Page 56 of Playing For Keeps
He rushes to me and takes me in his arms as the nurse leaves, closing the curtain on her way out.
“Jami.” I hold him tight. “I was so scared, Jami. They were going to sell me.”
“I know.” He takes in a choppy breath and pulls back, scanning my body. “Are you okay?”
“I think so. There’s so much to tell you. My mind is scrambled, so I don’t know where to start.”
He sinks onto the bed next to me as his gaze scrolls over my face and down to my belly. His shoulders soften as he slides his hand over my stomach.
His worry-filled eyes come back to mine. “Is the baby okay?”
I draw my eyebrows together and shake my head. “What?”
“I know, Dori.”
“Know what?” I think about his question for a second. “What baby are you talking about?”
“They told me about you being pregnant.” His gaze roams over my face. “Is everything okay?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to make sense of what he’s saying.
Why does he think I’m pregnant?
It takes me a couple moments to remember I told Xander I was pregnant, hoping he would stop Mort from selling me.
I open my eyes. “Oh, Jami. I’m not pregnant.”
His expression softens. “Did you…lose it?”
“No, no, no. You’re misunderstanding. I was never pregnant. I told them that so they wouldn’t sell me.”
He flinches as if I’ve slapped him, then he quickly composes himself. “Really? You aren’t just saying that to…”
I study him for a moment. “Why would I lie about that?”
“Maybe you didn’t want to tell me. I don’t know.” He turns his head, slumping over as he thinks for a beat. He shakes a thought loose, stands straight, and faces me. “All that matters is that you’re okay.”
He can’t hide the disappointment in his eyes.
I take his hand in mine. “I’m sorry they made you believe that. It’s got to hurt on some level.”
“You’re all that matters.” He takes me back into a hug, bringing me to his chest. “I was terrified I’d never see you again.”
“Me too.”
His words break me, and I allow my tears to fall. He consoles me for a minute, rocking me in his arms as he kisses the top of my head.
I calm in his embrace, letting his love fill me. “Never let me go.”
“Never again.” He strokes my hair and squeezes me tighter. “I’m so sorry, Dori.”
“For what?”
“For making it easy for them to take you. I’m sorry for everything.”
“This wasn’t your fault, Jami.”
“But it was.” He releases me and stares hard into my eyes. “I have to tell you everything.”
