"Jocelyn," Max said. "Please don't cry. Maybe I could come up with a way to send you to Connecticut for a couple of days before school starts?"
"No." I shook my head and wiped my tears. It was really sweet of Max to offer, but that wouldn't solve my problems.
"I've been thinking about it for a few weeks," he said. "You've been so sad. Maybe if you saw him?"
"I'm not going to school next week." I blurted out the words before I lost my nerve.
"What?" he asked. "Why?"
"I can't," I sobbed. "I made a big mistake."
"Did you forget to submit something? I'm sure we can get it taken care of."
"No," I cried. "I'm pregnant." Somehow I managed to blurt that out, too.
He stared at me, but didn't say anything. I continued to cry.
"I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I didn't mean to . . . ."
He held up his hand, got to his feet, and paced the small room. I didn't say any more. I knew he had to let this sink in.
"I knew it!" he yelled. "You were throwing up, you're tired all the time, and thepineapple.I just didn't want to believe it."
He continued to pace, then stopped at the window and gazed out. He shook his head, obviously having a rough time dealing with my revelation. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, and I could tell by the look on his face he was upset.
Finally, he spoke, but his voice cracked with emotion.
"You’re so smart," he whispered. "How did you let this happen?"
Sometimes 'smart’ has nothing to do with it.
"Jocelyn?"
You were working the overnight shift, Alex showed up drunk and hot. He was incrediblysexy and cute. He carried me up to my bedroom, I took off my little PJs, and, well, the rest ishistory . . . .
"Jocelyn!" Max called out, pulling me from my thoughts. "How did you let this happen?"
"I don't know," I said. "We had an accident, I guess?" There was no way I was telling Max I had unprotected sex with Alex, and he didn't pull out fast enough.
He walked back over to the couch, but didn't sit down. He kept rubbing his chin and fidgeting with his hands. He was clearly distraught.
"How far along?" He stared at my stomach.
"I'm just past my first trimester," I said. "I'm due in February."
"February?" He shook his head in disbelief. "You've been to a doctor, then?"
I nodded.
"You're okay?"
I nodded again.
"What did Alex say?" When he said his name, I could see that vein popping out on the side of his head.
"He doesn't know," I admitted softly.
"What? Why the hell not?"
