Getting Played (Getting Some, #2)(20)

After Judith breaks the initial baby news to my parents, I’ll put on my big girl panties and follow-up with them this weekend—over a hot cup of herbal tea that will go down nicely with all the uncomfortable awkwardness.

But for now, I have bigger fish to fry and more of a doozy of a conversation to have.

I head up to Jason’s room and tap on the half-open door.

“Come in.”

He’s on his mattress on the floor, his back against the wall and his laptop in front of him.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey.”

I plop down next to him on the mattress, watching on the screen as Jason plays online Soduko.

“School starts on Monday.”

His lightning-fast fingers tap at the keyboard, filling in the rows and columns of little boxes with numbers.

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay with clothes? We could hit the mall later if you need anything.”

“I’m okay with clothes. Last year’s backpack is still in good condition, so I’m all set.”

My recycling quirks have rubbed off on Jay.

And maybe it’s because I had him young or I’m a single mom, but Jason and I have always had a good, open dialogue. We talk about things my parents never discussed with me. Drugs, sex, alcohol, vaping, porn—I want him to know he can come to me if he has problems or questions, and I believe the most dangerous threat to a teenager is curiosity. If we don’t talk to them about the things that could hurt them, they’re going to investigate for themselves.

That being said, telling your fourteen-year-old you got knocked up by a one-night stand—by a guy’s whose last name you don’t even know—is not going to be fun.

“I have to talk to you about something, Jay. A big-talk.”

He doesn’t take his eyes off the screen. “Is this gonna be like the “big-talk” about the clitoris? And you told me I should research all I could about it and that I’d thank you one day? ’Cause . . . that was awkward.”

“Nope.” I shake my head. “This one is gonna be so much worse.”

“Wow.” He puts the game on pause, closes his laptop, and sets it aside. “Okay.”

I swallow roughly, my mouth suddenly dry.

“So, a few months ago, when I signed the papers for the webshow, I went out with Aunt Erin and Jack to celebrate. And that night . . . I met a man.”

When I pause, Jason looks at me—waiting—his expression a nudging, wordless, “Okay, and . . . ?”

“And he was a really great guy—funny, sweet, talented. I liked him a lot, right away, and he liked me too. He treated me well, and we . . .”

Jason picks up on where I’m headed. His features pinch with a hint of hesitance and a slight tinge of disgust. “You hooked up?”

I nod. “We did. We hooked up.”

We hooked up a lot.

“Sometimes, adults can spend the night together, and connect in a moment, enjoy each other, and make a wonderful memory. And that’s all it’s supposed to be—it doesn’t always have to lead to a relationship.”

“O-kay . . . why are you telling me this?”

Here we go. Time to drop the baby-bomb.

“I’m telling you because we used protection—it’s really important to me that you understand we used protection. But . . . protection doesn’t always work. That’s why you shouldn’t have sex until you’re prepared for all the emotional and physical consequences that may result. Because, even though we used protection . . . it didn’t work. And I’m pregnant.”

My son’s eyes widen, and bulge.

“You’re pregnant? Like—with a baby?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “With a baby. That’s usually how it works.”

“Holy shit.”

“Pretty much.”

“So . . . you’re having a baby? For real? I’m going to be a big brother?”

I put my hand over his. “Yes, I am. And yes, you are.”

“Wow.” Jason scratches his head behind his ear. “Is this guy—is he going to help you? Am I going to meet him? Is he going to be around to help with the baby?”

“Well . . . that’s the thing . . . he doesn’t know. I’m working on finding him but I haven’t been able to do that yet.”

“Oh.”

God, this must be weird for him. It’s weird for me.

“Are you . . . feeling okay?” He glances down at my flat stomach. “Is the baby okay?”

“I’m tired, a little nauseous. I went to the doctor today and she said the baby and I are both healthy as horses. Then she prescribed me prenatal vitamins which are the size of horse pills—so it all makes sense now. But yeah, I’m good. I’m good with the whole situation. It’s not going to change anything with the show. We’re still going to be living here for the next year, now there’ll just be a little extra content.”

I’ve already taken notes on future videos I can do on a healthy diet during pregnancy, preventing stretch marks, designing the nursery.

Jason’s quiet for several moments, then he looks at me with the adaptability and agility that only children possess.

“Okay. Cool.”

I lean toward him. “Are you all right with this? You can tell me if you’re not. If you have questions or feelings—you can talk to me.”