My hands shake as I read the instructions. Pee on the stick. Wait three minutes. Try not to freak out.
That last one’s not actually in the instructions, but it should be. And I’m failing at it.
Three minutes feels like three years. I pace my small bathroom, checking my phone every five seconds. I just let my mind run away with all sorts of calculations and scenarios, but none of it helps.
All my thoughts end up right back in one place: Vegas.
We used protection… I think. Most of the night is still a blur, but I remember bits and pieces of what happened. Mostly things like Kasen's hands on my hips, my fingers in his hair, his mouth hot against my neck.
I know we used a condom the first time. I think I remember that much.
But did we for round two? Round three?
My head falls back and I close my eyes, praying to anyone who’ll listen and begging to not let this be what I think it is.
The timer on my phone chimes, and I freeze. I can't look.
Ican’t.
If I don't look, it’s not real. Nothing changes.
"Woman up, Wren. You can handle this," I mutter, forcing myself to pick up the plastic stick.
And look at that. Two lines. Clear as fucking day.
"No." The word comes out strangled becauseI absolutelycannothandle this. "No, no, no."
It could be a false positive, right? Those happen. The test is probably expired or faulty or?—
I need a second opinion. A professional one.
My hands are still shaking as I call the number for Dr. Reed Walker, one of the top-rated OB/GYNs in Portland. I met him once at the re-opening of Timber after the fire last year, though we barely spoke. Yeah, he’s good friends with Kasen and this could totally bite me in the ass, but if I’m going to do this, I want the best, and that’s Dr. Walker.
I just have to pray doctor-patient confidentiality is really a thing.
"Portland OBGYN," a cheerful voice answers. "How can I help you?"
"I need to see Dr. Walker," I say, my voice steadier than I feel. "Today, if possible. It's an emergency."
"I'm sorry, but Dr. Walker doesn’t have anything available until?—"
"Tell him it's Wren Callan. I'm friends with Clover Priestly. Please tell him it's an emergency." I hate using connections, especially Kasen's sister, who I'm not exactly friends with, but desperate times and all that.
I'm friends-ish with Clover's best friend Navy, and also married to her brother even if she doesn't know it, so what the hell.
There's a pause, then, "One moment, please."
While I wait, I chew on my thumbnail, something I haven’t done in years.
"Ms. Callan?" the receptionist’s voice is just as cheery when she comes back on the line. "Dr. Walker says he can fit you in at four o'clock."
The rush of relief I feel is insane, followed right up with another dose of anxiety because now I have to face thisfor real."I'll be there."
I hang up and sink onto the edge of the bathtub, letting my head fall into my hands and my phone drop to the floor. Thiscannotbe happening. I have a five-year plan, a distribution empire to build, and absolutely zero room for a baby.
Especially not Kasen James's baby.
What the hell am I going to do?
