“It’s a new super power,” Winter giggles. “By the way, we’re all getting out of here tonight. Cassidy too. She negotiated her eviction.”
“As long as it’s safe, I’m happy with that,” Abbott admits. “I’m ready to sleep in my bed. We’ll need to get you some special pillows so you’re comfortable. Let me text Shi so he’ll make sure to get them picked up.”
“He’s like magic,” Cassidy sighs happily. “I want to do this at home tonight.”
Her fingers move over Winter’s bites on her forearm and my stepsister nods eagerly.
“You got it,” I reply for her.
Abbott’s fingers quickly text Shiloh before he sticks it in his pocket and closes the door.
“I have more tea before you nap,” he says. “Shi made some new friends.”
“The girl who threw me a gun?” Cassidy asks.
“Yes,” Abbott chuckles.
Cassidy makes grabby hands at Abbott with a smile that looks more like her.
“Gimme the tea!”
It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll find our way out of the ugliness of our kidnapping. We already are, even if it is bonding over gossip.
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
CASSIDY
Tippingmy head back in the shower, I let the water run over my hair. I wrapped plastic wrap around my stomach to protect the stitches, and I had to make sure the water wasn’t too hot so I wouldn't pass out.
The important part is that I’m getting to take a real shower by myself. I don’t even mind if someone comes in later to help me wash my hair, I’d honestly appreciate it because my ribs complain whenever I raise my arms over my head.
I simply need a second to think.
Pressing my hand against my stomach, I take a breath to sort out my thoughts. I thought this was taken from me. I took a pregnancy test and the line was very light, but it was there.
I may take more to ensure that the line keeps getting darker, simply for my peace of mind. It’s just really hard to adjust to this reality.
God forgive me, but my first thought was that the baby could somehow belong to one of my rapists. However, with the time frame, I can admit that’s not possible. My thoughts are scattered, and it’s hard to believe any of this.
Look, I know how birth control works, okay? However, why would I take it if I’ve been told I would never be able to get pregnant? That hope died when Shiloh sat next to me at the doctor’s office, his hand tightly holding mine, while we were told that I’d never be able to have children.
A part of me hoped I’d get to be a mom to Winter’s kids if she wanted any. I’m not the type to pressure people about what to do with their own body, so I would have been fine if Winter didn’t want children too.
My lips tip up slightly as I let myself simply enjoy the fact that Winter and I are pregnant together. It’ll be nice to enjoy all the little things together. Her nausea isn’t fun, and I feel terrible that it hasn’t eased at all.
Abbott has been researching what she should eat to help with the nausea. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a one size fits all solution to this. Winter keeps crackers nearby at all times, and that seems to be helping.
“Cass?” Shi asks, coming into the bathroom.
We bought a bigger bed yesterday so we can comfortably sleep all of us while still ensuring I won’t be jostled at night. It won’t be an issue once I’m healed. My ribs will take longer to heal than my stitches. Apparently the knife was tiny but still did a good job of fucking up my insides.
God, Clara is such a bitch.
“Yes?” I ask.
It hasn’t escaped my notice that there aren’t any razors in the shower. No one leaves me for very long either.
