Page 5 of Unrivaled

Maddy makes a disgruntled sound. “Yes. We absolutely are. She can find her own way home.”

Before I can register another protest, we’re out the front door and into the night. I manage to shake off Maddy and shoot a text to Heidi letting her know we’re leaving and asking what happened. She responds that it’s fine and she’ll talk to me later.

Rolling my eyes, I follow Maddy to the car.

I guess that’s my decision made for me, though. I won’t be giving my number to Grayson Kilpatrick. And I’m definitely not planning on finding a Ridgeview party to crash for another hookup. This was fun for sure. But not a habit I’m trying to form.

* * *

About six weeks later

Another wave of nausea overwhelms me as I sit on the closed toilet lid, watching the seconds on my phone timer count down one by one. I hit stop just before the timer goes off, picking up the pregnancy test with shaking hands.

Two lines.

I double check the box to make sure it means what I think it means, then look at the test again to make sure I’m not hallucinating, swallowing down the bile threatening to rise up at the confirmation of what I suspected.

It’s positive.

I’m pregnant.

Dropping the test in the trash, I scramble off the toilet, throw open the lid, and throw up the little bit of water that’s all I’ve had this morning.

How is this possible? Carter and I were always careful. And the one other person I’ve slept with in my life used a condom.

Sinking to the ground, I rest my head on my arm propped on the edge of the toilet.

“Fuck,” I whisper quietly.

No matter who the father is, I’m screwed.

CHAPTER ONE

Four years later

Gray

Raising a hand, I wave at my buddy Jackson who’s waiting for me under a grouping of trees. He lifts his chin in acknowledgment, but doesn’t otherwise respond to my confused look. We normally meet outside the athletics center for our workouts. Why would he text me to meet him here?

My eyes stray to the girl standing with him.

That’s a potentially interesting development. Jackson isn’t known for his prowess with the ladies. Too shy and too oblivious. I’ve heard rumors that he might be gay, but given how he blushes any time someone mentions a girl liking him, I don’t get that vibe.

Perhaps there’s something going on with the two of them? Especially if he’s delaying meeting up with me for our workout.

As I get closer, my confusion turns to speculation. She looks familiar, but I can’t quite place why. I give her profile another scan—blond hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, cute little nose, layers of sweater and jacket obscure her figure, though when she turns I catch a glimpse of cleavage above the V-neck of the shirt she has on beneath all those layers. Purple joggers, sneakers, and a tote bag slung over one shoulder round out the look. It’s the same outfit every other college chick puts on who doesn’t feel like making an effort when they roll out of bed for class in the morning, but somehow she makes it look cute and sexy. I can see why Jackson would find her attractive. Hell,Ifind her attractive.

Following Jackson’s line of sight, she turns her head, looks at me, and freezes. Her soft, pink lips parted in shock, her eyes widening as she takes me in. Then her mouth snaps shut and her gaze turns distinctly chilly. I swear ice forms over the blue pools of her irises, at odds with the rare sunny and above-freezing early January day.

She makes a show of checking her phone, then turning to Jackson. “Well, I gotta go. See you next class.”

Clutching the strap of her bag tightly, she pivots and brushes past me, leaving a hint of some flowery girly scent in her wake.

I watch her march away until she turns the corner and disappears from sight.

Huh.

That was a weird reaction. It’s almost like she knew who I was and … didn’t like me.

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