June 19th
Another reason.
Ainsley
It’s been a crazy, busy couple of weeks.
I’ve learned so much, and I feel like I really contributed to the process of helping design the hotel’s floor plan.
We managed to get everything on our list accomplished, turned in the architectural plans to the city’s review board a day early, and now we’ve moved on to the next phase of the project—design selections.
Earlier tonight, Tripp and Jadyn took our team out to a nearby steak restaurant, and I know everyone really appreciated that.
The family reunion ended last week, with everyone heading back home.
And I owe a few people phone calls.
Other than some texts back and forth, I haven’t spoken to Sammy, Damon, or my mom since I left the Ozarks. And my dad hasn’t called.
Which, really, we have all been busy. Sammy took a full load of summer classes so that he could graduate with me in December. Mom moved into her new place. Damon headed to Lincoln. And Dad is still in rehab.
I take a moment to look out the window of the condo where I’m staying during my time in Fort Worth. It’s just off Sundance Square, which means I can walk to the hotel, as well as a bunch of restaurants and shops. And the view of the city at night is really pretty.
I’d love to go explore, but I’m exhausted.
I change into a pair of pajamas, toss on the robe I stole from the resort’s spa, and start by calling my mom.
“Hey. How are you doing?” she asks. “I heard you got the plans turned in.”
“We did. Now I’m focusing on the interior choices—everything from toilets, dishes, and paint colors to artwork and furniture—which you know I’m excited about.”
“Speaking of furniture!” she says excitedly.
“My new place is amazing! I’m in love. It’s a bit big for just me, but I’m sure I won’t have any problem getting used to it.
And I will say that your uncles really took care of us.
They had everything packed up at the old house, and when I arrived, it was all unpacked and put away here. ”
“How did they know where to put stuff?” I ask.
“I guess they had one of those home organization companies come in. Everything was labeled and easy to find.”
“Ahh, I’m really glad.”
“I would have been so tired if I’d had to do that in between my shifts at the hospital,” she says .
“Did anything ever come of the chat you had with Alexa at the spa? Have they offered you a job?”
“Not yet, but they are working on it. They told me to expect an offer in a few weeks, along with a full job description so I’ll know what I’m getting myself into before I make a decision.”
“It’s nice to have options. And speaking of tired, I’m exhausted. It’s been a grueling couple of weeks. Not much sleep. And, of course, you know how I am when I don’t get my sleep.”
“You get sick,” Mom says. “So, get some rest this weekend, if you can.”
“I’ll try. Have you heard from Dad? And what did they do with all of his stuff?”
“They put it in storage for now, and not exactly,” she says tentatively.
“Not exactly what?”
“I haven’t heard from your father because he left rehab. Without a court order, they can’t hold him there, so when he decided to leave, they had to let him.”
“Where did he go?” I ask her. “And where is he going to live?”
“I don’t know where he went. He hasn’t contacted me or his brothers. I was going to ask if you’d heard from him.”
“I haven’t. And now I’m worried.”
“He’s a grown man, Ainsley. He can take care of himself. I’m sure he’s staying with a friend somewhere.”
“Still,” I say, feeling bad. “I’ll try to call him. ”
“His phone was disconnected, so there’s actually no way to reach him.
But as Tripp says, in this case, no news is good news.
If he was in trouble, he’d call, or we’d be notified.
I’ve been praying for him every day. Hey,” she says, “I’m actually going to have to let you go.
I’m meeting a friend for dinner shortly. ”
“Oh, okay. Have fun. I love you.”
“I love you too. Take care of yourself!”
“I will,” I promise, but what I didn’t tell her is that I’m worried there might be another reason for my not feeling great.
I go into the bathroom and take out the pregnancy tests I bought at the pharmacy on the way home and study them.
Open them.
Read the instructions.
Lay everything out.
Take a deep breath.
Don’t freak out, Ainsley.
You’re only a week late, and with all the stress, it would be understandable if your body was a little off.
Plus, condoms were used.
And they are quite effective.
Or so I thought.
Supposedly, they’re ninety-eight percent effective. But when I looked it up yesterday, there was some fine print about that number only being true when they were used correctly every time. It went on to say that, in real life, they were really only about eighty-seven percent effective .
Still, that means there’s only a two to thirteen percent chance that you are pregnant. And those odds are in your favor.
I prepare the sticks and then pee on all of them.
Follow the rest of the instructions.
Set the timer on my phone for three minutes and sit on the edge of the tub.
When my phone dings with a text, I practically jump out of my skin.
Sammy: Roman sent flowers. Then finally called. Wanted to find out why I’d ditched him after such an amazing night.
Me: What did you say?
Sammy: Nothing yet. I panicked when I saw his name and didn’t answer. He left a voicemail.
Me: Call him back, Sammy. Listen to what he has to say without judgment. And if you like what you hear, tell him the truth about how you feel. Talk about the realities of being together and see if you can make it work.
Sammy: That’s sound advice. Thank you. I love you!
Just as I read that, my alarm goes off.
I stand up.
Move to the counter.
Look down.
And take another deep breath.
I’m pregnant.
I’m pregnant, and I’m having Damon’s baby.
It’s crazy. It’s not like I planned on having a baby now, but he was so passionate when he spoke about how much he wanted kids someday.
Someday being the issue in this equation.
But still, I honestly think he’s going to be thrilled.
But I’m not sure how I feel.
How is this all going to work out with us apart?
But we’ll figure something out.
I think.
I mean, we’ll have to.
It’s not like I expect him to marry me or anything. We’ll just—heck if I know.
Now I’m freaking out.
And I wish someone would give me a blueprint for my life.
I get a glass of water and gulp it down, then go sit on the couch.
I’m thinking of what I’ll say to break the news when my phone rings in my hand for a video chat.
It’s him.
“Hey,” I say when I answer the call.
And when I see him, I just melt inside and feel like crying. Damon is just so beautiful. Inside and out. And I know he’ll be an amazing dad.
“Hey, yourself!” he says cheerfully. “I heard you got the plans all done in record time. Congrats.”
“Thanks,” I reply, staring into his gorgeous eyes. This is so surreal .
“I’ve been dying to talk to you,” he says, his grin a mile wide. “I miss you. I love you. I need to see you.
“But I am having the best time. Got invited by a friend of ours, Eddie—you probably met him at the wedding—to an off-campus recruitment party for his frat. Of course, Chase and I don’t have time to be in a frat, and the whole drinking culture doesn’t exactly fit our healthy lifestyle, but we’re going tonight to meet people. ”
I swear, his eyes just sparkle. If I could choose our baby’s genetic makeup, I’d make sure he or she got those.
“Practices are awesome. Workouts have been amazing. There are so many machines that I didn’t have access to at home, not to mention the technology stuff they have to study my body positioning to make me more effective.
The guys are great. Did you meet Treyvon at the wedding?
I think you did. Anyway, he was Chase’s roommate last semester, and he switched to wide receiver, so we’ve been working with Chase a lot in our off time on routes and consistency.
The coaching staff and the facilities are just so cool.
I’m so pumped to be here. Oh, and we started seven-on-seven football, and so far, our team is undefeated after three games.
It’s going to be a wild ride this fall. Nebraska fans aren’t going to know what hit them.
And they are going to be happy about it,” he says, almost without taking a breath.
And I’m so happy for him.
He’s in his element. Already thriving.
Just like I am here .
A smile is plastered on my face as I watch him speak. Damon is just … everything.
And it’s crazy to think that the boy whose flirting I didn’t take seriously became the man who made me believe in love again.
“Coach says we have to be really careful if we go to any parties. That he doesn’t want anyone getting into any trouble before the season even starts. No arrests or scandals and absolutely no headlines until we open fall practices to the press , he said.”
My heart drops.
And I suddenly see the headlines.
Five-star recruit gets his twenty-two-year-old girlfriend pregnant.
Danny Diamond’s son, five-star recruit Damon, who just turned eighteen, is expecting a baby with his older stepcousin.
I look down at the charm bracelet that I wear every day.
Which reminds me of him. Of how sweet and amazing he is.
And I realize I can’t do that to him.
Cause a scandal during the start of his career.
Which only means one thing—he can’t know I’m pregnant.
Find out what happens in Damon + Ainsley’s love story in That Girl and That Someday
And read Damon’s Point of View in a Bonus Scene — the night of their naked scavenger hunt.