“It won’t matter how much it’s loved if we have to leave him or her alone,” I whisper my greatest fear. “I feel so stupid, Cherry.”
“Well stop it! You don’t even know if you’re pregnant. You could be worrying over nothing. Let’s not put the horse before the cart. We’ll find out what’s definite and go from there.”
“I’m pretty sure.”
“Have you had a test?”
“No, but I’m never late, and we did have sex once without protection. The timing is right,” I whisper, “I’m so stupid.”
“Will you stop? You are not. I’d venture to say Maxwell was right there with you. He is just as responsible as you are. There’s still a chance you’re not, though, if I’m going to be entirely honest, sugar, it’s not very likely.”
“I know.”
“He’s like his dad. I swear those Kincaid soldiers could knock up a nun wearing a chastity belt thirty paces away.”
It’s a weak laugh, but I laugh.
“I’ll pick up a test while I’m in town. You can do it and then we’ll know for sure. Sound good?”
“What if someone sees you buying it?”
“Then, they’ll just think that Marcum has done it again. I promise you, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks, Cherry.”
“I got your back, sugar. The main thing is not to get excited. That’s not good for you right now either way. You can take the test and then we’ll figure out our next step.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan,” I tell her weakly.
“Damn straight it is. I’ll head out now and be back with your test in an hour or so.”
I can’t stop the sigh. “I’ll stay here and work up the nerve for to take the damn test.”
“What test?” Max asks from the door, and my heart stops. Cherry squeezes my hand, before getting off the floor.
“I’ll be back, sugar.”
“Okay,” I whisper, but my eyes never leave Max’s. My heart is in my throat.
Cherry skirts around Max, and it just leaves the two of us.
“Tess? What test is Cherry talking about?”
37
Max
“Tess?” I prod her when she still doesn’t answer. I want to hear her say it. I know though, god do I know. The knowledge is sitting in the bottom of my stomach like lead. Tess is pregnant.
“Max, I…you’re back early.”
It’s a stupid sentence because I didn’t even tell her where I was going. In fact, I haven’t left the compound. It’s a sentence born out of desperation, and we both know it. She’s stalling for time. Her face is white, and the truth is standing between us like a loaded gun.
“You’re pregnant?”
Tears gather in her eyes, but don’t quite break free, and she nods her head yes. She’s worrying her hands together, and I should try to soothe her, but I can’t. My whole body feels like I’m not able to take enough oxygen through my lungs to sustain it.
“I’m sorry, Max.”
“How long have you known?” I gave her a tattoo while she was carrying my child. Jesus, why does that matter? She was fucking shot at while carrying my child.
“I don’t know for sure; there’s a chance. Cherry is going to pick up one of those home pregnancy tests.”
“Fuck!”
Tess jumps like I’m about ready to hit and her. I feel guilt. It’s my fault this is going on, not her. But still…motherfucker.
“Max…”
“Son of a bitch! What the fuck are we supposed to do now?”
“Nothing has to change, Max. I might not be pregnant and even if I am, we can still carry through with our plans. Nothing has to change!
“Everything will change, Tess! Son of a bitch! Everything will change!” I growl picking up something from the table. I think it’s a glass, but I’m not sure. I throw it across the room, my anger has me acting and reacting without a thought in my head, except I fucked up. I fucked up horribly bad. The glass connects against the wall and shatters with a loud crash.
“What the fuck?” Marcum yells, coming through the door a minute later.
Tess stands up, shaking with tears pouring from her face. That’s when I’m sucker punched yet again. There’s so much hurt in her eyes. It’s my fault too. I know it. I’m not upset with her. I’m upset with myself, but she doesn’t know that. She’s taking all of this on her shoulders when I’m responsible.
“Tess,” I start, but she runs from the room, and I just hang my head in disgust.
“What the fuck did you do now, boy?”
“Just let it go, Marcum. I got it handled.”