Page 97 of Waiting Forever
“Yeah.” I scrunch my nose. “Now that I think about it, bad idea.”
“How about we stick with regular cider?”
“That’s why you’re going to get paid the big bucks one day,” I half tease.
He chuckles. “Give Nathan a chance to explain before you decide the worst of him.” Azure repeats what he told me earlier.
“I know.”
“You know or you will?”
I scowl at the phone. “Are you sure you don’t want to be a therapist?”
“Ha, ha.” His tone is dry and then he’s silent. I imagine his brows are raised as he awaits my answer.
“I will,” I say, appeasing him.
“Good girl.”
“Thanks for being so great.” As far as friends go, he’s pretty spectacular. “Your date is a chicken-shit douche, by the way.”
He laughs. “I do love how verbally expressive you are.”
“It’s a gift.” And this guy, Ryan, is on my shit-list. The idea of meeting Azure’s mom this soon scared him off. Wuss. If the douchebag knew Azure the way I did, he’d know it doesn’t mean Azure wants to get serious. He and his mom are close. An introduction is harmless, not a marriage proposal.
“Text me tomorrow when you’re ready to go. I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay. See you then.” I end the call with a smile. My cheeks feel tight from dried tears.
I hate needing rides from everyone to get places. I’ll be sure to give him gas money for picking me up tomorrow. The drive is far, and I live in the opposite direction. I could ask Nathan to borrow his Hummer, but odds are he’ll need it or insist on driving me. Unless he’s out fitting it for infant car seats.
That was horrible. I’m being ridiculous. I could just ask him what’s going on. Maybe Rachel was wrong.
I flop back on the bed and bury my face into the pillow. I hate this.
37
Nathan
I STAND IN the master closet and stare at Harper’s number. I had to unblock it on my phone. After my mom’s accusations that I knocked up Harper, I’m terrified to call her. What if I did?
My stomach rolls for the fifth time. I can’t be a father. Not now and not with Harper, of all people. We haven’t been together in almost a month. Could she know this soon if she’s pregnant? Or did she conceive this baby earlier?
I think back to the times we had sex. We weren’t having it much near the end, and the times we did, I had to focus on staying hard—my head just wasn’t into it. I didn’t pay much attention to the condoms I used, assuming they’d do their job. They’d never failed me before. Could one have broken?
I always protected myself before having sex from fear I’ll catch an STD, and I always used a condom with Harper, even though she’s been on the Pill for years. Guess I never trusted her to be faithful. But even with all my disease precautions, I never once considered I could get her pregnant.
Christ.I run my hands through my hair. I can’t believe this. It can’t be true. But what my mom said makes sense.
“Fuck.” I kick a drawer to the built-in cabinets. It bounces open. Why can’t Kensi be the one who’s pregnant? I’d marry her today and cherish our child.
I can’t even imagine the kind of mother Harper would be. Maybe the baby isn’t mine. She said she didn’t cheat on me, but this is Harper we’re talking about. She and I are the same when it comes to sex. Hell, I even cheated on her before we broke up. I could easily see her doing the same to me. It’s not like she has to work for sex. Guys are eager to bed her.
I need to call her and deal with this shit, even though I don’t want to. I’d rather hurl chunks into the toilet. If she tells me she’s pregnant, I might just do that.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I mutter and bang a fist to my forehead. I should have made sure the condoms worked after every time we had sex. I should have inspected them.
Before I chuck my phone against the wall, I dial her number.
