid. It’s like the big man upstairs has it out for me. Why can’t I catch a break?
“Best You’ll Ever Have?” Angelo says, reminding me he knows all about the mystery man. Well, at least enough to know I’ve been seeing someone on the side but not sharing the details.
“The father better be an honorable man,” Lucio says as he clenches his hand into a tight fist. “Or we’ll have a problem.”
“Everyone, stop.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath, wishing I could go back in time and remind myself to use a condom.
Vinnie’s laughing. “You always think I’m going to knock some chick up, and look at what you’ve gone and done.”
“Vinnie, don’t start with me.” I glare at him.
Just as I’m about to lose my shit, Michelle comes running into the room. “Oh my God, are you okay?” she asks as she pushes between my brothers, gasping for air. “Angelo called me and said you were in the emergency room.”
“I’m fine,” I tell her as my teeth grind together. “Just fucking perfect.”
“She’s knocked up,” Vinnie says, still laughing his ass off at the irony.
Michelle’s eyes widen.
“Yep.” I nod.
“Oh no,” she whispers and covers her mouth, looking every bit the way I feel.
Angelo turns to her, tipping his head to the side as he cracks his neck. “You know him?”
“No,” Michelle lies. “I didn’t know she was seeing anyone.” She shakes her head, but she’s a little over the top with her performance.
My heart’s pounding against my chest so hard I can barely breathe. I shake my hands, feeling a panic attack about to strike. “I can’t,” I say, and my voice cracks on the last word. “I can’t be a mother.”
“I want to know who the guy is,” Angelo says again, never letting shit go. “He better step up and take care of his responsibility.”
“I’m no one’s responsibility,” I tell him, wishing they’d all just leave.
I need time to process this.
The baby.
My baby.
Leo’s baby.
Our baby.
Just when I think life couldn’t get any crazier, God has a way of reminding me I’m not in control.
“Can I have a minute?” I ask as my nose starts to tickle.
“Sure, baby. We’ll be right outside,” my ma says before she clears the room when no one moves right away.
“Michelle, can you stay?” I ask, knowing I need someone to be with me, and she’s the only one who knows everything that’s going on.
