Page 45 of Storm

I’m hoping you’ll remember me, but this is Miriam, the girl from the cabin two months ago. Funny thing, I might have blocked, then deleted all of your phone numbers, never thinking I’d have to get in touch with you again. You know, because you guys were complete assholes, but here we are.

Umm… If you see this, which I’m not sure you will since it doesn’t seem as if you’re very active online, would you message me? I’d say to give me a call, but I don’t know how to unblock a number I’ve deleted. Phones and I aren’t the most compatible.

It’s really important I get in touch with you. I hate the idea of saying why over message, so I’ll wait until I hear from you. Thanks in advance. – Miriam

I’m grinning by the end of her message, chuckling over her admitting to blocking us. That explains why I couldn’t get a hold of her after she left, but I had suspected as much.

Scrolling down, I find one more message from her, then a photo.

Tatum,

I really need to speak to at least ONE of you. I’m not sure what else I should do, but I’m just going to go for it.

I’m pregnant and I’m including an ultrasound to prove how far along I am. If you compare the dates to our weekend, you’ll see they align perfectly. Contact me, or don’t contact me, but someone needs to know.-Miriam

My breath catches when I click on the small photo and it fills my phone.Fuck me.Bean was right. That’s all the little guy looks like. Almost like a cashew. I bring the phone closer to inspect it closer, and I swear, I can see little tiny arms.

“Guys,” I choke out.

Kevin and Richard are arguing with Ezra, but I can’t take my eyes from the photo. He’s growling in anger at them, and I can hear how stressed out they’re making him, but I just can’t intervene other than to try again.

“GUYS!”

“What?” Richard shouts, quickly followed by Ezra shushing him and pointing toward the ceiling.

Turning my phone, I show all of them the photo. Richard’s only reaction is widening eyes, but Ezra drops to his knees in front of me, taking my phone in his hands to cradle it. “He’s beautiful! Just a perfect little man.” Looking at me, I can see the fear swirling behind his eyes and he whispers, “I don’t want him to be like me.” He taps his head to stress his point and my heart hurts for my friend.

He struggles so much with his mental health, but he doesn’t realize how strong he really is. Leaning forward, I make sure my words are clear. “He’d be amazing. You’re not fucked up, Ez. You just went through fucked up things.”

I’m not sure I got through him, but he drops his eyes to look at the photo again, still unsure about it.

“I have an appointment next week.”

Kevin is moving before any of us when Miriam’s voice rings out, jolting us out of the intense moment. “Did you sleep well, Miriam?” He’s standing in front of her, cupping her chin to lift her face so he can check her over.

She pulls her face away and walks around him into the kitchen. “I slept.” Casting a quick look in my direction and seeingEzra on his knees, she lifts a brow and says, “I see you’ve found your messages.”

“We’re reading through all of them now. Please, sit down. I’ll get you something to eat.” Kevin is following behind her, hovering like a momma bear. I would have expected it from Ezra, but not Kevin.

She throws out a warning glare, causing me to laugh, then opens the fridge. “I can’t eat yet, unless you want to listen to me throw up for the next two hours. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be long on my way to my apartment by then. Maybe something to settle my stomach, milk or orange juice preferably. No, definitely orange juice.”

“In the door.” Richard is watching her hard, but he seems less hateful toward her this morning.

Rolling my eyes when Kevin takes it from her hand with a soft order to sit down, which she begrudgingly obeys, he fills a large glass. Setting it in front of her, we all silently watch as she takes a sip. She eyes us over the rim of the glass, swallowing slowly. Pulling it away and hugging it to her chest, she narrows her eyes.

“Stop being fucking weird.Pinches idiotas.”

I catch Ezra grinning to himself and it hits me like a train. I totally fucking forgot he speaks fluent Spanish, and this motherfucker is keeping it a secret from her.Brilliant.

Nudging him with my toe, I silently ask him to translate. Kevin starts asking her questions, so he leans forward and whispers, “Fucking idiots. Shereallythinks we’re all stupid.”

“She’s probably not wrong,” I reply just as quietly. Sitting back in my chair, I find Richard. He’s standing away from all of us, hands shoved in his pockets and shoulders hiked up to his ears. He seems incredibly uncomfortable. “Rich, why don’t you sit down so we can all talk?”

Nodding, he rolls his head to stretch his muscles and sits as far from Miriam as possible. He really needs to get over his shit right now. This isn’t the time to be unapproachable.

“So,” I say loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. “Miriam has an appointment next week. I’m not sure about you guys, but I’d like to go.” To her, I add, “If you’ll be comfortable with that.”

Before she has a chance to respond, Richard continues with a request that has me closing my eyes in frustration. “Will they be able to do a paternity test at the appointment? Or is it too early for that?”

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