Page 62 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Her shoulders drop. “S-sure.”

I turn to leave the amenities block but swivel on my heel to face Daynah. “I hope it’s not out of line, but can I ask a favour?”

She tilts her head. “Of course.”

“Can you check in on him? Make sure he’s okay?”

She scans my face and places her hand on my shoulder. “Of course. I’m sorry if he hurt you. He finds it hard to get close to people. I’m sure you did nothing wrong.”

I close my eyes for a beat and shake my head, tears pricking my eyes. If only she knew the truth. She’d know I’m the bad guy in this break-up. She wouldn’t be so nice then.

I sniff and walk backwards towards the exit. “Please make sure he’s okay.”

***

The slurred voicemailI wake to the following morning near breaks my heart.

“What’d I do, Liv? Remember when I said to kick my arse? Well that still stands. Relationships are scary and I know you found it hard opening up... believe me I do too, I just don’t know what I’m doin’ here... I tried; this is all new to me. I’m sorry. I fucked up, somehow. Just gimme another chance. I won’t call you again unless you ask. I’ll leave you be. I get the message that you’ve made up your mind, I just had to give it one last try.”

The vulnerability and rough edge to his voice rips at my insides.

“What’d I do?”

That’s it, Jerry. You didn’t do anything. The finality of us is on me. It’s my fault. My recklessness that caused this.

***

“Nat, I need to tellyou something, but you have to swear you can’t tell anyone.”

Children dash around the playground, laughing and playing, blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling inside my head. I sip at my chamomile tea, hoping it eases the bile rising up my throat.Yet another reminder of morning sickness.

She sweeps her fringe aside and regards me. “Of course. What is it?”

“I’m pregnant.”

Nat splutters, her tea evidently caught in the back of her throat. “Oh, my lord. There’s definitely something in the water.”

I snort. “You’re not wrong.”

“When are you due?”

“December nineteen.”

She beams. “I so want to hug you right now but don’t want to draw attention. How are you feeling?”

“Getting sick of talking to the toilet bowl every morning, but otherwise okay.”

“I feel your pain, girl. I was dying up until thirteen weeks.”

Georgie and Gracey run past us, laughing as they race each other to the monkey bars.

Nat’s brows bunch as she scans my face. “I’m guessing with the timing Jerry isn’t the father? Had you two even...?”

My stomach twists. “It’s complicated. Between you and me, we hadn’t gone that far. It doesn’t matter anyway. I broke up with him.” The sting in my chest still burns from hurting him.

Nat’s hand curls over my shoulder. “But I thought you two were getting serious? Didn’t he send you flowers last Friday?”

I huff. “Yeah, well that’s the kicker, isn’t it? I’m spoiled goods now. As if he’d want to keep seeing me.”

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