Jade
Since yesterday, I’ve not told anyone. I have no damn clue what to say. Freya knows something is up because I’ve been avoiding her like the plague, tossing out every excuse in the world to stay away from her. After the appointment, I came home numb and floating in a daze of solidified denial. I went to work this morning the same and drifted through the day in a hell of a funk.
But I can’t stay quiet for long. I feel alone…and scared.
Freya is already home when I toss my purse on the coffee table, dropping my keys beside it and causing a loud clanking noise. Her door is open but out of nervous energy, I knock instead of springing in as I normally do. She looks up at me through her glasses, her kinky curls held back by a black headband.
“I need to talk to you.” I sit on the corner of her bed with my heart in my throat.
She spins her chair around, pulling her glasses off. “This sounds ominous.”
“I’ve got a situation. I’m in trouble.”
“Do I need to grab a shovel and help bury a body?”
Her unwavering and tenacious friendship causes me to titter, but quickly it slips away. “You might. I’m sure my brother will need some help,” I say, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.
Her face screws up. “The Lauders need help? This is juicy.” She rubs her hands together with excitement. “Definitely include me.”
I count to three. One…two…three… “Freya, I’m pregnant.” Uttering the words takes my breath and hers.
She gasps, slapping her hands over her mouth. Her amber eyes widen with shock. “Oh, shit. Does he know? Have you told him?”
I shake my head. “No. Not yet. I went to the doctor yesterday.”
She slaps her hands on her thighs, snaps her fingers, and then points at me. “That’s what you were doing in the bathroom!”
I frown and then drop my head into my hands. “What the hell am I going to do?”
“You’re going to tell Zach. You have to. You know it wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t.”
“I know.” My voice sounds small and tired.
“Sooo, you seriously forgot to fill me in on the last visit with Max,” she snickers, resting back in her chair.
Dropping my head back, I glance to the ceiling. “It’s the same thing every time. You know this.”
She laughs and then moves beside me on the bed. “You two have always consumed each other.”
I blink several times, keeping the tears at bay. “I don’t want to be with him.”
“And yet you’ll let him fuck you over and over until it’s his name engraved into your heart and possibly on your dildo.”
I puff a chuckle. “Shut up.”
She drops her cheek to my shoulder and hugs me. “Regardless of what Zach’s reaction will be, I’ll be right here. Whatever you need. I’ll even hold your hand when you call him if you need me to.”
“No. This is something I have to suck up and say to his face. I need to gauge his reaction.”
“You inspire me, Jade Lauder. You’re strong as hell. Don’t let this knock you out of your lane. You’ll handle this with finesse.”
I rest my head against hers. “I’m terrified.”
“You’ll overcome it.” She pats my knee and I leave drifting in a daze.
On shaky legs I grab my phone from my purse and go back to my bedroom, falling backward onto my bed.
“What’s up, sis,” Max answers.
“Hey, butthead. Whatcha doing?” I strain to keep my normal peppy cheer.
“’Bout to head to the house to shower and then scoop Zach up for some dinner,” he tells me.
Just hearing his name causes my heart to flutter with nerves. “Ah, bro-date. You two won’t ever get lucky hanging on each other’s arms,” I jest because keeping it routine…
His loud laugh bursts through the phone and it causes me to giggle. “Why is my sister worried if I get lucky or not?
“Because it promotes a healthy life, relieving stress and reducing depression unless you’re shacking up with a psycho. Then you’re definitely screwed. Aannd studies have shown it makes you look younger, which you are getting older every second.” I’m cracking up as he cackles. “Plus you’re an ass when you’re in a dry spell. See how much I love you?”
“Sure, if that’s what you’re going to call it.”
“I’ve got this weekend off. Care if I come and enjoy the shopping on your side of town?”
“You know you don’t have to ask. You’ve got a key and a bedroom. Come and go as you please,” he says.
That’s my Max. My loving, protective, overbearing brother. As much of an annoying pest that he is, I love him.
“I still think you’re dumb for buying yourself a snazzy penthouse with an extra room just for me when I don’t even live close by.”
“One day I’ll talk you into moving in and helping out with the winery,” he replies.
I groan, loud, drawn out, and super obnoxiously. “I’m a wine-ron, Max. You know this.”
A deep chuckle rumbles in my ear. “Wine’s in your blood. You just need to tap into it.”
“Whatever you say,” I grumble because we have this talk every chance he can. “I’ll head your way tomorrow morning so I don’t interrupt your bro-date with Zach.”
“You have a key, Jade. Use it,” he reminds me.
“It’s one thing to suggest you’re screwing. It’s another to hear you doing it. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.”
I hang up grinning at my phone because I won the brother-sister argument tenfold this time.
“He’s going to kill him. You know that right?” Freya stands with her shoulder against the frame of my door.
And just like that, my smile is stolen from me, replaced with the truth of reality. “Yeah. It’s going to be a blood bath.”
“You better figure out how to run the winery because he won’t be able to do it sitting in prison.” She smacks her lips, sucking air through her teeth, and disappears back down the hall.
I glance over to the drawer holding my pregnancy test and my ultrasound picture and then roll my eyes heavenward. “Oh, this is going to suck.”