Page 82 of The Red Zone
God, how did we get so lucky?
Shit. Why are these pregnancy hormones making me so emotional?
“Were you guys trying?”
“I mean… we were definitely practicing.” We both threw our heads back with a laugh. I mean, sure, October and I might’ve gotten a little risky on their wedding weekend after I left my birth control at home. Growing up Scarlett’s mom always told us, “one time matters,” but I never realized the full weight of that saying until now.
My legs started to feel weak. What was October going to think about this?
“Now that you’re pregnant with his kid, I have a confession.”
“Oh, God. Should I sit down? Let me sit down.” I dropped back onto the closed toilet seat lid.
“Remember your surprise birthday party a few years ago?”
“How could I forget? It’s not every day you get mounds of hors devours dropped on you.”
Not only that, but that was the night that changed everything for October and I. It was the first time we had allowed ourselves to be vulnerable with one another—in more ways than one, if you know what I mean. So much changed that night, and looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful for it.
“Yeah, sooo, about that… Imighthave paid that server to bump into you knowing that you’d fall backward into October’s lap.”
“What?” I gasped. “You were the one responsible for my twisted ankle? How’s that possible? That server looked so remorseful!”
“I know. Who would’ve guessed that I’d ask the one out of work actor, of all people? And in my defense, I didn’t think you’d twist your ankle. I just thought you would fall into his lap and chat or something.”
“Or something?” I repeated, like she hadn’t been the one pushing for the two of us to become friends with benefits all along. “I can’t believe you—”
“Before you finish that sentence, I should probably tell you I’m also the one who tipped off October about Bobby being weird with you at Lea’s party.”
“I can’t be mad about that one.” I lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. “Any other confessions you’d like to startle me with?”
“Well, since you asked…”
“I was joking…” I trailed off, raising both brows. “But now you’re telling me there’s more?”
“Yup,” Scarlett said, straightening her posture and drawing back her shoulders. “Remember when we were all in New York in February after winning The League Bowl?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, that horse-drawn carriage wasn’t for you and October to ride off in after the engagement.”
“Excuse me, what?” My mouth dropped open.
Scar doubled over in laughter. “You were both so blinded with happiness that you didn’t notice when Lea paid the driver to go along with it and pretend like you guys were the couple he was picking up.”
“Oh, my god.” Heat flooded to my cheeks. “What happened to the other couple?”
“No idea.” Scar hunched her shoulders upward. “Lea said she took care of it. Whatever that means.”
“Jesus, were you responsible for his neck injury when we first got together, too?”
“No, that was the other guy’s fault. But if I had known…” She raised her brows at the idea.
“Scarlett!”
“What? I’m just kidding.” Scarlett laughed. “When are you going to tell October?”
“I mean… right now, I guess?” I shuffled to my feet, pushing my hair out of my face. “I’ve never done this. Am I supposed to wait or something?”
