Page 74 of Crash Landing
“Nothing. I’m just thinking.”
“Which means something is on your mind.”
“Ok, yes. I was thinking about what happens now that we know I’m not pregnant. What does that mean? That I go back to Earth? Again?”
His expression hardened. As soon as he dropped his eyes, I knew that was what he was expecting and it tore my heart to ribbons.
“Really? Y—you think that’s the next step?”
“Logically, because of—”
“Logically? You think anything is logical about us?”
Suddenly perturbed at his notions, I dropped his hand and headed back up the path leading to one of the many transport pods, which were essentially just the fancy elevators.
“Sam.”
I ignored him and kept walking, hiking up my long dress so I could take bigger strides.
I had just spent the last two weeks contemplating pregnancy with Saleuk and he’d whittled our relationship down to something “logical.” I wasn’t sure why it made me so angry, but it did. Perhaps because I was willing to make sacrifices and take risks and he wasn’t. Even after all that he said about choosing me, he dared to suggest I return to Earth.
Saleuk followed me all the way to the elevators where I stood against the opposite side, leaning on the metal railing and avoiding eye contact. I could see him trying to figure out what was wrong, but I wanted it to be obvious. Going back to the Nexus or to Earth was the last thing I wanted.
When the elevator opened, I marched out and headed down the long overpass to the corridor where my room was.
“Sam,” he said again.
I slapped my hand against the door panel and stepped inside, planning to close it behind me, but Saleuk was so damn fast. He forced his way in and locked the door behind him as if he’d been waiting until we were out of the public eye to react.
“Talk to me,” he demanded.
“You really think I should go back to the Nexus? To Earth?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’tnotsay it.”
“Tell me why you’re angry. You’re not pregnant. That’s a good thing. Now we can plan ahead.”
“It sounds like you already did.Logically, going back is the next step.”
“Logically, we shouldn’t even have surged!”
“But we did!”
I felt hot tears stinging my eyes and turned away, combing my fingers back through my hair as I paced.
“Sam, please talk to me,” he said, lowering his voice.
My tears were insistent. I desperately tried to hide them by facing away, but I knew the next words out of my mouth would betray my secret. So I stayed silent. I hardly knew why I was so upset in the first place. I was making up scenarios and making up things I thought Saleuk was thinking and I was furious over it. Heartbroken.
Stopping at the table, I braced my hands on the edge and shook my head.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’ve just been confused the past couple of weeks.”
“About what? Tell me.”
I turned around, forcing myself to put it all out in the open, and faced Saleuk, teary eyes and all.
