Page 57 of One Spicy Summer

March

"I’m as big as a house," I groan, rubbing my ever-growing stomach.

I still remember the day I went to the doctor for stomach pains, only to find out I was carrying a whole damn baby. It feels like it happened just yesterday. I was in denial for months.

"There’s no way I’m pregnant! I still have my period!" I screamed at the doctor, who literally flinched.

He explained it wasn’t common, but itcouldhappen. A tiny percentage of women continue bleeding throughoutpregnancy.Of course, I had to be part of that small fucking percent.Story of my life.

"Yeah, you are," Agatha laughs, rubbing my stomach. "And I still can't believe you haven’t told your parents. The fact you’ve hidden it this long? Mind-blowing."

"Baggy clothes and wearing my hair down to hide my balloon face does wonders," I say. "It’s been hard, though. Especially dealing with those hatin’ bitches at school."

"Yeah, but luckily you had me to throw hands when you couldn't," she giggles.

"Girl, please. I’ll still fight a hoe that’s feelin' froggy," I grin, just as a sharp pain stabs through my side. "Ow!"

"What? Baby kicking?"

"No... and honestly, I haven't been keeping up with kick counts lately," I admit. "I guess with all the stress of hiding it, it just slipped my mind."

"Maybe this is his way of saying he's ready to come out," she jokes.

I roll my eyes. "Highly doubt it. I’m not due for a few more days." Another wave of pain hits, stealing my breath. "Shit," I gasp, clutching my side.

"Presley, what if you're in labor? You're not old enough to just roll in and pop out a baby on your own. How have you even been seeing a doctor without your parents knowing?"

"Medicaid. I applied for the pregnancy coverage. I might've... forged their signatures to speed things up." I shrug. "Minor detail."

"Yeah, well, you're still gonna need them when the baby comes."

"Will I?" I mutter, half to myself. I hadn’t done a ton of research, but if I go through the ER, they’re supposed to wait until after delivery to call my parents.At least, that’s the plan.

"So where are you planning to go when it’s go-time?"

"Straight to the ER. And you're driving." I smirk, rubbing my stomach as another pain grips me. "God, this hurts."

"Were you dilated at your last appointment?"

"Two centimeters," I say proudly, even though the thought of being somebody's mother still feels surreal.

Rygaard hasn’t crossed my mind much since I found out. Dr. Jennings at urgent care sent me for an ultrasound because they couldn’t get a timeline thanks to my stupid period.Turns out, I was already three and a half months along.Far enough to find out the sex. And when I did?I cried like a baby myself. Tears of joy. Fear. Excitement. Terror. I had no clue how to be a mom, but I was damn sure going to learn. I made this baby, and I was going to raise him.

I’m lost in thought when I feel a trickle of water down my leg. "Shit, I need to pee," I mumble, trying to sit up. "Help me up."

Agatha scrambles over, slipping her hands under my arms. Together, we hoist my giant belly off the bed. But the second I stand straight, gush. Water pours down my legs, pooling at my feet.

"Agatha," I whisper, panicked, grabbing her hand as another contraction hits like a freight train. "It’s time."

"Okay, okay, come on! We’ll get you to my car, unless you want an ambulance?"

"No ambulance! I can’t afford that," I cry. "Just the ER." I waddle to my closet, grab my already-packed hospital bag, and pray I don’t collapse.

"Okay, I’ll pull the car around," Agatha says, practically flying down the stairs.

God, I wish Ry were here.But he's not. So man up, Prez. No time for a breakdown.

The contractions are getting stronger, closer. I waddle out the door just as Agatha’s tires squeal into the driveway. "Your chariot awaits, milady!" she grins.

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