Page 76 of Forged By Shadows
“What?! Ew, why do you know that?”
“Because a naughty little Peach and an even naughtier big Axel decided to go at it bareback the other week, and I made it my business to know. Just squat and do your thing, I’ll hold the stick.” I say, unboxing it. I wonder where I am on the scale for offending feminism now.
The noise that comes out of Avery is alarming, and I honestly didn’t know a human could do such a thing. It’s a mix between a wild banshee and a screaming goat, as she snatches the pregnancy test from my hand and spins me to face the wall. For good measure, she shoves my face against the plasterboard and I’d be lying if her brute force didn’t make me a teensy bit hard.
I’m a good boy, continuing to kiss the wall as Avery pees and slams the test down on the counter. She leaves to change while I linger around on nervous feet. Three minutes is a long time when you’re counting down the seconds.
“Did you do it right?” I ask impatiently, waiting for the result to appear. Avery groans, the distinct sound of her head slamming into something solid.
“This is the worst date I’ve ever been on.”
“Oh, Peach!” I rush from the room. It was the desk she hit her head on, her legging-clad ass high in the air. “You silly goose! This isn’t the date. This is just pre-empting what kind of date we have.” Gathering her upright, I smooth the wild hair back from her face. “It’s okay. I promise. Whatever happens, I’m going to make sure it’s okay.”
Avery shifts her head out of my grasp, frowning at me. “Of all the people in this house, you were in my top two for not being calm about such an opportunity.”
Okay, it’s true. I internally freaked the fuck out when Axel finally decided to talk to me to make an off-handed comment about their hotel quickie. A release they desperately needed, which is fine. But to be so careless as to not rubber up, well fuck. You know when I’m the voice of reason, there’s a problem.
Nothing a little weed and a whole lot of research can’t fix. Now, I’m wholly fascinated by the concept of a miniature Axel growing inside of Avery. Imagine how beautiful she’ll glow. Imagine all the desserts we could eat together while I sing to her bump, earning my title as Funcle Garrett. It’s a blissful image that I spent hours dreaming about while high, but not now. Not while we’re in college, and also at risk of murderous stalkers and violent kidnappings.
Holding Avery to me, I kiss the top of her head. “Whatever happens,” I promise again. Avery shudders against me and I belatedly realize she’s crying. Ahh fuck, I’m the worst at comforting crying women. I usually jump out of the window and wait for them to disappear.
“How could I have been so stupid, Garrett?” Avery’s voice breaks. Like Axel, I don’t think she spent much time thinking about her actions that day. My hands soothe her back through my sweater, leaving me standing in a white vest and jeans. She molds herself against me, seeking my warmth.
“Well, let’s at least find out what we’re crying over,” I sniffle back a tear myself. I hate seeing those I love in pain. Wait…
“Are you okay?” Avery asks as my footsteps come to an abrupt halt. “What’s wrong?” I feel like I’ve just been hit with a sledgehammer to the chest, but I manage the smallest shake of my head.
“Sorry Peach, I think I had a mini-stroke there.” I breathe shallowly. She doesn’t look convinced but Avery and I walk arm-in-arm to the bathroom, our bodies rigid and strides wooden. I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to look first. Unfortunately, Avery’s head is pressed into my chest too. Cracking one lid the smallest amount, I spy the one pink line boldly sitting upon the strip.
“Oh, thank fuck,” I rush out. Avery peeks now too, gasping in delight and throwing her arms around my neck. We squeal and jump together, the weight of stress automatically lifting. “Phew. That was a close call, and let it be a lesson to you, madam.” I bop her on the nose. “Now, back to our date.”
Avery is elated after that. She fixes her hair and make-up, an easy smile playing about her lips. She doesn’t even ask where we’re going as I don a leather jacket, grab a stack of pre-packaged pastries in one hand, and hers in the other. I stuff my face before slipping on my bike helmet, buckling hers and cutting through into the garage.
The reporters are half asleep, too delayed to catch my bike speeding out onto the road. Avery’s arms are firm around my waist, a real laugh torn from her. We make our great escape off campus, the bike dancing beneath us. What a great day. Maybe I should start every morning with a prenatal scare.
Entering the city, it doesn’t take long to approach the tall building made of glass. Avery’s squeeze on me tightens, her body straightening as I pull up in a parking lot.
“Hey, I know this place,” she shoves the helmet off her head and squints at me. “What the hell are we doing at a gynecologist's office?” I smile, taking her helmet and tucking it into the seat storage box with mine. She’s so cute when she’s confused.
“You have an appointment at ten,” I sling my arm over her shoulders and walk her to the front doors. “Time to get you an IUD fitted.”
“And you didn’t think to discuss this with me before?” she slaps my chest. There’s the feminist offense I’ve been expecting all morning! But honestly - no, I didn’t think to discuss it with her. I made a list of pros and cons, and mass castrations seemed a little dramatic, even for me. This way, we’re all protected. The receptionist gives Avery a funny look, but she’s too busy scolding me. “And this is your idea of a date?! What was the alternative if the test came back positive?”
“I was going to drive to the nearest airfield and jump out of a plane without a parachute. Wyatt would have probably joined me.” A look passes through Avery’s face, unsure if I’m joking or not. A nurse passes by, welcoming me by name. I nod, kissing Avery on the temple. “That’s my cue.”
“Garrett!” Avery yells, her voice booming around the lobby. Everyone is staring now, those reading magazines in the waiting area, those sitting behind the desk. “Where are you going now?!” I tut at myself. Words, Garrett, use your words.
“It’s common courtesy to have a full sweep of checks between sexual partners, and I like to do a sperm count for good measure. Always nice to see the little guy’s flourish, and honestly,” I stop to let a couple pass for their appointment. I hold the door open for them and everything. “They have the strangest porn movies here, like old style manga but weirder.”
Saluting, I bid Avery goodbye for the next hour, hearing her stomp and grumble around. She’s so prickly sometimes, like a little honey badger who may or may not attack me in my sleep for no apparent reason. Shrugging, I whistle a tune down the hallway, an upbeat skip to my strides. All I know is, if Avery and I were alone in the woods - I’d choose the bear.
Chapter Fifty Two
Dragging my feet from the study to the living area, I slump onto the sofa. A defeated groan rumbles through me. Wyatt is lounging in an armchair, an arm over his eyes. Garrett and Axel drop down beside me a moment later, both huffing loudly.
Midterms are kicking all of our asses. Despite being trapped inside, we’ve been too distracted to study, and I barely keep myself awake through Mrs. Patrick’s online lectures. Taking English Lit for extra credit was supposed to mean I didn’t have to focus on it so much, but with reporters lingering in the windows and across the front lawn, I’m struggling to focus.
Today, Dax and I both sat a multiple choice and an essay style exam on opposite ends of the desk, ignoring the reporters chatting outside. The vans are a permanent fixture on the other side of the road, camera crews taking shifts for the slightest appearance we make.
