Page 131 of The Twisted Beats

“Thanks.” She hangs her head. “I know you’re mad at me and I’m sorry, Callum.”

I swallow the hurtful words that are crawling up my throat. This isn’t her fault.

I push the car door open and trek inside. Once I find the aisle with a million different types of tests, I stand frozen. This is something I never thought I’d be doing. I have no idea what I’m looking for.

A female store employee who appears to be in her early thirties joins me by my side, and I nearly jump out of my skin. I had no idea anyone was around me.

She grabs one off the shelf. “This is the best one and it’s not too expensive.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s thirteen dollars.”

“Thirteen. That’s a lucky number, right?”

“Sure.” She hands it to me and smiles. “I hope you get the answer you want. Come with me and I’ll ring you up.”

I follow her with my limbs shaking and sweat collecting on my upper lip. I pay and she places the test in a paper bag.

As I’m walking out of the store, I trip over my own shoes and almost faceplant on the sidewalk. The bag flies out of my hand. The box slides out and stops at some dude’s feet.

He reaches down and picks it up as I get stable. He glances at it and then at me.

“Thanks.” I grab it from him. “Have a good day.”

“I’m sure it will be better than yours.” He laughs as he enters the store.

Fucking prick.

I get back in my car and hand the test to Livianna. “Where are you gonna take this?”

“Can we go to your house? My parents are home today. There’s no way I can do it there.”

I glance out the window. My ma’s probably at our place, but she would be more understanding than Livianna’s parents.

“Yeah. We should be fine there.” I pull out of the parking lot and drive to my house with my stomach in knots.

We get out of the car and I take her hand. “I’m not mad. Just freaked out.”

“Me too.” She leans into me.

I slide my arm around her shoulders and lead her into the living room. I search the area for any signs of my ma or uncle, but neither of them is here.

“We lucked out.” I take in a deep breath. “Nobody’s here, so we have some privacy.”

“Where should I do this?” She holds out the bag.

“The bathroom in the hallway.” I show her the way even though she knows where it is. “I’ll be waiting in my room.”

“Okay. I’ll come find you when I’m done.” She shuffles inside and closes the door with tears trickling down her cheeks.

She knows what the results are gonna be. We both do.

I sit on my bed and rub my face in my palms. This is a shit situation. I stare at the floor, feeling as if my life is about to end. The minutes tick on like hours.

Livianna’s black Chucks come into view. I raise my head to find her shaking, pale, and with rivers of tears flowing from her eyes. She drops the box and the plastic stick on my floor.

I rise to my feet and pull her into my chest. She just confirmed everything I already knew. She’s pregnant. We’renot even adults and we’re going to be parents. My mind goes blank and I turn numb.