Chapter 15
Mia
My alarm goes off at seven, the time I set it for when I thought I was going home today. Now I’m considering staying another day. Jason and I need more time to talk and I really like spending time with him.
We had a great time at the wedding reception last night, which I almost didn’t go to after accidentally dropping the bomb that I’m pregnant.
I still can’t believe I did that, that I just blurted it out—and that Jason’s whole family heard me say it!
The entire scene was a nightmare that could’ve been even worse if Jason’s family wasn’t so kind and understanding.
Even his parents seemed okay with it, although I’m sure they’re not thrilled their son’s having a baby with a girl he’s not dating who’s moving away.
That’s what Jason’s most upset about—me moving away. I can tell he’s excited about being a dad, but he’s worried he won’t see the baby as much as he wants. I agree that’s a problem, but I don’t know how to solve it. We’re both committed to living in our hometowns, close to our families.
A text pops up on my phone from Nora. What time are you leaving? Are we still going to brunch?
I text her back. I think I might stay.
My phone rings. It’s Nora.
‘Hey,’ I say, answering the call. ‘I probably won’t make it to brunch.’
‘Why? What happened?’
‘I told Jason.’
‘And? What did he say?’
‘Not much. I think he’s still in shock. His brother’s wedding was last night so we didn’t have much time to talk. That’s why I’m thinking of sticking around today.’
‘You told him at the wedding?’
‘I didn’t mean to. You won’t believe what happened.’ I tell her the story, then wait for her to respond.
She starts laughing.
‘Why are you laughing? It’s not funny. It was horrible.’
‘Sorry, but the part about Jason not figuring out the baby was his? That’s funny. I mean, really, why else would you be stalking the guy the past few weeks?’
‘I wasn’t stalking him.’
‘You know what I mean. You’ve been calling him, asking him to dinner, inviting yourself there. You wouldn’t do all that if the kid was someone else’s. I thought you said this guy was smart.’
‘He is. He just didn’t put it together. Or maybe he didn’t want to believe it.
I didn’t either when I found out. He wasn’t ready to talk about it last night so we just went on with our evening and had a great time.
We danced. Talked to his family. I met some of his friends.
It was a perfect night, despite his whole family finding out I’m pregnant. ’
‘Mia, seriously?’ she says, sounding annoyed.
‘What?’
‘We’ve been over this a million times.’
‘Over what?’
‘You can’t be falling for this guy. You’re supposed to be getting over him and focusing on the baby and getting a job.’
‘I have a job.’
‘A job in Boston, for when you move.’ She pauses. ‘You’re still moving, right?’
‘I have to. My dad keeps having falls at the house and it’s only going to get worse the older he gets.
Mom can’t help him and I don’t want some stranger taking care of him.
I asked Jason about moving with me, but he didn’t want to talk about it.
I can’t see him leaving. This town and his family are his life. ’
‘Maybe that’ll change now that he’s having a kid.’
‘I don’t think so. I can’t see him living in a big city. Anyway, we can talk later. I just wanted to let you know I wouldn’t be there for brunch.’
‘So if you’re staying there, does that mean you’re going to introduce Jason to your parents? Do the whole fake engagement thing?’
‘No. I’m not going to do that. It’s crazy. I don’t even think I could pull it off. You know what a terrible liar I am.’
‘Don’t think of it as lying. Think of it as pretending, or acting, like you’re in a play. Didn’t you used to act?’
‘Yeah, in grade school, and I wasn’t very good.’
‘I’m sure your acting skills are good enough to convince your parents you’re engaged to Jason, especially since you’re crazy about the guy.’
‘I never said I was crazy about him.’
‘You didn’t have to. It’s obvious just hearing you talk about him.’
Another call pops up on my phone.
‘Nora, I have to go. My mom’s calling.’
‘Okay, talk to you later.’
I switch over to my mom’s call. ‘Hey, Mom.’
‘Hi, honey. We’re here!’
‘Where?’
‘In Wisconsin. We went to—’
‘Wait. Hold on. I thought you were getting here tomorrow.’
‘No. Today. Didn’t you see the email I sent you with our itinerary?’
‘Yes, but it was supposed to be tomorrow, the 16th.’
‘Honey, today is the 16th.’
‘It is?’ I quickly check the calendar on my phone. ‘Shit. I mean, I guess I got the days mixed up. So where are you right now?’
‘On our way to Haydon Falls. After we left the airport in Madison, we went to your apartment but you weren’t there.
That nice neighbor lady of yours heard us knocking and came out and told us you were in Haydon Falls this weekend.
It’s so sweet of you to surprise us like this!
Your father and I are thrilled you decided to join us on our little getaway!
It’s been so long since we had a family vacation. ’
‘Wait. Mom, I wasn’t planning to—’
‘Are you staying at the same hotel as us? That cute little historic one near the downtown?’
‘Um, Mom, could we talk later? I just got up and really have to use the bathroom.’
‘Of course! So should we meet somewhere, or what would you like to do?’
‘We’ll meet somewhere. A restaurant. I’ll text you the name.’
‘Sounds good! Can’t wait to see you!’ She ends the call.
What am I going to do? They’re on their way here. They think I’m spending the week with them. In Haydon Falls!
‘Mia?’ Jason knocks on the door. ‘Are you up?’
‘Yes! Just a minute.’ I race to the door and open it.
‘Good morning.’ He smiles. ‘I assumed you were up. I heard you talking.’
‘I was on the phone.’ I race over to my suitcase and pull out some clothes.
‘What’s going on?’ Jason asks, coming into the room. ‘You’re leaving already? I thought we’d go to breakfast.’
‘I can’t. I mean, not with you.’
‘What do you mean?’
I toss the clothes I was holding on the bed. ‘Where’s my phone? I just had it.’
‘You just threw it on the bed.’
I look down and see it on top of my clothes. ‘Oh.’ I pick it up, along with the clothes. ‘I need to go shower.’ I walk past him, then stop. ‘Hey, how much is that historic hotel you told me about? The one near downtown?’
‘I don’t know. A couple hundred a night?’
‘Wow, that’s a lot.’
‘Why are you asking about the hotel?’
‘No reason.’ I leave his room.
‘Mia, wait.’ Jason catches me before I go into the bathroom. ‘What’s going on?’
‘My parents are coming.’
‘Yeah, you told me. But why are you in such a hurry?’
‘Because they’re coming here now. They’re on their way. They’ll be here in less than an hour.’
‘You said they were coming tomorrow.’
‘I know. I messed up. I got the dates wrong. Jason, I really need to get ready. I told them I’d meet them for breakfast.’
‘Where?’
‘I don’t know. What’s a place that serves breakfast around here?’
‘Maury’s Chicken Roost.’
I start to text my mom, but stop and look at Jason. ‘Did you say Chicken Roost?’
‘Yeah. Maury’s. They have the best breakfast in town.’
I text the restaurant name to my mom.
‘Would you care if I came with?’ Jason asks. ‘I’d like to meet your parents.’
‘No!’ I yell it, then smile. ‘I mean, I told them it would just be me joining them.’
‘Do they know about me?’
‘No.’
‘And you don’t want them to. Is that why you’re acting so strange?’
‘I’m not acting strange. I’m just in a hurry.’ I go into the bathroom and shut the door.
When I’m in the shower, I try to think how to handle this. Do I go to the restaurant and tell my parents I have to go back to Madison? I could say I have to work, although that would be lying since my job doesn’t start for another week.
I’m conflicted. I thought my parents wanted to have this time to themselves.
I didn’t think they wanted me tagging along.
But now they’re all excited about me being here with them.
I hate disappointing them, but how can I be here without running into Jason and his family?
It’s not possible, and if I see them, I can’t just pretend not to know them.
Maybe I should do it. This could be the last vacation I’ll have with my parents.
But if I do this, I’ll have to introduce them to Jason, which means explaining who he is and telling them I’m pregnant.
I don’t know if I can do that. Telling them I’m pregnant and not even dating the father is going to ruin their trip.
It’ll ruin the whole week, which was supposed to be a celebration for my graduation.
When I get out of the shower, I get dressed and go to the kitchen where Jason is pouring himself some orange juice.
‘You want some?’ he asks.
‘No, thanks.’ I walk up to him. ‘Remember how you said you owed me a favor for going to the wedding?’
‘Yeah. What about it?’
I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m still not sure I can.
‘You said you’d do anything, right?’
‘Within reason. Why?’
‘You didn’t say within reason. You can’t add that part now.’
He laughs. ‘Mia, what is this about?’
‘My parents don’t know that I’m pregnant. I was going to tell them after my graduation, but I don’t think I can wait. They’ll want to know who the father is and since you’re here, and they’re here, and I’m here, I thought I’d introduce you to them.’
‘Okay. But that’s not doing you a favor. I’m happy to meet your parents. I want to.’
‘Yeah, um, that’s not really the favor part.’
‘Then what is it? What do you want me to do?’
‘I need you to pretend to be my fiancé.’
‘Fiancé? We’re not even dating.’
‘But my parents don’t know that.’
‘Why would you lie to them?’