Page 15 of Falling for You

He scoffs before replying, “Because she fucked the owner.”

I sigh, not surprised, before I grunt as Sonia throws her body at me and squeals,“My boyfriend,”really fucking loudly, causing more flashes to go off, and I look at Ezra, who winces, already knowing what is going through my mind.

If Penelope reads the newspaper or watches the news, I’m fucking screwed, and I’ll never find her.

Fuck’s sake.

Chapter 5

Penelope

“No, no, no, no,” I panic as I grip the counter and stare at the plus sign on the white stick on my bathroom counter.

This cannot be happening, it can’t be flipping happening, not now, not when my job is going so well, not when I don’t even know how to get in contact with Taylor.

God, I can’t even return to his apartment because I can’t remember where he lives. On our way there, I was too busy praying we wouldn’t die, when I left, my mind was swimming. I didn’t take note, or purposely didn’t, knowing I’d want to go back because of our connection, which I know for a fact still pulls at me, as does the regret of not staying until he woke up.

My heart misses him, it makes no sense to me. I barely know him, yet I feel like I’ve known him my whole life. But what are the chances that he is trying to find me? None.

Breathing heavily, I grab the other test and turn it over, hoping the first one was wrong, but one word in bold shows up, and my stomach sinks.

Pregnant

Oh god, I’m pregnant.

Nausea hits me, I quickly rush to the toilet and empty the little I managed to eat this morning, my stomach tightening with each wretch as I struggle to breathe as bile continues to try and leave me.

When I feel like nothing more will come up, I take deep breaths and stand before going to the sink, washing my mouth out, and looking up at the mirror.

Bags line my eyes, sleep evading me with back-to-back shifts, my hair a curly mess.

Breathing deeply, I throw the tests in the trash and walk out of my bathroom while wiping my mouth as fear runs through me, my body trembling.

How in the hell am I going to find him?

I swallow the bile that has yet again risen as my sister says, “I know you’re not a big hockey fan, but I promise it’s nearly finished,” and despite her eyes glued to the TV, I nod but don’t answer her verbally, worried I might word vomit next about the little something that is apparently in my stomach.

How did I end up pregnant? I mean, I know how I ended up pregnant, he didn’t use a condom, I know the pill isn’t a hundred percent, but I was a virgin, I-I…. bile rises again, burning my throat.

“I cannot believe The Red Lions finally won the cup. Honestly, I thought the Seals had it this year, but I guess their Captain wasn’t as hungry as the Red Lions’,” my sister mumbles, and I hum like I’m listening, but I really am not.

She’s been staying here quite a lot since she ended up in the ER, her husband not arguing after our father actually camethrough and threatened the man’s career. He tried to fight it at first until his parents heard that I had taken photos of his abuse of my sister, they panicked.

Apparently, their oldest son, who never got the offer of the arranged marriage, is a top football player, they didn’t want his reputation to be dampened due to his brothers’ actions.

“I must admit, though, the Red Lions Centre is hot as hell,” Avery continues, and I hum again as the reporter’s voice echoes in my apartment.

“So, tell me, how does it feel to hold the Stanley Cup yet again?” the guy asks someone as I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and open it.

“It’s uh, it’s amazing, you know,” a voice I know, a voice that I hear in my dreams, speaks out, I turn so quickly that dizziness hits, I have to grab the kitchen counter to stop myself from falling on my ass.

My eyes instantly go to the TV on my wall, I lock on Taylor’s form, wearing a jersey with the number four on the front, a helmet in one hand, a stick in the other.

He’s a hockey player?

“I mean, my team, we’re a family and we are strong. We moved as one, I’m proud to be their captain,” he finishes and smiles at the camera, my stomach flips—and not because I’ve been sick.

Damn, I was hoping my feelings were all in my head because I gave him my virginity, but the pull I have it’s consuming me, just like it did that night.

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