Page 28 of Used By the Unicorn

I wake with my face pressed to a warm, fuzzy chest and another firm body snuggled up behind me.

I lie still, assessing the situation.

Not only did I cuddle. Apparently, I stayed over.

Shit.

What’s worse is I’m sticky with cum, warm and relaxed, and less nauseous and anxious than I’ve felt in...well, a long time, actually.

Only, it’s not only me I have to worry about anymore. My hand slides to my belly and I wonder how my tiny baby is going in there. It’s only a myth that sex can be bad for unborn babies, right? Of course, it is.

It feels so warm and comfortable in Boaz’s bed. In Stirling’s life. I let myself forget for a moment I have responsibilities now. I have another life to care for. How would it be if I let this beautiful herd take me on, only for them to find out about my debt? What will they do when they find out?

I know the answer, of course: kick me and my baby out on the street. Rightly so. They don’t deserve that burden. They never asked for that. Better if I don’t let anyone get too attached. I can’t stand the thought of my son or daughter growing attached, only to be rejected like that.

I wriggle a little to the left, but I’m blocked by a wall of earthy, masculine-smelling unicorn. I tell myself not to bury my nose in Boaz’s chest and breathe in deep to savor it. Instead Iwriggle down and duck under Stirling’s arm, finally making it off the end of the bed.

The guys stir, but Boaz only rolls over and tucks himself into my spot snuggled up against Stirling. For a hot minute, I consider wedging myself back in there. It looks so tempting, but I’m not doing that.

I’m leaving now, before things get complicated.

I have my clothes on and one foot out the door when Stirling speaks. “Morning.”

I freeze like I’ve been caught in the middle of committing some heinous crime. My shoulders hunch and my muscles tense. “Ah... morning. Just ducking to the bathroom.”

I don’t turn to look, but I’m imagining a very skeptical look on Stirling’s handsome face. Except, he’s basically the least skeptical creature on the planet. He seems to willfully believe everyone has good intentions at all times. Me included.

“Down the hall on the left.”

I’m grateful when nobody follows me. I can’t bring myself to say goodbye. Not with the knowledge that I’ve used these two lovely monsters to take what I wanted without thinking about how they’re going to feel afterward.

I have to stop halfway down the street to retch into a bush. Nothing comes out, thankfully. It only leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

It’s Sunday and I have zero plans. I have zero friends here in Heartstone. I mean apart from Kalli, who is now my boss. Feels strange messaging her to hang out on the weekend. She’s probably sick of me. Sometimes, I’m sick of me.

After a stop at a corner diner for a large greasy breakfast, I trudge home and let myself into my empty apartment. It’s a mess, too, because I’m a disaster. I can’t be bothered cleaning, though. Instead I jump on my laptop and finish setting up the upgraded website I’ve been working on for Oniero. What couldbe more sad than sitting alone on the weekend with nothing to do?

Sitting alone on the weekend working when I’m not even getting paid.

Only, it occurs to me in a few months time I’ll be leaving Kalli in the lurch. She hasn’t got any other staff to help her run the shop. I should really tell her I’m pregnant, but I can’t quite face thinking about the questions she’ll ask. Or the feeling I should have told her sooner.

I’m quite proud of the website when I’m done. I’ve been working on a virtual model a client can adjust to their measurements and try on Kalli’s designs. I know how many clients come in and say they hesitate to visit a physical store and hate trying on clothes. It’s great they feel like Oneiro is a welcoming place. But what about all the ones who never make it through the door?

That’s when I get the phone call.

I don’t even know why I answer it. It’s an unknown number. Of course that spells disaster. I can only blame the hours spent cooped up by myself. Might be nice to talk to another person. Even if it’s only to tell some scam caller to fuck off. OK, I really need to go for a walk or something.

“Hello?”

At first there’s only silence. I can maybe make out the sound of someone breathing.

“Hello? Who is this?”

Again silence.

The call ends. I pull my phone away from my ear and frown at the screen as if that holds answers.

I toss aside the phone and try to go back to what I was doing, but more buzzing from the sofa draws my attention. Another unknown number calling.

---