Page 83 of You're All I Need

“You don’t have to tell him today. Like I said, take a few days and think over your options.”

I nod, wishing I had all the answers.

Hell, I’d even settle for one or two of the answers right now.

“I’ll have to call and make an appointment with my gyno. Maybe I’ll wait and tell him after I see her,” I suggest.

“That’s not a bad idea. Talk to your doc and go from there,” she agrees.

Glancing her way, I whisper, “I’m sorry I brought you into this.”

“What are best friends for?” Reaching over, she squeezes the top of my hand. “I haven’t had many close friends in my life, Adrienne. I consider you one of my dearest and most bestest friends. I’ll do whatever you need, whatever I can to help. And if that means holding off on telling Jack about what’s transpired in the last hour, then so be it.

“I wouldn’t expect him to come running home to tell me if something was up with Caden. They’ve been friends a long time. Hell, they’re more like brothers, so if Caden told Jack something in confidence, I would respect that. I know he’d share what he could later, but I wouldn’t be mad if he couldn’t tell me right away.”

I consider what she said, and even though I still hate putting her in this situation, I understand what she’s saying. “I promise I’ll get this figured out and tell him soon so you don’t have to keep a secret from Jack.”

She continues to hold my hand. “I’ll be right beside you every step of the way.”

“Thanks,” I reply, sniffling. “I still can’t believe this.”

“You’ve seen Caden with Gianna and Christian. He’s going to make a great dad.”

Nodding, I look down at the second pregnancy test lying on my kitchen table. The pink plus sign practically leaps up from the test. I consider taking the third test, just to…well, verify, but already know it’s true. I can feel it. No, not the pregnancy per se, but I feel different. My boobs are fuller and sensitive, and my stomach has been queasy off and on the last couple of days. I just assumed that was because of the worry, but deep down I knew itwas more. That’s why I didn’t start the new pill packet until I was sure.

I know she insinuated Caden would be fine and understanding, but I’m not sure I agree. Not with the crap his ex pulled on him. He doesn’t trust easily, and even though we’ve gotten closer the last few weeks, I still don’t feel like we’re headed toward a relationship, with or without a baby. And taking into consideration I’ve barely heard from him since he dropped me off Sunday, that’s pretty telling.

Here I sit, pregnant and with my entire life up in the air. What am I going to do?

Crazy, but my first thought is to reach out to Caden and see what he has to say, because even though we’re nothing more than friends with bennies, I feel close to him, and I value his opinion.

Except this time, I might not like what he has to say.

I guess I don’t have to worry about telling him how I really feel about him, because I’m pretty sure this bombshell trumps everything else. Yet, a part of me still wants to tell him.

You know,Hey, Caden, I love you. Oh, and I’m pregnant! Surprise!

Yeah, that’ll go over well. The man who refuses any sort of relationship. And my point is only validated by the way he pulled away Sunday night and has been radio silent ever since.

Something tells me I’m going to be a single mom, raising this baby alone.

And that’s okay.

I don’t need anyone. I mean, it would be nice to have a partner in the whole pregnancy, childbirth, and child raising thing, but I’m not going to beg anyone to be part of my or the baby’s life. That’s where I draw the line. If you want to go, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Running my hands into my hair, I massage my scalp where a headache looms. First thing’s first. I need to call my OB/GYN and see if I can get an appointment. After that, well, I’ll take it day by day, minute by minute.

Then, I’ll figure out how to tell the man I’ve been sleeping with—the relationship-phobic one—he’s going to be a father.

Ready or not, our lives are changing forever.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Caden

I’m an asshole.

A chickenshit asshole.

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