AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They took time off work—well, Lauren did. Chloe and Addy are on summer break, and it feels so, so good to be back here with my best friends.
“How’s everything with Asher?” Addy asks once I’ve stopped sobbing and Lauren has hauled my suitcase into Addy’s room, where I’ll be sleeping for the next couple of nights.
“It’s good,” I say. “I mean, my dad hates us together, and I have no idea what the future is going to be for us, but other than that, things are great.” I force a fake smile.
The three women stare at me with their jaws slightly slackened.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Lauren says, holding up a hand. “Back the truck up and start at the beginning.”
We walk into the family room, and I sit on the couch, where I recount the latest details about my father’s disapproval of the father of my baby.
I set my hand on my stomach as I feel a deep shot to the ribs. “Ugh,” I gasp. They look at me in alarm. “I’m fine.” I rub my ribs where the baby just kicked.
I feel another big kick, but this one feels different.
I gasp again, and while the kick is normally a quick jab, this starts with a jab but feels like a tight, dull ache that seems to put pressure on my back.
That’s new.
I haven’t felt that one before.
I gasp again, and my friends stare at me.
“Are you having a contraction?” Lauren asks.
My brows dip together. “No! No way. I’m only thirty-five weeks. It’s too early for contractions.”
“Maybe those Myers Briggs ones?” Chloe suggests.
“Do you mean Braxton Hicks?” Lauren asks her, and I want to laugh at the two of them, but I can’t. I’m nervous now that Lauren mentioned contractions. Is that what that was?
The pain seems to pass after thirty seconds or so, and I draw in a deep breath. “Anyway, so my dad still hasn’t given us his blessing. He actively tried to get Asher traded, but the head coach is his brother, and he fought for Asher to stay. I guess my dad and Asher got close during the season, and my dad felt like it was a huge betrayal that we were sleeping together in secret the whole time.”
Addy wrinkles her nose. “I can’t imagine my dad knowing I slept with anybody.”
I lift a shoulder. “Get knocked up and everyone will know.”
“Ew!” Chloe makes a face. “Imagine being pregnant in front of a classroom of middle schoolers. They’re old enough to know and immature enough to gossip about it.”
“I’d sooner quit,” Addy says. “Aside from that, how are things with you and Asher?”
I sigh in total contentment. Well, as content as one can be at thirty-five weeks pregnant. “Blissful. He’s attentive and sweet, and he’s really stepped up. I feel like we’re ready for this.”
We shift topics to what everyone else has been up to. I feel another sharp jab that turns into a pressure ache in my back again. I gasp as the laughter falls from my lips, and my friends stare at me.
“Babe, that was only nine minutes since the last time you made that face,” Lauren says. “I have a new mom client who told me all about labor and contractions, and I think we need to take you to the hospital.”
“Stop it,” I scold, even though the pressure is still there. “It’s not labor. You’re being ridiculous.” I suck in a deep breath. I just got here. I’m just settling in from traveling. It’s the stress of traveling, of being away from Asher. Right? That has to be it.
Except nine minutes later, it hits again.
“Let’s go,” Lauren says. “We’re taking you in just to get checked out.”
I nod a little nervously. “Okay.”
I text Asher on the way just to keep him in the loop.
Me:I made it to San Diego safe and sound. I love you.
