Page 58 of Filthy Savage

AMARA

My stomach isin complete knots as I get off the bus and start the walk toward Xander’s house. It took me a few days to gather the courage to see him and tell him about the baby. But I knew I had to.

So many emotions play in my head. Hoping it isn’t his. Hoping if it is, that he stays away from us.

On the other hand, I don’t want my baby to feel abandoned by her father like I was.

I don’t even know if it’s a girl, but that’s what my heart tells me.

Cupping my belly, I take a deep breath as I continue down his block toward his house on the corner. His parents purchased a five-bedroom home for him, like he really needs something that big. The brown shutters come into view as I approach, and I notice his car isn’t in the driveway.

I blow out a rough exhale. Great…

He never got back to me when I texted earlier asking to discuss something important. I figure he’s ignoring me. Now I don’t even know where he is or when he’ll be back.

“Amara?” the older lady next door calls out, waving with a newspaper in hand. “I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you, sweetheart?” She approaches and hugs me tight.

“I’ve been good, Mrs. Windsor.” I grin sweetly. “It’s just Xander and I aren’t together anymore.”

“Oh? I’m sorry.” She pats my forearm. “Though I will say…” She pulls into me. “I never liked him.”

I let out a laugh. “Neither did anyone I knew. Have you seen him, by the way?”

Contemplatively, she scratches the staticky grays at her temple. “Now that you mention it, no, I haven’t.”

“Oh. Well, that’s okay. Maybe I’ll just wait around a bit. See if he shows up.”

Her thick brows furrow. “You okay, honey?”

“I will be.” My lips pinch into a forced smile.

“How about you come inside and I’ll get you some lemonade? No point for you to hang here on the street when I’m right next door.”

She’s got a point. I can’t stick around forever waiting for him. If he doesn’t show up within the hour, I’m leaving.

“That sounds nice. Thanks.”

“Good.” Her face brightens. “Come now, honey.”

Ushering me up the steps, she opens the door and leads me inside.

“Have a seat on the couch. I’ll go fetch you that lemonade.”

I settle down on her red velvet sofa while she heads right to the kitchen.

Mrs. Windsor has always been kind to me. We hit it off in the beginning of my relationship with Xander when she knocked over her garbage pail and I helped her clean it up. Since she has no family, I know she’s lonely. It was the main reason I agreed to come in.

“So…” She returns with a tall glass of lemonade. “How are you doing? Still at the café?”

I get to my feet and take it from her, returning to my seat as she lowers into one opposite me.

“Yeah.” I sip on the sweet goodness. “But I had to get a second job.” My fingers slide up the condensation on the glass.

“Oh, why’s that? Everything okay?”

I’m trying to get comfortable with the fact that I’m pregnant, even though I don’t exactly know if I’m going to go through with it.

“I’m pregnant.”

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