Chapter 29
Just in case
Sophia
I don’t think I can take much more.
Tossing and turning every night, riddled with guilt over stringing him along is getting old.
But I think I’m still fighting this damn cold.
I wake up every morning nauseated from all of the stupid mucus I swallow in my sleep.
A deep, rhythmic sound vibrates through the earth making my stomach roll before my eyes even open.
Ugh, I forgot today is when Oliver starts digging on Sawyer’s new house.
It’s strange that Oliver has gone from an irritation to a friend. Almost a comfort knowing he’s there. One more person that I can trust in a world where someone is out to hurt us.
When I sit up, my tummy feels like it keeps moving.
Swallowing hard, I head towards the kitchen for some coffee.
“Morning, sunshine.” Lori’s bright smile scalds my eyeballs with her neon cheer.
“Huh,” I grunt, slinking into the chair.
Char looks up from the couch where she’s holding one of her twins. “I thought you were over that head cold? Is it still getting you?”
“Yea,” I moan. “I might puke.”
Char and Lori exchange some sort of bat-signal, because they both move at the same time and sit on either side of me.
“Sophia, you said you were with your guy?” Lori reaches out and pushes a small white stick at me. “You need to test yourself.”
Char nods seriously. “It’s time, girl. We’ve been watching you drag butt all week, and this is not from a cough.”
I pick up the plastic rod.
A pregnancy test?
“Fuck,” I mutter, then look up quickly to make sure Paisley didn’t hear me. “There’s no way.”
Char sits back and blinks at me rapidly. “You guys didn’t—”
Waving my hand, I interrupt her. “Yea, okay, we did. Fine.”
I don’t need them to convince me. I’ll do it and prove that I’m not—
Pregnant?
Staring at the two little pink lines doesn’t make them change.
Son of a bitch.
With shaky hands, I pull out my phone and take a photo.
Is this how I tell Biggie?
This can’t be happening. My mom took years to conceive.
It only took me twice?
Wait, three times. There’s no way I could forget when he pinned me in the stall.
Fire races through me at the memory.
He wants us tied together.
Honestly? I want it too.
I need a rational mind.
Grabbing my hoodie, I tug it over my head as I rush into the living room.
“Well?” Lori looks up excitedly.
“I have to talk to Sawyer.” Without saying anything else, I push my way outside into the cool morning air.
My brother blinks at me like I grew a second head.
“What do you mean you don’t know who the father is?” He twists his wedding ring on his finger.
It still is strange to see him wearing one.
“Without going into details, he wore a mask.” I wince, waiting for Sawyer’s reaction.
But his lips just thin as he nods. “I get it.”
I rock forward in my chair. “What? No. You’re supposed to be in shock.”
He shrugs. “I am. Except I know you wouldn’t mess around with just anyone. Do you think he’s legit? What do you think he looks like?”
Why does Oliver’s face pop into my head?
“I don’t know. I need to figure out what to do. He said he’d show me when I love him.” My fingers twist on my lap.
“Soph—” Sawyer props his elbows on his knees and gives me one of his searing power-stares. “Do you?”
Damn it, it hurts when I nod.
Like a floodgate opens, the tears pour down my cheeks. “I do. Is that stupid? Not even knowing him?”
“It’s not,” he whispers. “It’s hard to fight it when you click.”
Then his mouth turns up in the corner. “I mean, not that I’m any expert. It’s how it worked for me. Falling for Val has me doing things I never—”
I hold up my palm to stop him. “We need a kink-free zone. I already said too much about mine. I just need to know how to tell Biggie. What if he ghosts me?”
I think that’s my real fear.
What if it’s all a game to him?
Sawyer chews on the corner of his lip. “I don’t think if that was his intent that he’d be pushing you. I mean, you said you were the one who initiated, right?”
God, it’s gotten so mutual since then.
“Yea. I did.”
“So it’s not like he went after you with intent? You know, it’s okay to actually love someone.” He gets a dopey smile on his face. “We’re gonna be parents at the same time, Soph. That’s fucking wild.”
“Except I’ll be in Oregon.” I let out a sigh and settle back in my chair.
“That ain’t that far. Maybe you can get him to move here? It’s hard to turn down a free house. Dad’s always looking for extra hands for the ranch.” Sawyer picks up his hat and runs his fingers through his dark hair. “Shit. Did he talk to you about the ranch?”
“He did. I told him you were the better choice. And now—” I wave my hand. “—I might not be close enough to do much.”
He lets out a low whistle. “Wow, you must really have it hard. I never thought you’d consider leaving, but the way it sounds, you’re already gone.
” He points at my phone that I’ve been clinging to.
“Go on. Tell him you’re ready to meet. Even tell him why.
You’ll find out right away if he’s serious or not. ”
He straightens quickly. “I know, meet him at the bar. I’ll be back there this afternoon. Then, you know, just in case…” His shoulders rise and fall again.
“Thank you. And congratulations. I can’t wait to be an aunt.” I don’t do it often, but I give my brother a hug.
“You’re fucking wild, you know?” he laughs. Then his humor drops. “Make sure you’re safe.”
“I will.”
RacingQueen: I’m ready. Meet me at the Hilltop Bar in Campton at four. And I hope you have a spare room for a nursery.
I attach the picture of the positive test, then quickly shut my screen off.
There’s no way I can handle seeing a rejection now.
“Soph, no matter what, you and your baby—” Sawyer swallows hard and his eyes brighten with a sheen of unshed tears. “—my niece or nephew, will be taken care of, okay?”
I know what he’s doing.
Giving me an out, just in case.
“Love you,” I whimper.
We both freeze when my phone dings.
“Well?” Sawyer’s hat brim dips as he looks at my hand. “Aren’t you going to see what he said?”
“I’m scared.” My vision blurs, making me blink rapidly.
He just wiggles his fingers and holds out his palm.
When I slip it over, I can’t hear anything except the pounding of my heart.
I swear I’m going to pass out.
As he reads, his lips soften from a hard line to a slow smile. Then he flips the screen around for me to see.
TheBigO: This is the best day of my life. I’ll be there.