Page 73 of Catnip, Claws, and Chaos

“Fine,” I snap, then immediately feel like a jerk. My face burns. “Sorry for being a bitch. No coffee all day, and I'm losing my mind.” Even thinking about coffee makes my stomach do a sick flip.

“No coffee? Why not?” Sarah tilts her head, giving me a once-over that takes in my greasy hair and death-warmed-over complexion.

“Just the smell makes me wanna puke my guts out.” I hug myself without meaning to, wrapping my arms around my middle as if I'm protecting something. Sarah's eyes bug out. “Don't.” I shoot my hand up, cutting her off. “I'm not pregnant. This'll prove it.” I snatch the paper bag from her and stomp toward the bedroom, faking confidence I do not feel.

“If you say so,” she mutters, following me.

Logan's bathroom is ridiculous, with all its marble like something out of a magazine. The shower where he had his hands all over me this morning takes up half the damn wall. I yank down my jeans and underwear, then plant my ass on the toilet. The plastic test feels cold as I position it. Sarah appears in the mirror like some bathroom-summoned ghost.

“Do you mind?” My voice cracks. “Can't pee with you staring at me.”

“We've been peeing together since we were five.” Sarah parks herself on the edge of Logan's massive tub, swinging one leg nervously. “Remember fourth grade? When we both got food poisoning from those nasty-ass cafeteria fish sticks?”

I actually laugh. Meanwhile, my bladder decides now's the perfect time to lock up tighter than Fort Knox.

“Stage fright.” I groan. “My stupid body's screwing me over.”

“Water sounds?” Sarah's already turning on the faucet, then the shower, then the tub. The bathroom fills with so much running water it's like sitting in Niagara Falls. Still nothing.

“Sing something,” I beg, desperate enough to try anything.

Sarah launches into “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” her voice cracking on the high notes. It's awful, and yet the combo finally works. Sweet relief as my body stops being an asshole. I set the test on the counter and wash my hands.

“How long?” I ask, not daring to look at the plastic stick of doom.

“Three minutes.” Sarah checks her watch.

Fuck that. Every second feels like an hour. I can't breathe. Can't think. Panic explodes through me, and I bolt for the door, not even glancing at that stupid plastic stick.

“Emily!” Sarah lunges after me, her skinny frame surprisingly solid as she grabs my arm in the doorway. “Where the hell are you going?”

“Not pregnant,” I insist as tears spill over. “Not pregnant, not pregnant, not pregnant.” The words dissolve into pathetic hiccups.

“Shh.” Sarah brushes hair out of my face as if I'm one of her kindergartners with a scraped knee. “Whatever happens, we're in this together. But we gotta know the truth first.”

“I'm not?—”

“I know what you're saying.” Her voice goes all firm-teacher on me. “But if you were so damn sure, we wouldn't be standing here with a pee stick in the bathroom, would we?”

My shoulders sag. “Logan would never forgive me.” The words barely escape my throat. “He'd hate me for this.”

“Emily, Logan seems a pretty decent guy. If—and it's a big if—you're pregnant, he'd man up.”

“You don't get it.” My head shakes so hard my brain rattles. “He doesn't want kids. He doesn't even wantme.”

“Breathe.” Sarah clamps her hands on my shoulders, anchoring me before I spiral completely. “Slow and deep.”

I suck air through my nose and blow out through my mouth. It barely helps.

“One clusterfuck at a time,” Sarah says, stroking my cheek. “First, we need to?—”

My phone screams to life, nearly giving me a heart attack. I fumble it with sweaty hands, fighting to unlock the screen.What if it's Logan? What the hell would I even say?Surprise! Remember that thing you never wanted? Might be growing inside me right now!The screen stays stubbornly locked under my frantic tapping.

Sarah pulls out her phone. “It's Kate,” she says, answering and putting it to her ear.

I stare at my silent phone like an idiot. Jesus, I'm losing it.

“Okay, hold on.” Sarah hits a button. “You're on speaker.”

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