“You have that look. Undergradshaveto live on campus for their first four semesters. That’s the rule, so get over it.”
“Stupid rule, if you ask me,” I grumble, but I help her unpack and don’t complain about it anymore. She quickly gets over that little blip, since she knows that I’m just in a bad mood because she’s moving away. I do my best to smile and act excited, even if I’m struggling on the inside.
My sister’s been in my life for so long now. I worked myself to the bone to make sure she had everything she needed. Now she’s leaving me, even though she’s only moving across the city, and she’ll basically be a ten-minute drive away.
Gem bounces on her mattress and seems satisfied as I place some of her things on her desk. “It’s a really nice place,” I comment, looking out the window that overlooks the quad. “Amazing location.”
“I hear it’s the best dorm on campus. I mean, it’s old, but look at this place.”
“Historic and charming.”
“Everything I always dreamed of.” She glances across the modestly small room at the empty furniture. “I just hope we get along.”
I follow her gaze. “I’m sure whoever’s living with you is going to be great. Besides, this is basically what you always wanted, right?”
“Exactly.” Gem chews on her lip. “It’s just a big change.”
“Everyone here is going through the same thing. You’re going to make so many friends and have so much fun.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” She leans against my shoulder. “Thanks for doing this, although I keep telling you not to lift stuff.”
“It’s fine. Seriously.”
“Did you two talk yet?”
Before I can answer, Stellan comes into the room. Suddenly, the place seems tiny. His enormous frame fills it with ease. “Iassume you don’t mean me, because my wife’s been strangely distant lately.”
I struggle not to turn red. “She means, uh?—”
“Oh my god.” Gem jumps to her feet. “Get it over with, okay? I’ll be back in ten minutes. I’m gonna take a look around.”
“Gem, hold on, I wanted—” But she’s already gone. Panic swells as Stellan stands near the door, watching me carefully with that piercing stare of his. It kills me every time, that look, like he’s peeling me apart.
“Talk to me,” he says, voice low and rumbling.
“Shit.” I leap to my feet and start pacing. Even though there’s not much room to go anywhere. This dorm building is at least a hundred years old, if not older. “Double shit. I didn’t want to do it like this.”
“Do what? I’m starting to worry.”
“No! No, don’t worry. It’s not like that. It’s good. Maybe. I think.” I hug myself, freaking out, and have to take a steadying breath before I calm enough to face him.
The stress melts like morning frost when he comes over and touches me. I don’t know how he always does it, but he can drag me back from the brink with such ease. Maybe it’s because I know that no matter what happens, he’ll be there to catch me. He’ll fix what’s broken. And he’ll break whoever tries to get in my way.
“Talk to me.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.
“Just so you know, I didn’t tell her first. She found out. She snoops.”
“Tell me.”
I take a deep breath, hold it, and blow it out.“I’m pregnant.”
There’s a beat. I can’t tell what he feels. We didn’t discuss children, but we also haven’t exactly been careful with birth control. And we’re pretty prolific when it comes to having sex. I don’t even know how this didn’t happen sooner, honestly.
Stellan’s grip on me tightens. “Pregnant?”
“Took the test last night. Gem found it in the bathroom.”
“Pregnant.” He says it with a sigh. “You’re pregnant.” This time, with a smile. “Fucking pregnant.” An enormous grin.
