Page 68 of Wicked Nasty

I drive recklessly towards the truck stop - my haven–where I can escape from all of this chaos and pain for just a little while.

Chapter eighteen

Daniel

All The Things She Said

Mybodyfeelsfrozenin shock. I can't seem to move, my mind consumed by the weight of what I just learned.

A baby.

My baby...

I can't tear my eyes away from the ultrasound. It's like a punch to the gut.

Finally, I force myself to look away and gather all the pamphlets scattered around me. With trembling hands, I rush out to my car and speed towards Ryan's house.

The ultrasound sits on top of everything else in my car, a constant reminder of what's at stake. Becca is pregnant with my child - a life that I didn't even know existed until now.

As soon as I pull into Ryan's driveway, I send a quick message to our group chat, urging everyone to come over immediately. Time is of the essence.

Without giving myself time to think or process, I barge right into Ryan's house. He looks up at me in surprise. "Hey man, what's going on?"

I can hardly form words as I pace back and forth, my thoughts racing a million miles per hour. The ultrasound feels like it's burning a hole in my pocket - a physical manifestation of the overwhelming emotions coursing through me.

"I...I..." That's all I manage to say before X, Kaid, and Iz burst into the room, their eyes wide with concern.

Kaid quickly guides me over to the couch and sits me down gently. "Take deep breaths, man. What's happening?"

With shaky hands, I pull out the ultrasound photo and slam it down on the coffee table for everyone to see. "Becca is pregnant," I finally manage to say aloud, the weight of those words hitting me like a ton of bricks.

A thick, uneasy silence blankets the room. Kaiden finally breaks it, his voice shaky and disbelieving.

"Shit, dude."

X nods in agreement, his brow furrowed in concern. "That's... what are you guys gonna do?"

I feel a lump form in my throat as I try to hold back the tears. "Becca said uh, Becca said she's not keeping it. So..."

Kaiden sinks back into the couch cushions, his face contorted with worry. "Okay. How do you feel?"

Iz huffs, running a hand through his dark hair which falls in front of his face. "Doesn't matter what he thinks."

I angrily turn towards him. "Yo, what the fuck?"

He shrugs nonchalantly. "It's Becca's body. If she doesn't want to carry your bastard child, she doesn't have to."

"What if I wanted to keep the baby?"

He laughs cruelly. "You? Nah, good try though. Don't try to fool yourself. You hate Becca. Not to mention, you're with Ashley."

Feeling exposed and vulnerable, I sheepishly shake my head. "I... no we're not. I only did that shit in school to-"

Iz interrupts me before I can finish my sentence. "To piss Becca off."

My thoughts spin and I whisper to myself in disbelief. "Fuck..."

I look over at Ryan, who has remained silent throughout the conversation. His eyes are filled with worry and he shrugs helplessly when I look at him for support.

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