There’s no way.
She’s a senior in college.
When fear flashes across her face, I know I’m right.
“Please don’t tell Ollie,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “He’ll freak out. God, he’ll be so disappointed.”
I lower myself to the floor before sliding an arm around her shoulders. She feels so fragile pressed against me, her small frame all bones and sharp edges, like she could splinter beneath the weight she’s carrying. The faint floral trace of her shampoo clings stubbornly to the air, at odds with the sour tang of bile. The cold tile seeps through the knees of my pants as I tug her closer.
“Hey. It’s okay. I won’t say anything. At least, not right now. But I hope you realize you don’t have to do this alone. You have your family.”
Her eyes brim with fresh tears. “They’re going to be so mad at me for letting this happen. I should have been more careful.”
I raise a brow and attempt a wry smile. “Girl… you’re preaching to the choir over here. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re kind of in the same boat.”
Her lips tremble as a ghost of a smile breaks through. It’s not much, but it’s something.
“What about the dad?” I ask gently.
She shakes her head, bitterness settling over her expression. “He’s not involved.” A humorless laugh slips out. “When I told him about the baby, he said it wasn’t his problem.”
What an asshole.
“I should have known better. He’s not someone you can depend on.” She blinks, fighting back a fresh wave of tears. “The worst part is that he’s a hockey player on the college team. He’s everywhere on campus. I just couldn’t stay there.”
“No.” I tighten my hold around her shoulders. “Of course you couldn’t.”
Her admission slams into me. I can almost imagine myself in her place—alone, scared, trying to convince myself I don’t need anyone. Maybe that’s why I keep Oliver at arm’s length. Because the moment you start to believe someone will stay, that’s when they leave.
I swallow hard, squeezing Kia tighter. “I get it, but sometimes keeping everything to yourself only makes it heavier.”
She sniffles, nodding against me as her shoulders shake. “I don’t even know if I can do this.”
“You can,” I tell her firmly, even if a small, doubting part of me doesn’t fully believe it myself. The reassurance comes out strong, but inside it rings hollow. Because maybe I’m saying it to both of us.
“Listen… I’ve got a doctor’s appointment later today. When I’m there, I’ll make one for you too. Okay?”
Relief flashes in her eyes, as if I’ve just handed her a lifeline.
“You won’t tell Ollie?” she presses again, desperation filling her tone.
“No, not right now,” I promise. “But this isn’t something you can hide forever. He’s going to find out eventually.”
Even though her bottom lip quivers, she nods.
I rub her arm. “We’ll get through this together, Kia. You’re not alone.”
She sags against me with a broken sigh.
As I hold her, the promise scrapes raw beneath my ribs. Last night, Oliver whispered that I was enough. That I always would be. And this morning, with Kia shaking in my arms, I can’t dislodge the truth that none of us are safe from being left behind.
Maybe that’s the curse of loving people—knowing that at any moment, they could decide you’re no longer theirs… and you’re powerless to do anything about it.
42
Oliver
The second Rina mentioned the doctor’s appointment, I asked if I could come. Okay, fine—what I really said was that there was no way in hell I was going to miss it.
