Page 79 of Her Puck Daddies

Leighton shifts beside me, giving me a nudge. “Hey, take a deep breath. I’ll run and grab a pregnancy test from across the street. Then you can all relax.”

She slides out of the booth before I can even get a word in.

The table falls silent, an awkward tension settling as everyone glances at each other, then back down at their plates, then back up again.

Minutes later, she returns, placing the box into my hand. My fingers close around it like it’s a live grenade.

I mumble something about needing a minute and beeline for the restaurant’s restroom. Leighton follows, standing guard outside my stall while I fumble through the steps, my hands slightly unsteady.

Once I’m done, I set the test down on the counter and take a shaky step back.

Why does it suddenly feel like I’m staring down a venomous snake?

It doesn’t help that now, when we’re away from the guys, my best friend looks far more concerned.

“You had a period last month, right?” Leighton asks.

I open my mouth to confirm, but… nothing comes out. Because the truth is, I don’t remember. There’s been so much going on, and I haven’t exactly been keeping track.

She nods jerkily, like she already knows what that means.

I probably did. Right?

Three minutes. That’s how long I have to wait. My phone timer ticks down second by second, but each one feels like a lifetime.

I glance at myself in the mirror, searching my own reflection for something. Some sign. Do I look pale? Is that the lighting? Or am I just losing my mind?

The timer beeps, and Leighton and I lock eyes. This is it.

“Hey,” she says gently, squeezing my arm. “Either way, I’m here for you. Okay?”

I nod, even though my whole body is trembling. With a deep breath, I reach for the test. My fingers tighten around it as I force myself to look.

One line means negative.

Two means—

Oh god.

All the blood drains from my face.

“Well?” Leighton prompts.

I can’t speak. Can’t even move. Instead, I shove the test into her hands.

She takes one look and lets out a quiet, shaky, “Oh my…” like she’s afraid to say it too loud.

Tears sting my eyes. Fear knots my stomach. This can’t be happening.

“What am I going to do?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Leighton pulls me into a hug. “You’re going to tell them the news.”

“But what if they don’t want to be with me anymore?”

“Why wouldn’t they? If after all this time they don’t want this, then you’ll know they don’t deserve you” she says calmly, reassuring me. "And I'll be with you every step of the way. You won't be alone."

I know she’s right. After everything with Dean, I know she will be. But that doesn’t make this any less terrifying.