Page 51 of Shattered Hearts

A small noise of delight escapes me as I turn to the side and assess it in the mirror. It looks as if I went to town for dinner, but I know this isn’t a food baby.

This is the real deal.

Grinning from ear to ear, I pull up the camera app on my phone and snap a photo. This is one I’m going to keep forever. I might even make a copy and put it in an album, because I never want to forget this moment. It feels like the third step in this lifelong journey. First the tests, then the scan, and now the stomach pop. I’ll need to get some glue and glitter and decorate the heck out of this photo album.

I send the photo to Macie, Sadie, and Mum. My finger hovers over my messages with Grayson, tossing up whether I should send it to him as well. My hesitation continues as I wrestle with my own internal thoughts. He is my friend, after all, and as my friend, he’d be excited about this.

Right?

I spend the time in the shower mulling it over. Standing under the spray, it’s invigorating and replenishes my energy, but I soap up my stomach more times than necessary. More because I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of feeling it.

Dressing into my overalls and sweatshirt, I grab my phone.

BLONDIE: Fine, no pinching. Only because you need to be looked after right now. All the time, but especially now.

My insides turn a little gooey, like caramel.

BLONDIE: Also, we’re going to Afterhours tonight. I know you can’t drink, but Macie told me that they have a crispy cola.

BLONDIE: Want me to pick you up?

LAYNIE: All right. I’m in.

BLONDIE: Just like old times ;)

My smile drops a little. I don’t think things will ever be like old times again.

Chapter Twenty

Grayson

LAWSON SIBLING CHAT + MACIE

HOLDEN: Ready?

REID: M and I already left.

MACIE: Pick it up, boys.

COLE: Coming!

COLE: Do we need to bring anything?

HOLDEN: Your wallet.

GRAYSON: Please. I’m not spotting you for the twentieth time this year.

SAWYER: I’m ready for practice. How did you all know?

REID: Must be part of our superhuman telepathic abilities.

COLE: Only Sawyer and Holden have that.

HOLDEN: I will hurt you, Cole.

COLE: I’d like to see you try.

SAWYER: Holden is definitely going to kick your butt, Cole.