AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Love, she’s not coming.” I place my hands on his forearms and squeeze to get his attention.
“But she has to come, Connor. I sent her a plane ticket and money to move her stuff here.”
I close my eyes. “How much money did ye send her?”
“Enough to cover the movers and whatever else she needed, about five thousand. You don’t think she spent the money on something else, do you? She was so anxious to move here…”
I rub my forehead as I desperately try to stave off the growing headache. “She duped us, Love. Come on, let’s go home.” I glance back at the camera crew, shaking my head, and fold my arm around TJ.
“I don’t understand. We talked every day. You should have heard the excitement in her voice. It was genuine, I know it was.” Tears trickle down TJ’s cheek and I want to punch my hand into the tiled wall and roar at the night sky about how unfair this is, but mostly I want to hold him and tell him we’ll be okay and we can try again. But I know that’s not true. This kind of betrayal stings and leaves you jaded.
TJ dials her phone once again when we get back into the car. The Bluetooth picks up and puts the call on speaker. “Babe, maybe we should let it go—”
“Hello?” Penny answers.
“Penny? It’s TJ.” His voice cracks with excitement. “Where are you? We came to the airport to pick you up, but couldn’t find you. We’re still here. Are you here? Are you lost?”
“Oh, shit. TJ, I totally forgot. Sorry, I…I’m not coming.”
Seconds slip past. TJ’s mouth dramatically hinges open. I shift in my seat and squeeze the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
“But why?” he says finally. “What do you mean you’re not coming?”
“Funny thing…” Her laugh sounds tinny. “I um, got back together with my boyfriend about a month and a half ago.”
“Okay, and?” TJ waves his hand impatiently.
“And, I’m pregnant. I tested this morning and sure enough, two pink lines popped up. Isn’t that crazy?” Her enthusiasm swallows the silence in the car.
“But you don’t want kids.”
“I mean, I didn’tplanfor it to happen, but here we are,” she chirps.
“Here we are,” TJ echoes. “So, you’re having a baby, just not ours?”
“I know, wild, right? Shows you what can happen when you’re not taking birth control.”
“Condoms, Penny. Have you ever heard of condoms?” TJ’s cheeks turn splotchy.
“You sound upset.”
I blow out a humorless chuckle and shake my head in disbelief. How can she sound so cavalier about this?
“I’m beyond upset,” TJ barks. “We had a deal. You signed a contract.”
“Well, I don’t know what you want me to do. I’m pregnant.”
“You said that already.”
“Penny, what about the money TJ sent ye for movin’?” I ask.
“Oh, well, of course, I’ll send it back. Of course. Look, I need to go, but we can chat more later, okay?” Penny disconnects the call before we can utter another word.
“I don’t think I’m going to get my money back,” TJ says despondently. He gazes out the window at the passing scenery.
“No, Love, I done think so.”
“I’m in total disbelief, babe. I mean…who would have predicted this? Who would have thought Penny would betray us like this?”
