Page 46 of Abel

“Oh. Cool.”

“Alright, I’m gonna step out, Beth will knock three times before she comes in and the doctor will be in shortly after.”

“Thanks, Natalie.”

“My pleasure. Have a good day.” I love her bubbly attitude.

Taking the cup and following her instructions on how to get to the bathroom, I do my business, leave it where she said, and return to the room.

Beth raps on the door three times before she comes in and takes blood. That was super fast, like she was watching me from around the corner I giggle to myself.

“All done, hun. The doctor will be in soon.” I return her smile. No sooner than the door closed I lay back on the exam table.

In this position, I can see how pudgy I’ve gotten. People always say being in a healthy relationship will do that to you, but that’sa complete lie. I’m not in a relationship with my two besties, but we do eat well.

Josephine’s Sweet Delights Bakery is part of the blame. Out of the three of us, I’m the one with the most restraint. Lately, I’ve been caving under the pressure.

“Damn, Camden. It’s all his fault for introducing me to that place.” I mutter to myself as the door pops open.

“Hello, Miss Huntington. I’m Doctor Micha Shepard.” His hand extends out to me and I quickly sit up to greet him. “Is it your first time here?”

“No, I usually see Dr. Forbes, but since he retired, they set me up with you when I called to make an appointment.”

“Ah, no worries. I’ll just check your vitals while you tell me what’s been going on.” So, once again, I tell him everything.

I’m so wrapped up in explaining things, I never even noticed Natalie walk back in the room.

Helping me lay back, he says, “So, you’ve been having abdominal pain?”

“Not really pains, just the occasional cramp here and there.” I admit.

“And when do you normally get those?” He asks.

Tapping my fingers against the plastic sheet covering the bed, I think about it. “Usually when I’m super hungry or gassy.” He begins prodding and feeling around my belly, for what, I’m not entirely sure.

He asks a few more questions, tells me that he’s waiting on my labs to come back, and that he’ll be back shortly with the results.

This gives me a moment to think about the what ifs.

What if Abel were thinking about me as much as I think about him lately?

What if I were to go back to that club just to see if I could find him again?

What If - My thoughts are cut short when Dr. Forbes and Natalie come back in with smiles on their faces. “Well, it looks like congratulations are in order.” He says, clapping his hands.

Frowning, I ask, “What do you mean?”

“You’re pregnant.” Lies.

“No, I’m not.”“Actually you are, about eleven weeks to be exact.” He reassures me.

“No, I can’t get pregnant. I’m on the pill.” So many emotions run through me as I try to process what he’s saying.

“That may be true, and you need to stop taking those. Have you taken antibiotics within the last few months?” He asks, prompting me to try and remember that far back.

I had an ear infection that one time, but… And then it hits me like a ton of bricks as I whisper, “Amoxicillin.” And then my world goes black.

Chapter Seventeen