“Ellie?” I say, my voice soft. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s none ofmy business. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“How did this happen.” She says as more of a statement than aquestion. “We used a condom. Every time. We were socareful.”
“It…happens, Ellie. Nothing is foolproof.”
“But Maverick is so not ready to be a daddy. And I’m not readyto be a mama, neither. How could this happen?”
“Are you sure it’s positive? Was that the only one youdid?”
Shelooks at me with a shred of hope. “Are you serious? It could benegative?”
“It’s a small chance, but, yes. It happens sometimes.” I lickmy lips. “You should get it confirmed with your doctor. But Iwouldn’t count on it being a false positive, Ellie.”
Her chinquivers. “I can’t have a baby, Sloane. I just…can’t. I’m so notready. I don’t even really like Maverick. He’s sexy and sweet andall, but I just…I don’t feel anything for him, youknow?”
“You should tell him that, Ellie. He strikes me as the kind ofguy that doesn’t just fool around.”
“Why? Why would you say that?”
A shrug.“I don’t know, Ellie. He came running when you called him the day Igot in trouble at the bank. A decent guy wouldn’t do that for justanyone.”
Shegives me a look. “That’s just the macho Texan reaction.”
I giveup. “Whatever, Ellie. Be the bigger person here and be honest withhim. Believe me, you won’t regret it.”
Hervoice raises an octave. “What if I do?”
“Well, you’ll regret it a lot less than if you go and dosomething stupid and he finds out about it later.”
Sherests her face in her hand. “God, Sloane. What the hell am I goingto do?”
I sitdown next to her. “First let’s find out if it’s positive, okay?That’s step one.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Of course.”
***
Maverick
“Yo, Gunner!” I shout at my little brother, who’s holding up abox with as much care as if it were a pile of dog shit packedinside. “You looking to drop that thing, or what?”
“It’s got pillows in it, man. What’s the big deal?” hechuckles with a scoff.
“Yeah, what are you so worried about, man?” Zack pokes. “Yourgirlfriend have a problem with how her pillows arehandled?”
“Look, if you guys have had enough, you can leave. Me andTerence can take over.” Jacob, Sloane’s boyfriend,offers.
“Na, we’re just tired is all.” I wave. “Too many days ofworking and not enough days off.”
“I can relate to that.” Terence suggests.
Austin,my other brother, picks up what looks like the foot of Ellie’s bed.“Yo, how’s your girlfriend feel about her boyfriend’s brotherhandling her bed?” he teases.
A handgoes to my hip. “First of all, she’s not my girlfriend. Second,have you seen this place? I’m sure she could afford to go buyanything…twice…if need be.”
Gunnerscrunches his face. “If she’s not your girlfriend, then why thefuck are we wasting our Saturday helping her move, man?”
