Page 63 of Love Is Ale You Need

Dessa peers over my shoulder and sniffs. “They smell fine to me. What’s the expiration date on the jar say?” She spins the jar to find the printed date.

“When my sister was pregnant, she'd get nauseous from olives. Everything from how they smelled, how they looked. If they were anywhere near her, she’d gag. It was the strangest thing,” Lach says nonchalantly while continuing to fill the toothpick holders.

My eyes widen to the size of the cardboard coasters as my heart jumps to my throat. When I was pregnant with Abby, the pungent vinegar smell from pickle juice would have me running to the nearest toilet.

“Rylee? Are you okay? You look a little flushed,” Dessa asks.

I race past her, practically shoving her out of the way until I find the nearest garbage can. With both hands white knuckling the rim, I bend over and empty the contents of my stomach.

I rise and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “I think…I think I might be pregnant.”

“With Trey’s baby?” Dessa asks.

“Oh, shit’s about to get real,” Lach says at the same time.

I nod my head. How am I supposed to push him out of my life when we could be having a child together? Let alone having a child with someone who doesn’t want kids. Bile creeps up my throat again and I shove my face back into the garbage can.

“Take the rest of the day off. We’ll tell Jake you’re under the weather. Which technically, with all the vomit, isn’t a lie. Go buy yourself a pregnancy test to find out for sure.” Dessa rubs small circles over my shoulder blades.

Standing to my full height, I wipe my mouth. “Yeah. I guess I should find out before I jump to conclusions.” Even though I know my conclusions are right. If I thought shit was hard now, it’s about to get ten times harder.

* * *

I lay out the three different pregnancy tests I picked up at the drugstore on my way home. Best two out of three should give me my answer. I twist off the cap to my water bottle and chug half of it. I have an hour before I need to pick up Abby from the bus stop and in less than five minutes, I’ll know if my life is changing once again.

Reaching over, I grab the first stick, shove it between my legs, and do my thing. When I’m finished with the first one, I make quick work to pee the other two while my bladder is still full because I don’t think I can chug another bottle of water.

Once I’m finished, I flush, wash my hands, and wait. They say a watched pot never boils, well in my case, a watched pregnancy test never changes. In two long strides, I’m on the other side of the cramped bathroom. I spin around and repeat the process to the other side, needing something to do to rid myself of this nervous energy. I stop in front of the sink and lift the hem of my shirt over my stomach. With the pad of my finger, I run it along one of the stretch marks on my belly from my pregnancy with Abby. It makes sense why my pants have been a little more snug than normal, but I thought maybe it was from all the dinners with Trey. I splay my hand over my belly. Am I ready to do everything again? I’ve always wanted more kids. I just wish it was under different circumstances.

My apartment is only two bedrooms so I guess the baby will stay in my room for a while first and then he or she will have to share a room with Abby. But what am I going to do about work? Being a single mom and sole provider, I’ll need to return to work as soon as possible. I know Jake will do whatever he can to work with whatever schedule I need. Whatever happens, I’ll make it work. That’s what I do. That’s all I can do. But first I should find out If I’m actually pregnant before I conjure up an entire life plan.

With my eyes closed, I grip the edge of the vanity, needing something to keep me grounded in case I pass out. Slowly, I lift my eyelids. Staring back at me are three tests that all say the same thing. I blow out a slow breath before opening a drawer and sliding the tests inside.

I go next door to ask Marcie for a huge favor. Since she can’t let it stay a huge favor, and I don’t blame her, I give her a brief rundown of my current situation and how I need her to watch Abby for a couple hours while I talk to Trey. Luckily, she agrees.

I’ve paced my entire apartment about five times and only fifteen minutes have passed. I check my watch for the tenth time. Trey will be here any second now. My heart jumps out of my chest when a knock sounds on my door. I race to it and press my clammy palms against the cool wood and peer through the peephole. Trey’s smiling face greets me on the other side.

I twist the knob and pull. When Trey’s gaze meets mine, my stomach flip flops, all without the added help of pickle juice. I step to the side to give him enough room to pass through.

“I brought dinner. It’s a taco pizza because I know it’s your favorite.”

At least it’s not a bacon cheeseburger pizza like last time. It would be hard to explain the sudden urge to vomit. Or maybe not. It would really get the point across. As he passes me, he drops a kiss on my forehead. The gesture is sweet, and more than what I deserve for the amount of heartbreak I’m about to deliver.

He sets the pizza on the counter. “Where’s Abby?”

“She’s with Marcie.” I wring my hands together, avoiding eye contact. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, shit,” he mutters. “The expression on your face tells me it’s not a let’s talk about favorite sexual positions kind of talk.”

I huff out a laugh. Even in moments like this he can make me laugh. “No. Not that kind of talk, but something else”

“So, what is it?” In two steps, he’s standing in front of me. His hand running up and down my biceps in comfort. “Are you ending this exclusive friends with benefits?”

I shake my head. If he keeps going with all the possible worst-case scenarios, he’ll eventually get there.

He lifts my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Then what is it? Are you dying?”

I shake my head again, pressing my lips together. Moisture collects in the corners, blurring my vision.

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