Page 125 of Not Another Yesterday
“I mean, I don’t really have a choice,” I say with a shrug. “Like it or not, Randi is part of Ran’s life. And now I get why. They’re important to each other. I didn’t understand that before, but I do now.”
“Plus, Randi’s pretty fucking cool,” Tori says. “Just you wait, Vada. She’ll give you a run for your money.”
Vada puckers her lips and lifts her brows. “Guess we’ll see,” she says, voice low and teasing as our waiter returns carrying a full tray of food. Vada has no shame. “Ooh, look at all that delicious meat,” she says, clearly not referring to the food.
“Oh my god,” Summer giggles into her palm.
The guy grins at her, teeth flashing. He sets down our plates, and Vada thanks him with a flirtatious smile that’s about as subtle as a firework.
As he walks off, she leans forward, eyes gleaming. “Okay, okay, I’m thinking I’ll take the opportunity this summer to live a little.”
“Or cause chaos,” Summer teases.
“Chaos Vada-style. I like it,” she says, then tugs the corner of her napkin into her collar, clearly planning to get messy.
I inhale the smell of smoky barbeque winding its way into my nose. My tray is piled high with saucy ribs, thick slices of cornbread, and a heaping scoop of slaw. It’s exactly what I wanted. It’s exactly what I was craving.
But the second I see it all laid out in front of me, my stomach turns. Like I’ve been riding a carousel too long.
My appetite vanishes, replaced by a strange pressure in my chest. Like something is out of sync. I blink, frowning at the plate.
“What’s wrong?” Summer asks. “Why are you making that face?”
Tori leans closer. “Is there a hair in your food?”
“No, it’s just…” I trail off. “I thought I wanted ribs, but now that I see and smell them, I don’t know. I feel kind of sick.”
I push the plate away slowly.
Vada shrugs. “Well, you’re pregnant, that’s why,” she mumbles, mouth already full.
I shoot her a look. “Haha,” I say, my tone dry. “Don’t even joke—”
The rest of the words don’t come out right, getting stuck somewhere in my throat as a slow, creeping wave of heat rises from my chest to my face. My pulse stumbles over itself. There’s a strange ringing in my ears. My hands feel clammy against the table. My breath shortens without warning, becoming shallow and quick like I’ve just sprinted five blocks to catch the train.
When the hell was my last period?
I yank my phone out of my pocket and pull up the calendar app. I frantically swipe between days and months while trying to breathe.
“I was joking,” Vada says quickly.
Summer and Tori have gone still, forks hovering in midair. They’re watching me, eyes shifting from amusement to unease.
No, not February. I definitely had one after that.
“Cat?” Tori says gently.
A soft, strangled sound escapes me. “Oh god.”
“Kitty Cat?” Tori sets her hand on my forearm as if to draw me out of my mania.
“You’re scaring me.” Vada’s voice is small. So is she, suddenly, her usually loud personality muted.
I swallow what feels like ash. “I’m late,” I whisper, afraid to say it out loud, afraid that will make it real.Morereal.
“Are you sure?” Summer asks.
I nod. My heart thuds in my throat like it’s trying to punch its way out of my body.
