Logan’s voice finally comes on the line. “Banner?”
“If there’s a question of whether you knocked up more than just me, we’re going to have a serious problem, Logan Brantley.”
“Why the hell did you hang up on me? And just freaking tell me—are you pregnant?”
“I dropped my phone and it broke. I didn’t hang up. And no! Of course not. I told you I’m on birth control. I’ve been eating home cooking for two freaking weeks, but I’m not fat, so what the hell?”
Logan releases a long breath. “Then why did you have a box of pregnancy tests on the counter in your bathroom with one missing?”
Everything finally falls together, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Because my ob-gyn was probably breaking some laws when she said she’d mail me the birth control shot to give myself, but I had to take a pregnancy test first to confirm I was good to go.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.” From the tone of Logan’s voice, I can tell this isn’t the response he expected.
“Why didn’t you just ask?”
“Because this isn’t the kind of shit you talk about over the phone. This is the kind of shit you talk about in person.”
He has a good point. “So you were going to wait and wonder until I got back?”
“Yeah, but when you said you had to decide what you were going to do, I couldn’t wait.”
Realization dawns. “You thought I’d have an abortion? Without ever talking to you about anything? Jesus, Logan, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Look, it’s your body and your choice, but you better believe I would’ve had something to say about it if you were going to go through with something like that.”
“I’m not pregnant, so we can stop right here. But for the record, there’s no way in hell I would do that. I couldn’t.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”
The ridiculousness of the whole situation hits me hard, and laughter rises up in my chest. “I can’t believe you thought I was pregnant.”
“You better not be laughing about this right now. If I could reach you, I’d spank that ass of yours for making me wonder.”
“You have to admit that it is kind of funny.” I pause as tears stream down my face. “Or maybe I’m just an emotional freaking wreck because of everything else.” My laughter dies, but the tears continue.
“Fuck, baby. I hate hearing you cry. Especially when I’m not close enough to hold you. Shhh, it’s gonna be all right. I promise.”
I walk to the bathroom to grab a tissue and sniff back another wave of tears. “I’m sorry. It’s been a little bit of an emotional roller coaster lately.”
“A little bit? Bruce, I think you’re making a hell of an understatement there.”
“It’s just ... God, you should have heard her daughter. She was so pissed. It’s like she hated her.”
“Not everyone gets along with their parents,” Logan offers.
“I’m walking proof.” I pause. “But I’d like to think there’s no way I’d be so cold if someone called me tomorrow and told me my parents were dead.”
“She’s probably dealing with it her own way. Everyone does.”
“I know. But I feel sorry for her, and I don’t ever want someone to feel sorry for me like that.”
“This may not be a suggestion you want to hear, but have you thought about going to see your parents while you’re there to try to mend fences?”
I think about it before replying. “I don’t know if I’m ready yet. They didn’t think twice about leaving me to face being evicted by myself.”
“That’s shitty, but if there’s anything I’ve learned lately, it’s that we’ve got no guarantees in this life. You might have to step up and be the bigger person.”
“Maybe you’re right.”