Page 127 of Stay With Me
In the odd turn of events that I’m not pregnant, then I most definitely have some kind of rare parasite living in my body because I’ve never felt this on-and-off sickness before in my life.
Grabbing a paper coffee cup I brought home, I go to the bathroom and pee. I’ve been sucking down water all day, so hopefully I’m not somehow over-hydrated.
Once I’m finished, I dip the stick in the cup for a few secondsand then set it upside down on the counter. The box says it can take one to five minutes, so I wash my hands and set a timer on my phone.
Since it’s Monday, I worked downtown and didn’t get to see Tripp at the retreat. I didn’t yesterday either since I came home to sleep and clean up my apartment. He worked in the morning and then had Sunday night supper with his family, so we’ve been texting. That’s how I found out his brothers know about us, which means I need to tell Noah as soon as I see her. I know she’ll be happy for us, but I have a feeling I’ll be telling her even bigger news.
It’s not even the being pregnant part that scares me. I’d be more excited about the prospect of being a mom if it didn’t come with a lifelong sentence of dealing with Travis. Assuming he wants to be involved, there’s no way Tripp’s gonna be cool with the idea of his girlfriend being pregnant with another man’s baby. If the roles were reversed and some chick showed up saying she was pregnant with Tripp’s baby, I’d be devastated. Knowing she’d be in his life for the next eighteen years and he’d experience all the parent firsts with her and not me would make me an emotional wreck.
The timer goes off, and I jump. I was so lost in thought I almost forgot I set it.
My heart hammers in my chest so hard that I can feel it beating in my ears. My palms sweat with nerves and it takes me a moment to catch my breath. I don’t know why I’m so nervous, considering deep down, I already know what it’s going to say.
Instead of drawing it out, I grab the stick, flip it over, and read the screen.
Pregnant.
“Oh God.” I stare at the one word that’s just turned my life upside down. “I’m gonna be sick.”
I turn toward the toilet and throw up for the third time today. What the hell is even left in my stomach at this point? ConsideringI vomited first thing this morning before I ate breakfast just proves it doesn’t matter if there’s food in there or not. Soon I’ll be throwing up my organs.
Once the sickness settles and I brush my teeth again, I grab the other two boxes of tests and dip them in the cup of pee just to double-check. Even though the digital test is supposed to be ninety-nine percent accurate, so should’ve been my birth control and condom combo. I’m not trusting just one test.
Ten minutes later, I have two more positive tests staring at me.
I’m not really sure how to feel, but at least I know for certain.
And now, I need to decide how I’m going to tell my boyfriend and crush his heart.
As it gets colder out, I stay bundled up as I work. A hat, two layers on top, and insulated boots. Even though the trailer blocks out most of the cold, it’s the wind that sends a chill to my bones.
Tripp already stopped by early this morning with Landen, and I hate that I had to act like nothing was different. It feels like lying, but I’m not going to tell him through text or while we’re both preoccupied with our jobs.
Landen seemed better than he was last week and even teased me for looking like a hibernating bear while he was just in a long-sleeved shirt. But I teased him back that he works up a sweat and I stay in one spot for hours.
Noah
I’m coming over now!
As soon as I read her text, I start making her coffee. She’s a basic bitch like me and is how I came up with the Basic WitchSpice latte name, which is just pumpkin syrup with extra whip and nutmeg on top.
When I see her walking up, I rush out of the trailer, and she sprints toward me. I burst out laughing when she crashes into me and we wrap our arms around each other.
“I’m so happy you’re back!” I squeal into her hair.
“Me too.”
“I have a lot to tell you,” I say, going back behind my counter to finish her drink.
“Oh God, that sounds serious.” Noah stands close, waiting for me to elaborate, but the pounding in my chest is making me feel like I’m going to pass out.
“I fucked up,” I begin.
She arches a brow. “With what?”
I blow out a breath, trying to calm my racing heart. She’s going to be so pissed with me.
“I might’ve hooked up with Travis a month ago...”
