Page 75 of Not Before Game Night
I had the support again, but now that I knew Cole and I were no more, the tears that took me came like a never-ending river of despair.
I cried so much it made me sick and I couldn’t eat or sleep. I guess I experienced true depression the week after, when I started to eat and couldn’t keep anything down.
“Vanessa, please drink the soup,” Mia said, holding the bowl of chicken soup out to me.
I cringed and buried my face in Gage’s chest.
“Even I have to agree that smells like shit,” Gage said, flicking his wrist to fend her off.
It actually smelled like something died.
“It’s onion and chicken soup. Grandma used to make it all the time when we were sick.”
“It didn’t smell like that,” I answered, resting my head on Gage’s arm. Grandma had made the best soup in the world. When she was alive, there was no ailment she couldn’t cure.
Mia’s soup smelled like one taste would kill.
“Have cookies,” Abby said brightly, emerging from the kitchen with a batch of chocolate cookies.
She came into the living room with her dazzling smile and beamed at me, holding out the tray for me to take.
I took one, grateful for the chocolate. I must have eaten it too fast because God, did I ever feel sick. Bile rose in my throat as soon as the cookie went down, and I had to leap off the sofa before I hurled.
I ran to the toilet and made it just in time before I started throwing up.
Jesus, why did my stupid body choose to be sick now? As if things weren’t already bad enough.
I splashed some water on my face and looked in the mirror at my haggard reflection. I looked terrible. Just terrible.
If this was how I was going to be, how was I supposed to get over Cole?
He’d told me straight up he couldn’t give me what I needed, but what I needed was him.
It said everything and told me Denver was more than right.
I just wished I could stop loving him.
I went back out to everyone, and Gage stood up.
“I’m gonna get you some pecan pie and ice cream,” he stated with a smile.
“Or maybe she should see a doctor,” Mia added.
I hated when they got like this. It was the joys of being the youngest. It was nice to have them around, but the fussing over me got too much sometimes.
“Guys, I’m fine. I just need to sleep.”
“But we’re the cheer-up crew. We bring ice cream during breakups and other things.” Mia nodded.
“I’m fine. I’m okay. Just a stomach bug. I’ll be right as rain come next week.” It was a big lie.
Abby stepped forward and took my hands into hers. “Vanessa, are you… sure it’s a stomach bug? I mean, this has been going on for a few days now. I personally feel you should see a doctor. Just so we can make sure it’s not something else.” She nodded.
“Something like what, Abby?” I was in no mood for foolishness. When I was little, she and Gilly made me believe I had the plague and I was going to die like the people in the Dark Ages. I went around for a week believing it. I was eight, and it was a time I’d never forget because I’d really believed them. The little spot I’d had on my neck they’d told me was a sure sign of the plague turned out to be an insect bite I couldn’t remember getting.
“Well, um…” She glanced back at Mia and Gage. Both looked worried. Especially Gage. She looked back to me and gave me a little smile. “It could be nothing, but it could also be something, and the something I’m thinking is that maybe, just possibly, you could be potentially …pregnant.”
I almost jumped out of my skin. She let go of my hands and blinked several times.
