37. PAIGE
37
PAIGE
Wordlessly, I flip pancakes on the griddle.
“Is it okay that we’re having pancakes for lunch?” Gabriel asks.
“Of course.” Frankly, I don’t give a fuck if Rhett has a problem with it. That asshole left for work this morning without a word. It’s past time for lunch, and he still hasn’t returned. Neither have his brothers.
In fact, now that I think about it, their text message group has been strangely silent.
It makes me wonder if they cut me out of it. Or if they started a new one without me.
My throat closes up, and I take several deep breaths so I don’t lose it.
When I finish making lunch, I serve the boys, and the three of us sit down to eat. I force myself to smile and chat. It’s not their fault their father is a dickhead.
I could call him, but damn. He’s the one who made a scene with his former hookup in front of the whole town. Why isn’t he calling me ?
I clear my throat. “Boys, did you see your father this morning?”
Gabriel nods as he shovels a huge bite into his mouth. “He was mad because of the cows.”
“What’s going on with the cows?”
He shrugs. “Dunno.”
That’s helpful. “I know I said we could go to the gym this afternoon, but I’m feeling really run-down.” I hope I’m not coming down with something. “Want to watch a movie when we’re done? You two can pick it.”
After lunch, we curl up in front of the TV, but they can’t decide on what they want to watch.
I hand Gabriel the remote, and he starts clicking through the channels and stops on a show about sharks. “I love Shark Week,” he says. “It’s a whole week about sharks. How they attack. Where they swim. What they eat.”
Shark Week. As I nod, something bothers me. Like I forgot to turn off the stove. I check the range, but I turned everything off after I finished cooking.
Shark Week!
Dread spreads through my chest.
When was the last time I got my period?
“Boys, I need to go to the bathroom. Be right back.” I grab my phone and rush to the bedroom. The screen lights up with another notification from the Gazette , which I swipe away.
I wanted something to take my mind off Darlene. Well, I found it.
Frantic, I scroll through my digital calendar. I got my period after the truck sex. It was super light, but I didn’t note anything last month.
Hoping I’m misremembering, I riffle through the cabinet in the bathroom and grab my box of tampons, which is almost full.
I close my eyes.
I’m not misremembering anything. I definitely didn’t get it last month.
I speed-dial the only person I trust to help me figure this out. When Baylee answers, I blurt out, “I think I’m pregnant.”
“Whoa. Whoa. No. Really? Shut up.”
I start to hyperventilate. “I still haven’t spoken to Rhett about Darlene. I slept on the couch, and he was gone this morning. It’s Sunday. He usually doesn’t take off at the ass crack of dawn on Sundays, but he did today.”
“Motherfucker. I’m going to string that man up by his balls.”
“What do I do?” I try to suck in a deep breath.
“Look, let’s not rush things. You’ve been under a lot of stress. Let’s start with a pregnancy test. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go grab one.”
“I have the boys with me.”
“They don’t need to know what you’re getting at the pharmacy.”
True. Okay.
I lean against the vanity. “I’m scared.”
“Everything’s gonna be fine. I promise. If you’re pregnant, it’s not the end of the world. Rhett would be lucky to have a kid with you.”
My heart sinks.
But I can’t bring myself to tell my best friend that my husband doesn’t want more children.
After I get off the phone, I splash my face with cold water and try to calm my ass down. I hear talking out in the living room and run out there hoping it’s Rhett, but it’s Beau talking to the boys.
“Paige. Hey.” He’s filthy. There’s thick mud on his boots, dirt on his jeans, and hay sticking out of his hair.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Out on the north field. We have a situation.”
I laugh humorously. “That’s not the only one.”
He winces. “He feels bad about last night.”
“Sure seems like it.” I wave my hand at him. “Rhett always seems to send you when he doesn’t want to deal with me.”
“It’s not like that. I swear.”
Baylee honks, and I grab my purse. “I have to run some errands. Do you want me to take the boys or do you want them to stay with you?”
“Can you keep them? I need to head back out.”
I don’t bother responding because I’m afraid of what I’ll say to my brother-in-law. “Gabriel. Austin. Put your shoes on. Baylee is taking us for a drive.”
As we head out the door, Beau calls out, “When will y’all be back?”
I glare at him. He wants to be nebulous about shit? I can dish that out too. “Later.”