Ember

 

The ride back to the club didn’t take too long. I was happy to be back, happy to go out with Wheeler—but was reminded of the secret that I still held.

 

“So, I figured we’d go out to the beach for a little fun in the sun, yeah? There’s a beachside grill; we don’t even have to put on regular clothes to go in, sit down, and eat.”

 

“Sounds good to me.”

 

I should take the tests before we went out. Just so I knew. What if there were drinks at the grill? I couldn’t drink those if I was pregnant. Right? Was there a time limit on these things?

 

“Ember?”

 

“Sorry, a little distracted by the thought of beach and grill. I could kill for some ribs right now.”

 

“Well, they serve some of the best ribs this side of the country! Let’s get a move on!”

 

He smacked my ass playfully, and I couldn’t help but laugh with him. I kept my purse close and followed him to the room we were sharing at the San Diego chapter club. I rummaged in my drawers, looking for the perfect thing to wear. Among the clothes that Wheeler had bought me, bathing suits were a part of the mix. I had a few to choose from and settled on a one-piece—fiery red and strappy. I gathered it and my towel and moved to the bathroom.

 

“Why’re you changing in there? You’re not shy, are you?” Wheeler asked, teasing me further. I stuck my tongue out at him.

 

“I need to use the bathroom, and besides, if I change out here, we’ll never get to the beach—you’re a pervert and you can’t keep your hands to yourself!”

 

He laughed at me, but didn’t dispute it. All the wild sex we’d been having was enough to prove that I was right and he was wrong, and there was no if, ands, or buts about it!

 

But the teasing done and the bathroom door closed, I sobered up a little more.

 

I was in the bathroom now with that pretty strappy one-piece in one hand and my purse in the other. With a deep breath, I set the bathing suit off to the side and opened up my purse, taking out the tests. I set both of them on the counter and looked down at them.

 

It was like they were making fun of me.

 

Okay, that was silly. But it was a little intimidating having them on the counter like that, and having yet to pee on them.

 

“They’re just little sticks,” I told myself. “Remember what Mama said …”

 

I took the first one in hand, sat on the toilet, and did my business, trying not to get pee on myself. I managed that one great feat, and then moved on to the next test. Did my business. Set them on the counter to … cook or ferment or whatever.

 

I realized that it would do me no good to just stare at it, as though staring was going to make the tests finish processing any faster. I went ahead and got undressed and into my bathing suit. After that, I paced. Then I sat on the toilet seat. Anything and everything to occupy my time.

 

Good God, I was going to drive myself insane and I hadn’t even gotten a damn result back yet!

 

“Hey, Ember, what’s taking so long? You fall into the toilet or something?” Wheeler called, making me jump a little. Goddamn. “You’re on your own if that’s the case; that’s not my area of expertise!” he joked.

 

Ever the kidder.

 

“I’m intentionally taking my sweet ass time just to make you wait,” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just making sure I look nice.”

 

“You always look nice. I’ll be waiting. Don’t take too long!”

 

I couldn’t help but smile, even though I was about to get information that would either make life harder or infinitely easier.

 

I was greeted by a beep.

 

And then another.

 

My heart jumped. They were ready!

 

I jumped up from my place on the toilet and went over to the sink where the tests were, right where I left them. I took in another deep breath and picked up the first one.

 

It had a tiny pink plus sign.

 

Oh my God.

 

I scrambled and grabbed for the second one.

 

Pregnant.

 

They were both positive. Both of them. I was … I was pregnant!

 

There was an overwhelming sensation that went through me that was simultaneously elated and shocked to high heaven. I had to hold back a whoop that threatened to escape my lips. I couldn’t believe this. My suspicions had been right.

 

I was going to be a mother.

 

Wheeler was the father of my child.

 

I ran a hand through my hair. Oh my God. This was really happening. I had really gotten pregnant and I was really going to have a baby. The timing was … well, it was awful. I had to be honest. It was bad, bad timing.

 

Yet somehow it felt so right.

 

I couldn’t tell Wheeler … not just yet. Not with everything going on. It would be a distraction and I needed to get my head a little more screwed on and sane but—

 

I was going to be a mother.

 

“Hey, Ember, seriously, you okay in there?”

 

“Yeah!” I yelled. Quickly, I tossed both of the tests and their instruction sheets back into my purse. As odd as it probably was (I had peed on both of those, after all …) I didn’t really care. Not a lot. Those were the proof that I was about to be a mother. I couldn’t be bothered with how gross it was going to end up being.

 

Now we just had to get through all this shit.

 

Composing myself, I finally left the bathroom. Wheeler was sitting on the bed, waiting for me.

 

“Well, it’s about time, princess,” he said. He was smiling, though. I went up to him and kissed him, deep. I think it caught him off guard.

 

“Oh wow, what was that for?”

 

“Oh, nothing. Don’t we have a beach to get to?”