Page 85 of Deserter

“You spend a lot of time at the library. You know of any books on UFOs?”

“I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but Grey got someone in trouble before.”

“Mikey,” I interrupted, my face tingling as the blood moved south. “Where is your mother?”

Lucy’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second and I wondered how many others knew the truth and had kept it from me. “Celia, why don’t we go find your dad. I think I saw him with Wolverine earlier.”

I shook my head, seconds from floating away from my body.

“She’s right there. Don’t worry, she said I could come over and talk to you. She said to wish you a happy wedding day, but I forgot when I saw your stomach. I was supposed to say that very first, but aliens are all I think about—”

I absently patted at his hair, while staring daggers at the back of the woman’s head. She must’ve felt it because she slowly turned around with a sly grin before raising her glass in a toast to me.

Betsy.

I mashed my fist against my lips with a startled cry and began backing away.

“Celia,” Lucy reached for me. “Just wait a second.”

I turned to flee, running right into Comedian.

Did he know?

Did everyone know?

He smoothed his vest and grinned. “Hey, Celia. Did you hear the one—what’s wrong?” He draped an arm around my shoulder and led me down the hall, away from prying eyes. “Look at me.”

I reluctantly met his gaze, knowing the truth had to be written all over my face. “I just—I got warm and needed a minute.”

“Do you need some water?” When I shook my head, Comedian brought a hand up to my belly, but paused before touching me. “You look so beautiful—well, all pregnant women do. May I?”

I nodded dumbly, incapable of speaking the simplest of phrases. He cupped my belly in his palm, seemingly oblivious to the rage coursing through my veins. My eyes burned with unshed tears and I wanted nothing more than to drag Betsy out of the clubhouse by her hair.

“I loved seeing my Ol’ Lady knocked up.” His fingers stroked along what I imagined was Kate’s back and she squirmed against his hand before going still again. The grin returned to his face and he shook his head. “It’s fuckin’ crazy how much they move around.”

“I’ve had three. Then, I got pregnant with my Michael and I just knew I was ready. Things were so different.”

My hand came up over my mouth in a startled gasp and Comedian stepped back, dropping his hand. “Celia? Did I hurt you?”

I was going to be sick.

The hallway narrowed as the pieces fell into place. It was why she’d been so helpful, insisting that she drive me to Viktor’s. She’d aborted Comedian’s children but kept my husband’s.

Why?

“Comedian,” Jamie stated, and we both turned to where he was standing. I let out a soft whimper in my attempts to keep from crying.

His eyes narrowed in on me as he walked closer and I’d never wanted to wake up from a nightmare more than when his eyes flashed, not with anger, but guilt.

It was true.

All of it.

“Excuse me,” I managed to croak, before slipping into the small bathroom. I threw open a stall, ignoring the graffiti and less than sanitary conditions, before sinking down to my knees to vomit.

I felt dirty.

Ashamed.

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