“Oh, honey,” Mom whispers brokenly into my hair, her voice clogged with emotion. “Let’s go sit and talk.”

I nod and they step back. In the family room, I claim the loveseat while my parents sit across from me on the couch. I can tell my dad is furious from the way his jaw is ticking and how he keeps clenching and unclenching his fists.

My dad is the first to speak. His tone is shockingly calm. “Nat bug, how did this happen?” I open my mouth to reply, but he cuts me off. The calm has worn off. “How the fuck did this happen? Your mother and I have provided for your every need, and this is how you thank us? By getting knocked up before you’re even out of damn high school?” His face is an angry shade of red, and spittle flies from his lips as he yells at me.

Unable to take any more, I draw my knees to my chest and drop my head onto them, letting my hair fall forward like a curtain.

Taking note of me folding in on myself, Dad softens his tone…a little. “Are you sure you’re even pregnant? Like one-hundred-percent positive? Who is the father? Why didn’t you use protection? How could you be so…”

That cakewalk I mentioned early? Yeah, not so much. His rapid-fire questions make my chest feel tight, like an elephant is sitting on me, its weight slowly pressing the air from the lungs.

Luckily, Mom shuts him down…right before he could call me stupid. The word may have not left his mouth, but I know it’s what he was going to say.

“Luke. Let’s tackle this one issue at a time.” She lays her hand on top of his, and he covers it with his other. Together, they’re a united front, able to conquer any obstacle with grace—including their seventeen-year-old daughter being pregnant.

“Like your father was saying, you’re certain your pregnant?” Her tone is soft, and it makes me feel so shitty, though I know that isn’t her intention. I almost wish she would shout at me too. Her compassion is too much.

I give a small nod. “Yes, ma’am. I took two tests.”

“They aren’t always accurate!” Dad exclaims.

Mom gives him an indecipherable look. “That may be true, but that is typical with negative results. False positives are incredibly rare.” His shoulders slump. “When did you take these tests?”

“A week ago.”

“Well, you’ll need to call the OB-GYN and make an appointment.”

I want to argue and beg her to do it for me, but I don’t, because if I’m going to be responsible for the life of another human, I sure as shit need to be responsible for my own.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll call first thing tomorrow.”

She nods, pleased with my response. “Natalie, as much as I want to lecture you on poor decisions, waiting until marriage, and safe sex…it’s obviously too late for that. So, instead we’re going to talk about your options.”

I blink at her. Surely she doesn’t mean… “Options? Like abortion?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“I don’t!” I rush out, my lower lip quivering. I’m all for a woman’s right to choose, but it’s not the right choice for me. Sure, I’ve only known I was expecting for seven days, but it only took minutes to know I loved this baby.

“There’s also adoption. Have you spoken to the father?”

I shake my head. “N-not yet.”

“So, you know who the father is?” Dad asks through clenched teeth.

I can’t tell them that Alden is the father. Not only will my father murder him, it will destroy his friendship with Nate. Not to mention the havoc it would wreak on his new relationship with Mia…as jealous as I am over their relationship, I know he must really like her, because in all of the years I’ve known him, he’s never publicly announced dating anyone.

So, instead, I hang my head and lie. “No, I don’t.” My voice cracks, right along with my heart.

Years from now, I’ll regret this decision, but in this moment, it feels like the right choice. Alden has so much going for him, and I love him enough to not drag him down with me. No red-blooded, college junior wants to be a father.

Not to mention, if my parents wanted to, they could go after him for statutory, and that’s not something I’m willing to risk. Alden Warner is a good man with a bright future, and I’m not going to jeopardize it over a night he doesn’t even remember. Plus, this baby…our baby…will link me to him forever. Even if he is never aware, I’ll always have a little piece of him to call mine.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Dad shouts even louder than before, causing me to cry harder. “How could you not know? You’re better than this, Natalie. We raised you better than this!”

Mom tries to calm him down, but he’s too far gone. As much as his words sting, I can’t really blame him. If letting them think I’m a loose girl prone to bad choices protects Alden, then so be it.

Dad stands from the couch, refusing to even look my way. “Go to bed Natalie. We’ll talk more tomorrow, but right now…I need some space.” He stalks out of the room, not sparing even a single glance back my way.

Mom stands and walks over to me. “Give him time, sweetie. Give us both some time. I know this is hard, but we both love you very much.”

I nod, too choked up to speak. She presses a comforting kiss to my forehead and follows after my dad.