Page 66 of Broken

“Nothing. I’m just a horrible sister. Give me a minute?”

“Sure.”

I ran upstairs, finding Izzy face down on her bed. She groaned and rolled over to her side. “It feels weird to lay on my stomach.”

“Um, okay.” I stumbled for a response, not expecting the turn.

“It’s harder than it used to be.” She pressed a couple of fingers to her middle, demonstrating how it didn’t dip with the pressure. “How did I miss this?”

Relieved she was talking, I took a seat on the edge of my bed, facing her. “Well, other than that, you’re notshowing. And you were havinglightperiods, so I don’t blame you for not realizing at first.”

“But you think I’m stupid for letting it happen.” She looked away to stare at the nightstand, and I winced.

“I don’t think you’re stupid, but Idothink this was a really crappy thing to happen.”

“Yeah, me, too. I just don’t want you to hate me for it.”

“Never.” I scooted forward to grab her hand.

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, so much sadness in her gaze. “Go out with Jet, sis. I’m sorry for being a bitch before. I was just in a bad mood and took it out on you.”

“Really? You sure it’s nothing else?”

She nodded. “I’m fine.”

ISABEL

I was proud of myself for keeping a straight face at the end. My emotions were haywire. Mom had surprised me after lunch,picking me up for a last-minute doctor’s appointment she’d managed to snag. And while I’d been thrown between terrified and excited, I was furious that she was springing it on me so that Tucker couldn’t even plan to go.

The one saving grace was that he was now eighteen, and when I texted him, he checked out right after athletics to rush over and join us.

Mom had looked pissed.

I didn’t care.

It was everything after the appointment that went terribly wrong anyway.

“And there’s your baby.” The ultrasound tech turned the screen monitor so that Tucker and I could see.

I gazed in awe and surprise. In my head, I’d pictured a tiny blob that would have to be pointed out like in movies, but what I was seeing right now looked like an actual baby. A clear head and even arms and feet that were waving about.

“How do I not feel that?” I whispered.

“You should soon.” The tech smiled, adjusting the wand on my stomach. She clicked a few more things on her keyboard, making lines on the screen around parts of the baby.My baby.My hand found Tucker’s by my side, and he engulfed it in his, his gaze still on the screen with a focused brow.

“How far along is she?” Mom’s voice was clipped, but some of the edge had left her tone as she stared at the screen from the bench against the wall.

“She’s measuring right around nineteen weeks.” The tech shook her head in wonderment.

My brow furrowed. “That far? Shouldn’t I be showing or something?” Worry laced through my tone, and I looked between Mom and the tech.

Compassion touched Mom’s expression. “Not everyone shows early. Especially if it’s your first pregnancy. But Iamsurprisedat how far along you are. Nineteen weeks would’ve been back in July.” Her tone went firm again, her anger and judgment once again clear. “I swear, Isabel, you should’ve noticed something sooner.”

“I’m sorry.” A tear slipped down. Because she was right.

Tucker squeezed my hand, bringing me back before I could spiral. Everything Mom said lately hit so harsh.

“Oh, look, she gave us a good view.” The ultrasound tech clicked another picture on her screen before pointing. “Looks like you’re having a girl.”

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