Page 56 of The Art of Deception

I’m sure it hasn’t even been the full three, but I can’t wait any longer, so I pick up the stick. My eyes narrow, but I peek at the display to see a smiley face brightly illuminated.

My stomach falls through the floor, my eyes shoot wide open while I bring the stick closer to examine it. A tidal wave of emotions erupts through my body as I flush with a surge of heat. I’m so hot as I grab the front of my dress and fan it.

I can’t place the emotions running through me.

Am I happy?

Am I freaking out?

I’m simply unsure.

The only thing Iamsure of is that I’m pregnant.

With Xander’s baby.

No, with Alex’s baby.

Right now, I can’t fathom what the hell I’m going to do with this information.

Abruptly, my stomach swirls as bile creeps up my throat. My stomach lurches as I jump, spinning around before I’m physically ill into the bowl. I cough and splutter, heaving as tears prick my eyes.

Eventually, I slump onto the tiled floor.

Then, shock hits me.

I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do.

I have no one to turn to for advice.

No mother or father I can run to who will help me.

No sister to give me a pep talk.

I’m all alone in this.

There’s only one thing I can do—suck it up and go home. So, I sniff back my emotions, flush, and grab my things, including my positive test. I might not be sure how to feel, but this baby is a part of me. Whether I like it or not, it’s happening—this test stick is worth keeping.

Standing, I straighten myself out and rinse my mouth withwater. I pack the test back in the box and place it in the paper bag, then head to my car and home.

Now I understand what’s been going on for the last month or so.

Why I have felt so off.

I’m pregnant.

Holy shit.

Still, with the amount of sex we were having, and the fact my brain left town barebacking for most of it, I guess I can’t blame anyone but myself.

I take a breath before I turn the handle and walk through my front door. I place my bag and things on the counter as I walk in, making sure to keep the tests with me. The house smells of a baking cake as Greta walks out of the kitchen to greet me. Her expression instantly tells me she knows something’s up.

She steps up to me, glancing down at the paper bag I’m holding, then back up at me. “I’ve been watching you the past month. You’re running yourself ragged. What’s going on with you?”

Exhaling, I open the bag handing her the positive test back in its container without saying a word.

Greta exhales, her body slouching. “This is okay. Every life is a precious life, my dear. We will get through this together. If you need me more, I’ll be here, for you, for Levi, no matter what you need.”

My heart warms with the love oozing from Greta. I’d be so lost without her. It’s only now that I realize I’m not alone. I have her, I have Levi, I have Jana, Hogtie, Gigi, and Skins. If I need any of them, they would come at any time.

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