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Caroline’s gone stiff beside me, and I wince.
Shit, this is awkward.
It’s not like we’re a couple, so I have every right to flirt and sleep with whoever I want.
But we’re heading to a doctor’s appointment right now to talk about our baby. You don’t get more couple-y than that, and… Fuck! I’m hating this.
But I have to do the right thing, right?
Yes. Don’t be a dickhead like your old man.
Clenching my jaw, I walk beside Caroline, not saying a word until we reach the Student Health Center and walk up to the counter.
“Hi there.” The receptionist smiles up at us, and I glance at Caroline, expecting her to say her name… or something, at least, but she just stands there like a deer in headlights, quick breaths punching out of her chest.
I rest my hand on her lower back, which makes us look like a full-blown couple, but what else am I supposed to do? She’s freaking out.
“Hi.” I smile at the receptionist. “We’re here for an appointment for Caroline Mason.”
“Excellent.” She pops a tablet on the counter. “Please fill this in. The doctor shouldn’t be too long. We’re actually running close to on time for a change.” Her laughter is merry and bright.
I manage to grin down at her before guiding Caroline to a seat in the corner.
“Just breathe,” I murmur. “You’re okay.”
Her head bobs erratically as I hold out the tablet. Filling it in will hopefully be a brief distraction for her. Maybe it’ll stop her spiraling for a little minute.
“Here.”
She blinks, taking it off me and biting her lip as I force her index finger to touch the screen.
“You can do this.”
“Yeah.” The word comes out as a breath as she blinks and finally starts to read and type what she needs to.
I peer over her shoulder as she goes, noting her birthday again and working out her age this time. She’s younger than me by a year. Huh, interesting. I thought she was a junior as well, but she must be a sophomore.
My eyes dart to her face, and I can’t help frowning.
It feels weird having a kid with someone I don’t even know these basic details about.
“What are you majoring in?” I ask.
“Huh?” She glances at me, then back at the form. “Is it asking me that?” She scans the page again.
“No, I’m just… curious.”
“Oh.” She shifts in her seat, giving me a fleeting smile before starting to tap the column of boxes on the sheet. It’s a relief to see her crossing off all the allergies and ailments. She’s a healthy chick. “I’m not exactly sure yet, but I’m a numbers geek, so I guess I’m leaning toward statistics. I love data and analysis, that kinda stuff.”
“Cool.” I nod. “I’m doing sports science.”
“Yeah, I figured. My guess is that you want to go pro, though, right?”
“Yeah.” It’s impossible not to smile at the idea.
She matches my expression. “Yeah, well, I want to be the girl studying your games and doing all the stats analysis on the players and stuff.”
“Even cooler.” And I mean it. Who knew math nerds could be so sexy? I’m digging it.
