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Assessing the situation, I move quickly. Samantha needs to be states away from Ariah. I’m mad she’s breathing our girl’s air at all.
“Let’s go, Samantha. You have nothing to worry about. It’s probably some rando’s baby. Ariah was never too selective with who she let between her legs. Look how easy it was for her to spread them for all of us,” I choke out and force myself to turn away. Ignoring the gasp of shock, I put one foot in front of the other, hoping to get Samantha away before she does something stupid.
Once we’re outside of the cafe, I breathe for the first time in ten minutes. Sam’s whining about something, but I could give two shits what it is. I’m too focused on Wyatt’s mumbled words earlier.
‘Because we have more than ourselves to fight for now.’
12
ARIAH
“Let’s go, Samantha. You have nothing to worry about. It’s probably some rando’s baby. Ariah was never too selective with who she let between her legs.”
Wes’s words are a dagger to the heart. He caught me flat-footed. I couldn’t find the words to flay him for his bullshit ass statement. But I shouldn’t have been surprised. That’s who Wes has always been. I was just the fool who believed he changed.
Stupid fucker.
The cafeteria moves out of focus as tears blur my vision. I can’t fight the exasperated huff that escapes me as the distorted image of them walking away assaults me.
I think I see Owen reach for me for a moment, but by the time my eyes close to prevent the tears from falling, all four of their backs are to me. Wes is linked arm-in-arm with Sam, and as they exit the cafe, she turns around and smirks. Well, she attempts one anyway. Her face is still as frozen by Botox as I remember.
“Come on, Ry, let’s get you out of here. We can eat back at the house,” Shay whispers in my ear as she tugs me free from my trance.
“Those are the assholes you used to be with?” Elias growls, but I still can’t find the will to speak.
“Fucking pussyholes is what they are. Wait ’til I see them later,” Shay snaps.
I walk aimlessly behind her, not uttering a sound.
It’s not like I expected them to fall at my feet with endless apologies or for them to say their choice was a mistake and I was really their Chosen. I just wasn’t expecting them to find out about my pregnancy and dismiss it like it’s not one of theirs.
“Ariah,” Reign sighs exasperatedly, which means he’s been trying to get my attention for a long time.
“Sorry. How long were you calling me?”
Reign’s mouth curves into a sympathetic smile, and I want to punch him. I don’t need him or anyone else feeling sorry for me. I’m one sad smile away from screaming.
“Not long. I wanted to know if you still wanted to attend class later?” Reign states.
His question only fuels my rage. I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I have to walk around despondently while they are unaffected?
“Yes,” I snap, stomping up the stairs and into the house.
No one calls me on my bratty-ass attitude, and it’s for the best. I’ll apologize later. I know I’m being petulant, but I can’t seem to find the fucks to give at the moment.
They all let me escape to my room without another word.
“How fucking dare they,” I shout, slamming my door.
Plopping down on my bed, I snatch the ultrasound photos off my nightstand. My anger abates at the sight of them. The photo from my first appointment that went missing the day we moved back is still unaccounted for.
Memories of my first visit to the doctor’s office flood my mind as I lay down. Dr. Jaffri confirmed what I already knew to be true. I was pregnant, but I couldn’t understand how. I had the implant and religiously made sure they all used condoms. Are there statistical anomalies? Sure. But there’d need to be a perfect storm to be that protected and still get knocked up. Dr. Jaffri answered one part of the question during that visit. I had no implant in my arm. But it wasn’t until the second appointment that I gained clarity on how truly fucked my situation was.
We’d been in Bronston for almost five weeks, and the ache in my chest hadn’t dulled. I was still questioning my abrupt departure from Edgewood. It was necessary. However, it didn’t change the turmoil that raged inside me since leaving.
Dad was so worried, constantly reminding me that I could talk to him and reassuring me it would all be okay in the end. The earnest plea in his eyes almost made me cave that day. I knew I could talk to him. He’d always been my safe place, but at that time, it felt like a journey I needed to do alone. I needed to process and come to terms with all the changes in my life over the last two years.
Dread filled my stomach as I climbed out of the backseat of the SUV that day. I was so conflicted. Anger and betrayal fought against joy and hope. I was too damn young to have anyone’s baby, but part of one of the guys was growing inside me.
