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“Kind of,” I murmur, curling in on myself. How am I supposed to tell them this?
They’re both looking at me now, their confused frowns making me sick. Their expressions are going to change to shock or disgust soon, and I don’t know if I can do this.
Just say it!
Sucking in a breath, I quickly get the words out before I flake. “I slept with two guys only one week apart, and I don’t know which one is the father. I told the man I love that it was him, and he just found out yesterday that it might not be him, and he’s so mad at me now and wants a paternity test, which means I might have to tell the other guy about all this, and I don’t know how he’ll react, and this is a nightmare!” I wail the last part and cover my face again so I don’t have to see them process all of this.
The silence is painful.
But maybe not as painful as Dad’s broken whisper. “Oh, Caroline. What have you done, baby girl?”
I whimper into my hands. “Not that it makes it any better, but the second guy was a total mistake. I was stupidly drunk, and I just slept with him because the guy I’ve wanted all along didn’t call me back.”
Mom closes her eyes and swallows, swaying on her feet a little.
Dad steadies her, his hand on her lower back as he tries to absorb everything I just said.
Maybe I should have left out the underage drinking part.
“This man…” Dad clears his throat. “The one you say you love… is he the one who didn’t call you back?”
“Yes.” My voice is so tiny.
“So, why would you want someone like that?”
“I don’t know!” I sit up, burying in my fingers in my hair. “Because I’ve had a crush on him since the first day I saw him. He’s everything. I finally found the courage to talk to him, and we hit it off. Since I told him I was pregnant, he’s been amazing. I’ve fallen even harder, and… and… now he’ll probably never talk to me again. He doesn’t want me anymore.”
“If the child you’re carrying is his, he’d better!” Dad barks.
I look up at my father then. The frown lines on his face are deep. They make me feel like I’ve let him down, and I hate this feeling so much.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Of course you didn’t.” Mom finally steps back to the edge of my bed and perches on the side of it. Taking my hand, she rubs her thumb over my knuckles. “You’ve gotten yourself into quite the pickle, young lady.” She kind of laughs out the words, like she’s trying to break the tension in the room, but it doesn’t work. “So, when you said you’re throwing up… that’s not food poisoning?”
I shake my head.
“How bad’s your morning sickness been?”
“Not bad at all.” I sniff and suck in a breath. “That’s the first time I’ve thrown up, and I’ve had minimal nausea. I felt so sick after my argument with Casey that my body just reacted that way.”
“Casey.” Dad nods. “What’s his last name?”
“Dad,” I whine. “You’re not talking to him.”
“Well, I’ll have to eventually. If he’s the father,” he grumbles. “Who’s the other guy?”
“I’m not doing this with you.” I shake my head.
He growls in his throat, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets and looking away from me.
“He only wants to protect and help you,” Mom murmurs. “You’re his baby girl.”
“I know.” I close my eyes with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve let you down. I know you have very strong views on all this stuff. I understand that you must… hate me right now.”
“Caroline.” Mom says my name like I’ve just hurt her feelings. “We could never hate you. Ever.” She cups my cheeks, gently forcing my head up, and gives me a firm look. “You are our precious gift, and we will love you no matter what. Just because we don’t agree with all your choices doesn’t mean we won’t be there for you when you need us.” Her lips pull into a sad smile. “And we’re going to be here for you through this. I know you must be terrified.”
I nod, my throat swelling up so quickly, I can’t speak.
