2. Abby
2
ABBY
I pace my small living room, wringing my hands as I wait for Davis to arrive. It’s almost seven, and he should be here any minute, but the waiting has me filled with anxiety. He canceled on dinner last night since something came up at work and he had to stay late. I hope he doesn’t cancel again, because the two pink lines I’m staring at are something he needs to see for himself.
In the past six hours, I’ve gone through a myriad of emotions. Shock, excitement, worry…
Normally, I’d call Evan to calm me down, but what would I even say to him right now? Look who’s knocked up!
Yeah, that’s going to be a hard pass. And besides, I think I should talk to Davis first. Stupid latex allergy .
I wasn’t too concerned when he told me we couldn’t use condoms because I’ve been on the pill for years, but a five-minute internet search educated me on how antibiotics can make your birth control less effective. Who knew? Guess an allergy and an ear infection are the perfect combination to create a baby.
Perhaps I should be more terrified right now, being an unwed twenty-five-year-old who’s only been dating her boyfriend for two months. I’m thrilled at the idea of having a sweet little baby to love. I think this child is a sign that we’re meant to be together, and I can’t wait to tell him.
There’s a mile-wide smile on my face when I hear a loud knock. I rush over, almost pulling the door off its hinges, before taking in the sight of my handsome man. He’s tall with perfectly-coifed blond hair and charming blue eyes. A light scruff covers his sharp jawline and the smirk on his sexy lips makes my thighs clench.
Davis steps inside and kicks the door closed behind him, his hands going to my hips as he walks me backward into the apartment without breaking our kiss. A shiver runs down my spine when he cups my ass and gives it a hard squeeze, but when I remember the exciting news, I pull away to retrieve the pregnancy test from the coffee table.
“I have something to show you,” I gush, rocking back and forth on the balls and heels of my feet.
He gives me a suave smile, showing his sparkling white teeth. “Whatcha got behind your back, baby? Is that a surprise for me?”
I hold out the test in front of my face. “The best surprise,” I declare and watch as his entire body goes taut.
Davis wears an emotionless expression as he stares at the blue and white plastic stick.
“I’m not sure how far along I am, but I think it must have happened last month. Did you know that certain medications can make birth control less effective?” I chuckle nervously. “It’s unexpected, I know. But?—”
“Unexpected!” he roars, making my eyes go wide as I flinch. “It’s a fucking catastrophe.”
My knees tremble as I take a step back, blinking away my tears. He’s glaring at me with his jaw tight and his hands clenched into fists. I’ve never seen him this way before.
“What are you saying? I know we didn’t plan this, but it’ll be fine,” I assure him with a shaky voice. “We’ll figure things out. We love each other, so?—”
He cuts me off with a sinister laugh that makes my stomach drop. “Love? I don’t love you,” he sneers, and I no longer recognize the man standing in my apartment.
“But you said?—”
“I would’ve said anything to keep getting my dick wet.”
I rear back as if I’ve been slapped. He’s never spoken to me this way. How could he be so cruel?
“I don’t understand. Why are you acting this way?” I can’t hold back the tears and they spill down my hot cheeks.
“Love isn’t real, Abby. If it were, I probably wouldn’t screw around on my wife.”
This is a nightmare.
“Wife? You have a wife? You’re married?” I shriek as panic surges through me.
“You can’t be that dumb.”
I jab my index finger into his chest. “I am not dumb. You lied to me. You lied this whole time. I never would’ve gotten involved with you if I had known.”
“You didn’t think it was strange that I never let you call me? That I don’t stay the night and I never take you out?”
Oh, God. I am dumb .
“I can’t believe this,” I mumble under my breath as I turn away, disgusted at the sight of him. “I’m a home-wrecker. I’m sure my mom is gonna be real proud.” Then a sudden thought occurs to me. “The necklace. The one you bought when we met. Was that really for your sister?” I already know what he’s going to say and it makes me sick.
“I’m an only child.” Davis smirks, and I’ve never wanted to kick someone in the balls more than I do right now.
“You’re disgusting.” Of all the men in the world, this one is the father of my child.
He steps in my direction with a sleazy look in his eyes. “We could still have a few more months of fun. Before your body goes to shit and you get all fat.”
As if it has a mind of its own, my palm whips across his smug face. “Get. Out.”
His skin turns red as he rubs away the sting. Then he scowls at me and marches out of my living room, slamming the door behind him. I’m too stunned to move and stand in place for a long time, trying to wrap my head around what just happened. Despair washes over me when I plop onto the couch.
How could I have been so blind? Was I that desperate for attention that I missed all the red flags? How could he do this?
I always thought I’d find the perfect man someday. Settle down, get married, and have a few kids. I never wanted to raise my child alone because I know what it’s like. My own mother is a single mom, and while she did the best she could for me, we could barely make ends meet even though she worked two—sometimes three—jobs. I don’t want that for my baby.
I swipe at my tear-stained cheeks with the back of my hand and curl into a ball on the sofa. This is going to be hard, but I’m strong. I can do this. No matter what I have to do, I’ll find a way to make this work.
What choice do I have?