Page 94 of Dare You to Run

Fucking tears.

I throw myself at her and sob into her shoulder. She squeezes me tighter than I think she ever has before, crying along with me. Leaning back, she takes my face in her hands and plants a hundred kisses on it.

“My baby is having a baby,” she hiccups. “Can you please not let the baby call me granny? I’m not ready for that.”

I laugh through my tears with a smile. “Sure, Mom. Whatever you want is fine.”

She nods then pulls herself from me. Turning to Hendrix, her face drops.

“You’re a good man, Hendrix.” She stands and takes him with her, hugging his rigid body with the same strength she used on me.

Hendrix looks scared and awkward, not really knowing what to do with affection, and then something amazing happens. His big tattooed arms snake around her and hugs her back. It’s notthe kind of hug he gives me, but one you’d give your mom. A mom he never had.

When hugs have been handed out and tears dried, we all look at Dad who still sits there just staring. Expressionless. Emotionless. Completely void.

I rub my chest, my heart breaking with his avoidance. His eyes scan over the three of us and stop on Hendrix.

“Are you planning to marry her?” he asks, gruffly.

Hendrix swallows and looks at me. “We haven’t discussed it yet, but I-I plan to. One day. Only if that’s what Dagen wants.”

“Dad, that’s not something I’m really worried about right now. Let's just focus on one thing at a time. The first thing being that I’m pregnant.”

“Dagen. I’m just looking out for you. You can’t do this on your own. You–”

“She’s not on her own. I’ll be there. I’m buying a house in Waco for me. Forus.I’ll need to be in Mississippi sometimes for my businesses, but my plan is to be there for every doctor's appointment, every bump and kick and craving. My new job is to take care of Dagen and see to it that she has a safe and healthy pregnancy.”

Dad looks at Hendrix like he’s inspecting him. His eyes travel up and down, looking at Hendrix from head to toe. He tilts his head and narrows his eyes, evaluating every last inch of him. I scoot closer to him and grip tightly onto his flexed bicep.

As Dad moves closer, we both tense waiting for what comes next. And what does, shocks the hell out of both of us. Dad offers his hand out to Hendrix. He looks, then cautiously takes it. They shake and Dad pulls Hendrix in for a short hug.

Quickly, he releases him and grabs me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I love you, baby bird,” he whispers into my ear, his voice choked with emotion.

“I love you too, Dad.”

I just know, everything is going to be okay. I can feel it.

THIRTY-EIGHT

We talkedwith Mom and Dad for hours, telling them about our plans and what steps we need to take next. They weren’t really all that excited about our decision to move to CattywumpBay after graduation, but they understood why.

After making an appointment with my OB/GYN for next Friday, and many hugs and kisses, Hendrix and I make the drive back to Waco.We get closer to the hotel and suddenly my body is heating up and a familiar tingle rolls through my body.

“Can you drive faster?” I pant.

“What’s wrong, little mouse? Are you going to be sick?”

“No.” My eyelids are hooded with need.

His face is so drawn with confusion, trying to figure out what has me in a hurry to get to our room. Like a light switch, the realization for what I want flips and his foot slams down on the gas pedal, jerking us forward.

He plows through intersections, catching a few lights as they turn red, and screeches into the parking lot. I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to opening my door, so I stay put but ready my feet to run.

The door is flung open, practically off the hinges, and he pulls me out by my hand. My legs scurry to keep up with his long strides to the elevator. He jams the button over and over, as if it will speed it up.

When the gold doors finally slide open, we’re jumping in before they fully separate, and a woman rushes to hop in before they close.

Hendrix stands in front of me, and with a stern voice tells her, “You’re going to have to wait for another one, ma’am. I need to fuck my girl and I need to do it now.”