Page 84 of One Reckless Night

And then, it was like the temperature dropped twenty degrees. Gemma showed up, and the whole world darkened. The looming hurricane had nothing on the storm that followed her around.

She arrived with a group of her friends.

“I heard she was kicked off campus,” Clair muttered under her breath.

“Really?” I asked. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” Clair said. “Probably because she’s a raging bitch.”

I giggled. “I won’t argue with that.”

“Oh shit,” Clair hissed under her breath.

“What?”

“She’s coming,” Clair said. “Don’t look.”

It was too late. I looked.

Gemma had a smug expression on her face as she approached us.

“Clair,” Gemma said, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. “How are you feeling?”

Clair frowned, her brow furrowing. “Fine. Thanks.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Clair snapped.

Gemma smirked, her eyes flicking to Shawn, who looked confused, and then to me. “The pregnancy. You bought a few pregnancy tests at the market the other day. I just assumed your boyfriend knew.”

Clair went pale, her mouth opening and closing like she was trying to come up with a response. Shawn looked utterly devastated, his eyes wide as he stared at Clair. “You’re pregnant?” he asked, his voice shaky.

Clair shook her head, her tone frantic. “No, Shawn, don’t be an idiot.”

I noticed Jared approaching. This couldn’t be happening. I knew I should have just kept my ass on that couch.

Gemma wasn’t backing down. “Well, someone is,” she said, her voice sharp. “Probably one of the nurses. Is it your baby, Jared? That wouldn’t surprise me⁠—”

“It’s mine,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

The beach went silent, everyone turning to look at me. My heart was pounding, my hands trembling, but I forced myself to get to my feet and stare her down. I looked at Jared. The man looked like he was going to swallow his tongue.

“What’s yours?” Gemma asked.

Clair jumped to her feet and stood next to me. I appreciated her support, but it was time to come clean. No more hiding.

“I’m having a baby,” I said.

Gemma’s smirk faltered, her eyes narrowing as she looked down at my stomach to verify what I was saying. “Yours? Really?”

I nodded, “Yes. Mine.”

Jared stepped forward. “Gemma, that’s enough. You’re not supposed to be here.”

But Gemma wasn’t done. She crossed her arms, her expression smug. “Well, isn’t this interesting? Jared, did you know about this?”

Jared didn’t respond, his eyes locked on mine. I couldn’t read his expression, couldn’t tell what he was thinking. But I didn’t care. I was done hiding, done pretending. This was my truth, and I wasn’t going to let Gemma or anyone else take that away from me.

“It’s my baby,” I said again. “And it’s none of your fucking business, Gemma.”