Page 16 of Wreckage of Us
“They’ve been better,” I shrug.
“Wreck,” Puck tries to get my attention. He’s peeled himself off the ground, and he is trying to wipe the blood off his face with the white long sleeve of his t-shirt.
The urge to punch him again is strong, but I try to contain myself. With a hard pull, I free myself from Sully and Malone, but not before they both give me a warning pat on each shoulder.
“Wreck,” Puck repeats. “What the fuck, dude?”
“Honey,” Ma pops from out of nowhere. “You okay?”
I sigh heavily and push my hands through my hair as I look around the yard. My eyes fall on Ethan who is watching the entire scene with big eyes, Alison next to him with a hand pressed to her chest, looking positively horrified. And next to her is my little brother. Wyatt is just standing there, with their baby strapped to his chest, eating a popsicle and enjoying the show.
“Fuck,” I throw my head back and stare at the sky, both hands on my hips.
“What did I do?” Puck is closer now, a tissue stuffed in each nostril to stop the bleeding. His voice sounds all muffled and weird.
“Nothing,” I let out a sigh.
“So you just attempted to kill me for fun?” He points to his face with both hands.
“I felt like I should kill someone. You seemed like a good candidate,” I shrug.
“Fucker!” he gets into my face now, looking up a bit as I’m taller. “I’m gonna have two black eyes by tomorrow, and God knows what else.”
“You’ve had worse,” I shrug. I sound cold and uncaring. I sound like… me.
Although, something has changed inside of me. Falling in love with Becca has changed me. And now, finding out we’re having a baby together has shifted everything else into place.
“Is Becca okay?” Ma asks, worry evident in her voice. She is looking me up and down, expecting to hear the worst about her newest favorite person in the world.
“She’s fine, Ma,” I sigh.
“Why did you attack Puck like you’re an unhinged person?”
“Because he told me she was pregnant,” I throw my arm toward Puck, and he jumps back a couple of steps. I hear a snicker from the side. Devereaux is laughing, that’s something I never expected to hear in my lifetime.
“Puck slept with Becca?” Ma is in shock now. She grabs a paper plate and starts fanning herself with it as she’s hyperventilating about the news she’s hearing.
“What?” I snap at her. “I’m gonna kill him for sure if he fucked Becca!”
“Dude,” Puck takes two more steps back. “I haven’t fucked anyone but Emily in almost a year. No offense,” he chokes out when Devereaux turns his head to stare at him.
“I don’t understand,” Ma waves her hand at Puck to shut up. “If Puck is not the father of Becca’s baby, why are you beating him over Becca being pregnant?”
“Because,” I yell at Puck, “he said she was having a baby with Dr. Douche…”
Ma interjects again, the look of confusion almost comical. “And who is this Dr. … Douche?” It’s like it pains her to even say the words.
“The doctor she’s been seeing,” Puck adds helpfully.
“Except,” I give him a stare that would scare to death most people. “He’s not the father.”
“This is better than any TV show, Al,” Wyatt mumbles to his wife around a mouthful of his popsicle. “Thanks for talking me into coming here, baby. I love you.”
“Dylan,” Ma’s eyes are full of tears when he brings my attention back to her. “Is it… Is the baby…” She can’t finish the sentence, just covers her mouth with her hands, waiting for me to confirm her suspicions.
“It is,” I nod at her, and that’s when she starts sobbing.
“Oh my god,” she flies into my body and wraps her arms around my neck. “I am so happy for you!”
