Page 29 of Playing It Forward

“Some disgusting protein drink. It smelled of eggs.”

“Eggs?”

“Raw eggs.” I shiver. “Gross.”

“You don’t need any medicine. You’ll be fine in about seven or eight months.”

My brow wrinkles. “Seven or eight months?”

“Although the symptoms you’re describing usually recede after a few months.”

I rub a hand over my forehead. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Terri.” She uses her ‘don’t be an idiot voice’. “You’re pregnant.”

The blood in my veins turns to ice as fear rushes through me.

“Terri!” She shouts but I can’t answer. My body is seized with terror. “Terri!”

“What?” I manage to gasp out this time.

“You need to calm down. Stress isn’t good for the baby.”

Baby? Nope. No way. Not in this lifetime. I refuse to believe it. No way am I pregnant. I can’t be. Not after what happened with Mom. I decided right then and there I’d never have children.

“I’m not pregnant. I’m on the pill. Besides, you can’t diagnose someone as pregnant over the phone.”

“No, I can’t. Come in anytime today and I’ll draw some blood for a test. Then, we’ll know for sure.”

“I know for sure now. I’m not pregnant.”

“Really? When was your last period?”

“It was…” I trail off. I don’t remember. It’s been a while.

“Exactly. And have you had sex recently?”

My face heats. “Yes.”

“Stop by this afternoon and I’ll confirm your pregnancy. I can probably tell you how far along you are.”

“You—”

“Gotta go.” She hangs up before I have a chance to get my thoughts in order.

She’s wrong. She’s not jumping to conclusions. She’s flying through the air to the other side of the world where her conclusion can’t be correct.

It can’t be. I can’t be pregnant.

We used protection. I may be on the pill but I’d never have sex with someone without a condom. Not unless we were in a committed relationship. And closet rendezvous does not spell out committed relationship.

Besides, I must have had my period since then. I thumb through my phone until I find my period app. When was my last period? I scowl. According to this, it was two months ago.

Never mind. I often forget to update the app.

Except I can’t remember when my last period was. I close my eyes and riffle through my memories. The last time I remember was when I had to rush home for supplies because we decided to go for a swim and I didn’t have any tampons with me. The water was cold.

Because it was May. Nolan arrived in June. And it’s now the middle of July.