Page 36 of Delayed Penalty

“Absolutely. Just let me know when and I’ll come pick you up.”

“You don’t have to do?—”

“It’s not up for discussion, just let me know the details, okay?”

“Fine. Look, I don’t mean to just spring this on you and leave, but Kelly’s waiting for me.”

“You know I can give you a ride home, right?”

“Now I do, but at the time I was worried you might hate me and it was best to have an escape route.”

“I could never hate you, Avery. Nothing could make me.”

She just smiles. “I’ll text you tomorrow with the details.”

Then she’s gone, and I’m left with the realization that in some fucked up way, I just got the one things I have always wanted.

Now I just have to show her how great we can be as a team, because ready or not, we’re about to become mom and dad.

Chapter Fourteen

Avery

I’ve never felt more like an actual grown up than the moment I have to call and schedule an appointment because I’m pregnant, but even at twenty-four, I still have to prepare myself to say the words out loud.

It’s scary because the only people who know I’m pregnant are Kelly and Harris, so telling the ladies at the doctor’s office was pretty weird. It’s like I feel like I have a neon sign over my head that says,I got knocked up from pre-marital sex from a hook up the night I left my fiancé.Little bit of a mouthful but it’s embarrassing none the less.

“Did he say why he wanted to pick you up?” Kelly asks as she cooks the kids macaroni for lunch while we wait for Harris to come get me for our first appointment.

“No, but he was pretty adamant about it. Honestly, it wasn’t worth the fight even though I’m perfectly capable of driving myself.”

Kelly just smirks, and thankfully doesn’t say anything. She’s spent the last couple of weeks trying to gently push me toward talking to Harris more, but I’ve been holding back, and I can’t pinpoint why. Kelly has mentioned that maybe I should give living with him a shot. It would allow us to get to know eachother again—I could figure my life out, plus, she could use her space back, it’s been a little hectic.

But I can’t bring myself to say yes. I mean, I’ve checked in with him daily because honestly, the man has been more obsessive over my health than I have and if I didn’t check in I’m positive he’d come find me.

I think it’s partially because he knows how awful I’ve been feeling this entire time. Pregnancy hasn’t been too gentle on me, I’ve thrown up every single day for nearly the last seven weeks and I’ve been more exhausted than I’ve ever been in my life. Thank God I have the summer off because I can’t imagine having to go to work every day feeling like this.

Praise the women who do because this shit ain’t for the weak.

“Drop it, Kelly.”

“I’m just saying, you gave Peter fifty-seven million chances and he never put in the effort Harris is putting in for you. And he’s doing this for someone who’s made it clear they’re just friends? Just saying you’re looking a little scared, sis.”

“I’m not afraid, I’m just being smart.”

“Smart by not spending time with him? I think if there’s ever a time to consider giving someone a second chance, it’s probably the time you’re carrying their baby, but that might just be me trying to be logical.”

Thankfully, I’m saved from having to come up with a response to that because my phone rings, letting me know that Harris is here.

“Gotta go find out for sure if I’ve got a tiny little alien growing inside of me before I alert the presses and set fire to my life,” I say, grabbing my purse with a heavy sigh.

“Goodbye, drama queen! Go get pictures of that little bean before I demand to come with you!” she says, pushing me out the door before going back to feed her kids.

When I see Harris, the first thing I notice is how damn excited he looks, his eyes immediately dropping to my belly, and I can see he is genuinely thrilled he’s going to be a dad.

“Hey,” he says with a smile as he opens the car door for me. “How are you doing? Do you need anything before we go?”

“Hey, no, I think I’ll be okay,” I say back as I get into the car, trying to swallow my nerves while he’s practically skipping his way back to the driver’s side. The second he’s back in, he’s taking the seat belt from me and buckling me in like he’s worried I've forgotten how to take care of myself or something.

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