Page 53 of Bad Boy for Hire
“I had a scare a few weeks ago. I bought two two-packs of pregnancy tests.” Lou leveled May with a look. “Which means I have one unopened two-pack in the drawer of my vanity.”
“Oh my God.” Elliott gripped May’s arm. “You have to take it. We can find out together.”
“And when it’s negative, we’re doing shots. Sober September be damned,” Lisa stated.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that. I—” But May cut herself off. The truth was she’d purchased her own two-pack of pregnancy tests on Wednesday but hadn’t had the courage to take either of them. She’d sat on the edge of the tub in her bathroom, the pharmacy bag on her lap, and had read and reread the directions on the box before stowing it beneath the sink.
“Wouldn’t you rather know?” Lou asked gently.
“And wouldn’t you rather find out with all of us here?” Lisa asked, her own tone softer.
Elliott patted May’s arm. “Come on. I’ll walk with you.”
Before May meant to, her eyes filled with tears. Her friends rallying around her when she was scared and worried was a gift. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about the possibility of pregnancy except Xavier. Even then, they’d barely spoken of it.
She’d convinced herself that her friends would judge her, but she’d been projecting. She was the one who’d been judging herself for being “irresponsible.” No one else was accusing her of that.
“Have you at least had more sex since then?” Lisa asked with a smirk.
“Yes, plenty of it. All protected,” May said.
“Sort of bad news, good news, isn’t it?” Lou asked. “If it’s negative, shots and partying tonight. If it’s positive, no condom needed for future Xavier encounters.”
May’s stomach flipped. She placed her hand on her abdomen and breathed in and out slowly.
“You scared her,” Elliott accused Lou.
“No. I’m doing it to myself.” May sighed. “I have my own pregnancy tests at home but was too afraid to take them. I think this is the Universe’s way of telling me it’s time.”
“You’re sure?” Lou gave May ample space to make up her mind.
May nodded.
The four of them headed to Lou’s former bedroom, now her office.
“I took the test here instead of at home. I didn’t want Ant to freak out. Or make him overly excited.” Lou chuckled. “I wanted to know for sure before I rang that bell.”
“Makes sense,” May agreed. “Having a baby is a big decision.” Especially when she hadn’t “decided” to have one.
Oh, man. Now her heart was racing.
“Periods are late all the time,” Elliott said. “Women are creatures of change. Don’t be too alarmed.”
“Thanks, guys.” May shut herself into the bathroom and tore open the tests before she thought better of it. As luck would have it, it was the same brand she had at home, and she’d practically memorized the instructions.
Five minutes later, she’d peed on both sticks, washed her hands, and was standing at the bathroom door trying to wrap her head around the matched set of results.
She depressed the handle and peeked through the crack of the door. Lisa, who had been sitting at Lou’s desk, stood. “Lou and Elliott went for refills. I told them to bring four shots, because I know you’re not?—”
May burst into tears. She couldn’t help herself. She was in Lisa’s arms a moment later. A moment after that, she was enveloped in Lou’s and Elliott’s embraces as well.
Once they’d shushed her, stroked her back, and talked to her in soft voices for a few minutes, she was ready to tell them.
“I’m pregnant.” She showed both sticks, two blue lines on each, and offered a watery smile. “They’re right. I know they are.”
“Oh, hon.” Lou took the tests from her hands. “How are you feeling about it?”
“You have options.” Lisa, ever the action-taker, would drive her to a clinic tonight and bang on the door until they opened if May asked.
