Page 74 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

“No alcohol for me, thank you,” I politely reply, purposely avoiding Teagan’s persistent gaze. I can feel her trying to mentally drill into my head and read my mind. The more I evade her, the tougher it becomes to keep my little secret. Finally, I look up and find both of them staring at me. “What?”

Teagan takes a deep breath, subtly narrowing her eyes. “Okay, what is going on with you, Christa?”

Alexandra adds with a patient smile, “Something is different about you since you had the fainting spell.”

“She’s right,” Teagan says. “Come on, Christa. Talk to me.”

“Is everything okay?” Alexandra asks.

I give them both a shrug. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You’re eating for three. You’re not having wine with your brunch, which is out of character for a Sunday out with the girls.You’re not drinking coffee either. And you just requested frickin’ dill pickles!” Teagan exclaims.

The waiter returns with the aforementioned pickles, elegantly sliced on a small porcelain plate. “As requested.”

“Thank you so much,” I reply with a smile, then turn my attention to my friends. “I promise, everything is fine. I’m just trying to enjoy a lovely day out with the two of you.”

“Christa, what are you doing?” Teagan asks.

I didn’t even notice until she did. My hands have been moving automatically, transferring a few pickle slices on top of the honey-glazed pancakes. “Oh…”

“I think I know what’s going on here,” Alexandra gasps. “You’re expecting.”

“Holy shit, you’re pregnant,” Teagan mutters, the realization striking her fast. Her brows furrow, and I’m certain she’s wondering which of her brothers is the baby’s father.

I’d hoped I might be able to hold on to this nugget for a little while longer, but my own body has betrayed me, revealing the differences one layer at a time.

“You’re pregnant,” Teagan says it again.

We’ve just fixed our friendship. I can’t lose her by lying, so I nod.

“Congratulations,” Alexandra says, her eyes searching my face. “Who’s the proud father?”

“I’d rather keep that private for now,” I reply.

“Do they know?” Teagan asks. I shake my head. She looks worried. “You should tell them.”

I nod slowly again. “I will. I just need to wrap my head around it first, Tee. I just found out the other day. It’s still new to me.”

“Whoever the lucky man is, Teagan is right. You need to tell him. He needs to do right by you and the baby,” Alexandra says, calling the waiter back over.

Teagan leans forward, taking advantage of Alexandra’s brief conversation with the waiter as she picks out a wine from the list. “Christa, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But you have to tell them,” she whispers. “If they find out you’re hiding anything else, it’s over. They draw firm lines in the sand, even with the people they love.”

“I have every intention of telling them,” I reply, wondering if I really believe my own words. Not that long ago, I was contemplating the prospect of keeping everything to myself, but my better nature keeps bypassing every instinct I have to deceive those closest to me. “With everything that’s been going on, I’m just not sure it’s the right time.”

“There’s never a right time for something like this.”

“I’m scared.”

“I know, babe. But you’re not alone. You have them. And you have me, too. And Tony. My hubby may be new to the family, but he will absolutely be there for you if you need him.”

I could cry. I’m touched by her kindness and devotion, knowing that if our places were switched, I’d do the same for her.

“All I ever wanted was to make sure my past doesn’t come back to hurt you,” I tell my best friend. “It’s why I’ve gotten so used to keeping my mouth shut about everything.”

“Well, that ends now,” she says. “You can’t protect everybody, and you can’t save everybody, especially if you’re unprotected yourself.”

“Alright. I’ve got a lovely Italian Chardonnay coming,” Alexandra jumps back into the conversation. “Teagan, I asked for two glasses. You’re having some, right?”

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