Page 252 of The Baby Bargain
And I'm going to bitch slap the idiot trying to put me in my place.
Verbally at least.
"We need to talk." His voice is steady, even, calm.
"You need to go."
"Ariel."
"Saying my name in that tone isn't helping your case."
"Chase is miserable."
My cheeks get hot. "And, what, that's my fault? Fuck you, Forest. You're the one who told him this can't happen. You're the one who looked at him like he betrayed you. You're the one who made him miserable." I push him again, a little harder. "Get out of my way. Now."
"What the fuck, Ariel?"
"Excuse you?"
"My best friend got you pregnant and you didn't think to tell me."
"It's none of your business."
His eyes turn down. "You're my sister."
Fuck this. I can move around him. I don't need to convince him to move. He's unconvinceable.
"Ariel."
"Stop it." I take a step backward.
He follows. "What happened?"
"I'm going upstairs." I move faster. Turn at the table. Break into a jog.
My hand hits the railing.
My feet find the stairs.
I make it halfway up, then his voice stops me.
"I'm sorry." Forest moves toward the stairs. "You're right."
What?
"It wasn't my place to say that. You're an adult. You can make your own decisions."
"You realize that?"
"But, Ariel—"
"Nope." I should run to my room. I should lock the door, blast the stereo, refuse to speak to him. But I need to say this. "My life. My body. My decisions. You don't get a say."
"You're twenty four. Why—"
Frustration surges through my veins. I just have to say it. That's the only way he'll understand. "I'm a carrier."
"What?" His hands fall to his sides. His dark eyes fill with fear. "You're… you're sick?"
