We were practically joined at the hip, and that all changed overnight.
I’m doing my best not to ruminate on it, but it’s difficult to keep my mind off it. When my coworker invited me out for lunch today, I jumped at the opportunity. It’ll be good to deepen some new friendships, and I won’t be able to focus on whatever’s going on with Bo. Besides, it’ll be good to know more about the other guidance counselors at the school. If I can’t help with a certain issue, then it’s important that I can send the students tosomeone who can. The weather’s nice, a pleasant breeze rustling the old hanging signs outside of the little shops that have been here since before I was born. It’s a nice day out, and I’m not going to let my overthinking get the best of me.
Or so I think.
I make a left onto the main street and my eyes immediately fall on Bo’s truck where it’s parked outside the hardware store.
His broad back is turned to me as he loads several heavy boxes into the bed of the truck, and my heart falters in my chest at the sight. Early afternoon sunlight cards through the messy waves of his brown hair, and I notice that he’s getting tanner. He must have been outside a lot recently.
Maybe he has just been busy. I know plenty well how demanding life on the ranch can be.
“Bo!”
My heart rate skyrockets when he straightens up and looks around. His eyes find mine after a moment of searching, and I’m pretty sure he flinches.
I frown in confusion, but the look of worry fades from his face and is replaced by relief. That warm smile spreads across his lips, and I meet it with a grin of my own. I step up and pull him into a hug, all my worry melting away as his strong arms pull me tight against his chest.
“I missed you.” I don’t hide the petulant whine in my voice, but soften it with a teasing chuckle as I pull back. “You haven’t been responding to my texts. I thought your dad was keeping you chained down at the ranch.”
Bo laughs, but it sounds forced, and he doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Yeah, you know how it is.” His voice is strung tight, tension lining his shoulders. “Busy bee, that’s me.”
I nod slowly, confused as he loads the last of the boxes into the truck. He’s not doing anything wrong, exactly, but something’s off. It’s even more obvious in person than over text,and I debate saying anything or just letting it go. Ultimately, the cautious glance he shoots me makes my mind up.
We’ve never been shy talking about what’s on our mind, and Bo’s the most straightforward person I know.
“You okay?” I purposefully keep my voice light, but I don’t let him flinch away from my touch when I place a hand on his bicep. “You seem… I don’t know, twitchy?”
He laughs humorlessly and shoves a hand through his hair. It’s a rare gesture to see from him, something he only does when he’s truly stressed. I can’t imagine the ranch has him worn that thin, but maybe I shouldn’t push. I don’t want him to feel like I’m nagging at him, but I don’t want him to think I don’t care either.
“If there’s something going on, you know you can talk to me, right?” I ask gently.
His breath rushes out of him on a shaky sigh, and I step closer in worry when I see the sheen of tears in his eyes.
“Savannah Ward is pregnant.”
The words burst out of him and fall flat between us. He looks pained at the admission, but I have no idea what that has to do with any of this.
“Okay?” I draw the word out questioningly, more confused now than I was to start with. “What does that mean?”
It’s not like anyone we know is fond of Savannah or her family, so I can’t imagine why he’d be so torn up about the news that she’s pregnant. I don’t even know how he would have found out—he’s not exactly the type to keep his finger on the pulse of gossip, and I haven’t heard anything about this either.
“She…” He trails off and scrubs both hands over his face, leaving his skin red. His eyes are shadowed by a riot of emotions, but when he finally looks at me, what shines brightest is guilt. “She’s saying I’m the father.”
The breeze rustling past us stops in its tracks, and my blood freezes over in my veins.
“Oh.”
Oh. What?
What does that even mean? A million different explanations rush through my mind, but they’re all disjointed, puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit.
Why is this happening? Bo and I were doing so well; things were like a dream. Why is Savannah suddenly popping up like a villain in a nightmare? What does Bomeanthat he might be the father of her child? Have they been together this whole time? Have I just been a side piece?
“I swear it’s not true!” Bo steps forward, hands seeking, but I stumble back, staring at him in horror. Who is this man? Have I ever known him? “I got drunk one night, like two months ago, and I woke up in bed next to her. I don’t remember a single thing from that night, and everyone says I didn’t even talk to her and that I left alone. I didn’t see her for weeks and then she just popped up and started spouting bullshit about being pregnant and saying I’m the father.”
His voice pitches up in panic as he babbles, but the syllables all rush together and turn to mush in my brain. I just can’t understand any of it.
