Page 78 of Puck Me, Baby

“That’s a good idea,” she agreed. “Maybe I’ll suggest it to Chris.”

“Good.” I fanned myself. It was as if I was cooking from the inside out.

“Chris is on the player assistance program this season,” she confided, but I had no idea what that even was. “I’m worried that if he goes back before we’re ready, our marriage will fall apart. But if he doesn’t go back, I’m worried he’ll self-destruct. He needs the team.”

“You still have a little while before preseason training starts. Make use of it. Maybe you’ll both be ready for Chris to go back then.” I paused and wiped my forehead. “Holy shit, it’s hot.”

“Let’s go for a swim,” Kamirah suggested, swishing her feet in the water again.

I groaned. “None of my swimmers fit me anymore. I’ve gained weight.” I pursed my lips and tossed my hands up in the air in a huff. “And the thing is that I’m eating healthy and doing more exercise now than I ever have.” I palmed my breasts, which were getting bigger by the moment and gestured to my belly and ass in frustration. The problem wasn’t the weight gain itself. It was that I was growing out of my clothes.

“Ah, honey, you aren’t pregnant, are you?”

I barked out a laugh. “No, that’s ridiculous.”

I thought back to when I’d last had my period. When was it?

I…. Hmm, um….Oh shit.

I had no idea. Had I had it since I’d been at the ranch? I wasn’t sure that I had. I’d spent two weeks at Sophia and Pierre’s house, and I remembered changing tampons there. That was the last time.

It was months ago.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I swallowed and gripped the edge of the pool, suddenly lightheaded.

“When did you have your period last?” she asked.

I looked at her wide-eyed. “Too long ago.” I shook my head. It was impossible. “I’ve taken the pill religiously each night. I haven’t missed any.” But even as I said that, I realized it wasn’t true. I took the mini pill, the one that needed to be taken at the same time every twenty-four hours. The plane trip over had thrown out my timing and I’d had to restart it. It wasn’t effective for a month.

Then there was Vegas.

I knew I hadn’t been thinking straight that night. There was no way I’d remembered to take it, not when I’d been drunk, wrapped up in being married and having two of the most gorgeous men stripping me down. I’d been horny and so desperate for them to get inside me I hadn’t even thought about protection, never mind the pill.

The month reset.

I’d had unprotected sex over and over during that time. If I was pregnant, it could be either of Jacques’s or Trav’s.

Fuck me.

My chest squeezed, and my breaths quickened. My heart rate shot up, and I flushed hot, then cold.

My surroundings spun, dizziness overwhelming me.

Oh God, I was going to pass out.

“Lie down,” Kamira instructed, cool as a cucumber. Then when I was on my back, she added, “Roll onto your side. Look at me.”

She laid down beside me, facing me, and grasped my hands in hers. “Breathe in, nice and slow, and hold it.”

I breathed in but couldn’t hold it. The air rushed from my lungs, and I sucked in another breath.

“Everything is going to be okay,” she murmured in a low voice. “Squeeze my hands.” I did, and she smiled. “Good, that’s it. Now wiggle your toes.”

I tried, but my feet were numb. Tears welled in my eyes, and she brushed my hair off my face.

“Carina, it’s okay. I’m here for whatever you need.”