Page 123 of Pucked Up Plans
“We used a condom.”
“Newsflash. They don’t always work. Clearly.” Her shaky finger points toward the smug girl sitting at the table.
The thing is, she’s not wrong. No birth control is one hundred percent effective. Lennon’s proof.
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.
Lennon.
This will rock her world. Because I was stupid enough to have a one-night stand?
Oh my god.
My thoughts spiral out of control—to that night, to the future, to what this means.
I can’t do this again. With a stranger, no less. At least I loved Megan. But we were too young. Hell, I’m still too young. And stupid. Why? Why was I so stupid?
Tate.
What must she think right now? I assured her I wasn’t this guy, the one who sleeps around, letting girls ride my…what the hell was it? Now, here’s this girl, claiming I did exactly that. And Tate’s witnessing it all.
Before I can deal with Tate, I turn to Raquel. “I want proof. Not just your word. Actual medical proof it’s my baby. As soon as possible. Is there a chance it might not be mine? When are you due?”
Disbelief coats her face, but she subtly schools her features. “It’s yours, Walsh,” she states again. It’s subtle, but there’s a hint of doubt.
“Medical. Proof.” My tone leaves no room for misinterpretation. I’m certainly not going to take her word for it.
“We can’t do a DNA test until the baby’s born.”
“Bullshit we can’t.” Fury races through me, fueled by adrenaline.
“I think I should go.”
“That would be best.” Except I don’t understand it’s Tate who voices the words until she disappears down the hall.
“Wait. No. Not you, Tate.” Emotions threatening to pervade my body, I chase her up the stairs. “Please don’t,” I beg in the hallway outside Lennon’s room.
“You have to deal with this, Walsh. And I can’t be here while you do.” Silent sobs accompany her words. Without waiting for my response, she wipes away her tears, putting on a fake cheerful face before she opens the door. “Hey, Bean. It’s time to leave. Can you say goodbye to Lennon and Mimi?”
It’s Lennon who reacts first. I don’t know how, but she comprehends something is amiss. “Daddy?” she questions, looking between Tate and me. It about does me in.
The heavy tension weighing down on me unleashes, and I stumble, steadying myself on the dresser by the doorway. I compose myself as best I can and push out words I never thought I’d have to admit like this.
“It’s time for them to leave, Squirt. Say goodbye to Tate and Aubrey.” My voice shakes on thegoodbye. An omen of sorts.
A stronger man would stay and watch the exchange, but my weakness shines through as I step into the hall.
As much as I want—noneed—Tate to stay, I understand why she can’t. And this goodbye isn’t just for tonight. My brain makes me highly aware there’s a real possibility I could lose her. Over a choice I made months ago before I knew she existed. Before I knew my heart only beat for her. And our children.
Children.
There’s a fifty percent chance I’ll have another child in a couple of months. With someone I don’t know, and what I remember about her, I didn’t like. How’s that even going to work?
Children.
How will this affect Lennon and Aubrey? My girl’s going to be devastated to lose her friend. All because her dad couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. She’ll end up hating me, something for which Megan will lord over me until the end of eternity.
I never once thought my life was over with the positive pregnancy test years ago. Call me naïve, but in no way did having a baby in high school “ruin” my life.
