Page 35 of Sometimes You Fall

“And now?”

“Now we’re having a baby, and that night wasn’t just a fluke. I wanted more, but she left before I could talk to her about it.” I brush a hand through my hair. “She fucking flipped my world upside down…”

Astrid folds her lips in as she smiles. “Oh my God, my brother is in loveandhe’s having a baby!”

Rolling my eyes, I watch as she jumps up and down with excitement. “Relax. I have to talk to her first, remember. But fuck, Astrid…” Shaking my head, I continue, “If I don’t try to at least make this work, if I don’t take this as a sign that life has a way of pointing you in the right direction if you pay attention, then I’ll regret it. I know there’s a ton of shit to work out, but I owe it to myself, and to this child, to try.”

My sister pulls me into a hug. “You do. My big brother is all grown up,” she teases as we squeeze each other.

“I’m going to need you to get through this.” It’s at this moment that I realize my hands are shaking as Astrid holds me closer.

“I’ll always be here, Grady. I love you and I promise, you will get through this.”

“Love you too, sis.”

She pats me on the back and releases me before saying, “Now go figure out what your future looks like before this baby gets here. You might think you have all the time in the world, but believe me, it goes by faster than you think.”

Chapter eight

Scottie

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence falls in the room as I wait for a reaction from the two most important women in my life, the reasons I moved back to Carrington Cove in the first place—because I knew I’d have their support. I just didn’t think it would be for this.

“Goodness gracious, Scottie.” My mother stares at me from across the couch in her living room. Gigi is sitting in a chair in the other corner, and I’m stationed on the loveseat across from them with my legs tucked underneath me.

I left Grady’s yesterday feeling uneasy about everything, especially leaving him with little explanation, once again. But I figured he needed time to process and so did I, so I went home and made dinner for Chase and me, then slept for ten hours before waking this morning knowing I couldn’t keep this from my mom and grandma any longer.

I’ve only been back in Carrington Cove for two weeks, and my life has already taken another turn.

Hey, universe? Yeah, it’s me, Scottland! I’d like to get off of this ride now, please!

“Yeah.”

“How are you feeling?” my mother asks, after a few minutes of processing.

“Nauseous and tired. It was the throwing up that finally made me question it. I mean, before Grady, I hadn’t had sex in almost two years. Andrew hadn’t touched me in forever, and the idea of sleeping with some stranger just didn’t appeal to me, you know?”

Gigi snickers. “Well, that Grady is walking sex on a stick, so it’s no wonder that he knocked you up on the first try.”

We actually had sex three times that night, but that detail isn’t necessarily relevant at this point. I roll my eyes and look back at my mom. “I’m about eleven weeks by my calculations, which puts me due in the middle of September. My appointment is this week, so I’ll know more then.”

Blinking, my mother stares across the room at me before snapping herself out of it. “First of all, you’re not alone in this, Scottland. Okay? Carrington Cove is home now, and Mom and I will be here in whatever way we can.” Gigi nods. “And second, have you talked toGrady yet?”

“I did yesterday.”

“And what did he say?”

I stare at my lap, picking at the hem of my sweater. “He was surprised.” I mean, we both were. We used a condom, and I know I’m not on the pill, but all I keep thinking is I should have kept taking my birth control after the divorce. It would have at least been another layer of protection.

“And what does he want? I mean, are you two…”

“No,” I cut her off. “I can’t go there, Mom.”

She glances at me sympathetically. “Scottie…”

“No. I tried to make things work with Andrew and look how that turned out.”

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