Page 96 of Don't Think

He turns sharply, eyes locking on Nora with a hard glare.

“I get that you’re hurt, Nora. I do. Butthat?” He points at me, his jaw tight. “That was way too far. You don’t get to talk about her like that. You don’t get to say she’s ‘passing off’ her kids when yours aren’t with you either.”

“Jax, back off and take care of your girl,” Gareth cuts in, stepping forward, eyes locked on Jax like he’s ready to throw down.

Jax doesn’t flinch. “Then get yours sobered up,” he fires back.

But thankfully, he turns away before it blows up even worse. He just wraps his arms around me and pulls me in like he’s acting as my shield against everyone.

I bury my face in his chest, eyes squeezed shut as another wave of nausea crashes through me.

He gently takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it until I’m looking at him again.

And the second our eyes meet, I lose it.

Tears spill, no matter how hard I try to hold them back.

He pulls me close again, his lips brushing my forehead in the softest kiss.

“Come on, love,” he whispers into my hair. “Let’s get you out of here.”

The whole drive back, my head was pounding.

It felt like I’d been drinking all night, even though I hadn’t touched a drop. Just an alcohol-less hangover made up of only stress and every word Nora threw at me echoing on repeat.

From the digs about my parenting to the passive-aggressive“better hope you’re not pregnant”jab, it all keeps bouncing around in my brain like a pinball machine I can’t pull the plug on.

And it’s stupid—Iknowit’s stupid—but once someone plants that seed, you can’t stop it from growing like a weed.

Am I just imagining symptoms now? Or… could I actually be pregnant?

I woke up feeling like garbage this morning, but I was too excited to see Jax to care. I popped a couple of anti-nausea pills and kept moving. But now? Now I can’t stop thinking about it.

I’m so lost in my own head that I don’t even notice we’ve made it inside until I glance up and realize we’re in my room. Jax is already sitting on the edge of my bed, watching me with that look. That soft, worried look that tells me he knows I’m spiraling.

He reaches over, placing a hand on my knee and rubs slow, calming circles.

“Allie,” he says quietly, his voice full of remorse. “I’m so sorry.”

His expression is full of guilt and regret. Two things Ihateseeing on his face, especially when tomorrow was supposed to be a fresh start.Ourfresh start.

Shit! The barbecue!

“Are you sure you don’t want to come to the hotel tonight?” he asks gently. “Or I could stay here with you. Whatever you need.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. I need to talk to Ana,” I say, placing my hand over his.

He gives me a small smile, eyes soft, and leans in to press a quick kiss to my lips. “Okay, love,” he murmurs. “Just promise you’ll text me if you need anything.”

I nod, trying my best to return the smile, but right now I just can’t. “I will. I promise.”

He stands and moves across the room, his footsteps muffled as he slips out without a sound.

I stay where I am, motionless, waiting. When I finally hear the soft click of the front door closing, I let out a slow breath. In through my nose. Out through my mouth. Trying to calm the tight, anxious knot that’s still twisting in my stomach.

Eventually, I stand, one hand pressing gently against my midsection as I walk toward the door. It creaks open just as Ana’s head pops in.

“Can I come in?” she asks quietly.