“Oh shit,” the words slip out of my mouth before I have a chance to clamp it shut. Behind us the water is running in my shower. I don’t know how to process this. I thought I was coming in here to get her all soaped up and clean so I could get her dirty again.

She’s pregnant.

“Is it mine?” I immediately regret asking as I see the pain flicker in her eyes.

She doesn’t speak, just nods as her eyes fill with tears.

This isn’t how I pictured any of this going. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. I mean, I don’t know the first thing about raising a baby, but people have been doing it for centuries, right? I can learn.

If that’s what she wants. I don’t even know if she plans to keep it.

“What are you going to do?” I look back down at the test, part of me waiting to wake up from a vivid, crazy dream.

“What do you mean? What am I going to do?” Her tone is like a razor’s edge and I glance over at her with surprise.

“I mean, do you want to keep it?” I try to reach for her hand, but she swats me away. I just want to support her in her decision. I’m all about a woman having the right to do with her body what she wants. I don’t want to go buy a big book of baby names and let myself get excited about being a father if she’s ready to run off to a clinic.

“A leopard doesn’t change its spots,” she murmurs down at the test as fat tears spill over her cheeks.

“What? Hey, come here?” I try to pull her into me, but she steps back.

“I can’t do this right now. I need some time to think,” she rakes her fingers through her hair and looks down at the floor.

“Of course, that makes sense. Sure, I’ll give you some space,” I step back toward the door.

“I am going to keep it, Connor,” she searches my face for an argument, but I’m not going to give her one. I get the feeling she’s looking for a fight, but I’m the wrong guy.

“Then we’ll figure this out. Don’t worry, Charlotte, it’s all going to be fine,” I try to grab her hands but she pulls away again.

“Fine, yeah, sure,” she chokes on the words. “My brother hates your guts and now I’m pregnant with your child. He’s the only family I have left in this whole world. The only one who was there when our parents were taken from us, and now he’s going to hate me.” Her voice cracks as the tears pour over her face, dripping from her quivering chin.

“Charlotte, hey, don’t worry about any of that right now. Please? Let’s just get you to a doctor and get a blood test and we’ll figure this thing out bit by bit.”

“You don’t get it, Connor. I can’t figure this out with you. Not if it means losing the only blood I have left. Marcus is far from perfect, but he’s all I’ve had ever since the accident. If I lose him,” she sobs, “then it’s like losing my parents all over again. It’s like the night the cops showed up at our house and told us that they were gone. That one thread I’ve been hanging on to all these years will be cut,” she rushes past me through the doorframe and begins gathering her clothes.

“That’s not going to happen. You’re feeling emotional right now, I get that. But I know Marcus, he’s not going to shut you out when you need him. If anything, this will bring us all together,” I hold out my hands as she pulls on her bra and dress.

“You knew him,” she corrects me. “I’m sorry, Connor, but I need to figure this out. Can you take me back to town? I’ve gotta grab my car and head home.”

“Yeah, sure,” I begin to search my place for my keys but realize I’m still not wearing a stitch. “Just give me a sec to get dressed,” I race up to the loft and quickly slip into some clothes.

When I get back downstairs, Charlotte is already waiting in the truck for me, gazing out the window with a thousand mile stare I thought was only reserved for guys who’ve been in battle.

I put my shoes on and join her in the old beater, hoping to make her smile. “We’re gonna be a great team, Lottie. Don’t worry, this is all going to work out fine.”

“It’s not fine, Connor. And, I’m not sure if we’re going to make a great team, cause I’m not sure if I can see you anymore,” she doesn’t move her eyes from the passenger side window and I don’t know what to say to that. Only minutes ago I learned that I’m going to be a dad and just like that, poof, it sounds like she might not want me involved at all. It’s all too much to process.

I turn the key in the ignition and set my jaw as I concentrate on getting the mother of my child back to her car safely. Because once I drop her off there, I’m going to have a little chat with her brother.