Page 39 of Interception

“No. I regularly participate in gang bangs, so I could only narrow it down to a hundred or so guys. They put out an announcement at the BDSM club I frequent, so hopefully, they can all take a quick DNA test and give me some answers.” They stare blankly.

“Are you keeping it?”

“Seriously? No fucks given? Yes, I know who the father is. I’ve been seeing Cooper for quite some time now, and we’re expecting twins.”

“So you trapped him?”

I resume pacing, clutching my swollen belly in a protective way. “No, Mother, I didn’t. I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but he’s the one who pursued me. He wants these babies. He wants to build a life and a family with me.”

“You’ll regret this later, and so will he…” My mom trails off, but I know exactly what she’s thinking.

“Like you regret keeping me.” Neither of them has a pleasant word to say, and I’m not going to stick around to hear any more of their vitriol. I pull out my keychain and remove the key to this house. I have no desire to come here under duress and subject myself to this shit.

I drop my key on the counter and head for the door.

“Zoey, don’t be so dramatic.”

“I’m not being dramatic. I just realized that your opinion of me will never change, and I’m done trying. Peace out.” As I head out the door, relief washes over me, along with a wave of nausea. I’ll not blow chunks in their house. I run for the door and keep my lunch down until I reach the bushes out front—the ones that used to break my fall when I snuck out of the house at night. It seems fitting that my parting gift is a big dose of vomit in their front yard.

When I get to my car, I immediately call Faith as I pull out of the driveway.

“Has he done the press conference yet?” Faith and Hunter went to the game today to show Coop some support. Plus, we factored in the possibility that Faith might have another mishap and divert press attention from our little bundles of news.

“Not yet. Game is almost done. I reckon it will be a good hour before the conference, though. How did it go with your folks?”

“It went just as I expected. They were assholes, and then I puked in the bushes out front of their house. I’m coming to you guys. I should just have come there in the first place. It was a waste of time talking to my mom and dad. They’d be shitty grandparents, anyway. Can I just adopt your Grams as my kids’ grandma?”

“I’m sure she’d love that. You know she has a soft spot for Coop after Thanksgiving.”

“I should’ve sent Coop to my parents’ house. They would love him. I was lucky enough to have them echo everything Coop’s fans have been saying. The essence of the conversation was the fact that I’m a fat slut.”

“Zee, I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to be on the outs with your folks.”

“Yeah, but you had a relationship to tarnish. Your parents were upset out of love. Mine are just indifferent to me. Anyway, I’ve told them. It’s done. Now I need to focus on learning how to be a good parent. I don’t ever want my kids to think I don’t care about them.”

“That would never happen. You’re the most loving person I know. You’ve always had my back. I have no worries about what kind of mom you’ll be. These babies are going to be so loved, Zee. Not just by you and Coop, but by Hunter and me. We’re family.”

“Don’t you go skipping ahead of yourself. Coop and I still have so many hurdles to overcome. It might not end up all sunshine and rainbows. I know that, so I don’t want you getting your hopes up.”

“Okay, I’ll make a deal with you. If you make a real effort to open up to Coop and give him a chance at forever, then I’ll keep my big trap shut on the subject.”

“Faith…”

She cuts me off. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. He is a good guy, he’s clearly in love with you, and you’re having his babies. He deserves at least an opportunity to win your heart.”

“God, you’re like a Hallmark movie sometimes. It’s annoying as shit and makes you impossible to say no to. Although, how do you know that I haven’t already professed my love to him?”

“Women aren’t the only ones who gossip about their relationships. Coop and Hunter are like clucking hens when they get together. Let’s just say it filters back. Regardless of whether you’ve told him, do you love him?”

“Change the subject, Faith. I’m driving downtown, and I want to pull my car over and puke my guts out. I need a good distraction. Tell me about the game. Is Coop staying focused? The last thing he needs is an angry mob when he’s about to announce his impending fatherhood. If they lose, you know it will get blamed on me.”

“Girl, he’s crushing it. They are up by fourteen right now and dominating the field. Whatever you’ve done to get him on his A-game, keep doing it. They could be going to the Super Bowl if he keeps this up.”

“I guess my swollen ankles and constant pickle breath is a real turn-on for him. I’ll be sure to flash him my stretch-mark stomach before the next game.”

“Are you totally craving sex? I hear pregnancy can cause some major lady boners in the second trimester.”

“I’m pulling into the stadium now. I’ll meet you in the conference room after the game.”

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