Page 66 of Tell Me No Lies

Her eyes slowly widen like the thought hasn’t occurred to her.

Or maybe like it terrifies her.

I hold my breath, waiting to see which one it is.

She lifts her arm, eyes locking on the smart watch at her wrist. Her already pale skin drains even more as she slowly looks my way. “Shit.”

26

THE THREAT OF GOOD TIMES

TATE

“YOU OKAY?” I reach across the car to rest my hand on Piper’s thigh, giving it a little squeeze. “Need me to slow down?”

She shakes her head and holds up the cracker in her hand. “These are actually helping a decent amount.”

I want to believe that, but her skin is still pale and her eyes are still glassy. “I should take you back home so you can rest while I check in at the shop and make sure everything's okay.”

Piper rolls her eyes, but for once it doesn't make me feel better. “I'm fine. And if it really is what you seem to think it is, I've gotta get used to it.” As with so many other things, Piper is taking the possibility that she might be pregnant in stride.

When I first met her, I thought she was a loose cannon, but that's not the case. At all. She’s actually shockingly chill. Most people will never get to see that side of her, and part of me fucking loves that. Loves that I'm one of the only ones who knows who she really is.

I would love it more if she didn't look like she was about to throw up again.

“We should take the test as soon as we get there.” On our way to the shop, we made a quick pit stop to grab a box of crackers, a case of ginger ale, and a two-pack of pregnancy tests. Piper insisted she'd only need one, but I want to be absolutely positive before I get my hopes up.

Higher.

From day one, Piper didn't take any of my shit. She didn't let me get in my own way. She didn't back down when I tried to push back. She stood up to me when I was being fucking stupid and kept me calm when I was ready to lose my shit. That's why every inch of me wants to see a little plus sign on that test.

Because Piper isn’t just everything I want to have. She’s also everything I want the mother of my children to have. And now that the possibility exists, I want it more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything.

Outside of her.

“That’s fine.” She nibbles on her cracker. “As soon as we get there, I'll go to the bathroom and pee on the stick.”

I shake my head. “You're not doing anything.” My grip on her thigh tightens. “We are going to do it.”

Piper makes a sound that’s half scoff, half laugh. “No way. Everyone will notice if we go into the bathroom together.”

“That’s fine.” I come to a stop at a light and turn to face her. “Because as soon as we’re done in the bathroom, we’re telling everyone about this.”

Piper's eyes widen and her jaw goes slack. “What do you mean, this?”

“I mean this.” I motion between us. “All of it. You and me.” My eyes dip down to her softly curved belly. “And if there's going to be more of us.”

Piper’s already peaked complexioned pales even more. “You're not supposed to tell people before—” She swallows hard, fingers toying with the hem of her T-shirt. “I wouldn't be far enough along to—”

“You've been throwing up for days, Sugar. They’re going to notice when you keep running to the bathroom.” I lift my hand from her thigh to trace along her cheek. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

Her lips purse into a soft pout. “You say that now, but I remember a time when you were super worried about everyone at the shop finding out anything about us.”

I flash her a smile as the light turns green. “That was back when I had my head up my own ass.”

Piper is quiet beside me as we start moving again, and I peek her way, finding her lower lip pinched between her teeth, brows creased in worry. “What if they’re pissed?” Her eyes come to my face. “What if they don't think I should work there anymore?” Her voice pitches. “What if they don't like that your girlfriend is an employee?”

“That won’t matter.” I slide my fingers along her hand, tracing across the spot I plan to fill soon. “Because you're not going to be my girlfriend for long.”

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