Page 24 of The Player

Dude, this is nuts. Just call her yourself and talk to her!

Me

You know I can’t. Tell me what I want to know, sis.

Twin

Asshole. I have her. We are going home, and she’s staying with me at the B&B.

Me

Thank you. Take care of her.

I can relax a little knowing my sister has her. Instead of accessing the cameras, I put my phone in my pocket and count to ten. She’s safe. That’s all that matters.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The ride to my hometown with Kaylee goes by quickly, but I think about how I feel like I’m a quitter. I shouldn’t drop out of the semester, but I’m not sure I can continue, knowing that my professor… No, I’m not thinking about that anymore.

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I should be thinking about my family. My mother and father aren’t in the picture anymore, and they don’t seem to want to be. I wonder if I told them I was pregnant, they would come around. A humorless laugh leaves my lips and I roll my eyes.

“Jules, whatever you are thinking about, don’t worry about it,” Kaylee says as she places books on the table.

“You mean that I shouldn’t worry about my academic career or that I have a life growing inside of me?” I raise an eyebrow and sigh. “Or maybe that the eyes of my professor showed up on your doorstep, and the police scared all of the guests away for the weekend?”

“Jules, please, take a deep breath.” Kaylee chuckles this time, and I feel the warmth coming from her. “Everything is alright. The people were leaving tomorrow morning anyway. This means you and I have time to go over the menu for Thanksgiving, and you get to help cook it. Everyone knows you are the better cook.”

This is true. When I was here full-time, I’d win awards in fairs and cook-offs. “Alright. First of all, you don’t need these cookbooks. We can use my Nana’s recipes.”

Kaylee squeals with delight, and I can’t help but feel lighter about the entire situation. It still scares me that the stalker isn’t gone, and I miss James terribly. Yet, now I can touch my belly and be close to him.

“Yeah. Yeah. We know all you want me for is my winning food.” I wink at her, and she throws a hand towel at me.

“That’s not true. Now go wash your hands. We got food to make.”

* * *

THANKSGIVING DAY

My stomach is full and I rub it. On Monday, I went to the doctor, and they confirmed I am pregnant.

A mother. I’m going to be a mother and that freaks me out more than the fact that I received more pictures of me in random states of dress. Someone followed me back home. I worry I’ve put Kaylee in danger, but I can’t leave. She’s my only lifeline right now.

“Are we watching the game?” I ask as softly as I can. My nerves are shot, and frankly, it’s hard to hide how I still feel about Aaron. Even as James’s baby sits inside of me, growing.

“Duh.” Kaylee rolls her eyes at me as she brings me a ginger ale and a plate of cookies.

“You know…” I take a bite of her snickerdoodles and I moan. “Nevermind. Cookies first.”

She doubles over in laughter before she sits down on the couch and turns to NBC.

“The 49ers have seen better days,” the announcer says, and I gasp. If Aaron heard him smack-talking his favorite team, the TV might not be working. He’s very passionate about his team.

Thinking of Aaron makes me wonder if he would be upset knowing I was pregnant. The thought makes me sick and I tell Kaylee I’m going to bed.

* * *

THREE WEEKS LATER

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