Page 98 of See You Soon

His stone-cold expression has me on edge and I feel like I can't breathe.

"I'm not talking about the deployment. I'm not talking about Paul.” He snarls, perfectly displeased by my statement. His voice is so deep and angry, it sends fear throughout my nerves.

"Danny... I'm not... I wasn—"

He cuts me off.

"You're going to be late, Ari." He turns away from me, licking his lips. He keeps one hand on the steering wheel ignoring my presence.

I'm hurt at his change of behavior. I start to wonder, what set him off this time? It had to be my house. It probably reminded him of Paul and triggered something he wants to keep buried. I sigh, my patience is unwavering.

There's no way to say this perfectly. Not too long ago we were strangers and now it's a swarm of chaos. I can't hold this in any longer.

I grab the pregnancy test in my hand and place it in the center console.

"I'm pregnant."

Danny snaps his head towards me then at the pregnancy test. I hold my breath. He takes it into his hand, studying the small screen that readspregnant. His nostrils flare and I'm in shock.

My disappointment grows when I realize he's not happy but breathing fury through slow steady breaths. He's quiet and I'm paralyzed. I had a few minutes to spare before my shift started and, at the moment, I didn't care about being a few minutes late. I needed to know what he was thinking.

What’s going through his head?

"This is the part where you say something… anything." I plead.

He drops the test back down in the console.

"You're going to be late."

Danny shatters my heart into a million pieces. It's a different feeling this time. Usually, I'm breaking from the intensity we share together but now it's just pain. I purse my lips, staring at him watch the medical staff members walk out of the emergency department. This is the side of Danny that he talks about. The bad side of him and I don't like it.

I shake my head as the realization hits me like a train. These are my consequences coming full circle, falling for a man I didn't know. The brutal reality settles in as I accept my faults. I let this man drown me in his dark world that holds a broken system.

I'm shaking. I take the test back into my hands, wanting to get as far away as possible from him. I grabbed the door handle, and I jump out. He doesn't try and stop me or say another word regarding my announcement.

Instead, he's reversing his truck out of the parking spot. Meanwhile, I'm trying my hardest to not fall apart in public, but my hormones get the best of me and a thick hard lump forms in my throat.

A sharp sting forced me to blink, fluttering my lashes as the tears begin to fall out, running down my cheeks. The status of Danny and I's relationship surrounds me and I'm questioning everything. Every single kiss, touch, and exchanged conversation.

I think I’ve just become my own mother.

A single mother.

Chapter41

ari

I'm going through the motions at work, unable to concentrate on anything I'm doing. I feel lost and the sweet reunion of Danny and I is ruined by the reality of responsibility. I feel like I'm dragging my feet as I walk the hallways.

He looked infuriated when I told him I was pregnant. Still, he stayed silent and I hated it. This was a moment I had dreamed about growing up and I felt like he had ruined it. I don't know what I expected. I was hoping for at least a smile but instead, I got disdain.

I can't be totally hurt that he didn't react the way I wanted him to. Maybe he's in shock. Maybe he just needs time to let it sink in… I know I did. I pushed everyone away when I found out I was pregnant. Still… All I want to do is cry. Cry until I have no tears left. My coworkers notice a change in me and immediately ask me what's wrong. I refuse to let them in on my personal life. Instead, I message Meredith looking for some support. My first thought was to reach out to Emilia but I didn't want to disturb her honeymoon.

I'm halfway through my shift when I get a text from Danny.

Danny:

Your Bronco is parked outside.