Page 38 of Forget Me Not
We drove in silence. Megan ran in and grabbed several tests. She said we would be certain one way or the other. I took the bag of tests into her bathroom and sat down. What would I tell Danny? He was still angry that Drake hadn’t called or come home—a baby would fuck everything up. It was hard raising him alone. Adding another one to the mix would tilt our world on its axis.
I ripped open the boxes and lined them up on the counter. Megan had suggested I pee in a cup and then dip each test into it. Willing myself to pee, I filled the plastic cup to the rim and set it aside. Once I was done, I laid each stick face down and left the room.
“It said wait five minutes.”
“What are we waiting for?” Sean, Megan’s roommate, walked out of his bedroom looking disheveled from his overnight shift at the ER.
“Um.” Megan glanced at me.
“To learn if fate has fucked me once again.”
“Huh?” He looked at me confused.
“I might be pregnant—again.”
“And this is a bad thing?” His eyebrows rose in shock.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I sat down and threw my head onto the counter.
“She hasn’t heard from Drake. Kenz thinks he isn’t coming home.”
Sean smiled. “Well… I can be your baby’s uncle daddy. Don’t you worry. You got people here to help if you are. But don’t go counting him out. I think you might find yourself surprised.”
“You want me to check?” Megan looked over at me. Concern etched her expression as she spoke. “It’s been five minutes.”
“Yeah. I can’t look.”
I waited as she went into the bathroom. When she came out, I knew. I didn’t need her to tell me because it was written all over her face. I was pregnant.
“Fuck.” I blew out a breath. “Can you take me home? I need to talk to Catherine.”
Megan nodded and followed me out. I couldn’t believe this. Once again, I was pregnant and alone. Another child would come into this world not knowing their father. How did I let this happen?
“Thanks, I’ll call you later.” I hugged Megan and watched as she pulled off. Catherine opened the door as if sensing I was there.
“Mackenzie, are you okay?”
“No, Catherine. I’m not.”
I fell into her arms, crying. Most women would be happy about bringing a life into the world, but all I felt was sadness and pain. For a moment in time, I held Drake in my arms, only to have him ripped away from me again.
Drake
Six fucking months.
That’s how long I was gone. No phone calls, no word sent to Mackenzie. The agency locked me up for violating my oath. They needed to do an investigation to make sure I hadn’t compromised them or any other agents in the field. I had begged them to call her and tell her what was happening, but they refused. They ordered Alex not to speak to me, threatening to take his credentials, too.
Now, finally free of them, I was headed home. I worried she would turn me away, refusing to listen to the truth. Hell, I wouldn’t blame her. I had lied again—not intentionally, but still I hadn’t kept my promise.
The agency stripped me of everything, my phone, my gun, everything. They let me keep the identity and credentials of being a private investigator, but beyond that, I had nothing. I had been smart enough to invest my money wisely, leaving me sitting on a pretty nice nest egg, but aside from the few clothes in my duffle, I would be starting over. And I didn’t care.
I grabbed an Uber and gave the driver her address. I prayed she was home since it was Thanksgiving. I knew she would be out of school at least. The drive felt like it took an eternity, but soon enough I was being let off at the end of her driveway.
I slung the bag over my shoulder and made my way up the steps. I listened for sounds inside, only meeting silence. Taking a deep breath, I rapped my knuckles across the wood.
“Can I help—” She stood frozen, staring at me like I was a ghost. “Drake?”
I couldn’t breathe. Her eyes were swollen and red, but that isn’t what had me frozen. No. It was her belly. It was round and full.
