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“Well,” I said, my voice even. “I hope he reported it to the police.”
“That’s the thing,” crowed Monica. “He didn’t! He’s so embarrassed about what happened that he stayed mum. We only found out because he stopped wearing the watch and when Melody asked him about it, he fessed up.”
Wow. So the shit hit the fan, and it didn’t look like Don was going to recover his valuables. Goddamn. But frankly, my ex was the least of my worries because my tummy was already beginning to show, and I knew there would be questions. As a result, I decided to confess the truth of my pregnancy to my friend.
“Monica,” I said, “do you remember when you showed me your Matchy profile a long time ago? How we saw your high school English teacher online and laughed hysterically?”
“Oh yeah,” she said, grinning. “How could I forget? Mr. Smith looked good right? And I confirmed he got a divorce,” she said, lowering her voice. “He wasn’t cheating on his wife or anything.”
I laughed at that. Her old high school teacher was the last person we’d expected to see on Matchy, except for one. I took another deep breath.
“Do you remember the other guy we saw? The one who was really hot?”
Monica scrunched her brow.
“Kinda … no, not really,” she confessed. “There are so many guys, seriously, that they just start to blur in your head. Why? Is there something about this guy?”
I took another deep breath.
“That’s the thing. The guy? Well, it was my stepbrother, Mason. He has a Matchy profile,” I said slowly.
Monica let out a low whistle.
“Wow, that’s new. I wouldn’t think an Olympic athlete would need help finding women, but then again, who knows? Besides, I’ve heard about the scandal surrounding your brother. Tell me, did Mason actually meet that transgender lady? Did they have sex? I didn’t want to ask because it’s private,” she rushed. “But everyone’s talking about it.”
I shook my head again. This was so complicated but I had to try and explain.
“No, I don’t think he did, actually. I think Vanity’s exaggerating, and that she’s an attention whore. But Mony, there’s more because Mason’s not with Vanity. Actually, Mason and I are having a baby,” I choked. “I started seeing him, one thing led to another, and now,” I stopped, unable to go any further.
My friend looked at me quizzically, her expression disbelieving.
“Are you serious Janie? You slept with your stepbrother?” she asked, her eyebrows almost shooting off her forehead.
“I know, I know,” I said, holding my hands up. “It sounds messed up but it really isn’t,” I said defensively. “We’re not related blood-related, and you know that our parents just got married.”
“I know,” said Monica slowly. “It’s just that … I mean, I don’t know, to each her own, I suppose,” she said dubiously. “But why are you moving out of his apartment? Does he know about the kid?”
I shook my head miserably.
“No, and I’m not sure I’m going to tell him,” I said quietly.
A pause.
“But honey, you know he’s going to find out right?” said Monica kindly. “I mean, you can’t exactly disappear off the face of the Earth. You’re family now! Besides, he has a right to know.”
I shook my head again, my expression distraught.
“I’m not sure I can handle it,” I said, choking on my words. “This whole thing with Vanity and Matchy is really complicated. I’m not used to the publicity, and everyone recognizes Mason wherever he goes. Add to that, my pregnancy,” I said, gesturing to my stomach, “and it’s confusing, you know? I just need some time to myself to think things through.”
“Of course,” reasoned Monica. “Some space apart will help a lot, I’m sure, but what are you saying? Are you keeping the baby? I mean, you’re not really showing but …?”
I took a deep breath and smiled because my heart knew itself in this respect, at least.
“Yes,” I said with finality. “I’m keeping the baby and it’s a boy,” I said, letting out my first tremulous smile. “I went to the doctor yesterday, and they confirmed the sex.”
To be honest, it had been amazing during the ultrasound. The moment I’d seen the baby in my uterus, the rush of his heartbeat pounding in my ears, I knew I wanted him. Suddenly, I knew I wanted to be a mother because my son was conceived in love. Yes, I love Mason, even if our relationship is in shambles right now. But I still want this child growing under my heart, no matter what.
Meanwhile, Monica’s eyes lit up.
“Congratulations!” squealed my friend. “I’m so happy for you, and Auntie Monica is going to be the first to tell him about life,” she said, waggling her eyebrows and making me laugh. It was good to lighten up a little bit, considering the turn my life had taken recently. But there was still so much to work through.
