Page 126 of Taking Sides

I drop my head to his shoulder, and we sit like that, neither saying anything, until the alarm on my phone goes off.

I don’t move, but Victor leans forward and silences it.

“I’m not ready,” I tell him.

“Whatever happens, I’m here.” It’s possibly the nicest thing he’s ever said to me. “I’m sorry I was a jerk.”

No, that’s the nicest thing he’s ever said to me.

“Wow. Can I get you to repeat that?”

He smiles in a way I think I’ve only ever seen him look at his dog.

“Wait. Who’s watching Bella?”

“My assistant.”

“Ooooh. Alexis. Can I get her number? Also, have you checked in with her? Does she send you selfies of her and Bella?”

He takes my hand and tugs me to sit up. “Stop procrastinating.”

I groan. “Fine. But later we’re revisiting the topic of your assistant.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but she’s gorgeous.”

His lips pull down at the corners and he mutters quietly, “Oh, I’ve noticed.”

I lean forward and reach for one of the tests. I let out a breath.

“On three?” Victor suggests.

I nod.

“One, two . . .” he counts.

“Maybe we should wait until tomorrow,” I say before he can finish the countdown.

“Three.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat and then look at the test in my hand. Two pink lines stare back at me.

“What does yours say?” I ask my brother. My heart is racing as I look over at him.

Instead of answering, he turns it so I can read it myself.

Pregnant.

Two hours later, a tub of ice cream and a lot of heavy sighs and muttering about “Conrad fucking Shepard” from Victor, and my brother still hasn’t left my side.

I cover a yawn as he flips through the sports highlights. Moonshot won tonight, but I didn’t catch a lot of other details because as soon as the broadcasters mentioned Conrad, Victor turned the channel. I’m not sure if it was for his or my benefit.

“I should head back to the hotel.” He stretches out his long legs.

“Don’t be dumb. You can stay here.” My eyes burn with the need for sleep.

“Fine. Whatever.” He gets up and walks down the hallway. Victor pauses in front of his jersey. “I can’t believe you hung this up?”