Page 131 of Taking Sides

“Yeah,” I assure him with a little pep in my tone. It’s optimism that I’m choosing to cling to right now because the truth is I have no idea how he’s going to react. We never talked about this.

Victor mutters something that sounds an awful lot like, “Well, this should be interesting.”

“Can we have a minute?” I ask my brother. I definitely do not want to have this conversation with him hovering.

“Fine,” he huffs. “I’m going to take a walk.” Victor steps down from the porch, slowly, eyeing Conrad as he goes. His gaze flicks to me at the last second. “If you need anything, holler. I won’t go far.”

I nod my understanding and shift awkwardly, wringing my hands in front of me.

“Why would you need anything?” Conrad’s brows furrow as he waits for me to reply.

“Let’s talk inside.”

The silence hangs uncomfortably as he follows me into the house. He sets my bag down by the door and watches me.

I take a deep breath, but before I can speak, Conrad says, “Wait. Let me say something first.”

He moves to me, reaching out, then dropping his hand almost as if he isn’t sure if he should. “I’m really sorry about the things I said to your brother. I hate the way he plays hockey and how he treats other people. He’s dirty on the ice and he says awful things just to get a reaction. I’ve known a lot of bullies in my life, but the other day in trying to protect you, I became one. I used the things you told me in confidence to hurt him. And in turn, I hurt you.”

“Victor is not an easy guy to get along with and I have to learn to stand up to him more, I know that,” I say to him. “But he’s still my brother.”

“I get it. It’s easier to stand up for other people than for yourself sometimes.”

He takes a step closer. “Fuck, I missed you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. And I’m really hoping I don’t have to find out.”

The backs of my eyes sting like I’m going to cry.

“Same.”

“What did he mean when he asked if I knew?” Conrad asks.

“I . . .” I start to tell him, then reconsider. “While you were gone . . .” Fuck no, that isn’t right either. “I was helping Landon with geometry and eating a bunch of snacks, and he made an offhand comment about it not going well together and how his foster mom, Jenny, ate a lot of random foods together too.”

He says nothing, but Conrad’s eyes narrow as he searches my face for understanding. I thought the right words would come to me, but I don’t think there’s any good way to say it.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.

I watch my words slowly register on his face. From understanding to surprise to . . . a giant smile. Why is he smiling? Did he not hear me?

“I’m pregnant,” I repeat. “And it’s yours. In case that wasn’t clear.”

His eyes slowly widen, and he stumbles back, but his lips are still curled up into a smile. “How?”

“I don’t know.” I hug my arms against my stomach. “I didn’t lie about being on birth control.”

“I know. The thought would never occur to me, but we were careful.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “We were, but it’s not one hundred percent effective.” Obviously. “I know this is a shock. I’ve had some time to adjust and. . . . I want to have it. And you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want.”

“What?” His voice is sharp, and the smile slips from his face.

“We didn’t plan for this so it’s okay if you’re not on board.”

He laughs, but I can’t tell if he’s happy or upset until his lips pull into another wide smile. “I’m on board. I’m so on board.”

“Really?” I smile back hesitantly. I expected more surprise . . . maybe a little frustration at the situation. I did not expect this.

“You’re pregnant?” he asks, awe in his voice.