Page 71 of Hat Trick Daddies

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt, the confession hanging in the air like a thunderclap.

Kenzie’s eyes widen, and for a moment, she’s completely still.

“You’re…what?” Kenzie finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m pregnant,” I repeat, my voice trembling. “And it’s…complicated.”

Kenzie’s face shifts from shock to a warm, supportive smile. “Okay,” she says simply, scooting closer and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Okay. Tell me everything.”

And so I do.

I tell her about Nick, Tyler, and Brooks. About how it started, how amazing it’s been, and how it’s also left me in this impossible situation.

Kenzie listens without interrupting, her hand rubbing soothing circles on my back as I talk. When I finally finish, tears streaming down my face, she pulls me into a tight hug.

“Ally,” she says, her voice steady and reassuring. “We’re going to figure this out. You’re not alone in this, okay? Even if…even if the guys don’t step up, I will. I’ll go to appointments with you, help you plan, whatever you need.”

The weight of her words sinks in, and for the first time all day, I feel a glimmer of hope.

“You mean it?” I ask, my voice small and vulnerable.

“Of course I do,” she replies firmly. “You’re my friend. I’ve got your back, no matter what.”

We hug again, and for the first time since seeing those tests, I feel like I can breathe.

“I think I’m going to stay with my dad for a few days,” I say. “Just to clear my head.”

Kenzie nods. “Good idea. Take some time. And remember, I’m just a text away.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Brooks

The soundof the football game hums in the background, the announcer’s voice rising and falling with the rhythm of the play.

I’m sitting on the couch, a cold bottle of beer in my hand, but my attention isn’t on the screen. The flickering images of the game pass by in a blur as my thoughts spiral toward Ally.

It’s been a few days since she came down with that bug, and she hasn’t been as responsive in our group chat. I keep telling myself that’s normal, people need rest when they’re sick. But the knot in my stomach says otherwise.

I take a swig of the beer. The room feels quieter than usual, even with the game playing. My leg bounces restlessly, the motion a poor outlet for the tension coiled inside me.

Every time I glance at my phone, I hope to see her name light up the screen with one of her usual witty replies. But the chat’s been mostly quiet today, and it’s driving me crazy.

The football game shifts into a commercial break, the volume spiking with an ad for some flashy car. I mute the TV, the silence somehow amplifying the unease gnawing at me. My mind won’t let go of Ally, no matter how much I try to convince myself it’s nothing.

The front door swings open, and the twins walk in, their voices cutting through the heavy quiet of the room.

“Yo, Brooks,” Tyler calls, dropping his bag by the door. “What’s up?”

I glance up, managing a nod as Nick follows him in. They both head straight for the living room, plopping down on the couch beside me.

“What’re you watching?” Nick asks, but his tone lacks interest.

“Football,” I mutter, not taking my eyes off the muted screen.

Tyler tilts his head, studying me. “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders, man.”

I let out a long breath, setting my beer on the coffee table. “I’m just…worried about Ally,” I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

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