Me to Mum: Josh and I broke up.

While I waited for her reply, I sent the same text to my brothers, then popped a french fry into my mouth. A plate of my favorite restaurant fries sat on the coffee table in front of me.

Chris: Fuck me dead. Never would have guessed. You two seemed so in love. *Snort*

Crap. That wasn’t good.

Chris: Simon now owes me $50.

I was afraid to ask. Why?

Chris: I said you’d wait 5 months before claiming that you and Josh had broken up. Simon said 6.

How did you know the engagement was fake? Never mind the part where I hadn’t been “engaged” anywhere near five months. Neither of them had won the bet.

Chris: Really? You have to ask? You would never do something as impulsive as getting engaged to someone you barely know.

Me to Chris: How do you know I haven’t known Josh for a while?

Chris: You looked ready to shag him not marry him.

God, had I been that obvious?

Mum: That doesn’t surprise me. Hockey players aren’t known to be faithful.

Me to Mum: I never said he cheated on me.

And how on earth did Mum know anything about hockey players? What did she do—Google them?

Right. Of course she did.

Although I was surprised she had found anything to indicate hockey players weren’t faithful. Maybe Buzzfeed had a list for the Top Ten Sports Known to Produce Unfaithful Significant Others.

Mum: Then what happened?

“I want you to tell them the truth. All of it. The baby. The fake engagement. That I’m the baby’s father.”

Like that would happen.

So I went with a different kind of truth. Because my career comes first and there’s always a chance he could be traded. I don’t want to put my career on hold because of it.

How was that for a brilliant excuse? Career trumped all in her books…including love.

What about Junior and the possibility of Josh being traded?

That was something I didn’t want to worry about for now. Worrying solved nothing.

Simon: Tell Chris I don’t owe him $50. You weren’t engaged for even 5 months.

Me to Simon: Neither of you won the bet, mate. You were both wrong.

Chris: You know what this means, right?

Me to Chris: No, what?

Chris: Unless you sound really broken up about the breakup, Mum will try to hook you up with Drew again.

A moment later. Who am I kidding? She’ll jump right back on that plan regardless if your heart is broken or not.

That was what I was afraid of.

Me to Chris: There’s more.

Chris: Like what?

I’m pregnant. Why was I telling my brother but not my mother? Because he would be supportive no matter what.

Simon: You’re really pregnant? I’m not sure if I should laugh or give you a lecture on safe sex. But I guess it’s too late for that.

Me to Chris: You told Simon? You know he can’t keep his mouth shut. I don’t care if you have to duct tape his mouth, you have to keep him from telling Mum and Dad.

Me to Simon: You can’t tell Mum or Dad. If you tell them, I’ll…I’ll. I was never good at revenge or threats. Just be forewarned that whatever I do to you won’t be pleasant at all.

Simon: Don’t worry, your secret is safe.

I hoped he was right—given his track record with my secrets.

Then he added, Why don’t you want them to know?

I’m not ready to deal with their reaction about me throwing away my career. Which I’m not. But that’s not how Mum will see it.

Simon: True enough.

A moment later I received another text from Chris: Don’t suppose your fake ex-fiancé is the father?

When I didn’t respond right away, Fuck. The wanker really is the father?

Mum: I agree. Your career comes first. He wasn’t the right man for you.

Me to Mum: I know. But I still love him and it will take me a long time to get over what happened.

“So don’t even think of trying anything when it comes to me and Drew,” I said to my phone, even though she couldn’t hear me.

Mum didn’t text back. I could only hope that was a good sign.

Simon: You know at some point you will have to tell Mum and Dad. Or were you just planning to show up one day with the little ankle biter in tow?

Now that did sound like a brilliant option.…