Page 41 of The Coach

Her voice is quieter now.

“Sorry. I had to.”

“Have a sip for me, please,” I joke.

Her gaze softens, the teasing edge gone.

“Ivy, this is levels of huge I was not ready for when you texted me to come over.”

I let out a long, slow sigh. “I know.”

Lauren reaches for my hand, squeezing gently. “How are you feeling?”

I exhale, rubbing my forehead. “Like my brain short-circuited. I mean, IknewI was pregnant. I just didn’t knowwhohe was until today.”

Lauren nods, processing. “And you haven’t talked to him? At all?”

“No. And he never reached out, so I assumed…I don’t know, that he moved on. That I wasn’t important to him.”

Lauren shakes her head, eyes flicking back to the screen where Jackson’s face is frozen in time.

“Well,” she says, firm but kind. “Youhaveto tell him.”

I groan, sinking deeper into the couch. “Lauren.”

“Nope. I don’t make the rules.” She holds up a hand. “You don’t get tonottell him, Ivy. This isn’t just about you.”

I press my palms into my eyes. “Iknow.I just…I need to think.”

Lauren watches me for a beat, then squeezes my hand again.

“Okay. I’ll give you time,” she says, her voice gentler now.

I relax slightly.

“But not too much time,” she adds, giving me a pointed look. “Because this baby isnotgoing to stay a secret forever. You met him in early May…it’s early September. You’re going to really start showing soon. Andeveryoneis going to start asking you questions.”

I exhale slowly, my mind spinning.

She’s right.

I just don’t know if I’m ready.

I laugh. “Even if Iwantedto, what am I supposed to do here? Call him? Go to a game and ask to see him? Where do I even start? Plus, he didn't want to see me again! It feels so weird, Lauren."

“Okay, first of all? I need you to take a deep breath before you spiral into an overthinking coma.”

I huff out a breath, dragging my hands through my hair. “I’m not spiraling.”

Lauren gives me a look. “Babe. You just found out your baby’s father is a literal NFL coach. You’reallowedto spiral. But only for, like, five more minutes. Then we make a plan. Spiraling, even if it’s understandable, is not helpful.”

I let my head fall back against the couch. “A plan.”

“Yes. A plan.” She takes a sip of her drink. “Because you are not going to just sit here for the next five months hoping the baby slides out and Jackson Knox never finds out and we all live in ignorant bliss. That’s not an option and you know it.”

I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Iknow.”

Lauren plops onto the couch next to me, legs curled under her. “Alright, so let’s go through your options.”

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