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“When Ronan comes back, I need you to ask him to heat some water at the firepit. I’d like to wash some clothes tonight.” Mom tosses a pair of my jeans into one of the piles. “I’d like for you girls to help.”
Destiny doesn’t say anything. No surprise there.
I groan in frustration. Laundry is the worst. I don’t like hand washing everyone’s stinky underwear.
“Maybe we should teach Kota how to do laundry,” I suggest. “His undies are always the dirtiest.”
He sticks his tongue out at me. “That’s a girl’s job.”
“Dakota,” Mom admonishes. “Put the ball down and help me sort.”
I smirk at him, satisfied he got what was coming. Mom frowns, holding a pair of my underwear. When her eyes meet mine, flickering with worry, my stomach does a tiny flip.
“What?” I bark out, uncomfortable with the look she’s giving me.
She chews on her lip before blurting out, “When was your last period?”
“Ew. Why are we talking about this?” Even as I go for an annoyed reaction, I can’t help the uneasiness flooding through me. “When wasyourlast period?”
“I think you’re smart enough to know it’s been a while.” Mom levels me with a warning glare. “But we’re discussing you. When, Raegan?”
Honestly, I don’t know.
I know I’ve not had one and I thought that was weird, but I tried to appreciate not having to deal with my period rather than worry about missing it and what those repercussions could mean.
Before I can answer, Mom continues, her spine straightening. “What exactly happened when you were with those people? Did they…”
Destiny flinches at her words. I feel guilty that we’ve somehow hurt her just by bringing up that time.
“Did they what?” I ask, voice shrill. “No. They didn’t do anything to me. But, even if they did, I wouldn’t want to talk about it!”
I make a pointed look toward Destiny. Mom glances over at her and softens.
“I just worry that—”
“Last month, okay?” I huff out. “Can we stop talking about this now?”
Mom’s gaze narrows. “Okay, sweetie.”
I deflate at her words. Usually, she puts up more of a fight during our arguments. Maybe the baby is making her feel sick again. Or maybe she finally figured out that discussing this stuff in front of Destiny isn’t the best thing to do. She’s already so fragile. Reminding her of what Jace did to her—or at least what I assume he did since she won’t speak—is downright cruel. She, like me and Ronan, just wish we could forget everything about the kidnapping.
While Mom gets distracted with laundry and kids, I can’t help but obsess over her question. Whenwasmy last period? I’d had it maybe three months ago. I’m not a hundred percent sure. I know I didn’t have it while in captivity or since coming home.
Oh God.
I’ve had sex twice with my brother.
I can’t be pregnant from having sex two times. That seems impossible. Mom and Dad have sex all the time, even with us sleeping in the same stupid cabin. That’s why they have a million kids.
But me?
I’m not ready to have a baby. Babies are needy and keep you trapped inside when you’d rather be anywhere instead.
Definitely not pregnant.
If I were pregnant, wouldn’t I be puking all the time like Mom?
The root cellar made you gag…
