Page 33 of Delayed Penalty

“Either I’m puking with relief or puking because I’ll have to tell Harris he’s going to be a dad—fuck, even the thought of having to say that makes me want to puke.”

Spoiler Alert: It’s option two.

“What the fuckam I going to do?” I ask from my spot on the kitchen floor, the cold tile helping me not want to vomit every two seconds. “At least, this makes sense as to why I’ve been throwing up for like two weeks. Whoever the fuck called it morning sickness deserves to be punched in the dick for false advertising.”

“How do you know it was a dude?”

“Because there’s no way a woman would be stupid enough to call it that when it’s far from just in the fucking morning. But out of everything I said, that’s what we’re focusing on?” I groan.

“Tou-fucking-ché. I didn’t think your other question needed an answer because we both know what you need to do is text thatman that you need to talk to him. Until you do that, we can’t do anything.

I’ve been lying on the floor for the last hour, my phone in hand as I’ve been trying to get up the courage to text Harris. There’s not a chance in hell I’m going to text him this information, even I’m not that insensitive. This is life changing information for both of us. Hell, the two of us are about to become parents… together. If this isn’t some cosmic karma bullshit for everyone involved, I’m not sure what is.

I don’t want to text him this. I don’t even want to text him that I need to talk. Even that just feels too impersonal when what I want to talk to him about is so… big.

“Okay… how would you feel about doing me a big favor?” I ask, sitting up against the cabinets as I wait to see if I’m going to hurl.

“What’s the big favor?” Kelly asks apprehensively.

“Any chance you could drive me to his place? I sort of think I just need to be face-to-face with him to have this conversation. I think if I text him, I’ll chicken out.”

“So, you’re just going to show up?”

“I mean, he did it, didn’t he?”

“Fair point. I mean, he brought chicken soup and you’re bringing impending parenthood with you, basically apples and oranges, if you ask me,” Kelly deadpans.

“Fuck off. Are you taking me or not?”

“Only if you shower. I’m not letting you in my car until you don’t smell like vomit.”

I look down, my hair still sticky from sweat, cracker crumbs on me and I’m sure she’s not wrong that there’s vomit on me since it’s all I’ve been doing.

“Fair.”

I guess I’m doing this. I guess I’m really about to tell Harris I’m pregnant—and that he’s the dad. I’m nowhere ready tounpack the emotions surrounding having something I always dreamed of having one day coming true, yet somehow it’s a nightmare.

The man I’ve loved since I was eighteen years old, the man I dreamed of having a family with is about to be the father of my child… only we’re not together.

Fuck my life.

Chapter Thirteen

Harris

Sawyer

I can’t wait to start shopping and buying all of the baby stuff imaginable.

Cassie

girl same! I’ve been adding things to my amazon cart since we found out you guys were expecting!

Ellie

You ladies are so sweet! This little nugget is going to be so spoiled, I can already tell.

Trevor

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