Page 152 of Oathbreaker

“Yes! Oh, my God, yes, I’m keeping the baby.” My hand drops to my stomach as if I could protect the little bean from their aunt’s words.

“Hey, no offense,” Veronica says, throwing her hands up. “I just—how are you feeling about everything? I thought you were on birth control? I know we never had the talk, dear, but?—”

“Okay, Mom,” I say with a laugh. She laughs back, pushing at my leg.

“I didn’t get back on birth control after everything. Hunter and I talked about it, and I thought about it, but I never felt that strong of an urge to get that whole situation sorted.”

She grins, her eyes narrowing with amusement. “Babe, do you have a breeding kink?”

I throw a pillow at her.

“I mean, or I guess Mr.Brigham has one? No judgment. I can somewhat understand the appeal.”

“Veronica Marie Lance.”

“Calm down, don’t full-name me, yeesh,” she says, tossing the pillow back at me again.

“If you’re happy about the baby, why are you in here looking like you went three rounds with Rhonda Rousey? And don’t give me that bullshit about ‘I’m hormonal,’ because I invented the game, mmkay?”

She tries to make a joke, but I know her. There’s a shot of pain reflected in her gaze. “You were struggling this whole time, weren’t you?” I murmur.

She grabs my hand, and I squeeze hers in return. She shrugs. “Life be lifein’ sometimes, babe.”

I nod at her sage wisdom.

“Keep talking, heffa,” Veronica says, breaking the heavy mood.

“So yeah. I found out I was pregnant at the coffee shop. I mean, I went and got pregnancy tests at the convenience store and took one at the coffee shop.”

“And that freaked you out?”

“Thoroughly.” I clear my throat. “Anyway, I ran around and eventually ended up close to Genevieve’s office, so I went to see her. Hunter showed up.”

“He’s back?” she asks.

“Yes, he, um....”

“Did he whisk you away so y’all could fuck like bunnies?”

“You’re killing me. Straight murder, sis.”

“I bet he’s been murdering that pooo-say—Ah!” She shrieks when I push her off the mattress. “I’m sorry! I can’t help it. I have always wanted this for you.” She crawls her way back up to the bed.

“I know,” I say simply. “So we went to Dr.Greene today, and everything is great. But on the way home...um....”

“On the way home, what?”

I bite my nails.

“On the way home, what, Winter?” Veronica’s eyes flash with deep trepidation.

“So, don’t freak, but we were kind of in a car chase.”

She blinks. Once. Twice. Three times. “Excuse me, what?”

“You heard me right,” I say helplessly.

“The actual fuck, Winter?” She hops off the bed and begins pacing around. In a snap, she spins and heads for the door.

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