Page 9 of Cutting (Doyle Irish Mob #1)
CHAPTER NINE
Tara
ALL WEEK I’VE felt like I’m being followed. It’s stressing me out. I was trying to chalk it up to baby hormones messing with me. Making me paranoid or something. That changed when I got to work and found a bouquet of roses addressed to me. The note was short and simple. “Give me a second chance.”
Damnit. It must have been from my ex-boyfriend Joey. It has been over a year since I caught him cheating and broke up with him. Why would he want a second chance now?
Not that I would give him one.
Pregnant or not, he wasn't worth it.
Cheating is a hard line. You cheat on me once, and I am gone. If Joey had been unhappy, he should have manned up and told me. He should have asked for the brake-up then pursued the other girl. Not that it would have done him any good. I heard she cheated on him less than a month after they got together. Laura and Sam had gossiped for months about his train-wreck of a dating life, until they all grew bored.
I had tossed the note in the trash, but kept the flowers. No reason to throw out such pretty, innocent flowers.
I was thankful work kept me busy for the bulk of the day. It kept me from dwelling on the note until I had left for my doctor's appointment.
One of the nurses escorts me into the exam room. She does my normal weigh-in and blood pressure. Then asks if I’ve had any pain or concerns about the pregnancy so far.
When she’s done, she tells me the doctor will be in shortly. Not thirty second later, there is knock on the door as they open it. Not bothering to wait for me to answer.
A female in scrubs enters with a noticeable baby bump. She looks ready to pop. And she’s glowing. Instantly I’m jealous. I haven’t felt the glow. If I look it, I don’t feel it. Maybe it’s all the salt from the pickles making me feel this way. Like I’m always bloated.
“Hi Tara. I’m Nurse Liv.” The woman greets. “I’m sure you are excited for the ultrasound, but first I need to take a few more vitals.”
Strange. The last nurse already did them. I won’t argue, if taking my vitals again keeps my baby safe and healthy, they can take them three or four times.
“Of course.” I reply. Liv takes a seat in the rolling chair moves it closer. .
“Go ahead and relax back Tara.” I do as she says and lay back on the bed. “I’m going to check your blood pressure again and pulse while I ask you some questions. Is that alright.”
I nod. “Okay.”
She starts with my blood pressure and asks similar questions to the nurse before. How was the morning sickness? Getting better. Any bleeding or cramping? No. How’s my diet and exercise? Pickles and pacing my office when bored.
Liv laughs at my last answer.
“Ok, moving on to the pulse now.” She says as she takes off the blood pressure cuff, and places her fingers on my wrist. Right at the pulse point. “Same process. I’m going to ask questions. I need you to answer them honestly.”
“Okay.” This is such a weird appointment.
“Your chart says you are about fourteen weeks along. Do you know the exact date of conception?”
Weird question, I was already asked this at my first appointment. It should be in my chart. I don’t say this aloud. Instead I answer with the two dates. The two days I spent with Sean.
“You sound pretty certain.”
“Without a doubt.” I reply, though now I feel the need to explain. “I uh. I don’t.” I pause and takes a deep breath. “I had a one night stand. Or rather, a one weekend stand. He was the only person I have been with since my ex and I broke up a year ago.”
She doesn’t react to my answer. Good. I hate feeling judged. I did nothing wrong. Lots of people do casual hook-ups. I’m just one of the unlucky ones who had a condom fail.
“I see.” She comments. Then moved on to the next question. “And is the father in the picture?”
My eyes close involuntarily. I don’t want to talk about him. I had accepted Sean didn’t want me in his life but it still hurts to know my baby would not know its father. I take a moment to clear my throat. “No. He is not.”
Again the nurse doesn’t react. “Does he know about the baby?”
Now I’m getting pissed. This feels intrusive and unnecessary. “I’m not sure how this is medically relevant, but for your information, the father made it clear that he doesn’t want anything to do with me or my child. He denies any chance it could be his, because in his words ‘we used a condom.’”
The nurse finally drops her wrist. “Pulse and blood pressure look great. I’m going to update your chart and let the doctor know you are ready for them.” Then she leaves without a backward glance.
What. The. Hell?