Page 130 of Even Exchange

We grab her bags and take the elevator to her floor in silence.

Was it the phone call?

Was it the thing with her mom?

Was it something I did?

We arrive at her door, and she unlocks it, bringing us inside. Andi and Stella are sitting on the couch, and their eyes widen.

“Hey!” they exclaim, jumping up to greet us.

“Hi…” I say, following Charlotte to her room, and set down her things.

She rushes back out, and I trail her towards the front door.

“Thanks so much for helping me up here,” she says, opening it and gesturing outside for me to leave.

What the hell is going on?

The girls stare at me with creepy smiles on their faces, and I take the out, heading towards the door. When I pause in front of Charlotte, our eyes meet. I can’t for the life of me figure out what’s going on in that head of hers, but I can make sure she knows exactly where I stand. I slide my hand into her hair, and she releases a little sigh. Tugging her to me, I plant a firm kiss on her lips.

“Good night,soffione,” I mumble against her lips.

“Night, quarterback,” she murmurs.

I walk out the door, and it slams shut behind me.

For the second time, I’ve been thrown out of Charlotte Benson’s apartment.

25

CHARLOTTE

My back falls against the front door.

“What am I gonna do?” I say, and the girls rush to me. “Did you get what I asked for?”

“Yes,” Andi says, swallowing hard. “We got it.”

“Play us the voicemail,” Stella says as we walk to the couch, and I sit between them.

They put their arms around me as I pull out my phone, release a shaky breath, and hit play.

“Hey, Charlotte. It’s Coach Landry. I’m really sorry to do this over voicemail, but I’m heading on a trip for a few days without service, and I thought you’d want to know as soon as possible.” She sighs. “Your physical yesterday came back with a result I don’t think either of us were expecting. But, according to your urine test, you’re pregnant.”

The voicemail continues another minute about resources and reaching out to her for support, but the rest of it was drowned out by the sounds of Andi and Stella having a full-blown meltdown.

“How did this happen?”

“How far along are you?”

“Have you told Noah?” Andi asks.

“Clearly not,” Stella points out. “Given the way you threw him out of our apartment.”

“I did notthrowhim out,” I say, placing a hand over my chest, then suck in a breath. “I totally did.” My heart aches, and I jump to my feet. “He probably thinks he did something wrong.”

“I mean, he got you pregnant,” Stella points out.

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