Page 165 of Chasing Sparks

Besides, I’m so frustrated right now that I’m tempted to toss her over my shoulder and haul her out of the truck if she doesn’t cooperate.

“We’re going to the doctor, but we’re taking my truck.”

“You’re not leaving your own party,” she argues, her tone sharp.

“Want to make a bet?” I reach across and unlatch her seatbelt, extending my hand. “Don’t make me come in there after you, Oriana Thorne.”

“Ash—”

“Just stop, okay?” I soften my voice, but the frustrated edge remains. “I’m already angry.”

With a defeated sigh, she slips her hand into mine. “Fine. We might as well get this over and done with.”

We settle into my truck, and I waste no time heading toward the urgent care center in town. Every few seconds, I glance her way, but she keeps her gaze locked on the trees beyond the passenger window, her jaw tight.

Enough of this nonsense.

“Why did you lie to me? I asked you not an hour ago what was wrong, and you claimed you were just tired.” I emphasize the word with air quotes.

“I am tired,” she says quietly, her focus shifting to her lap as her fingers toy with the strap of her purse. “But I also happen tobe pregnant, which is something Mina shouldn’t have told you. It wasn’t her place.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat as her statement registers.

What. The. Fuck.

Swerving to the shoulder, I ignore the honks of irritated drivers as I throw the truck into park and whip my head toward her. Grasping her chin, I tilt her face toward mine. “You’re what?”

Her brown eyes meet mine, wide and brimming with unshed tears, her chin trembling. “I’m pregnant. Why do you look so surprised? Isn’t that what Mina told you?”

I hear her words, but they sound distant, muffled—like I’m underwater, and they’re only just surfacing.

Leaning back against the seat, I tug a hand through my hair. “She told me you were sick. That you’ve been dizzy and that you need my help. She didn’t mention a baby.”

My head spins, a dozen thoughts firing at once, none of them coherent. With every second, my anger simmers closer to the surface.

With a grunt, I smack the roof of the truck before scrubbing my face with my hands. “That’s fucking great.”

The sound of the door handle clicking pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. I jerk my head around to see Ori trying to escape.

“I told you I’m fine,” she says, her voice icy, her shoulders rigid. “Just leave it alone. I don’t need any help.”

“Fucking stop, Ori. Okay? Just stop.” My voice cracks as I drum my fingers against the steering wheel, the weight of her news threatening to crush me. I suck in a breath, trying to will the anger away, but it claws at me, relentless.

And then, it all comes out.

“How long have you known?”

“About two weeks,” she mumbles, her long hair falling like a curtain between us, shielding her from the fire in my voice.

“Two weeks?” I huff out the question, an exasperated laugh bursting from my lips. “When I was camped outside your place, you knew?”

“Yes.”

“And let me guess—Mina and Eddie knew before me, too. Am I right?”

Ori nods, her shoulders sagging as she slumps in the seat.

“Unbelievable.” I shake my head, hitting the steering wheel with my palm.

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