Page 94 of Zone Protection

“Come hang out with us then. It’s been a while since we’ve had a girls’ night.” Peyton pats the spot next to her.

When I walk past my bag, I grab my phone from inside, then go sit on the couch.

“So, I guess I’ll be the one to just say it.” Mia pauses. “Emma, how the fuck did you hide being pregnant all this time? I am completely shooketh, but also, I feel super stupid for not noticing. So, for that, I’m sorry I’ve been an oblivious and selfish friend.”

“I mean, honestly, Emma. I am sure this has been bananas for you. I can’t believe you didn’t tell us. Although it all kinda makes sense now that you and Archie started hanging out suddenly. I knew you hooked up, but you said you didn’t want anything more than that?”

“I didn’t. And I probably wouldn’t have contacted him again, but I guess there was another plan.” I rest my hand on my belly, grateful I don’t have to hide anymore and I can just relax in front of them.

“Because of school or something else?” Peyton nudges my leg with hers.

I look at her and shrug. “I mean, yeah. I’ve had a singular focus since I’ve been here. When I was with him that first night, I just had a feeling he could be a dangerous distraction.”

“I totally get that, but it doesn’t seem like it’s been a bad thing, having him around,” Livi pipes in. “Archie is completely obsessed with you, girl. We see the way he treats you around here. Guy is hooked.”

I feel a blush in my cheeks, and I nod because what’s she’s saying is true. He treats me so well, and if anything, he’s been more than supportive of my studying and schedule.

“So, what’s the plan then for after the baby? Will you live happily ever after and have all the football babies?” Mia gasps. “OMG, I love this for you. Your babies are going to be so fricking cute.”

“Let’s settle down for a minute. I am having one baby right now. We have no idea where we’re going yet. That’s actually why he’s not here. I’ve been a little … I don’t know … not doing great since Arizona. Handling that alone brought up some things for me. This has all happened so fast, you know.”

Livi reaches over and places her hand on top of mine on my belly. “This is okay, right? Sorry, I probably should have asked, but now that it’s out in the open, I really want to feel her.”

“Well, we don’t know that it’s a she yet.”

“Stop being a downer, Em. Of course it will be a girl.” She moves her hand from the top of mine and to the side of my stomach. “Baby, this is your bestie, Liv. I’m going to be your favorite, obviously, because I will spoil you rotten. OH! Can we do a baby shower? Please, please!”

“YES! OMG. Do you even have anything for the baby yet?” Mia puts a hand on her chest.

“I mean, I feel like we would have noticed baby gear in the house, no?” Peyton sits back and puts her arm around the back of the couch and behind me.

“Well, first of all, who else would we invite to the baby shower? You guys are pretty much my only friends. My mom has gotten a few things that she’s been keeping for me at their house. And Archie’s mom renovated a whole room for the baby. We have a few basics in my closet, but not a ton yet. We don’t know if the nugget is a boy or girl yet or where we’ll even be living, so it’s been hard to make a lot of plans.”

“OH! Holy shit. I think the baby just moved. Em, did the baby move?” Livi asks, eyebrows raised.

I move my hand to the side of hers. “Yeah, here. The baby is twisting around or something right now. I drank a little water on my way home, and I usually get a lot of activity after.”

“I want to feel!” Mia jumps up.

Peyton puts her hand on my stomach. “So cool.” Peyton looks at me and smiles. “What does it feel like?”

“Flutters. I don’t know how else to describe it. Like butterflies in your belly. Although now that this little nugget is getting bigger, the kicks are a little stronger.”

“Emma, in all seriousness, how are you doing with all of thisthough? Like, what are you going to do about golf and school when he gets drafted?” Livi asks.

“I have a meeting with Coach on Friday, and Archie leaves for Texas soon, because he wants to be home for the draft. So, I need to figure it out.”

“But have you guys talked at all about what to do? You have pretty clear goals for your future, so I’m just curious about how you’ll make it all work with his career.” Livi takes my hand in hers.

“Well, right now, it looks like it’s between Dallas, Kansas City, and, I guess, Colorado. I’ve been looking at schools in those areas, and I have the applications filled out. So, once we know for sure, I’ll send them off. My first choice would be Dallas because it’s closer to my parents, and Southwestern has an amazing medical school.”

“Do you feel like you’re letting go of your dreams so he can follow his?” Mia asks.

I shake my head. “No. I mean, if Archie were telling me instead of being supportive, we’d be in a different boat. But at the end of the day, I love him, and he’s going to be an amazing dad. I would never keep him away from his child, and I don’t want to do any of this without him.”

“So, did you have a fight or something? Is that why he’s not here?” Peyton asks.

I shake my head. “Not a fight exactly. We had our doctor’s appointment today and went over everything that had happened in Arizona. I don’t really talk about it, but my sister died when we were young. She was only a few years younger than me. She had a genetic heart disorder and died from complications from her last surgery.”

---