Chapter 44
You Should’ve Called
This isn’t happening. This cannot be happening. I’m not standing in some parking lot, having my current boyfriend tell me he’s violated my privacy, seconds before he informs my ex-boyfriend that I was once pregnant with his child. No, this shit only happens in movies, and books, and to other girls who go looking for drama. That’s not me, I hate drama, mostly because I don’t know how to remain calm and work through a problem. I tend to panic and act impulsively.
“Keegan,” Jack prods again, “what is he talking about?”
I draw in a long breath, but it feels shallow, my vision is blurred with tears and my legs are aching to run away from this nightmare.
Adrian turns to look at me, and I can see he’s realized what he’s done. I stare into his eyes, hiding none of my pain and tell him one last time, “You need to leave.”
Finally, he nods and turns to go, saying nothing more. My chest aches as I watch him go, remembering how great everything was just two days ago. Now… I have no idea how we’ll recover from this.
“Keegan,” Jack says again, this time sounding angry.
I look at him, feeling numbness engulf me. I want to sit right here in the gravel and shut everything out, but I need to finish this.
“Let’s go to my car,” I say, needing to sit.
I lead the way and he follows, saying nothing. By the time we get the few feet to my car, I can feel the bile rise in my throat. I turn to face Jack, deciding to just spit it out.
"I found out I was pregnant after you left."
I watch all the options play out across his face.
"We have a kid?"
I shake my head.
"You gave it up for adoption?"
I shake my head again, forcing back new tears.
"You never even tried to tell me." His nostrils flare as the anger begins to consume his body.
"What was I supposed to do?” I ask, “You left me and stopped returning my text messages."
His eyes are wide, emphasizing his shock. “You could have gone to my mom. She would have called me.”
I shake my head, not sure what else to say. He takes a few steps away, then leans on my car, grasping the back of his neck with one hand. He has yet to ask what did happen to the baby, but he clarifies his assumption quickly.
He lifts his gaze to me and I see his eyes are hard and cold. “So, you found out you were pregnant, never tried to reach out to me, then you killed our baby?"
I flinch at his words, and I'm no longer able to hold back the tears. He’s assuming that I had an abortion and with the way he’s looking at me like he’s disgusted, I don’t want to correct him.
"You know what, Jack?” I say, furiously wiping at my cheeks, “When you walked away, you knew how much it would hurt me, but you did what was best for you. So don't stand there acting all high and mighty like you were the one that got screwed over because you were the one that walked away.”
He pushes off the car and takes several steps away, keeping his back to me. He runs both of his hands through his hair so when he turns to look at me, his hair looks just as angry as his face.
“You didn't know that I wasn't coming back.” His voice is rising as his anger increases.
I draw in a breath, but it feels shallow. “I knew you if you’d cared about me, you would’ve called.”
"I would've cared about the baby,” Jack spits out, digging the knife in deeper.
I bite the inside of my cheek and shake my head. “Goodbye, Jack,” I say just before I climb into my car and drive away. He does nothing to stop me. I know because I watch in my rear view mirror until I can no longer see him.