I moan and groan before I answer. “I don’t want to think about that today. I know I have to face the whole work situation, but I’m not feeling too great right now.”
“What’s the matter? Did you drink too much last night?”
“No, not at all. I don’t know. To be honest, I haven’t been feeling like myself for the past couple of days. I keep thinking it’s stress, and maybe it is. I don’t know, something seems off with me.”
“Do you need me to come take care of you? What symptoms have you been having? Not feeling great, like what? Like a cold, the flu?”
“No, none of that. And no, I don’t think I need you to come over, not just yet. I have been feeling nauseous. I even threw up earlier.”
“Do you think you’re pregnant?”
“What, no!” No, no, no… I keep saying the word in my head, but thinking it doesn’t make it true. Fuck. I’m so fucked.
“Well, how can you be so sure? Those surely do sound like pregnancy symptoms.”
“Do you think that’s it? No, it can’t be. Wait a minute, how would you know what pregnancy symptoms are, Ross?”
“Sweetheart, how do you not know? You’re a grown woman. You should know these things. Anyhow, I know, because I paid attention in sex-ed class.”
I can always count on Ross making me laugh. Even when I don’t want to or feel like it. But right now, not even he can change the dreadful feeling spreading across my chest.
“Do you want me to bring you a pee-stick?”
“A pee-stick. Really?”
“Yes, really. I’ll bring you one.”
“I just don’t know. I guess I’ve been so consumed with everything going on that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but maybe you are right.” I pause, thinking it over for a moment. “Okay, sure, bring me a test. I will pee on your stick.”
“Ugh! I don’t like the sound of that, but I know what you mean. I’ll be on my way shortly.” He hangs up, and I wait patiently for Ross to arrive.
I drink water to prepare for peeing on the stick. Turning on the TV, I try to distract myself from thinking about what my life will be like if I’m really pregnant. I won’t be able to work for a while right after having the baby, and then I’ll have to leave the baby to return to work. It would be another mouth to feed, but the thought of abortion or adoption never crosses my mind.
I have no idea how Nicholas may feel about me being pregnant, but if I have my way, he will never find out. Maybe Ross and I are jumping the gun, and if we are, and I’m not pregnant, then there will be no need to even mention it to Nicholas. But if it’s positive, I don’t even want to think about that.
About an hour later, my doorbell rings.
“Eeew, darling, you look horrible.” Ross gives me a half-hearted hug.
“Thanks. Did you bring the test?”
“Of course, I did. I have to be the first to know if I’m going to be an uncle.”
I move out of the way and allow him entry. “Here you go.” He hands me a pharmacy bag. I look at the test kit inside and read the instructions on the back.
“Make yourself a drink or something and wait for me out here. Don’t stalk me at the door. Just wait here,” I warn. Knowing Ross, I wouldn’t be surprised if he came in the bathroom and watched me as I peed on it.
“Okay, okay. I’m going to go rummage through your liquor cabinet while you go pee on the stick.”
I follow the instructions and leave the stick on the bathroom counter, face down. After I wash and dry my hands, I open the bathroom door and call for Ross. My hands are shaking and I’m pretty sure I’m going to throw up again.
Ross appears out of thin air, with a drink in hand. “Is it done?”
“The instructions say to wait two minutes. One pink line is negative, and two pink lines are positive. It should be done about now.”
“Well, sweetie, I think you need to look at that stick.”
Sucking in a deep, calming breath, I take the stick and flip it over. That’s when I see it. There are two bright pink lines.
“No way.”
Ross smiles. “Yes, way, sweets.”
“I’m pregnant.”
I’m fucking pregnant.
18
Nicholas
I arrive at the office extra early. I want to catch everyone coming in to notify them of the changes being made before Riley comes into the office. Today is a big day for her and I sit in the conference room, sitting at the head of the table, awaiting her arrival.
Riley arrives at eight am sharp. When she walks into the conference room, there’s a look of confusion on her face as she continues to trudge into the empty room.
“What’s going on,” she asks.
“Have a seat, Riley.”
Her brows pinch together. “Where is everyone?”
“There’s been a change in plans with the project. No one else will meet with us today. Please, have a seat. I will explain everything to you.”
She angrily slams her items onto the table and demands answers. “What kind of change? What kind of stunt are you trying to pull now?”
“Riley, sit down!” I raise my voice.
“Don’t tell me to sit down! Did you pay for my father’s surgery so you can fire me with a clean conscience?”
My anger rises. “What? Wait, no, I…”
“Then what is it?”
I suppose it’s better to just be upfront about it all. “You’re off the project.”
A look of complete disbelief fills her face. “I knew it! I knew it! You took advantage of the situation with my parents and waited until I was vulnerable to get information out of me so you could fire me. You son-of-a-bitch! You know how badly I need this job!”
I have to admit, seeing her all riled up over the wrong thing is a tad funny to me, so I let her rant for a minute. Also, she is hot as hell while pissed off.
“Riley, that’s not it at all. If you would just calm down for a second and let me get this out, I think you may like what I have to say.”
“Oh sure, try me.”
“I figured out a way to fix this mess we have caused, and for all of this tension between us to go away. I bought another company. A company that will do business exclusively with Brooks Enterprises. We want you to run the company and the position comes with a raise. As for me, I’m stepping away from the project, which means I will no longer be working in this branch of the company.”
Riley is shocked into silence. Her body shifts from an erect, stiff posture to a more relaxed stance, and her face changes from an angry glare to an endearing expression.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes, Riley, I am.”
“I don’t know what to say. And I am thoroughly embarrassed at my behavior. Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, first, you pay for my father’s medical bills, and now you’re giving me a promotion with a raise? Is this so I can pay you back the thirty-thousand dollars?”
“A simple thank you is fine. And no, this isn’t about you paying me back anything. That’s not what this is about.”
“Well, I do plan on paying you back, and if it’s not about the money, then what is it about Mr. Brooks?”