Page 97 of Tiers of Joy

I look at my wine and lick my lips. Gaige moves it away and I sulk and stick out my bottom lip.

“Sorry, I will get you a soda in a minute.” He says drinking his beer and winking.

“Bastard.” I mumble.

The band perform. There are a few looks my way; people obviously expect me to get up and dance.

“We are going to take a break but before we do, there is a young lady who would like to make an announcement to you all.” The lead singer gestures for me to come up.

“Trust me.” I whisper in Gaige’s ear before walking up to the mic.

“Hey everyone.” I wave lamely. I spot Tanner and his friends at the bar. Perfect.

“I just wanted to let you all know that I’m pregnant, and that it’s Tanner’s baby.” I state.

I look over at Gaige who looks like he’s about to exploded. I look at Tanner who’s gone so pale he looks like he’s about to pass out.

I laugh.

“I’m just fucking kidding! Of course Gaige is the father. I am eleven weeks pregnant. I got pregnant after one hot amazing night at Gaige’s house. Not from a sixty second shag up in the woods with the guy crying out mommy as he orgasmed!” I state.

There are giggles and sniggers around the pub.

“So Tanner, I don’t like you going around and telling everyone about something that’s private and personal to me. I was nice. I didn’t mock you, but Christ alive! You need to see a shrink because shouting shit like that is not normal! Unless there are any cougars in here tonight that are into that kind of freaky shit. If there are, there’s your man. Tanner, this is me being nice. Spread shit like that again and I will tell your mommy.” I smile sweetly and then go to walk off.

“Oh wait. Yay! Gaige and I are pregnant. Thank you.” I cheer.

I smile at Gaige the whole way back to the table. The rest of the bar is silent apart from people muttering.

Tanner walks up to me and grabs my arm, halting me.

“You fucking bitch! How could you?” He seethes.

Gaige approaches me. I smile.

“Get your fucking hands off of her right now.” He warns Tanner.

Tanner lets go of my arm and shoves me into Gaige.

“You’re fucking welcome to her.” Tanner spits.

Gaige moves me to the side.

“Jack, apologise now.” Gaige yells.

“For what?” I ask, confused.

Gaige catches up to Tanner and grabs him by the scruff of his collar. He rears his fist back and punches him hard.

Tanner falls to the floor.

“If you fucking speak to her, if you lay a fucking finger on her again, I will make sure you never have kids. Am I clear?” Gaige states as Tanner’s friends help him to his feet.

Tanner wipes his mouth and spits blood on the ground.

“You can guarantee I will never be going near that again.” He sneers.

He turns to leave.

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