“Thank you,” I say, giving Grace’s hand a quick squeeze as I run for my truck. “I’ll make sure she calls you!”
I spin out of the parking lot so fast, the world blurs around me and the tires leave trails of rubber across the road, but I don’t even care.
The only thing that matters is getting to Alisha—now!
Chapter 18 - Alisha
I sit on the edge of Grace’s bathtub, staring at the strip in my hand with its bright blue line. There is no denying what the test in my hand says.
Blue means pregnant.
Grace hasn’t left the house for days, and even though I trust her completely, I didn’t want to share this news with her yet, especially since I wasn’t sure. When she went out, I biked down to the little store on the corner to get the test, then took it the moment I got back.
I put my hand on my belly, trying to come to terms with my new reality. When it was only a maybe, it didn’t seem to change my life that much. But now, everything looks different, and I know it will never be the same again.
I’m really pregnant…with Brad’s child…
When I was with him before, even though it was such a short romance, I dreamed of this. I couldn’t wait for the day he’d tell me he wanted to have a child, and we could welcome this moment together.
And now I’m sitting alone, reading this test, and wondering if I even want to tell him.
Even though I feel shocked and unsure, there is a certainty inside that seems to come from deep within my bones. I will protect this tiny life growing inside me from anything and everything, and if that means getting out of here so Brad can never hurt us again, then I’ll make plans to leave right now.
I bury the test in the garbage, and just as I’m walking out of the bathroom, I hear a horrible pounding on the door. Myheart starts hammering in the same rhythm as I hurry towards the front of the house.
“Alisha!” Brad cries, and I stop in the hallway, staring at the door shuddering in its hinges as Brad pounds on it.
“I know you’re in there!” he yells. “Answer me!”
I’m still debating how to respond—or if I even want to—when the door busts open, swinging towards me. Brad charges up the hallway, his face crumpling when he sees me.
I’m shocked by his appearance. His skin looks too pale, marked with dark shadows of stress on his cheeks and around his eyes. His lips are dry, and a few days of prickly blond growth spreads across his cheeks and chin. The long, pale blond hair that is usually shiny and neat is twisted and knotted around his face, and the clear, bright blue of his irises has faded to pale gray.
“Alisha,” he says, his voice drawn out like a moan. “Oh my God, are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I mutter, holding out my hand, unsure if I’m pushing him away or inviting him closer.
“I’m sorry,” he says, gently taking my hand. “I’m so, so sorry. I’ve been searching for you for days, and all I’ve wanted to do is tell you that.”
“I’m the one who ran out on you,” I whisper. “And it looks like I put you through a rough time.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he says, shaking his head. “I deserve everything you want to throw at me. All you’ve ever done is love me, and I have betrayed that love with lies.”
“Well,” I answer. “I think you had a better reason than most people.”
“No excuse,” he says. “I want to tell you everything.”
“Okay,” I reply, nodding. “Come down to the living room and sit down. How did you know I was here?” I ask as I lead the way.
“Grace told me,” he says.
“What? But she said—”
“She’s afraid, Alisha,” Brad says, as he comes into the living room behind me. “She’s truly frightened about the dreams you’ve been having, and that if danger is coming, she can’t protect you.”
“Okay,” I say, sitting down. “I’m not ready to forgive her, but I’ll admit that I understand her actions.”
Brad sits down on the couch, and Sabrina leaps into my lap, stretching out before settling down and purring. I keep my eyes calmly fixed on Brad, and he fidgets a little, showing clear anxiety.
