Page 35 of Delayed Offsides

As the waiter busies himself around the table filling our water glasses, I reach in for a piece of mint gum this time. “I’ll be right back,” I tell them, feeling some cramps. Maybe I finally started.

Katie eyes me when I use the table to steady myself. “Are you okay?”

I might be pregnant, and I’m in love with my best friend and probably the baby daddy.

I blink a few times, waiting for the rush of blood in my head to settle. “Yeah… just light-headed. Haven’t eaten much in the last couple days.” It’s bullshit, but I have to think of something to tell them. I know exactly what’s going on with me today.

I rush to the back of the restaurant to the bathrooms. Sadly, no period. Just cramps.

“You want a drink?” Katie asks when I sit back down. She lifts her eyes from the menu. “Celebrate vacation a day early?”

The waiter stares down at us. “What’ll it be, ladies?”

Katie orders a mimosa and Ami orders iced tea.

“I’ll stick with water.” The waiter leaves, and I can feel Katie and Ami looking at me like I’m from another planet. “What?”

“I’ve never once seen you not order a drink with lunch or dinner,” Ami points out.

I haven’t really thought about it, but the idea of alcohol makes me nauseous.

“You’re pregnant,” Katie says, her eyes assessing me. “Aren’t you?”

I nearly spit out my water. “No!”

Fuck. Quick, think of something snarky.

Shocked, my eyes dart to Ami, and then Katie. “I’m not…” My words come out long and exaggerated, as if that’s exactly what’s on my mind, but I don’t want to admit it. “That’s not possible.”

“And why not?”

“Because I’m not having sex with anyone.”

“Oh,” Katie says. “I guess that’s right then.”

Only do you see the look I’m getting from Ami? She knows what’s up. Her eyes are screaming “you’re a fucking liar.”

“Anyway…” I pick up my menu. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

* * *

As we shopthe rest of that afternoon with Katie, one thing keeps crossing my mind. What if Katie’s right? I mean, I can’t be pregnant, can I?

I’m on birth control pills, and I’ve never missed one. Ever. Tension rolls through me. I can’t believe I asked him not to use a condom the second time. What the fuck was I thinking?

If I am pregnant, he’s going to be so mad. Leo does not want kids. We’ve had this conversation before. He had such a shitty upbringing that the idea of children scares him.

“Okay. Seriously. What’s going on?” Ami finally asks when Katie leaves for home to get ready for the game.

Ami and I plan to go to the game tonight as well, so we’re starting to run out of time if we want to be at the United Center by six.

“I’m late.” My words are hushed even though we’re in the car now, alone.

Ami’s brow knots together. “For what? We still have like three hours before the game.”

I blink, my heart in my throat. “My period.”

Her lashes flutter. “Oh shit.”

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