Page 92 of Minus

He chuckled and started the water. “Take a quick shower, then we’re out of here.”

“What? Out of here, why?”

He took the hem of my tank top and lifted it over my head. “We’re starting your birthday trip early.”

“Honey, I don’t know if I can handle taking a trip right now. I’m still puking.”

He grabbed a white bottle off the counter. “Got stuff for that.”

“What do you mean?”

Doling out a pill, he handed it to me with a bottled water. “Take this. It’ll help.”

“Help what?” I asked with a huff. “What’s going on?”

“We’re going to Vegas,” he said, kissing me quickly.

“Vegas? What? No, why?”

“Wheels up in thirty,” he said, and left the room.

I took the pill and rushed through a shower, then dressed faster than I ever had. Walking into the kitchen, I noticed two carry-ons sitting beside the front door. “Jase, why are we going to Vegas? I don’t understand why there’s such a big rush.”

He handed me a couple of saltines and a pop, guiding me to the kitchen island.

“You and I are gettin’ married, Cricket.”

“I already told?”

“Zip it,” he said.

I wrinkled my nose. “Rude.”

“You and I are gonna be official, ’cause my kid’s not growin’ up a bastard.”

“Ohmigod, Jase, we’re not living in the nineteenth century.” I rolled my eyes. “And we haven’t even talked about kids. Do you want them?”

“Fuck, yeah, I do. Do you?”

“Yes, of course. I mean, eventually.”

He grinned, leaning his face close to mine. “Well, eventually’s here, baby. Eldie called last night. You’re pregnant.”

I gasped. “What?”

“I picked up pre-natals for you, and Eldie suggested a great anti-nausea pill, which I gave you, so we’ll see how that works.”

“Wait, honey, you’re going too fast. We can’t run away and elope. My brothers will kill me. And I always promised Poppy she could be a bridesmaid.”

“Shoulda thought about that before you refused all my other proposals, Cricket. You’re outta time now.”

“Okay, Dramakazi, calm down.”

“You feel good?”

“Yes, actually, I feel a lot better.”

“Good, got a car comin’ in a few minutes, so we can go ahead and lock up and head downstairs.”

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