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“Can you keep a secret?”
“I seem to be doing nothing else these days. Shoot.”
“Gwen is pregnant,” I tell her, dropping what I think is a bomb.
“She finally told you?”
“Um… no… I saw her.”
“Oh, okay.”
“You knew?”
“Oh, yeah. I figured it out two weeks ago.”
“And you didn’t say anything?”
“Hell, no! I’d never betray my best friend, Hunter, not even for you. But I’m so glad we can talk about it now. What the heck are you going to do about it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like, are you going to be involved in the child’s life?”
“Did you seriously just ask me that?”
“I know, I know. Just thought I’d check.”
There’s no other outcome here. Gwen and my child are mine.
chapter seven
Gwendolyn
God, yesterday was a stressful day. Having Heather basically threaten me and the impending doom I am feeling, my mind and body are worn out. As horrible as I felt yesterday, I still went to work at the tutoring center, and even there, I felt people staring at me. At least it felt like it. I know it is all in my head because keeping this massive secret requires stealth, subterfuge, and isolation. I feel like a criminal hiding in plain sight.
Now I am at school, walking the halls, once again feeling alone and guilty. I am so lost in thought I don’t see Mrs. Dawn, head of the drama department coming towards me. “Gwen, hi. We have been missing you this semester. I get it through, preparing for the end of the year and senior things makes the year busy.”
“Yes. All true.” My smile is not really reaching my eyes.
“Well, can we at least count on you to help with the end-of-the-year production?” Shit. I love helping with the stage production, but now it is not happening.
“I’m sorry. I have so much going on right now. I can't, I'm sorry.” As with all of the adults in my life, she gives me the discerning look before walking closer. She places her hand on my arm and with so much care in her eyes.
“Are you alright, Gwen?” This question is going to break me soon, but it is not right now.
“Yes. I am fine. Thank you for asking. I’m sorry. I am going to be late for class.” I walk away from her like my ass is on fire. I am so busy looking behind me to make sure she is no longer standing there that I forget to turn around. I bump into something hard, like a freaking brick wall. My stomach bounces off the object, and I wince, knowing I am going to fall when the hands that I have held for so many nights grip me and stop me from falling down.
“Are you okay? he asks, still holding on to me. I lean into him, slowly inhaling the scent I couldn't sleep without. I look up into his eyes and feel myself falling again. Never mind the fact that I am right up against him; my stomach is flush with his body. He would know if he paid a little more attention to the optics. But right now, none of that matters with his hands on me. “God, I’ve missed you looking at me like I was your savior.” He moves my hair off my face like he always does. “I asked if you were alright, baby.” Sweet Jesus, he just had to call me that.
“Uh, yes. I’m fine. Thank you for catching me.” I try to make my voice sound nonchalant, but I know I am failing.
“You don’t have to thank me for taking care of what belongs to me, baby.” Gah. He is killing me. “How have you been?” Fuck, when did his head get so close to me?
“F-fine. I’ve been fine.” I stutter pitifully. His finger runs down my face, and I lean into him, missing every inch of him.
“One of us is doing fine, baby, because I am dying without you.” I can feel his breath against my lips. I move closer, but before I can get lost in this moment, the baby chooses that moment to flutter for the first time, and the fog is lifting. What the hell was I thinking? I pull back from him, trying to ignore the hurt look on his face, and move as far and as fast as I can from him. God, that was close.
I make it right in front of my class and have to lean against the door. My hand is on my chest right over my stammering heart, tears forming in my eyes for the close proximity to him and also a sort of happiness being able to feel my baby for the first time. Well, prominently enough that I know he had to have felt something as well.
