Page 164 of Even Exchange

“Because…” The words fall off my tongue.

“Because youthoughtit was Noah’s,” he says with a sarcastic laugh.

I look down at my feet, unable to conjure up any words. Am I ashamed? Am I sad? Am I angry? Why should he care? “Yeah.”

“So why are you telling me now?”

“Because I thought you’d want to know about a child that is literallyhalfof you?”

“Well, if you wouldn’t have blocked me, you could have saved yourself a trip.”

My mouth falls open. Okay, I’ve decided. I’m angry. No, I’m furious. “In case you forgot, the only reason I blocked you is because youcheatedon me.”

He releases a heavy breath. “Can we not start this again?”

“Start this?” I laugh humorously.

“I don’t…” His eyes drop to my stomach. “I just—I can’t deal with this.” He turns towards the house, and I grab his shoulder.

“Where are you going?”

“Like I said.” He wiggles out of my grasp. “I don’t need this.”

“So, what? You’re walking away?” I don’t know what I expected from him, but as the memories of our past pounded into my mind, I guess I thought he’d at least want to be involved.

“Charlie, I’m a sophomore and already getting calls from prospective NFL teams,” he says as if that’s even remotely relevant.

“And?”

“And do you think they’re going to want some guy who has a fucking baby at twenty?”

“Okay, let me get this straight,” I say calmly. “You don’t want to be involved at all in your child’s life because youmighthave a shot at the NFL?”

“Let me make this easy for you,” he says, pulling out his wallet and shoving something in my hand.

“What the fuck is this?” I ask, glancing down at a few crumpled hundred-dollar bills.

“That should cover an abortion.”

I gasp. “Anabortion? I’mfivemonths pregnant!”

“Okay?” he says with a puzzled expression. “Are they more expensive when you’re that far along?” He digs in his wallet again.

“No,” I seethe, swatting it out of his hand. “I don’t needmoremoney. I’mnotgetting an abortion!”

“Well, I’mnotbeing involved, so consider this my only child support.”

“I don’t want your money!” I scream at the top of my lungs, throwing the cash at him, unable to shove down the anger exploding out of me.

“If anyone asks if that’s my baby, I’ll deny it,” he says, bending down to collect the bills and his wallet.If only I’d done the same.“I don’t want anything to do with it,” he spits out, standing to his full height, and our eyes connect. “Or you.”

And just like that, the roses are wilted, there are cracks in the stairs, and the front door is only an exit.

His eyes dart behind me, becoming murderous as Elijah appears at my side.

“Go to the truck, Char,” Elijah says, gaze glued to Jonathan’s.

“It’s okay, I’m?—”

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