Page 149 of Even Exchange

“I. Don’t. Know!” she shouts, shoving more stuff in the bag. “Somewhere I’m not a burden.”

“Char.” My voice cracks. I reach for her, but she steps away. “You arenota burden here.”

“How could I not be? It’s not your baby, Noah!” She throws her hands in the air. “You can stop faking it now.” She turns back to the vanity, and every item thrown in the bag jabs the wound more.

“You think I’m pretending?” My voice is calm, but inside there’s a black hole looming, ready to swallow me alive.

She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I think everything got real so fast, and the baby made you believe the feelings were real too. And it’s fine, I understand. I really appreciated the fake boyfriend act.” Her eyes meet mine. “But fake baby daddy? That’s insanity.”

Anger thrums through me. “Seriously?”

“I’m giving you an out,” she says, exasperated. “Take it.”

“An out?” I step towards her. “I don’t want an out.”

“Then what do you want?” she cries, spinning to face me, tears pouring down her face.

“I want you!” I plead, and her glistening eyes widen. “I want you. And Iwantthis baby.”

She analyzes me, stunned. “But why?”

“I told you I would be with you through all of this.”

“When you thought the baby was yours,” she points out.

“I still stand by my words.”

“Because you’re honorable.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. Heart aching.

“Then why?”

“Because!”Not like this.

“Because why? Why would you possibly want me? This?” She sobs, tears streaming down her face. “Why would you agree to stay with me when I’m carrying someone else’s baby?”

My phone rings for the hundredth time.“Che stress,”?1I groan, shooting a death glare towards the noise. If I don’t leave for practice right at this second, I might not only be benched but fired, and then where does that leave Charlotte and the baby? I have to provide for them. “Fuck,” I say, dragging a hand down my face.

“What’s wrong?”

“My coach gave me a late pass, but I can’t—I don’t?—”

“Go,” she says, with a weak smile.

“No. This is important.”

“So is your job.”

A year ago, I’d have already been at practice, saving the personal stuff for after the stadium lights went out. Funny how two words can change everything.

Even your priorities.

And yet…

“Please, don’t leave,” I beg. “We’ll continue this when I’m home tonight, okay?” She stays silent. “Okay,soffione?” I press, my voice cracking.

She nods. “Okay.”

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