Page 293 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“Oh shit.”

The room falls silent as I watch Tatum’s expression fall with it. The sound of the sticks bouncing across the floor grabs everyone’s attention. Turning toward the living room, I see the crowd is silently staring. Natalie’s front and center with her hand over her mouth.

When Tatum tries to breathe, it comes out rapid and uneven. Still holding her, her body gets heavier, so I tighten my grip and then start moving her toward the bathroom. I’m not sure if she’s going to faint or not, but I need to get her out from under the wide-eyed glare of the others.

Rushing forward, Natalie picks up the sticks and squeezes in behind me before the door is shut. I set Tatum on the lid of the toilet and crouch down in front of her, not sure how to tamp down my panic. “You’re pregnant?”

Her eyes are glassy, her cheeks flaming red. Her tears break the barrier of her lower lids and roll down. “I’m pregnant.” Looking at Natalie, she asks, “Who are those people?”

“It’s a surprise party.”

Tatum drops her head into her hands, and her mortification is seared into her face before it’s hidden from view. “Oh my God. Everyone knows now.” She looks back up, and her anger takes over. “A surprise party for who?”

“You,” Natalie replies, half-heartedly. “I’m so sorry. We were trying to surprise you, and I thought it would cheer you up. Harrison was in charge of getting you here.”

A hard glare hits me, and Tatum says, “You knew? You knew, and you let me make a fool of myself.” When she stands up, we all shift around the small space to give her room. Poking me in the chest, she says, “You knew, and you let me announce to the world that I’m pregnant?”

“How was I supposed to know you were in here taking a pregnancy test? I thought you just had irritable bowel syndrome from the fish.”

“What fish?” Natalie asks.

“Langley’s on 10th,” I reply.

“I love that place. The tilapia is chef’s kiss,” she says.

Tatum crosses her arms over her chest and looks away as though she can’t stand the mere sight of me. “It was off, okay? It was tasteless.” Indignant in her stance, she has her chin raised to the ceiling, even refusing to make eye contact with her friend.

I recognize the signs of her walls going up.

By how Natalie moves closer, she does, too. “Tate, you’re pregnant.” Taking her wrists from their crossed position, Natalie holds her hands. Her smile is kind, and her eyes are full of some understanding I’m not privy to. “Look at me.”

Envy courses through me when Tatum follows through with the request. I don’t know if she’d do the same for me. Tatum asks, “What?”

“You’re pregnant,” Natalie repeats, sounding it out even slower this time as if Tatum needs to let it sink in.

Maybe she does.I do.

Maybe she’s in shock.I am.

When Tatum turns to me instead of Natalie, she says, “I’m pregnant.” Her tone is hard to read, but I’m sure she’s feeling a million different emotions like me. Even though she’s said it a few times now, I’m still lost to how I’m supposed to feel and find myself waiting for her to give me some indication. “Harrison?”

“Yeah,” I say, numb at the moment.

She comes to me, wrapping her arms around my middle and resting her cheek on my chest. “Are you all right?”

Natalie moves to the door. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

When the door closes behind her, I lean against it thinking I might need the support. “Harrison?” she asks, her voice quieter than a whisper.

I look down into her soulful browns, the tears not so prevalent now. She caresses my face, and I close my eyes, leaning into it. “I need a sec.”

“Me too, but I didn’t get it.”

When I open my eyes, I see the smallest of smiles before she hugs me again. I hold her, embracing her and keeping her as close as I can. “I’m sure that was shocking to experience, especially alone.”

“I chose to be alone. I wish I hadn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

---