Page 115 of Return to Us
My mother’s smile is sad. “Did he really? Look at you both. My girls are strong, independent, smart, and resilient. I had one go through a plane crash and come out okay. The other fights for children who have far less than any child should. He may have left you, but you both rose above and defied any odds. Be proud, Jessica. Be strong and don’t let your past be what destroys what could be a beautiful future.”
* * *
“I think you’re pregnant,” my stupid best friend says.
My head is resting on the wall as I try to quell the vomiting. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Jess, it’s been almost three days of this weird puking, and you’re exhausted.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m exhausted because I keep puking.”
She points to my stomach “Which is why I think you’re pregnant.”
“I’m not pregnant.”
“Says the woman with a baby growing in her stomach.”
“You’re being an ass.”
“You’re in denial.”
I get to my feet and grab my toothbrush. “First, I’m on the pill. Second, we always use...”
Oh my God.
We always use condoms, except when we were at the beach house. That night, we forgot. Maybe not forgot, but it wasn’t a discussion, and . . . holy shit.
I clasp my hand over my mouth as my stomach roils again. I drop back down, feeling sick for another reason.
“Easy,” Delia says as she rubs my back.
I look up at her, tears brimming in my eyes. Jesus, I could be pregnant.
“You have to go get me a test.” I grip her hands, holding on for dear life as panic starts to build. “Please.”
“What?”
“A test. I need a test so I can . . . I don’t know, scare my body into sync or something.” Yes, that’s what will happen. I don’t think I’m late yet. It’s only been a few weeks. I should be starting my period any day now.
Delia raises her brows and grins. “But I thought you weren’t pregnant.”
“I’m probably not. But now, now I need to know because you’ve scared the shit out of me!”
“Oh, yes, this is totally my fault, not Grayson’s.”
I close my eyes, hand resting on my stomach. “I can’t be pregnant. It’s too soon. We have dinner tomorrow night with his parents, and I cannotbe pregnant.”
“I don’t think babies give a shit about any of that, but what do I know?”
“Delia, please, go to the store. If I go, within an hour, everyone in this town will be talking about how I bought a pregnancy test. Ican’tgo.”
She lets out a deep sigh while leaning against the doorjamb. “And my going isn’t going to stir up drama?”
“Deals . . .” I say her nickname as a plea.
Delia throws up her arms. “Fine. I’ll go a few towns over and get one.”
“Thank you. I just need the test so I know I’m not and can move on.”
