Page 13 of Found By You

Duke’s jaw tightens, his focus solely on me. “Why didn’t you call me?”

I tilt my head in confusion. Is he mad at me? “Why would I? You said only if I needed something.”

“Yeah, and your lips are blue, Maci,” he bites out. “You’re cold as ice and from the looks of it, I should be taking you to the hospital.” He stands, gently pressing the door open farther as he steps into my space. “Come on.” He reaches for me like he’s about to hoist me up by my underarms.

I swat him away. “I don’t need a hospital.”

“She’s been barfin’ in there all morning,” another moron calls out unhelpfully.

Can no one mind their own business around here?

Duke’s gaze darkens. “We’re going,” he grits, picking me up and off the floor with ease despite an extra swat to his chest. “I’ll help you get ready. What do you—”

“Duke,” I hiss under my breath, “I don’t need a doctor.”

“Yes, you do,” he growls.

“No, I don’t,” I growl back.

“Something is clearly wrong,” he says, his eyes darting over me, the room, the toilet.

“I’m—” The words lodge in my throat. I haven’t told anyone about my, um, situation. To be blunt, no one besides my doctor back in Oklahoma knows I’m pregnant. I never had the chance to tell my family or friends before everything blew up in my face. And the only person I did tell…well, he’s dead.

Not exactly on a winning streak for announcements.

Duke eases the door shut behind him. “If you’re worried about going alone, I’ll stay with you,” he says softly with so much sincerity I believe him.

I shake my head. “It’s not that…”

“Hospitals are scary, I get it,” he adds, trying a different angle as he tugs the comforter up and off the floor to wrap tighter around me. “This one time, my brother Levi super-glued his boxers on his head—well, I think Butch might have done it to him, but that’s beside the point.”

“Duke.” I smile, laying a hand on his arm. “I’m not afraid of hospitals or doctors, I just don’t need one.”

“This isn’t normal, Maci.” He frowns, searching my face for an answer. “Do you think it’s food poisoning? Stress? It could be the flu…”

“Duke.”

“…you’re probably dehydrated. I can run to the store, get you some Pedialyte.”

“Duke.”

“My mom is a nurse; I’ll call her and—”

“I’m pregnant.” The words are out before I can stop them, and I gasp at my outburst. The sound echoes in the tight, unwelcoming location. My heart hammers in my chest as I watch his frozen, shell-shocked face.

At least he isn’t yelling.

And why would he? I shouldn’t care what this man-stranger-whoever thinks about my pregnancy. It’s mine, not his.

“You’re…” His hand rubs over his brow and down the side of his scruffy face then over his mouth. “That explains a lot.”

I bite my lip and nod, averting my eyes out of…shame? Embarrassment? Guilt? It’s anyone’s guess. “Yup.”

His frame expands on a deep breath, and I’m acutely aware of how intimidating he is in his same attire as last night—with a new black hoodie in place of the one he lent me. All rugged and strong, he exudes masculinity, and I feel very, very small under his intense scrutiny.

I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking.

“What do you need from me?”

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