Page 41 of Before I Deserved You
Coming to a sudden halt, Megan doubles over, throwing an arm out sideways and wriggling her fingers to let me know she’s in need of more than simple moral support. I jump into action and rush to her side, rubbing soothing circles over her back until the shrill sound of a cell phone going off indicates the end of our grace period. Time to face the music.
Megan straightens on a deep inhale and stares into my soul, like the prolonged eye contact is the only thing keeping her from unraveling. I squeeze her clammy hands, silently reassuring her that I will always be there no matter the outcome. Then I lead my terrified friend into the bathroom, not letting go until it’s time for Megan to reach for the test that has the potential to turn her life upside down.
Her gaze drops to the result window, and I watch in horror as instant tears spring to her eyes. She brings the item up between us and holds it out to me with a trembling hand. And there it is. In black and white. Or, in this case, in the form of a couple of undeniable, bright pink lines.
My best friend is about to become a mother at the tender age of eighteen. As we stand frozen on the tiled floor, looking at each other with matching expressions of shocked disbelief, all I can think is that a gallon of Ben & Jerry’s is not going to fix this.
Twenty-Eight
Jake
“Megan is pregnant,” Carter blurts out of the blue as we lounge on the sectional in his living room, pretending to watch a war flick neither of us was paying much attention to. My head whips around so fast I can feel my brain slosh against the inside of my skull.
“Come again?” I ask, staring at my best friend like he’s suddenly sprouted a dick from the middle of his forehead.
“Megan and I are going to have a baby. She told me the day I received my acceptance letter from Harvard.”
For a long moment, all I can do is sit there, frozen and a little dazed as I try to process the literal nuclear bomb he oh so casually dropped into my lap. I imagine this is about the average reaction when you announce a surprise pregnancy to an eighteen-year-old boy, even if that boy isn’t directly affected by it.
“Fucking hell. That’s some serious shit. Are you guys keeping it?”
Carter runs a hard hand down the length of his face before he gives a single nod.
“We are. Neither one of us feels right about getting an abortion. I mean, we’re talking about a human being, right? Our own flesh and blood.”
I blow out a heavy breath.
“Yeah, I guess so. But what about college? What about your big career? You’ve worked your ass off to get here, man, and you were this close to making all your dreams come true.”
Carter just shrugs, like this doesn’t change fucking everything. Like he’s not about to be responsible for a whole freaking human for the next eighteen-plus years.
“I guess dreams change. Was I freaked out when she first told me? Sure. Was I bummed that Harvard, an education I’ve been working toward for years, is off the table? Yes. Fucking gutted, dude. But this is the girl I love, and she’s having my baby. As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one right choice, and that’s staying in Jenkins Creek and providing for my family.”
I’m gobsmacked. Flabbergasted. Couldn’t respond if I tried. He does that every now and then, leaving me speechless with his wisdom and general outlook on life. Always knowing exactly what to say or how to act in any given situation. So confident in his ability to do right by the people he loves. Sometimes, I’m quite literally in awe of the guy.
“Would you want Tess to get rid of it?” Glancing at him from the corner of my eye, I push down the unease rising up whenever the focus is shifted toward me. I’ve never been big on the touchy-feely shit. But Carter’s been like a brother to me my whole life, and him finding out he’s going to be a father before high school graduation is a huge fucking deal. Outwardly, he may appear calm and collected, but deep down, he’s gotta be shitting himself. The least I can do is share my genuine thoughts on the matter and help talk him through this. Step up and be there for him the way he’s always been there for me because the next few years are going to be really fucking challenging.
“I guess not. But our situations can’t be compared.” I lean forward, staring at my feet for a prolonged moment before meeting his curious eyes. “For one, I wasn’t accepted by one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. Hell, I haven’t even applied to college. If Tessa were to get pregnant right now, she’dmost likely not go to Arizona, and I can’t say I hate the thought of that. It’s selfish and probably a little unusual for someone my age, but I think I’d probably be happy about it.”
Carter studies me like he’s trying to determine how much he can safely say without me slamming my protective walls into place. I have to admit, it doesn’t feel great. Have I really been that prickly lately that he feels like he has to walk on eggshells around me? That’s never been us, and I hate that I’ve let it come to that.
“Would you? Would you truly be happy if she stuck around?” My brows draw together in confusion.
“What kind of question is that?” I ask, voice laced with a heavy dose of suspicion. I straighten in my seat, getting ready for whatever this is, and angle my body toward him. “Of course, I’d be happy. I mean, first and foremost, I want her to follow her dreams. I wouldn’t want her staying out of some misguided sense of obligation or, worse, out of guilt for leaving me behind. But if something out of our control were to prevent her from leaving, I don’t imagine I’d be too upset about it.”
“Huh,” he says, leaving it at that. That manipulative sack of shit. He knows damn well his vague answers drive me up the wall, which is exactly why he does it.
“What?” I snap, no longer caring about whether or not I’m being prickly. “I might not be as smart as you, but I’m not an idiot. It’s obvious you have something to say, so let’s have it.” I fold my arms across my chest and press my lips into a tight line, letting my annoyance show.
“Well, it’s none of my business, but I care about both of you, and lately, it seems you’re doing just fine without her.” My eyebrows shoot all the way up into my hairline. I go to open my mouth, ready to defend myself, but before I can speak, Carter holds up a hand to stop me. “All I’m saying is you’ve been hanging out with Chase and Ted’s crowd a lot, and Tessa seems kind of unsure about where she stands with you.”
“She said that?” I ask, genuinely surprised.
“Not to me personally. But Megan said something along those lines. Apparently, the girls had a heart-to-heart after the whole pregnancy bombshell, and Tessa mentioned she’s not so sure you still love her. I guess she feels like she’s losing you or something.”
I huff out a laugh.
“That’s crazy.”
