11. Katy
CHAPTER ELEVEN
katy
REALITY CHECK
I desperately needed new clothes because I’m getting huge, and I especially needed a nice dress for the party. Ben insisted on coming with me and made me try on fifty different things and model them all for him.
Whistling.
Clapping.
A full damn, Katy, turn around moment for every single item.
I don’t know how that man has so much enthusiasm. He’s like a never-ending fountain of happiness.
I’m exhausted.
Now we’re halfway down Main Street, him carrying five bags of clothes he insisted on getting for me.
It’s lunch time on a Saturday, so it’s a little crowded and suddenly I’m hyper aware of my baby bump and the people around me.
And of how Ben keeps slowing his stride to match mine.
Of how his hand hovers near my lower back, ready to shield me if anyone gets too close.
I’ve never felt more spoiled or doted on.
It’s nice. Comforting.
Which is probably why the universe chooses this exact moment to ruin everything.
“Katy?”
Oh no.
My college friends are standing clustered outside the coffee shop on the corner, iced lattes in hand, all messy hair and cute workout sets. Girls I used to train with. That I partied with. Girls who knew me when everything was still uncomplicated.
For a second, I consider pretending I didn’t hear them.
But it’s too late. So, I turn around, lift my chin up, and own my shit.
“Oh my God,” Geeta says, eyes dropping instantly to my stomach. “Wait. Are you…?”
Jess gasps. “You’re pregnant?”
The word lands louder than it should, like someone said it into a microphone.
I force a smile, not letting them see a single crack. I will not show an ounce of shame. “Yes, I am.”
There’s a beat. Then all three of them talk at once.
“That’s…wow.”
“I had no idea.”
And then they notice Ben. Ben, whose hand I just realized I’m crushing. He’s standing there, tall and solid, his fingers threaded tight with mine.
Silence stretches.
Their gazes slide to him and linger. Curious and assessing at the same time.
Lena squints. “Is that...?”
The question trails off, but it doesn’t need to finish.
Ben doesn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” he says easily, his hand settling against my back. “I’m the lucky dad. Ben. Nice to meet you ladies.”
The words are certain and proud. Protective. And they feel like a door slamming shut somewhere inside my chest.
“Oh,” Geeta blinks. “Wow. Um… nice to meet you too, Ben. I’m Geeta. I was Katy’s roommate.”
Jess tilts her head. “I’m Jess. Sorry, I just… didn’t realize you guys… reconnected.”
The word reconnected presses into me like a bruise.
Lena laughs softly, not unkind, just surprised. “I mean, after that week, I kinda assumed…”
She trails off, but it doesn’t matter. The sentence finishes itself in my head.
After Ben disappeared.
After I partied too hard.
After I didn’t exactly wait around.
I feel my face getting warm, and Ben squeezes my hand gently, like he understands exactly how humiliating this feels to me. And he’s more than happy to shield me.
I’ve always liked to seem put together. In control. Pregnant at twenty with a mystery father doesn’t exactly fit the brand.
My smile tightens. “Well,” I say, too quickly, “we did. He had to beg me for a second chance, obviously.”
Ben’s mouth twitches like he’s fighting a smile.
“Yes, obviously. I spent months begging for mercy. And then when she finally agreed, I got even luckier.”
The girls nod, exchanging glances that are subtle but loaded. Not judgmental, just mentally rearranging a story they thought they already knew.
“Well,” Geeta says, recovering. “Congratulations. Seriously.”
“Yeah,” Jess adds. “That’s… huge.”
Ben steps in again without missing a beat. “Thank you, we’re very excited.”
“Aww. We are too, Katy. Really.” Geeta adds, almost apologetic. Like she knows they made it weird.
A few more polite words are exchanged that I don’t register. I think someone mentions the weather. Someone else says they should get going. Then suddenly they’re gone, disappearing into the crowd like they didn’t just upend my entire sense of self.
Ben exhales once they’re out of earshot. “That was… something.”
I nod, my smile brittle. “Yeah.”
“You okay?” he asks, glancing down at me.
I look up at him. At his open face. At the certainty he wears so effortlessly. At the way he said I’m the dad without missing a beat.
“I’m fine. You didn’t have to say that, you know.”
He shrugs. “I know. I wanted to.”
“Ben. We’ve discussed this. I don’t…”
“I know we don’t know who the biological dad is yet,” he says. “That doesn’t change the fact that I want another chance with you. And now that chance includes the kitten too.”
I open my mouth to argue back, but I close it almost immediately. I don’t even know what else to say to him right now.
As much fun as I’ve been having with him, something has shifted. Everything seems so easy to Ben. Like wanting us is the easiest decision he’s ever made. He doesn’t know how much he’d have to sacrifice for that.
He also doesn’t know I would never let him do that.
Logan is standing on the porch when I get home from dinner at Ella’s, hands shoved into his pockets like he’s been waiting a while.
Wonderful.
He’s one of my best friends from college.
And one of the guys I slept with.
Lena and her big mouth.
We’re all part of the same friend group, so I knew there was a chance one of the girls would tell them. I just didn’t expect it to happen this fast.
And I definitely wasn’t ready for this conversation.
“Hey,” he says when I stop halfway up the steps. “Can we talk for a second?”
I hesitate. “About what?”
He swallows. “Lena told me.”
My stomach drops. “Logan…”
“Are you sure it’s Ben’s?” He winces. “I don’t mean to disrespect you. I just...” He rubs the back of his neck. “How far along are you?”
The air tightens around us.
“Actually, I’m not sure yet,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend.
His eyebrows lift.
“We won’t know for sure until the baby’s born.”
Logan goes still. “Oh.”
A beat passes.
“Wait. So there’s... a chance?”
Heat crawls up my neck.
“Yes,” I say quickly. “There’s a chance.”
His expression shifts, surprise giving way to something I can’t quite read.
“But I’m not asking anything from you,” I add immediately. “You don’t need to worry. I’m handling it.”
Logan swallows, nodding once. “Okay. I just...”
He looks nervous. Not rejected-nervous. Guilty-nervous.
“I’ve been trying to piece it together, and I don’t know if we used protection that night.” His voice cracks. “I was drunk. Way too drunk. I wasn’t myself, and I’m sorry, Katy. I never should’ve let it happen like that.”
My arms cross on instinct. “I was drunk too.”
“I know. Which makes it worse.” He exhales slowly.
“I should’ve been the one to stop it.” He takes a breath, steadying himself.
“If this baby is mine, I want you to know that I’ll take full responsibility.
I’m not trying to force anything. I just want to be there.
For both of you. I didn’t have a dad growing up, and I promised myself I’d never make a kid feel that. I wanted you to know that.”
The sincerity in his voice knocks the air out of me.
“Logan, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I meet his eyes. “I wanted it. And I’m sorry I didn’t make sure we used something. I… wasn’t very experienced.”
“It’s not on you,” he insists. Then he hesitates. “I hope this isn’t crossing a line, but… the other guys heard you’re pregnant too. I talked to them. It’s handled.” He scratches the back of his neck. “They wanted to know if it’s okay to text you. Just to check in. They’re all worried about you.”
“Oh God.” I sigh. “That’s…. nice of them. Yeah, they can text me. Thank you for handling that conversation.”
“Of course.” He shifts a little. “Listen, Katy, we all care about you. We’re your friends. And just so you know, none of us would interfere with whatever’s going on between you and Ben.”
I nod, processing everything. I was so scared of judgement, but this is not that. At all.
I knew they were all good guys, that’s why they’re my friends. But I didn’t know just how great they really are until now.
Then he adds, carefully, “Also… my mom knows.”
My head snaps up. “What?”
“Yeah.” He winces. “She’s, uh, very excited. She wants to meet you.”
“OH MY GOD.”
“I know.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll try to hold her off, but she’s unstoppable. Sorry in advance.”
“Logan,” I say slowly, “did you tell her we don’t even know if it’s yours?”
He shrugs. “Yeah. It didn’t matter to her. She still wants to meet you.”
“That’s… not how I picture it would go.”
He smiles, small but sincere. “Well, first, she slapped me for not being careful. But then she started crying. Said if I screwed this up, she’d disown me.”
That hits somewhere I wasn’t braced for.
“She sounds… nice,” I manage.
“She is.” He smiles a little. “You’ll like her. She’s already ordering baby clothes and talking about a baby shower.”
And that’s when the ache sneaks up on me.
My mom didn’t cry when I told her. She didn’t even look at me. And here’s Logan’s mom, celebrating a baby that might not even be hers.
He gives me a careful, reassuring smile. “You don’t have to say anything. We just all wanted you to know you’re not alone in this. Whoever the dad is, we’ll take responsibility. We’ll figure this out, okay?”
Wow. This is so unexpected. But somehow, I believe him.
I’m about to get into my glorious cozy bed when my phone buzzes.
Then again.
Then…. Oh no.
I open it.
Maybe Daddies Brigade
Jason
Okay who made this chat
Matt
Ethan. Obviously.
Logan
For the record, I said don’t make it weird.
Ethan
Too late. It’s already weird. Gotta deal with it head on.
I stare at the screen, equal parts horrified and… smiling.
Jason
Katy, just so you know, no pressure to respond. This is more of a… moral support situation.
Matt
Yeah. Emotional support potential dads.
Ethan
We know pregnancy is no joke, we’re here if you have any weird cravings.
Logan
Guys. I said no freaking her out.
Jason
Sorry. Respectfully shutting up now.
Another message pops up.
Ethan
Also, important question. Is it too early to argue about who teaches the kid how to throw?
I laugh. Actually laugh.
Logan
It’s too early for everything you just said.
Matt
Fair. We’ll circle back in like… a month?
Jason
Congrats though. Seriously. You’re gonna be great.
Matt
Are we allowed to send gifts?
Ethan
Do we know if it’s a boy? Also, we hear we don’t hate Davis anymore?
I stare at my phone and press it to my chest, warmth spreading through me in a way I didn’t expect. Where I expected guilt or distance, or even locker room trash talk, I got kindness. I hesitate for a second, then type back.
Katy
Wow. You guys are weirdly giving me faith in men again.
Katy
You’re all way too nice. No, we don’t hate Ben anymore. He’s been great.
Matt
consider us your official hype squad.
And that’s how it starts.
It’s ridiculous.
Definitely not how I imagined my life.
But I somehow feel less lonely than I’ve felt in years.