Page 22 of Falling Together

“Are you saying I’m not?” Rylee asks, whipping her head around to look at Presley.

“No.” She throws her hands up in defense. “I’m just saying she’s not the only one responsible out of all of us.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to make this work,” I sigh.

“Don’t borrow trouble,” Joey says. “You don’t know if the test is positive yet. Who knows? It could be a stomach bug.”

I love my friend for trying to be optimistic, but at this point, having felt crappy for the last few weeks, I’d put money on the fact that I’m pregnant.

God. Pregnant. That word feels weird to even say.

I never wanted to have kids. Growing up, with my childhood, I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. And with my students⁠—

“Hold on. How in the world am I going to do my job if I can’t ride horses? Can I even ride with a baby?”

The three of them exchange a look and that tells me all I need to know.

“You can still do your job,” Joey says. “Just not on horseback.”

“What happened to not borrowing trouble?” Presley asks. “You only have to wait thirty more seconds and then you’ll know.”

“Oh, God.”

Time seems to slow down and speed up all at the same time. I don’t want to know what those tests say, but I feel like I already know.

It would make sense with how I’ve been feeling lately. Nausea and generally crappier than normal. Add in the not sleeping and it all fits.

When the timer echoes around the bedroom, I dart into the bathroom. I grab each test and flip them over.

Two blue lines.

Plus Sign.

Pregnant.

At least they make it idiot proof.

“Guess I’m having a baby,” I whisper.

“Does that mean you’re keeping it?” Joey asks.

“I think so? I mean, I’m pregnant and I don’t even know the guy’s last name.” I drop my head into my hands. “What an idiot.”

“It’s going to be okay.” Rylee rubs soothing circles on my back. “Take a few days and see how you feel.”

“That’s not going to change the fact that I don’t know this guy’s name.” I peek one eye up at her.

“Technically we know his first name. I’m sure we could find his last name,” Presley says.

“How?” I look up at Presley, who has a knowing look in her eyes.

“He stayed at the ranch, right? We’d have to have his contact information on file. There couldn’t have been that many Grants there that weekend.” She says this like it’s a done deal.

“That has to be some kind of breach of privacy,” I say.

“Oh, it definitely is,” Joey agrees. “But I could do it when I go in tomorrow.”

“You can’t do that!” I hiss.