Page 20 of Denim & Diamonds

“It’s not very complicated. But it’s not what people think. Everyone knows Nina left. They assume she wasn’t happy here in Meadowbrook and that she either dumped me or I drove her out of town —whatever that means.”

She chuckled. “I picture you driving her out as she sits in the cab of your big red truck.”

“Right?” I shook my head. “Ridiculous.” I sighed. “Anyway, that wasn’t it.”

“So what happened?” She rested her chin in her hand.

“Nina wanted me to make a full commitment to her. And I wasn’t ready to do that. She’d been wanting to move out of town, but that wasn’t the whole story. She’d told me she would stay if I’d commit. But I wasn’t ready—with her.”

“Well, you can’t be forced into something as important as marriage.”

“The thing is…she didn’t even want kids or a family. She just wanted to get married. It felt like more about having a ring on her finger than anything else. Something felt wrong.”

“And you don’t want to get married at all or...”

“I didn’t say that. But I knew it didn’t feel right to marry her . And when she gave me the ultimatum, it all became clear.”

She cocked her head. “So you might be open to marriage someday?”

I needed to be honest. “I’m not sure if marriage and kids are for me. I’ve always said that. But I am open to finding the right person and seeing how it plays out. I feel like what’s meant to be will happen.”

“Thank you for being open with me, Brock.” She caressed my arm.

I arched a brow. “Will you be open with me now? ”

She let out a shaky breath. “What do you want to know?”

“I want to know why you made up a sickness to get out of seeing me tonight.” I stared into her eyes. “You don’t look sick, Feb. You’re not sick. Am I right?”

February closed her eyes for a moment. “I am sort of sick, but not with a fever or cold.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m sick to my stomach. But it’s nerves, not a virus.”

“Nerves over what?”

“I might be in trouble.” Her voice shook.

My heartbeat accelerated. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“I looked at the calendar today and realized…” She hesitated.

“What?”

“I’m a week late for my period. That never happens.”

A sinking feeling developed in my stomach. My eyes widened. “You think you’re pregnant?”

“I don’t know. I shouldn’t be. But I could be. It’s a remote possibility.”

This situation had gotten a hell of a lot more complicated in a matter of seconds. Are you kidding me? The timing on this…especially since I’d just admitted I might never want kids.

I rubbed my temples. “I assume you have good reason to suspect it’s possible?”

“I used protection with Tobias, if that’s what you’re asking. So it doesn’t make sense.”

“It would be his, though, right?”

She nodded. “He’s the only person I’ve been with recently, Brock. ”

I let out a sigh of relief. At least there were no additional surprises.

She exhaled. “I feel terrible having to admit this to you. But I can’t lie to your face any longer. This is the reason I’ve been off today.”

“Why haven’t you taken a test?”

“I’ve been too scared to sneak out and get one. This has only been going on since this afternoon. That’s when I realized the date. Being here at Sierra has made me lose track of time.” She shook her head. “I don’t really want to know. But I need to know.”

“Well, fuck, you shouldn’t be sitting here wondering. The stress alone will kill you. Let me go out and get you a test.” The room was spinning. Who am I kidding? This was partly for me, too. I needed to know so I could move on with my life.

She clasped her hands together. “That would be amazing.”

I grabbed my jacket. “I’ll be back.”

Wasting no time, I climbed down the ladder to my truck and headed to the pharmacy. The ride over there was a blur. The entire way, I said a silent prayer that the test would be negative.

I got there just in the nick of time, before they were about to close.

Unfortunately, the old man at the counter was a family friend. I cleared my throat. “Evening, Mr. Hayes.”

He looked at me funny when he saw what I was purchasing. “Something you want to tell me, Brock?”

“Nope. And there’s nothing you’re gonna tell anyone about this, either.” I slipped him a fifty-dollar bill. “Catch my drift? ”

“I saw nothing.” He winked, placing the money in his pocket.

I got in my truck and raced back to Sierra with the test. Thankfully no one had screwed with my ladder, and it was still there.

After I texted February, she opened the window as I climbed up.

“Got the last kit on the shelf. Can you believe it?”

“Wow,” she breathed.

I placed my hands on her shoulders. “It’s gonna be okay. I’ll stay with you until we know.”

“I’d better get this over with.” She read the back of the box. “After I pee on the stick, I have to wait three minutes.”

“I’ll be here waiting.”

“Thank you, Brock. Truly.” She placed her hand on her chest. “Gosh, my heart is beating so fast right now.”

“Go get it over with, Red. No sense in putting it off.” My heart can’t take it.

February disappeared to the bathroom, leaving me alone in her room.

The wait was excruciating. My mind kept catastrophizing. If she turned out to be pregnant, the chance of us working out would be nil. This situation would’ve been tough long-distance without a baby in the picture. But with a baby? Next to impossible.

I thought back fondly to earlier tonight when my biggest problem had been whether she was faking an illness. I would’ve given anything to go back to that time.

I checked my phone. It had been five minutes. She had to know by now. The fact that she hadn’t come out wasn’t a good sign.

Fuck .

She’s pregnant.

I know it.

I had to think fast. What will I do?

I still wanted to explore this.

That was my truth.

I must’ve been fucking crazy.

But if that woman came out here and told me she was having a baby… I wasn’t going anywhere—I knew it in my gut.

Well, damn.

You learn something new about yourself every day.

I need to know if I’m losing my mind.

Where the fuck is my dog when I need him?

I paced.

The door burst open.

“It’s negative!” She beamed.

I let out all of the air I’d been holding. “Oh, thank fuck!”