Page 88 of Call You Mine

I’m sitting in the Silver Wolf’s bathroom, waiting for Jeremy to bring me what I asked for before I start my shift. When the realization that I might be pregnant hit me like a wave of terror, I panicked. Having no one else to go to with a secret like this, I texted Jeremy and asked him to buy me a pregnancy test, or four, from the drugstore, then sneak his way into the women’s restroom without being caught.

A soft knock sounds against the door, followed by another two. I open the door and pull him inside by the collar of his shirt, slamming his back against the door before locking it.

“Woah, woman. I have a girlfriend, and you might have your boyfriend's baby in you.”

I want to slap him for being such an idiot. “Shh, shut the hell up Jere, someone might hear you.”

His eyes go wide in fear, and I feel terrible for yelling at him when he’s only here because I asked him to do me a favor. “Oh shit, my bad. Is it a secret or something?”

“Do you think I’d be banking you to sneak into the women's restroom to bring me a pregnancy test if I wanted the entire world to know?” I mock a little too much sarcasm in the bit of my tone. God, what is it with my mood today?

“Yeah, dumb question,” he answers himself.

Cradling my face in my hands, I walk over to the bathroom sink and run my fingers through my hair in desperation. I’m breaking out in a cold sweat, my anxiety rippling through, and I play potential scenarios in my head. “I’m sorry, Jere. I’m just nervous.”

Jeremy joins me, handing me a plastic back he pulls out from underneath his shirt. “Want me to stay with you?”

How awkward is this? Jeremy and I are not necessarily friends. We’re co-workers, though I see and talk to him more than I do any other of my so-called friends, not that I have many. Yet sharing this moment with him, yeah, not going to happen. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just come out when I'm done.”

He pats me on my back, and I know he’s just as unsure about what to do in this situation as I am. “If you’re sure.” I’m not, but what I really need is to just be alone. I nod, unable to say anything as another wave of nausea hits me. “Alright, well, good luck Wyn.”

Don’t I fucking need it.

Ughh,what is that smell?

My stomach churns at the potent aroma of garlic coming from the back of the house. The kitchen’s been closed for overan hour, but the scent has permeated the entire bar, making me incredibly nauseated. Then again, that’s been my normal all evening.

I let out a shrill cry, just like the one that erupted from me after seeing the wordpregnantappear—at least when I finally stopped hyperventilating—on the four pregnancy tests I forced Jeremy to buy me and then took in the bar restroom, which only confirmed what I already knew to be true.

I’m pregnant. I’m having Damon Drake’s baby.

“Oh God, not again,” I curse under my breath as I swallow back the bile that creeps its way up my esophagus.

It’s nearly one in the morning, the bar having closed just a few minutes ago is now empty except for Jeremy and me. Thursday nights, college nights, are a complete nightmare compared to the weekend rush. Friday through Sunday, we have not only a clientele of fraternity bros who get drunk off of two beers and start hitting on anyone in sight.

Trying to ignore the way my stomach recoils, a pulling sensation that threatens to make me immobile, I shrug it off and try my hardest to get back into my closing duties—wiping down the bar tops and organizing the clean glasses Jeremy just brought over from the dishwasher. At least, the half that didn’t end up shattered on the floor.

I should have gone home the moment I saw the tests come back positive, but it was one of our busiest nights, and Jade and Bass both had the night off. They were counting on me to be here and it’s not like I could have just said why I needed to leave.

The stench of garlic hits me once more.What the hell are they doing back there, trying to rid off the vampires?

“Fuck, Jade’s going to take that out of my paycheck,” Jeremy whines, sweeping up the last of the shards of glass that scattered across the floors.

If he wasn’t so anxious about everything all the time, Jeremy would be a pretty cool guy. He’s around my age, soft brown curly hair and honey brown eyes that give him that boy next door look. He sort of reminds me of Kai, only less troubled. I know little else about him other than he has a pretty toxic relationship with his girlfriend. That I only know because of the constant bickering I overhear on their not so quiet phone calls.

“You know Jade’s not the type,” I assure him, trying to settle the already neurotic vibes coming off him. He’s been arguing with his girlfriend all night. The back and forth has given me a headache, especially after Jeremy came back from his break with eyes red and swollen from crying in the bathroom. He swears his allergies have been acting up, but I’m not an idiot. I can spot a heartsick man from a mile away.

“I swear I’m fine. They just slipped.” Bullshit. He is definitely not fine.

“I just don’t get why she keeps bringing up a relationship that has been dead for over three years.”

“Jeremy, why don’t you just go home? I’ll close up here. Anyway, we’re almost done.”

He wipes at his nose, his eyes once again red and filled with tears. “Are you sure?” he asks between sniffles. God, that sound is definitely grossing me out. “That would definitely help. I can talk to Jenny face to face and…”

“Just go Jeremy,” I shout when a drop of snot falls upon his lower lip. Yup, I feel it coming again.

“No.” he shakes his head and picks up one rag I was using. “You’re the one who’s had the shittier day. Finding out you’re pregnant, not that having a baby is shitty, but you didn't really seem all that excited.” And now he’s nervously ranting. “No, go.”

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