Page 26 of The Players Next Door

"Stress," I chide myself, pacing the small space. “It’s just stress.”

But then, another thought slams into me like a body check. Antibiotics. I was on them last month for that stupid sinus infection. The doctor even mentioned...something. What was it?

"Oh, fuck," I blurt out to the empty room. Antibiotics can mess with birth control, making them less effective. That's what she said. How could I forget that?

My hands are shaking now, and I lean against the sink, taking deep breaths. This is not happening. Not now. Not when everything else is finally falling into place.

"Okay, Holly, think." I need to know for sure. I need to...

"Later," I decide. "I'll deal with this later."

But deep down, I know it's not something that can wait.

I grab my keys and phone with a trembling hand, pausing only to shove my feet into the nearest pair of sneakers. My heart hammers against my ribs as I lock Sawyer's apartment behind me, descending the stairs two at a time. The cool air outside does nothing to calm my racing pulse.

"Focus," I whisper to myself.

The corner store is a blur of neon signs and last-minute shoppers. I dart through the aisles, zeroing in on the test kits. My fingers wrap around the first box I see, not bothering to check the brand. At the checkout, I avoid the clerk's eye, feeling like everyone must know why I'm there.

"Have a nice day," the clerk says, but I'm already halfway to the door.

"Thanks," I mumble, the automatic doors closing behind me.

Back at the apartment, I waste no time. I rip open the package, my hands clumsy, and read the instructions three times just to be sure. One line, not pregnant. Two lines, pregnant.

"Okay," I say aloud, steadying myself on the bathroom counter. "Okay."

I do what needs to be done, set the stick on the edge of the sink, and force myself to wait. Every tick of the clock is a thunderous beat in the silence. I close my eyes, bargaining with every god I know and even some I don’t.

"Please," I beg the universe. "Please let it be stress."

But when I open my eyes, there are unmistakably two pink lines staring back at me. A positive. Pregnant.

"No, no, no," I chant, the sound a mantra of disbelief. This isn't happening. It can't be.

My phone rings, slicing through the fog of panic. Sawyer's face lights up the screen. My insides twist. How am I supposed to act normal?

"Hey, Sawyer," I answer, pressing the phone against my ear with a shaky hand.

"Hey, Hol. You sound...off. Everything okay?" His voice is laced with concern—it always is when it comes to me.

"Yeah, I'm fine." The lie tastes bitter. "Just tired from work."

"All right, if you're sure..." He trails off, obviously not convinced. "Listen, I've got a bit of downtime. Thought I'd call, catch up?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure." I struggle to keep my voice steady. "That sounds great.”

“Switch to video.”

I accept the video call and then scramble to hide the box of test kits under the sink just as my big brother’s face takes over my screen. My heart hammers in my chest like it's trying to break free. I smooth down my hair and take a deep breath, hoping my face doesn't betray the chaos inside me.

Sawyer greets me with that familiar crinkled-eye smile, but his grin fades a touch. "You look pale. Sure you're okay?"

"Never better," I manage to say, even though my voice trembles.

"Okay..." He sounds skeptical and his eyes slide off my face, looking around as if he might find clues as to what's really eating at me.

“How—how have you been?"

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