Page 155 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I drop my bag onto the floor and take a sip of my coffee. I tell myself I can sit on the couch for five minutes with my boys before I have to get to work on my paper. It’s my last big essay for this class, and I want it to be good.

I tuck my legs under me, getting comfortable. “I ran into Bertie on campus.”

“Oh?” He arches a brow. “Did you get to talk to her?”

I nod, debating about whether I should tell him. “I did.”

“And?”

I bite my lip. I might as well fill him in. It’s not like he’s going to tell anyone. “She’s pregnant.”

His lips parts in surprise. “What?”

“I know. I’m going to go with her to her appointment tomorrow.”

“Is she okay?”

My heart softens at the thoughtfulness behind the simple question. “I think so. Scared, obviously, and she said she’s been really sick, but I think she’s wrapping her head around it.”

“How far along is she?”

“I didn’t ask, but she hasn’t been to the doctor yet, so I don’t think she’s too far.”

“Wow.” He rubs the baby’s back. “I guess Sammy will have a friend to play with.”

That comment takes a modicum of weight off my shoulders. I hadn’t even thought about that. Sammy and Bertie’s baby will be close in age.

I take a couple of sips of my coffee and stand. “I have to go write this paper.”

He brushes his lips over Sammy’s head. “All right. We’ll be right here.”

Upstairs, I settle cross-logged on the bed and log on to my computer. My brain is frazzled, and I’m still processing Bertie’s shocking news, so it takes about a solid ten minutes—and playing classical music—to get in the zone.

Two hours later—because I keep second guessing everything I write and deleting and rewriting it again—my rough draft is finished.

I am nothing if not an overthinker.

And when I check my phone, I find a text from Bertie. Her appointment is scheduled in the middle of one of my classes, but I don’t care in this instance.

My best friend needs me.

It’s pouringrain as I pull up outside the dorm to wait for Bertie. The plan was to meet at the doctor’s office, but there was no way I was letting her take the bus in this weather.

I’ve just put the car in park when she dashes outside, holding the hood of her raincoat firmly to her head so it doesn’t go flying off in the wind.

“This is some kind of weather, huh?” She closes the door behind her. “Not going to lie; I’m glad you’re the one driving.”

I pull away from the dorm, turning down the music.

“How are you feeling?”

“I only threw up twice this morning, so I’m counting it as progress.”

I shoot her a concerned look as I turn onto the main road around the campus. “Is there anything the doctor can give you for it?”

“I don’t think so. It’s just one of those pregnancy things.” She drops her head back against the headrest with athump. “I’m pregnant.” Her voice shakes around the two words. “There’s a baby inside me.” In my periphery, she puts a hand on her stomach. “God, this is so weird. I’m not going to lie, the idea of feeling it move really freaks me out.”

It freaks me out too, but I keep that to myself. Instead, I say, “I think by that point, you’ll be excited to feel it.”

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