Page 57 of Huge Pucking Play

Her laugh comes out watery, brittle. "That's exactly the problem."

Oscar whines, sensing the tension. He presses against Cyn's legs, protective and concerned.

"Sit with me?" I ask again, nodding toward the couch. "Please?"

She takes a deep breath, nods once. The moment stretches between us, fragile as ice in spring.

We sit on opposite ends of her couch. Oscar settles on the floor by Cyn's feet, his chin resting on her slippers. Her hands twist in her lap. I wait, heart drumming against my ribs, already knowing what's coming but needing to hear her say it.

"I don't know how to do this," she finally says, voice barely above a whisper.

"Just say it," I tell her. "Whatever it is."

Her eyes meet mine, glossy and brimming with unshed tears. "I'm pregnant."

The words hang in the air between us. Even though I suspected it, hearing her say it aloud sends a jolt through my system. My suspicion was right. I'm going to be a father. The thought is both terrifying and strangely exhilarating.

"I found out Sunday," she continues, words tumbling out now. "I'd been feeling more tired, but I thought it was stress. Then I realized I was late, and..." She trails off.

"Vegas," I say.

She nods. "Must have been."

I struggle to process everything I'm feeling. Shock. Fear. A strange, unexpected flutter of something else. Something warmer. "Are you sure?"

"Three home tests and a doctor's visit yesterday. I'm sure."

I reach for her hand. Her fingers are cold against my palm. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I'm still figuring out how I feel about it." Her voice catches. "Because we're not even officially together. Because I didn't know how you'd react. Pick a reason."

"I would've been there. At the doctor's."

"I know." She squeezes my hand. "But I needed to hear it alone first."

I shift closer to her on the couch. "I'm here now."

"Are you freaking out?" she asks. "Because I'm freaking out."

I almost lie, and say I'm fine. But Cyn deserves more than that. "Yeah, I'm freaking out."

A small, surprised laugh escapes her lips. "That's refreshingly honest."

"I'm scared as hell," I admit. "This isn't how I pictured this happening. But..." I pause, searching for the right words. "I want you to know I'm in this with you. Whatever you decide."

She studies my face. "You mean that?"

"Yes." The certainty in my voice surprises even me. "I know we haven't been together long, but I care about you, Cyn. A lot."

"I want to keep it," she says quietly. "I've thought about nothing else for days, and that's what I keep coming back to. I want this baby."

Something shifts in my chest—fear giving way to something steadier. "Then we'll figure it out. Together."

"It won't be easy."

"Most good things aren't."

She moves closer and leans into me then, her head finding the space between my shoulder and chest. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. Her body feels small against mine.

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