Page 138 of The Catalyst

* * *

I groanas I slowly open my eyes, rolling my neck to get some relief, but it’s useless.

“Hey, crazy girl.”

My eyes snap open, and I smirk when I see Oliver sitting in the chair beside my hospital bed.

“Morning, crazy man,” I tease before clearing my throat. “My neck is really killing me. They should have me on something that knocks me the hell out.”

He frowns as his eyes dart between mine. “Can you comprehend what I’m saying now?” he asks, avoiding my statement.

“Yeah. Sorry about that. I don’t know what was wrong with me. It was like I couldn’t latch onto anything you were saying. It all went in one ear and out the other without stopping at my brain for a check-in.” I rub my eyes before yawning and looking around the room. “Where’s Nigel?” I ask sleepily.

“The doctor said you could have some memory loss. What do you remember?”

Why is he asking me questions that have nothing to do with Nigel? “I remember the crash and you pulling me out of the truck, but that’s it. Why aren’t you answering the question?”

His Adam’s apple bobs nervously before he looks away from me. “Nigel was arrested shortly after your accident.”

My heart comes to a dead stop as my eyes bug out of my head. “Arrested! What the fuck happened, Ollie?”

“All I know is he punched my cousin. I was tending to you and making sure you got to the ambulance. I only know so much.”

“He hit Martin? Is Martin okay?” I press, my stomach dropping.

He nods. “Multiple times. Martin is fine. A few bruises, but he’ll survive,” Oliver starts, but gives me a skeptical look.

“What?”

“The D.A. just announced what charges Nigel is being held on. Attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and destruction of private property. Nigel could be facing life in prison if he’s found guilty, which he will be.”

My jaw slacks as shock and horror race through my veins faster than the blood pumping. I wanted a way out of this thing with Nigel, but not like this. This isn’t how it was supposed to happen.

“No! What? That can’t…he can’t…” Then, the memory hits me like a ten-ton truck from my first day at Grove Hill High.

“They’re classified as a deadly weapon. I can’t hit anyone unless it's inside the ring, even in self-defense. One punch and it’s attempted murder.”

Nigel fucking knew this would happen. Why the hell would he do this? He’s facing life because he attacked Martin…because I got into a car accident…because I was driving erratically…because I was upset about seeing Oliver and Aimee together.

This is all my fault. I’ve always known Nigel was a loose cannon, and it was as if fate intervened in some way for the events to align perfectly for this kind of catastrophe.

“No, no, no…”

“There’s more,” Oliver mutters, and I turn to gaze at him.

“What could be worse than this?” I ask, nearly shattering on the inside. I doubt he wants to see me break apart over Nigel when Oliver is the one here with me.He’s the one who saved my life.

“I didn’t say worse, but that depends on how you feel about being pregnant right now.”

My brain pauses, and my heart picks up the slack as I stare at him. I blink, and a loud gasp leaves my lips. “Pregnant? No, I can’t–”

“You are. They did a blood test when the ambulance brought you in. They don’t know how far along you are, though. Just tell me one thing. Is it mine, Martin’s, or Nigel’s?” Oliver pushes as he reaches over, taking my hand in his, trying his best to reassure me that he isn’t upset. Granted, he had at least a day to come to terms with this news.

“I…I don’t know. I mean, I got my period last week. It wasn’t how it normally is, but I just thought it was stress. I was on the pill. How the hell did this happen?” I groan as I throw my head back against the pillow, a sharp pain shooting down my back, and cover my face in shame.

“Accidental pregnancies happen,” he mutters as he stands up and moves to sit next to me in the hospital bed. “I want you to know that no matter what happens with Nigel and the baby, I’m here. I’m not going to go anywhere.”

With a small smile on my lips, I squeeze his hand. “I don’t think Aimee would appreciate that very much. I remember you guys fighting yesterday. What was that?”

---