Unfinished Ex (Calloway Brothers, #2)(88)

“But I’ve been such a bitch to you. You’d think you would leave me here to die.”

I shine the light on myself so she can clearly see me. “I would never do that. You’re still a person. And believe me, I know it wasn’t your fault that you got pregnant. Accidents happen.”

Her eyes suddenly become clearer. She studies my face, then her gaze travels south. She gasps. I look down and realize that when I gave her my sweater, my baby bump, even as small as it is, is clearly visible, especially to someone who has their own baby bump. “You’re pregnant?”

I lean against what’s left of the wall. “Surprise.”

“You’re… Wait, am I hallucinating? Am I dead? Is this a joke?”

“You’re not hallucinating.”

“How, uh, why? Nicky, why aren’t you telling people? Why haven’t you told me?” Her eyes close and she sighs. “I’ve been so terrible to you. Flaunting my pregnancy in front of you. And this whole time, you’ve been in the same boat.”

“My pregnancy was a surprise, too. Because of the miscarriage and some scarring from a D and C, I didn’t think I could get pregnant. And due to the scarring, I’m high risk. We didn’t want to tell anyone until we were fairly certain the baby would be okay. And also because of my job.”

“And will it be okay?”

I run a hand over my bump. “We hope so. Dr. Peterman let us do an ultrasound earlier this week.

He’s optimistic that she’ll be okay.”

“She?”

I nod. “It’s a girl.” I take her hand. “You know what this means. Your baby will have a half-sibling.”

She sniffs back tears. “I always wanted a sister. I’m glad my baby will have one.” Her eyes go wide. “I just felt the baby kick!”

“Thank God.”

“Nicky, can you ever forgive me?”

“That depends. Can you stop being so needy around my boyfriend?”

Tiny spurts of nose laughter tell me she must not be hurt too badly. Or maybe she just hasn’t succumbed to her injuries yet. Where are emergency services?

“You want to hear something crazy?” she asks.

“Calista, you aren’t dying.” I don’t think. “So don’t go confessing your deep, dark secrets to me.”

“I don’t even want Jaxon. Not in the least. I think all of this was about you. I guess I was just jealous.”

My brows hit my hairline. “Of me? If you aren’t after Jaxon, why would you be jealous of me?”

“I told you it was crazy, but it’s been a hard pill to swallow knowing my baby was going to be spending time with you and that the three of you would be this happy family.”

“I had no idea. I thought you just wanted Jaxon back.”

“I know. Like I said, I’m a bitch. I wasn’t always one. I think it’s the pregnancy. But it’s like I had to win, if that makes sense. I know it sounds ridiculous.”

“Coming from the head cheerleader, class president, and prom queen, not so much.”

“I’m also going for teacher of the year. It comes with a new car.”

I laugh. “And this whole time, I’ve been jealous of you. Even being pregnant myself, I’m still well aware of the lifetime connection your baby will forge between you and Jaxon.”

“What’s even crazier is that the man I really want is available and wants me, and I’m too darn stubborn to admit I made a mistake.”

“Eric?”

“I think he might even love me. Can you imagine? Loving someone who’s carrying another man’s child? I’ve been so stupid. He may never take me back.”

“When this is over, it looks like we all have some decisions to make.”

“Can you ever forgive me?” she asks. “Our kids will be related. We owe it to them to get along.”

I push a bead of water off her forehead. “I already have.”

“When are you due?”

“Well, that’s my crazy news. Two weeks after you are.”

“Oh my god. How is Jaxon dealing with this?”

I shrug. “Denial. Camping. Whiskey.”

She laughs and then moans in pain.

“Don’t move,” I say. “They’ll be here soon.” There’s pounding on the front door. “See, what did I tell you?”

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

She points. “There’s a sweater on a hook by the pantry. Nobody is going to learn your secret under my watch.”

I smile and cross the room, wondering if my nemesis and I just became friends.

Ten minutes later, the scene is secured and Patrick Kelsey, along with a few other firefighters I remember from before, are lifting Calista onto a gurney. As EMS wheels her out the door, she calls out to me. “Nicky, come with me?”

“Me?”

“Please. I’m scared. They’ll do an ultrasound. Nobody else could understand if—”

I run up beside her. “Everything is going to be okay. And yes, I’ll go with you. After all, one day, I plan on being your kid’s stepmom.”

“Thank you. And Nicky? When phone service comes back, can you call someone for me?”