Page 17 of Cherry Picked

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Chase: How’d that go?

Me: I almost bludgeoned her with your Louisville Slugger, but other than that, we got along swimmingly.

Chase: haha I am glad you didn’t bash my sister’s head in. What did you think of Hannah?

Me: That I am sad it took so long to meet her.

Chase: She’s pretty awesome. We’re just getting to the hotel now. I will call you later.

Me: Sounds good. And…by the way…

Chase: Yes?

Me: I love you too.

Chapter 11

Nikki

My stomach was still killingme as I started to stretch for practice, and I could feel every bit of my insides twisting and turning. I was sure I was every shade of green as I rushed out of the practice room, barely making it to the trashcan just outside the door in time. My abdomen was in knots as I dialed Lisa’s number, and she answered right away.

“Hey, I think I have to head home sick. How do I do that?” I choked out while trying to wipe my mouth the best I could. A few girls walked by snickering and I rolled my eyes.

“I am just finishing up a meeting with Serena. I will be right there.”

It couldn’t have taken Lisa more than a few minutes to rush into the bathroom I’d staggered into next to the practice room where I was supposed to be doing pirouettes. I was splashing cool water on my face when I heard her voice come from behind me.

“Stomach bug?” she asked, and I nodded my head.

I pulled my hair out of its tight bun, trying anything to get more comfortable. “I thought it was lack of water this morning, but now I think I might actually be sick.”

Juliette walked in and I was even more mortified. “Lisa? Nikki? Is everything all right?” Jules asked.

Lisa shook her head. “No, Nikki is a little under the weather.”

Juliette put her hand on the back of my neck. “I don’t think you have a fever, which is good.”

“I have been feeling awful for days.” I whined.

Lisa tapped her finger to her lips. “Have you been eating regularly? I know that how busy your schedule is, it’s easy to forget.”

Toweling off my face, I nodded. “I am really good about that. I got really sick once from under eating and that is a mistake I will not make again.”

Then Juliette gasped. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

I vigorously shook my head. “No way!” I yelled.

Juliette leaned on the sink next to me so she could look into my eyes. “You know I got pregnant out of the blue with my little girl.”

I glanced over at her, shocked. “No, I had no idea.” From the way Jules always talked about her husband and baby, I thought they had been together for years. It just goes to show that you can never jump to any type of conclusions.

My mind started racing.

I could be…

No. No, I couldn’t.

Could this be happening?