Page 46 of Match My Fall
Itook a deep breath and exhaled from my nostrils asIfought to stay calm. “Thatisn’t at all true.I’veknown plenty of shifters.”
“Idon’t care who he is.He’snot welcome in my daughter’s home.”
Icrossed my arms. “LasttimeIchecked,Ipay the mortgage.”
“Thatdoesn’t mean you get to bring whatever stray dog you meet into our daughter’s life.”
Ipointed atThorne’schest, finger trembling, and seethed. “Don’tinsult someoneIcare about.Whileyou’ve been screwing around doing goddess-knows-what all these years,I’vebeen raising our daughter, almost entirely without your help.IfIwant to start dating again, that’s my business.AndwhoIdate is my choice.”
“Ican’t believe you’d go with a shifter,” he muttered. “Ananimal,Cassandra?That’slow.Evenfor a witch.”
Mymouth widened.Howdare he insult me like this? “Yourdaughter is part witch.Ibetter not hear you talking about her or to her like that.”Ipointed to the door. “Getout.”
Heglared at me for a moment longer before marching out the door, leaving the door open rather than slamming it.Iclosed it and then slumped against the door, drained by the confrontation.AlthoughItold myself that trying to have a civil relationship was what was best forPaige, it took a toll on me.
Didall relationships deteriorate this way in the end?
* * *
Mondaymorning startedwith more of a drag than usual, especially sinceIwas poised over my toilet with another ungraceful chorus of dry heaves.
Icouldn’t blame the coffee going off this time sinceI’dbought a new bag.Thepossibility of what this meant started to become more tangible.
“Don’tget your broomsticks in a twist,”Itold my reflection in the mirror.SinceIdidn’t know for sure, there was no need to jump five steps ahead.
AfterdrivingPaigeto school,Iwished her a great day beforeIheaded into work at theNetwork.Ihad so much to do on aMondaymorning but would face the inevitable during my lunch break.Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a leisurely lunch likeI’denjoyed withValenlast week, but it would involve peeing onto a stick.Fortunately,Valenwouldn’t be around for that.Itcould change the status of our relationship in one huge moment.
WhenIheaded to the pharmacy at lunch, my gaze traveled over all the options and my breath raced.Therewere so many to choose from, way more thanIremembered whenIwas pregnant withPaige.Whenwas my last period?Icouldn’t remember.Whichto choose?Indecisionparalyzed me.
WhenIwent to reach for one, my hands trembled.Akid ran down the aisle behind me, andIlurched forward, knocking down a half dozen pregnancy tests.
Cheeksburning,Ipicked them up and said, “Sorry, sorry,” to nobody in particular.WhowasIapologizing to?
Awoman headed down the aisle and called, “Joey?”
Iguessed she was the mother of the kid who’d ran past.
Pointingdown the aisle,Isaid, “Hewent that way.”
“Thanks.”Shesmiled.Whenher gaze dropped to the stack of boxesIwas fumbling to return to the shelf, it faltered as if she was trying to find something suitable to say.Instead, she gave a sheepish smile as if to say good luck.
I’dneed it.
AfterIpicked up a test that could detect the earliest signs of pregnancy,Ireturned to theNetworkand headed into the restroom.WhileIwaited for the test results, my leg began to twitch.Icouldn’t sit still.Istared at the time on my phone asIimpatiently waited for the results.ThenIglanced at the test.
Thestick announced its news with a positive symbol.
CHAPTER13
CASSANDRA
Pregnant.Iwas pregnant.
Oh, black cats and purple hats…
Myheart pounded against my ribs.Iwasn’t ready for this.Myhand fluttered to my temple.WhatwasIgoing to do?
Theexperience of being the mother of an infant rushed back to me.Iwas almost a decade younger then.HowcouldIgo through this again on my own?Itwas difficult enough the first time.
