My unease grows.
“What?” I say, my jaw clenched. “What is it?”
“I’m pregnant.”
The words fall heavy between us.
I’m struck dumb.
Pregnant.
I shouldn’t be surprised. They’ve been married for almost four years.
My chest tightens as she watches me, her body tense like she’s bracing herself. I hate that she’s nervous or scared of my reaction.
“That’s awesome,” I say, jolting to my feet.
She flinches, but I ignore it and cross the room to pull her into my arms for a hug. The tension remains for a beat, then she lifts her arms and wraps them around my back, melting into my embrace.
“I’m really happy for you, Tori. You’re going to be an amazing mum.”
A sob slips from her, and I hold her tight as her body shakes, feeling like the world’s biggest arsehole. She was still a kid herself when she was thrown into the role of caretaker, and I didn’t make it easy for her. At fourteen, I was battling demons that no amount of therapy seemed to help, and it only got worse the older I got. She never asked for any of it, and she never once complained. Even when I stole from them and ruined her wedding. Tori has always been there for me.
Now it’s my turn to repay the favour.
“Hey,” I say in a soothing tone as I rub her back. “This is great news. This kid is the luckiest kid going around.”
“It’s a boy,” she says, her voice muffled against my chest. “We found out this week.”
My stomach sinks. Now I understand her concern. Addiction and addictive behaviours can be genetic, and she’s seen it in both men in our family—me and our father. It’s not biologically a male thing, but it worked out that way for us.
“History won’t repeat itself,” I assure her. “This little guy will have loving parents, and an uncle who will be there for him no matter what. He’ll take after his dad, and everything will be fine. Sam’s a great guy.”
It pains me to say it, but it’s not a lie. Sam doesn’t trust me, and he’s wary of me hurting her more than I already have, but he loves her, and he’ll be a great dad to my nephew.
Fuck.
My nephew.
My sister’s pregnant.
Tori pulls away from me, laughing through her tears asshe swipes her fingers under her eyes. “Gosh, these pregnancy hormones are something else.”
“How far along are you?”
“Fifteen and a half weeks. I’m due mid-November.”
Another twist in my gut. She waited fifteen and a half weeks to tell me.
No, arsehole. She’s been trying to call you for two months.
“I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls.”
She shakes her head as she sits back on the couch. “It’s fine. I’m glad I told you in person.”
“Yeah.” I hesitate before dropping beside her. “Me too.”
A heavy silence falls, both of us lost in our own thoughts.
