Page 85 of One Reckless Night

33

JARED

My life flashed before my eyes the moment Amelia said those words. “I’m having a baby.”

The world seemed to stop spinning, the noise of the beach fading into a dull roar. I stared at her, my mind racing. And then, like a switch flipping, I saw red.

Gemma was still smirking. It was like a shark smelling blood in the water. “Who’s the father?” she asked, her voice sharp. “Do you even know?”

“No one likes you, Gemma,” Amelia said. “That’s what I know.”

My mind felt like it was stuck in mud. Maybe this was one of those weird dreams where you knew it was a dream, but you couldn’t wake up. You had to just ride it out.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Couldn’t believe she was here, telling everyone like this. It felt like a punch to the gut—one I hadn’t seen coming.

“You look a little old to be getting knocked up, Amelia,” Gemma said with a sarcastic laugh. “You’re a scientist; you haven’t figured out how these little accidents happen?”

Amelia crossed her arms over her stomach. I could see the steel in her eyes. “I don’t think of my baby as an accident.”

“Bet your parents are proud.” Gemma smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

“I bet yours aren’t,” Amelia shot back.

“Why are you even here?” Clair cut in. “Thought I heard you were banned from campus.”

Gemma turned on Clair with a glare. “Guess not, if I’m standing here. Are you her little attack dog?”

“If you think I won’t bite you, try me, bitch,” Clair said, smiling to show her teeth.

I could see Amelia’s hands shake slightly as she tucked them under her arms. She was trying so hard to be brave. To act like Gemma’s words didn’t bother her.

“Well…” Gemma dragged out the word and looked around at the crowd that had started gathering around us. “Aren’t you going to tell us who knocked you up? Inquiring minds want to know.”

Amelia stood taller, meeting my eyes for just a second before looking back at Gemma. I was beginning to wonder if I had lost my tongue. No matter how badly I wanted to say something, words wouldn’t come out.

“It doesn’t concern you or anyone else.” Amelia’s voice never wavered. I knew how much strength it took for her to stand firm like that.

Gemma took a step forward, opening her mouth again, but I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Back the fuck off, Gemma.” The words came out louder than I intended, my frustration boiling over into anger.

She turned to look at me, eyebrows raised in feigned innocence. That shark-like grin returned as she looked me up and down. “Oh, come on, Jared. Don’t tell me you’re actually buying this? She’s probably just⁠—”

Gemma didn’t get to finish. Shawn, who looked like he’d been hit by a truck a minute ago, probably a similar expression to mine, stepped forward with surprising fire in his eyes.

“Give it a goddamn rest, Gemma,” he spat. “I don’t know if you have to work to be so unpleasant or if you were just born that way, but you are literally the fucking worst.”

She turned to him, mouth open in shock. It was rare for anyone to challenge her, let alone Shawn. Shawn was one of the world’s last nice guys. He was goofy and lovable and never talked shit to anyone. But like the old saying went, beware the anger of a gentle man.

“This is what you do for fun? Make people miserable?” He took Clair’s hand, pulling her closer as if shielding her. “You need a life, you loser.”

“Didn’t realize you cared so much,” Gemma shot back, crossing her arms. I could see her calculating, deciding her next move.

“You heard him,” Clair added, voice fierce. “Get lost.”

Gemma’s smile thinned. She looked around at the circle that had formed—a dozen or so eyes watching the scene unfold. I saw the moment she decided this wasn’t a fight she’d win.

“Whatever,” she muttered, flicking her hair and giving one last contemptuous glance in my direction. “This place is lame anyway.”