Page 55 of Denim & Diamonds

“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 Icouldbe. 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 justadmitted 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.”

“Itwouldbe 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 Ineedto 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.Ineeded 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 nothingyou’regonna 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.”