Page 41 of Learn the Play
I swallow, trying to breathe through it, but that’s not going to work this time. Slapping my hand over my mouth, I take off sprinting down the hall, dropping to my knees in front of the toilet, where I lose the minimal lunch that I ate earlier today.
I groan. Is there anything worse than throwing up? Yeah, there is. It’s throwing up in your new friend’s guest bathroom, who also happens to be married to the best friend of your one-night stand, who’s trying to make one night be… more. That’s worse, trust me.
“Are you all right?” Amanda asks, appearing next to me. Corie shows up with a wet cloth and a bottle of water, handing them to me.
“I’m sorry,” I tell them after swishing the water and spitting it into the toilet. I stand, wiping my mouth. “I was sick with food poisoning last weekend. I guess it’s still lingering a little,” I tell both of them, who are standing and watching me with concerned expressions.
“Here.” Corie bends down, opens the vanity drawer, and grabs a spare toothbrush and a travel-size toothpaste. “We get them from the dentist, and I hate to throw them away,” she explains.
“Thank you. I’ll be right out,” I tell them, feeling my face heat with embarrassment. This experience was not on my bingo card for tonight. Quickly, I brush my teeth, wash my hands, and make sure I didn’t leave a mess in the bathroom before turning out the light and making my way to the living room. I’m met with four pairs of eyes, peering at me with concern. Then there’s Camden, who coos and holds up a tiny piece of pizza squished in his hands. Again, I smile because I can’t seem to help myself, regardless of how shitty I feel.
“Is that good?” I ask Camden, and he just grins, shoving more pizza into his mouth.
“How are you feeling?” Rowan asks.
“Blah,” I answer, because I don’t know how to explain it. Food poisoning isn’t supposed to last this long, right? What if there’s something else wrong with me? Before I can panic about that, my best friend sets free a panic I hadn’t considered.
“Bellamy?” I turn to face Amanda. “Is it possible that you’re pregnant?”
“What?” I ask, shock racing through my veins. “No. No, I’m not. We—nope.” I’m shaking my head because Reid is the only man I’ve been with in months, and I’m on the pill.
I’m not pregnant.
I can’t be pregnant.
“Bella, you don’t know for sure.”
“We were careful,” I say, well aware that Reid’s friends, the ones he calls his family, are witnessing our conversation.
“I have tests,” Corie speaks up. “If you want to take one.”
“What?” Sloane asks. “Why do you have tests?”
Corie shrugs. “We’re not trying, but we’re not preventing either.”
“So that means you’re trying!” Sloane moves around the table and crushes her best friend in a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she mumbles.
“I’m not pregnant.” Corie laughs. “Not yet.” She’s smiling when her eyes find mine. “You’re welcome to use one. I have several. I just wanted to be ready if and when I ever needed one.”
“You should,” Amanda tells me. “Or we can take you to the doctor and have them check you over.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her.
“It won’t hurt to take one. Just to see,” Rowan suggests.
My heart is racing, and my hands are sweaty. I can’t be pregnant. What will Reid say? He’ll think I did this on purpose. He’ll think I tried to trap him, right? Isn’t that what women do when they’re dating professional athletes? Not that we’re dating, but—argh. As bad as I hate to admit it, I need to take that damn test.
“I’ll take it,” I say, my voice quivering.
“You got him?” Corie asks Rowan, who’s sitting next to Camden in his high chair.
“We’re good.” Rowan nods.
Corie stands and nods for me to follow her. “Do you want me to come with you?” Amanda asks.
“No. I’ll be okay,” I tell her, turning back to follow Corie to their bedroom.
“You can use my bathroom. The entire bottom drawer is tests. Knox might have gone a little crazy when he found the three I bought, and bought more.” She’s grinning as she says it.
