Page 51 of Classroom Confessions

Silence.

I took a breath, let it out, and took another, holding it while turning down the air and rubbing my hands down my thighs. Talking about a baby was an all or nothing situation. I’d have to sit them all down and tell them at the same time. It was the only fair thing to do.

“Why?” A legitimate question, and one I couldn’t answer to its fullest.

I couldn’t sit in the car anymore. I switched to my phone and left the car. Fitz barked from the front window and a bit of the fear drained away. “There’s something else we need to discuss.” I stopped there.

“Like what?” His long exhale felt like a threat. “What else could there possibly be? Is there another guy?”

“No.” I shot the denial out and unlocked the door. “Look, I don’t want to talk about it on the phone.”

“Ah. Another of those conversations.” Bitterness coated his words. “Are you going to try and break up with us again? Because that’s not happening.”

Why did the reassurance make me want to cry? Fitz went nuts when I stepped into the house. I tried to shush him but his constant barking increased.

“Sounds like you’re at home.”

“Yeah. Fitz is excited to see me.” Understatement of the century. I made my way to the couch and sat down, propping my feet on a cushion after kicking off my shoes. Fitz climbed onto my stomach again and buried his nose in my bellybutton. Well, at least I knew why he’d been acting weird today. He must have sensed the baby.

My pulse quickened, and I rested my hand alongside Fitz’s head. How long until I felt him or her move? I regretted not getting the ultrasound now that I’d adjusted to the news. Not that it had really sunk in yet, but my mind was starting to catch up to the fact that I was really, truly pregnant.

“When do you want to have this talk?” The sharpness in his tone snapped through me. “Ethan and Cole have gone home already.”

“I’m off work tomorrow and don’t have any classes.” I hated to wait, but after a look at the clock, I muffled a yawn behind my hand and tucked a pillow behind my head. We’d been through enough today. Tomorrow was good enough for this bag of drama to be opened and dumped in our laps. I could live with the information a little longer. Even Lily didn’t know that I’d gone to be checked.

Fitz rolled over and stuck all four paws in the air, his head sweeping from side to side over my stomach. What was I going to do about the apartment? One room was good enough for now, but at some point, my baby would need a room of their own.

My baby. Our baby, if any of them were willing to stick around once they found out. Would they demand a paternity test?

David’s quiet grunt pushed my eyes open. When had I closed them? Another yawn took hold, this one stretching my jaw until it popped.

“Can you meet us at Cole’s house tomorrow morning at ten?” Steps clicked through the phone. “I texted Ethan. He’s free then, and so am I. Cole said he’s supposed to volunteer at the animal shelter, but not until after lunch.”

“I’ll be there.” I nestled my head into the pillow. “I’m going to sleep now. See you tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you want me to talk to Carrie yet?”

I couldn’t decipher his voice. Concern, or something else?

It took more effort than it should to focus on answering him. “It might be better if we tell them everything at the same time.”

Because there was no need to have two serious and potentially family-shattering conversations when we could get it all over at once. Tell them I was having sex with three of my professors, one of whom my stepmom had dated, then reveal that I’d accidentally gotten pregnant by one of them but didn’t know which one. Sounded like a great day.

“What do you mean by everything?” A muffled thud echoed in my ear. “Rebecca, what are you keeping from us?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow. I can’t tonight. I’m too tired.” My eyes sank closed. “Goodnight, David.”

“Do you have any idea how badly I want to come over there and demand that you talk to me?”

Only as badly as I wished they would all come over and hold me. “If I thought it would help you, I’d let you in. But please trust me when I say it’s better if you’re all together.”

“Fuck, Rebecca.” He made that maddening growling noise, and I imagined him tearing a hand through his hair while he paced across his living room. “Are you in trouble? Are you hurt? Sick? Injured?”

“I’m tired. So, so tired.” My head fell sideways into the pillow. I’d have a crick in my neck tomorrow, but right then, I didn’t care. “I’m safe, and I’m healthy. I’m sorry I called and worried you. I just wanted to catch you before you talk to Carrie.”

“But you’ll explain everything tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow. Ten o’clock at Cole’s house. I’ll tell you everything.”

---