Page 30 of Sometimes You Fall

“You just thought, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen that guy in seventeen years, and he looks like a good lay.’”

“No. That wasn’t it.”

“Then what? Was the sex not satisfactory?”

My hands start shaking from the adrenaline running through me, but I give him a steely gaze. “You’re being an ass.”

He points a finger at me. “Andyou’relying to me. There’s a reason why you ran that night, and I’m pretty damn sure I know what it is, but I’m wondering if you have the guts to tell me.”

Throwing my hands up in the air, I reply, “What do you want me to say?”

“I want you to admit that it meant something to you, and you ran because you were fucking scared!”

His words feel like a slap, the impact of reality hitting me all at once.

Because he’s right. That night did mean something, but it doesn’t matter now. Everything changed when those two pink lines appeared.

“Grady…”

He closes the distance between us, holding me by the upper arms and lowering his voice. “One night, Scottie? You honestly thought that one night was enough?”

“We shouldn’t have even had that, Grady,” I manage to squeak out.

“Why?” He drags his nose up the side of my face, his breath hot on my skin. And my entire body comes alive.

God, how can this man have this effect on me? He’s my friend,wasmy friend for years. And one night together completely changed how my body responds to him?

It was just sex, two consenting adults in it for a good time.

It wasn’t supposed to mean anything.

You’re so stupid for even thinking that it wouldn’t, Scottie.

“Because I’m pregnant, Grady,” I whisper, letting my admission float out in the space between us.

He freezes, his chest rising and falling so slowly in front of my eyes that I’d think he stopped breathing if I didn’t see the evidence for myself.

Taking a step back, he releases my arms and I gaze up at him, his expression unreadable. “You’re what?”

I clear my throat and declare with more assertion this time, “I’m pregnant.”

Grady barely blinks for a few beats. “Um…how?”

Blowing out a breath, I turn away from him and begin to pace the room. “Believe me, I’ve been asking myself the same question, but you know, condoms don’t always work.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Jesus. I, uh…”

“I know this is a lot.”

“You think?” He turns to me, his brows halfway up his forehead. “When did you find out?”

“Just this week. Something was off with me. I threw up a few times, and then finally realized I missed my period.” I shake my head, palming my face. “I should have known sooner, but life was crazy with the move and new job, and...”

“Okay.” He blows out a breath, nodding slowly, absorbing this new information. “So what now?”

“I called Dr. Rivera. I have an appointment next week.” Given my age and the fact that I’m already eleven weeks along, they wanted to see me as soon as possible. “Look, I know this is a lot to take in, and I’m sorry that the timing of all of this isn’t better, but I wanted you to know. You deserve to know.”

Grady takes a seat in his recliner again, staring off into space. “Scottie…”

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