CHAPTER FIVE
Eating a sandwich in layers is not evidence of a sociopath. Not putting butter on your toast and eating it dry is.
~Text from Kinsley to Emmett~
Kinsley
The last couple of months have been quite eventful, and I’m so glad to be back home and here for it all.
My dad and Erik finally told the world that they’re together.
I’m happy everyone knows now and can see the love they have for each other.
Yes, I see the irony, and no, I’m not going to discuss that yet.
I didn’t get hired as a teacher at the school, but I am the director of the tutoring program at the high school, and I’m loving it.
It’s a challenge, but most of my kids are great and want to learn so they can do better, or at least improve their grades.
I’m actually enjoying it enough that I haven’t put my name on the list for any teacher openings.
I think I’ve found where I’m supposed to be.
Things with Emmett have been great. I often spend half the nights over at his place.
Waking up next to him makes mornings better.
Well, they did till I got this bug that I can’t seem to get over.
It’s been almost a week, and I have barely left my bed.
Both Mary and Christy have brought me chicken soup, over-the-counter medications, and some home remedies they both swear by.
Emmett’s been by a couple of times, but the last time, I might have freaked him out a bit.
He came in and said I didn’t look great.
I guess that hit a nerve, and I started bawling.
I might have said he must not love me if he only likes the put-together-and-healthy me.
I vaguely remember him looking like a deer in the headlights and leaving as quickly as he could.
We have talked over the phone and texted since then, and I told him that’s not how I really felt.
It must have been because I was feeling under the weather or something.
To be fair, I’ve felt off for longer than just these last few days, but I just figured it was allergies from the changing of the seasons.
Today’s the best I’ve felt in days. I’ve got an appointment today to get my birth control shot again, so I’ll ask the nurse if he thinks I need to see my regular doctor to get checked out.
I finally told Emmett I was ready to meet his family and said I would tell my dad about him.
I haven’t yet, but I will. Just let me feel a little more me, and I will.
We’ve got plans to have dinner at his parents’ in two weeks when they have their Sunday dinner.
They usually have it weekly, but this week Emmett will be out of town with Booker for a baseball tournament and next weekend his parents will be out of town for their anniversary.
That gives me two weeks to work on my nerves.
I’m not usually scared or nervous to meet people, but I know how important Emmett’s family is to him.
I really want them to like me, and I worry they might think I’m too young, or not like me with their son, because I grew up in the club and my dad’s a felon.
My dad is the best man I know, and I won’t have anyone talking bad about him.
I know, I know. I’ve probably built it up in my head, and I just need to pull up my big girl panties and get it over with.
They would have to be great people to have such an amazing son.
Hell, his brother Cash seemed nice the night I met him.
This is why I told Emmett I would meet them.
I might need to visit Anna and Ma for some of their courage, but damn it, I’m gonna do it.
As I get out of the shower, I realize it’s been since yesterday morning that I’ve felt somewhat human and kept everything down. I’m calling that a win. I get dressed and grab my phone because even though he says he’s forgiven me, I feel bad about how I treated my man.
Me: Morning. I know you said we’re good, but I wanted to say I’m sorry that I bit your head off the other day. You treat me better than I could ever imagine, and that wasn’t called for at all.
It only takes him a minute or so to respond.
My deputy: Sweetheart, it’s going to take more than that to get me upset or get rid of me. I know you weren’t feeling good. In fact, how are you feeling today?
Me: Actually, halfway human. I’m gonna ask the nurse today if he thinks I need to see my doctor or if it was just a bug.
My deputy: Why are you seeing a nurse today?
Me: It’s time for my shot again. I got in with the doctor whom all the women from the club see. She seems really nice, and her nurses are too.
My deputy: Did you want me to swing by and take you? What time is your appointment?
Me: No, you don’t have to. I’m really feeling almost human. I know you have to work. I’m just gonna go to the appointment and go home. I know you have Booker’s tournament to get to, and that’s a drive.
My deputy: I’m not heading out to Eugene until after work. His first game is at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. I know he’d love to have you there, but I told him you were sick. I don’t want you out there in the cold when you’re just getting better.
Me: I know. I’m bummed that I won’t get to watch him kick butt. Next time for sure. I know you’re about to go into your daily meeting—just wanted to tell you again I’m sorry and that I love you.
My deputy: I love you too, sweetheart.
**********
I just sat down in the waiting area of my doctor’s office. I was going to get coffee on my way here, but when I drove past Sooner or Later, the smell turned me completely off. I don’t know why, because I’ve always loved the smell of coffee, even as a kid. Just weird.
The door to the back, where the exam rooms are, opens, and the male nurse, I think his name is Darius, comes out and calls my name.
“Kinsley Brock?” I get up and follow him back.
He stops at the blood pressure station. “How are you doing today, darlin’?
I don’t recognize your name, but I could’ve sworn we’ve met before.
” I stick my arm out for him to do his thing.
“I have come in here with some of my family before, and I know you know some of them. Kierstie Brock? Oh, and I came in with Madison Johansen one time too.” His eyes light up.
“Oh, are you part of their big extended family?” I nod.
“Yeah, Kierstie is married to my cousin, and I grew up with both of them. Our dads are best friends and they’re my family.
” He finishes and waves me over to an open room.
“Oh, girl, you’ve got some seriously good-looking men in that family.
I have so much fun teasing them when they come with their women to appointments.
I do love making grown men blush.” I remember Kierstie telling me he made Shane blush almost every time and that had her cracking up.
We go into the open room, and he’s reviewing my chart as I sit down.
“Now I see you’re here for the birth control shot, correct?
” I nod. “Yeah, I’m due for it. I just moved back to town permanently, so that’s why it’s my first time getting it here.
” Darius nods. “So I’m guessing you’re familiar with all the potential side effects and such.
” I nod as he continues speaking. “Since this is the first time you’re getting the shot with this practice, it’s normal practice for us to have you take a pregnancy test. I’m going to give you this and have you take it before I get the shot ready. ”
I take the test, use the bathroom, and bring it back in, handing it to Darius.
He looks at the sample to make sure it was enough and tells me he’ll be back in just a couple of minutes.
I sit on the edge of the exam table and take out my phone while I wait.
I’m about to open my social media when the door opens again, and Darius comes in with someone else.
“Kinsley, I believe you have met Doctor Hargrave before.” I nod, as I know she’s recently started dating Ben, one of the newer brothers in the club. She’s the doctor for all the women in the club who’ve had a baby recently.
She gives me a smile. “It’s good to see you, Kinsley.
” I smile back. “It’s good to see you, too.
I don’t think I’ve ever had my doctor be the one to give me the shot before.
” She sits down on the stool next to me.
“Well, we aren’t going to be able to give you the shot today.
” Huh? “Why not? I’m scheduled for it. In fact, I’m like two weeks late on it since I couldn’t get an appointment.
Is it my blood pressure? I think I’ve had a bug over the last few days and haven’t been myself.
I—” Doctor Hargrave places a hand on my knee to get my attention and stop my rambling.
“Your blood pressure is fine. We can’t give you the shot because you’re pregnant.
” What in the? How could I? “How could that be? I haven’t been with Emmett in over a week.
Can you tell already if I’m only like a week late?
I didn’t think you could get pregnant on the shot. ”
Doctor Hargrave starts to explain things to me.
“You’re going to be further along than just a week, though we will find out together in a few minutes just how far along you are.
Now it’s rare, but pregnancy can happen while on the shot.
Seems you are one of the rare ones.” Pregnant.
With a baby. With Emmett’s baby. The one who said his life was perfect just as it is and didn’t need anything more than this.
What is he gonna say? What am I gonna do?