Page 73 of Puck Sweat Love

He laughs as I drag him into the only bathroom in the cement-block section of this building and lock the door behind us, still looking bewildered as he asks, “Are you serious? Is this a fetish you’ve been keeping a secret from me, Teach?”

“No, it’s…” Trailing off, I reach into my bag and pull out the pregnancy test, holding it up between us with a rush of breath.

His eyes bulge and his smile falls away. “You’re serious? You think…”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I mean, it feels like it’s way too early for that to even be possible, and I’m not even due to start my period until tomorrow, but…” My voice trembles with a mixture of nerves and excitement, as I add, “I don’t know. I feel different. Tired and a little off and just…different. Like I’m not alone in here anymore. Is that crazy?”

“No. I mean, we have been fucking without protection like it’s our job.”

I bite my lip. “We have.”

His lips curve in a cautious smile. “So, yeah, it’s not crazy. Are you going to take it now?”

I nod, tearing the box open as I start for the toilet, my heart leaping into my throat. “Yep. Turn around.”

He arches a brow. “Seriously? I’ve had my tongue buried in your pussy and a thumb up your ass while you come and you’re shy about me watching you pee?”

“Yes. Turn around,” I command, unable to keep the laughter from my voice, as I add, “I’m serious Theodore. Peeing is private. And I’m nervous. Turn!”

He grunts, but turns to face the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why are you nervous?” he asks over his shoulder. “You still feel ready to start a family, right?”

I drop my yoga pants and sit on the toilet. “Yes. It’s just…a big change. And a huge responsibility.” I follow the instructions, peeing on the stick, replacing the cap on the top, and thenplacing it on the edge of the sink, before I flush. When I’m decent again, I add, “Okay, you can turn around. We have to wait three minutes.”

I turn on the water, catching his gaze in the mirror as I wash my hands.

He looks nervous, too. But excited. And something else I can’t quite put my finger on…

“What are you thinking?” I ask.

“Parenting classes,” he says. “I should sign up for some. Do they have those around here?”

“I’m not sure,” I say, drying my hands and tossing the paper towel before turning to face him. “But there are lots of good books about parenting these days. We can read some together, if you want.”

He nods a little too fast. “Yeah. I would.”

“Why?” I ask in a softer voice. “Are you worried you won’t know what to do? Because I really think you will, babe. You’re such a great dog dad. Just a natural.”

He grunts.

“Yeah, I know a dog isn’t a kid, but caring is caring and nurturing is nurturing,” I say before adding in a drier tone, “So glad I speak grunt fluently at this point.”

His lips twitch, but the promised smile doesn’t form. “I just don’t want to fuck it up, Teach. I didn’t grow up with parents I could use as role models.”

“No,” I agree. “But you have my mom and dad now, and they adore you. I’m sure they’d be happy to give us advice any time we ask for it.” I arch a brow. “And probably when wedon’task for it, too.”

“Your parents are great,” Tank says.

“I agree. Aside from pushing me a little too hard academically in the areastheythought were most important, I have no complaints,” I say. “Though I don’t want to repeat thatpattern. I want our kid to feel free to honor their own unique purpose on the planet, even if that isn’t becoming a doctor or a lawyer or a hockey player or a yogi or…whatever.”

“Our kid,” he echoes, his gaze softening.

“Half you, half me,” I whisper, my heart swelling as I step in, bracing my hands on his chest. “God help the world.”

He exhales a soft laugh, the sound vibrating into my palms. “Nah, I think?—”

He cuts off as my phone timer chimes in the side pocket of my yoga pants.

We both freeze for a beat, before I grab the phone and quickly turn it off, my pulse rushing so fast, I suddenly feel dizzy.

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