“It’s fine. We were so hot and cold allthe time, and I think he kept getting a lot of pressure from your mom to findsomeone else, anyone besides me.”
I clench my jaw. It makes me so angrythat my mom cannot seem to mind her own business and let her children livetheir own lives. “I’m sorry. He’s always been a momma’s boy.”
“That’s not all,” Laura whispers, wipingher tears away. “I think maybe—I might be pregnant.”
“Oh.” I didn’t see this one coming. Laurapregnant. That just warps my reality. “You think?”
“I’m too scared to take a pregnancytest.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to know?”
“I think yes. But then I talk myself outof it, thinking I’m going to get my period any day now, I’m just sure of it. Orthat Ben will come to his senses and we’ll get back together, and I’ll havesomeone to help and comfort me.”
“You have me, and do you really want Benback?”
“No, not really—I mean sometimes. The sexis amazing. He can do this thing—”
I put my hands over my ears to mute outLaura. “Ooh! Gross! Laura, you’re talking about my brother.”
“Oh yeah, sorry.”
I put my hands down. “Is that it? Thesex. Any other reasons?”
“No, not really.”
“Whatever you decide, whether or not hecomes crawling back, I mean what I said, Laura. Whatever you need.”
“I was hoping you would hold my handwhile I take a pregnancy test.”
“Of course, whatever you need. Did youbring one with you?”
“In the car?”
“Oh gosh. No. I mean to Las Vegas. Likein your bag.”
“No way! I knew I’d be sharing a room,and that’s the last kind of drama I need.”
“Oh yeah, that’s smart.” I can’t imaginewhat any of my family would say to Laura if they found a pregnancy test, but Ishudder at the thought.
“So that means we’re going to have to buyone.”
“Sure—okay. Um—maybe one of the places inthis mall will have one. I know it’s a huge mall. If not, I’ll ask Luke to—.”
“Kate!” Laura hisses at me.
“What?”
“You can’t ask Luke to go buy one.”
I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment.“Oh, no way. I was going to say to take us to a drugstore. Cole has been reallyweird about security lately.” I don’t dare tell her what’s really going on. Noneed to make her worry. She has enough on her plate.
“Oh.” Laura puts a hand over her chestand leans back in her seat. “Okay, you had me worried for a minute.”
“Yeah, no. This stays between me andyou.” I grab her face. “I love you like a fat kid loves cake. I’ve missed you.”And I hug her.
She hugs me back. “I’ve missed you. Andyou know I love you like a back-alley hooker loves her crack.”
CHAPTERFOUR
