Page 136 of Not Another Yesterday
I already texted Tori, asking her to bring back some dinner so Cat has something to eat when she wakes up. She didn’t eat much today—probably from the nerves—which can’t be good. Especially now.
I slide into my car, call Dr. Seivert’s office, and leave a message asking for a callback once she’s in tomorrow. I’ve been slacking on therapy, but if I’ve ever had an incentive to get my upstairs shit in order, it’s this. There’s no ignoring the dark family history, not anymore. Before, I could run, could try to hide. No more. It’s time to face that crap head-on. I’ll be damned if I’m not going to fight my demons with everything I’ve got.
The nanosecond Shane spots me at Murphy’s, he waves me into the office and shuts the door behind us. “Tori’s made some kind of vow of silence,” he says with a huff. “Wouldn’t tell me anything. All she texted me was, ‘You’ll know when you know.’”
“Yeah, so, I need to talk to you.”
His eyes widen. “Oh shit.”
“I need a bump in my pay and more hours.”
His eyelashes flutter like I just offered to Riverdance on the bar counter. “Okay. I mean, we can talk about it. But…?” He’s already bracing for something bigger.
Might as well rip off the Band-Aid. “Cat’s pregnant.”
Shane blinks. His mouth opens. Closes. His brow furrows. Reminds me a lot of me roughly six hours ago.
“You’re fucking joking, right?” he finally says, pressing his palms to the cluttered desk.
“I wish I was.”
“Holy fucking shit, Ran. No fucking way.”
“Yes, way. Three tests, one doctor’s visit, and one ultrasound all confirm it.”
“That’s… fuck… that’s…” He’s scrambling for words. “It’s yours, right?”
I roll my eyes. “No, it’s Stevie’s.”
“Hey, just checking,” he says quickly, holding up his hands. “Oh fuck, dude.” His whole vibe shifts, realization blooming in real time, almost like it’s happening to him. Yep, exactly how I felt earlier today.
“This is… fuck, this is heavy,” he says.
“Yeah. It really complicates things,” I say through gritted teeth.
“That’s an understatement. Dude, didn’t you… weren’t you guys using protection?” There’s surprise in his tone, probably because he knows how careful I’ve always been.
“Yeah, she’s been on the pill since we got together, but…”
“Shit,” he groans, dragging a hand over his head.
“So, yeah. Seeing as I’m about to be responsible not only for making sure Cat’s okay, but also feeding and clothing a kid…” The words still feel foreign in my mouth. “I need to either make more working here or find something else. Obviously, I’d rather stay here, but—”
“Dude, no, I got you,” Shane says instantly. “What are you thinking?”
“Uh, if I can work twelves on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, plus pick up Mondays? And if you could bump me a couple of bucks an hour? That would help.”
“That would only give you one day off, Ran. You sure?”
I shrug. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
He nods pensively. “I’ll take a look at the schedule, but I’m pretty sure we can make it happen. And I’m sure my dad’ll be fine with the raise.”
“You know, honestly, all of this might not matter come Friday,” I say dryly.
“Why?”
“My grandparents are flying in, and the plan is to tell both our families at dinner. So… I may not survive the night.”
