Page 31 of Accidentally Falling
ARDEN: The egg shaped ones are the best
JUDE: Agreed
I’mthankful for the momentary reprieve, but it’s not enough to save me from what Ihaveto do.
I need to tell my mother I’m pregnant.
I should have told her the moment I found out, because out of everyone in this world, she's the one that should understand. But there’s something about having to admit to her that I made the same mistake that she did all those years ago that I can't shake. She’s never once told me that I wasn’t the best thing that ever happened to her, but what would her life have been if things had been different? What would our life have looked like if Evan had stayed? If he had chosen my mom instead of Ellison’s?
Those choices are decades old and I know in my heart I can’t dwell on the past, but it’s that past that brought me to Blackstone Falls.
And it’s that past that acted like a catalyst the night everything happened with Jude.
Tapping my fingers on the side of my laptop, I try and ground myself. I’ve been able to hide my pregnancy for this long, butI can’t wait much more. I brushed off her concern when I was tired or moody saying I was just overworked, and until a few weeks ago, that had been the truth.
Debating only a minute more, I set my computer on the couch beside me and stand, undoing and redoing my hair in a ponytail as I shuffle around the house. With my keys and purse in hand, I step out into the sunshine, the air warm as I get into my car and turn it on.
“One of Them Girls” by Lee Brice plays through the speakers, my hands shaking a little as I put the car in reverse and grip the wheel.
I can do this.
She’s going to understand.
I want to believe that, but the closer I get to her rental, the harder it is to believe it. Pulling over next to a littlepay herestand with glass jars full of freshly cut flowers, I fish a ten from my purse and drop it into the box before selecting one jar for my mom.
I think they’re dahlias. The huge blooms with pink and orange petals look cheerful asit’s a girlwhispers in my mind. I know it’s too soon to tell, but I feel it in my bones.
We’re gonna be okay.
Placing the flowers on the passenger seat, I drive the last few minutes to the small white, farmhouse-style rental with the red front door and shutters. My mother has already tackled the flowerbeds, something that brings me absolutely no joy because I hate weeding. They look great; maybe I can convince her to do mine.
Parking the car, I grab the flowers and push open the door.
“I wasn’t expecting you today,” my mother says, her dark hair pulled back into a low bun, as she waves from the front porch.
“Yeah.” I smile, joining her. “I wanted to talk to you about something but I stopped and grabbed these on the way.”
“Oh, they’re beautiful!” She beams, pulling me in for a hug before leading me into the house. “Is everything all right?”
The question comes from over her shoulder, her back to me as she sets the jar on the island.
It’s now or never.
And never isn’t an option.
“I’m pregnant.”
She freezes, her body stock-still as she turns slowly toward me, her lips parted and her eyes wide. “You’re pregnant?” Her voice shakes as her eyes drop to my belly, the loose sweatshirt hiding the bump. “How far along are you?”
“Almost twelve weeks.”
“Twelve weeks?!” she parrots, an octave higher as she blinks. “Who is the father?”
“Jude Rhodes.”
“The owner of that bar? Jesus, Arden, do you even know him? He’s the complete opposite of your father. All those tattoos and?—”
“Yes, I know him,” I snap, my hackles rising as I cut her off. “And what does my father have to do with anything? He wasn’t around—you raised me entirely on your own.”
