“But we’re not involved.” Callie waves a finger between us. “I mean, it was just one night.”
Dr. Amato smiles at her and nods. I wait for her judgmental look—like of course you had sex with her and got her pregnant—but it doesn’t come. “Okay, and you’re all right with him being here during the visits?”
What kind of question is that? Don’t I have some rights here?
“Yes. We’re doing this together.”
Thank God, seems Callie finally got the memo.
“That’s great. So, let’s talk family history.”
My gut twists. My family is the absolute last topic I ever want to talk about.
Callie gives the doctor her family history. Of course it’s all picture perfect and could be wrapped up in a suburban home with four bedrooms, perfect parents, a brother who adores her, and a big fucking bow tied around the white picket fence.
Dr. Amato turns toward me, and I’m ready to excuse myself just to get out here. I feel as if the collar of my coat is strangling me.
Callie doesn’t know a lot about my family or me, and divulging all the sordid details in front of the doctor seems wrong since all my fucked-up family problems will inevitably affect our child, no matter how much I try to keep them away from it. God knows I’ve tried to escape them to no avail.
“I’m a twin,” I admit, figuring this is something the world already knows.
Dr. Amato’s eyes light up. “Oh…” She types, then looks at Callie.
“I didn’t even consider…” Callie cradles her nonexistent belly. “Could there be two babies?”
Dr. Amato laughs. “It’s not as common as you think. If you were a twin, the chances would be a little higher. You can breathe now.”
Callie’s shoulders lose the tension, and mine do too, because I don’t want that for my child. Being a twin isn’t the dream most people think it is.
“Identical or fraternal?” Dr. Amato asks.
“Fraternal.”
“Yeah, they’re so different.” Callie chuckles. “Not only in looks…”
Dr. Amato’s eyes widen, and her mouth falls open. “Decker Davis is your twin. Sorry, I knew that. My husband is a die-hard Colts fan, and he’d be embarrassed that I even had to ask.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. Really.”
“Well still… so fraternal twin. Do you know if your mom went through fertility treatments or conceived you and your brother naturally?”
I never asked, and since my relationship with my mom is nonexistent, it’s not like I can ask her. “I’m not sure.”
“Well, it’s really just for the probability. It’s not that important. Anything health wise or family history I need to know about?”
She and Callie are looking at me. My neck beads with sweat, and at this point, I wish I would’ve done what Callie expected from me and bolted from this appointment. Why was I so adamant about coming here?
What do they want to know? My dad is a deadbeat dickhead, but other than high blood pressure—which could be from his temper and anger issues—he’s in good health. My mom I have no fucking clue about, except she’s still alive because she sends me a birthday card every year that I don’t open.
“They’re alive.” I do my best to keep my voice even.
Callie’s smile drops. I’m sure she’s disappointed and appalled by my lack of family. I really hope she doesn’t try to get me to patch things up with my mom. If so, I’ll just have to get used to her disappointment.
“Okay.” Dr. Amato slides away from the computer.
Thank fuck that’s over with.
“I’ll let you get changed and be back in a few minutes. Then we’ll do the exam and hopefully get your first picture of your baby.” Dr. Amato smiles at me, pats Callie’s knee, and leaves the room.
