Page 21 of The Player

“Yeah, right. You…” My words drift off as I realize I had unprotected sex. A lot of steamy, sexy… Oh God.

“Ah, there it is. Yes, you came back positive. It takes about ten to fourteen days for the hormones to shift and while the test has come back positive, I’d like for you to see your OB-GYN to confirm in about a week.”

A baby.

I’m having a baby.

“I…” Shaking my head, I close my eyes. “Right. OB-GYN. Got it.”

Thoughts of having a child have always been in the back of my mind, but I thought it would be with Aaron. I’m such a fool.

The doctor and nurse leave me after checking over me one more time. Kaylee stands there, looking at me and smirking.

“Miss ‘I’m never having a baby because I can’t have Aaron.’” She pulls the chair over to the bed and sits down. “You got it right on the first night and now have a mystery man’s baby in you.”

Her tone isn’t judging. Not in the least. But I feel judged. I feel like the world keeps swimming past me and I can’t get ahold of the boat to keep myself afloat.

“I’m keeping the baby.” The words are out of my mouth before I can process anything else.

Kaylee holds my hand and forces me to look at her with her next words. “Well, of course you are. You’re going to come home after the semester and move in with me. Online classes can be done via Zoom, and you can intern at the local hospital. They have a physical therapy floor. Besides, your smart ass is a senior after only two years.”

Laughing, I use my free hand to swipe away my tears. “Right.” It’s all I can say as the sob hits me.

“Promise me you won’t spiral, Julie. You’ve always been the glue. The wall. Let me help you, and we can get through this together.”

“I’m…I’m not even upset about the baby. If I’m truly pregnant, I’m going to keep the sweet one. But, I’m most upset that James will never know he has a child.”

Kaylee nods. “You’re always thinking of other people. It’s time to think of yourself.”

“I don’t know if I can leave, though. I am part of an ongoing investigation here at the school.”

Trying to sit up, I whimper. Why does everything hurt so much? “You fell against the bookcase and bruised your back. The guard was able to keep your head from hitting the floor, but you’re going to be hurting for a while.”

“Ah, alright. Thank you for coming here.”

She laughs at me. “I was already on my way to come get you because I didn’t believe you’d actually come home for Thanksgiving.”

A snort comes from me. “Oh geez. Way to have confidence in me.”

Her lips turn up in a smirk. “Were you going to tell me about the naughty pictures? Or the fact that your professor was blackmailing you?”

“I only got the pictures yesterday, and the professor made his threat last night to change my grades if I didn’t meet him today.”

“Serves the bastard right for getting his head cut off.”

“Kaylee!” I can’t believe she said that. She’s the most docile and sweet human being I know.

“I don’t regret saying it. He was trying to hurt you. Good riddance.”

Even if I agree, I won’t say it out loud. For some reason, it feels like this isn’t over. Something is brewing; I just know it.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Why the fuck are you on the sidelines, Aaron?” my sister’s voice demands of me as I walk toward the locker room at halftime.

“Because I’ve fucked up, Kaylee.” My growl is low and menacing. “Coach thinks a bit of time out will get my head back in the game.”

“And where the fuck is your head at?”

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