Harper’s expression turns serious. “Does this mean you’re going through with it?”
I scrub my hands over my face. “There’s no other option for me.”
“What about London?”
I toss my hands in the air and wail, “I don’t know! Why is this happening now?Howdid this happen? I’m on the pill.”
“It’s never one-hundred percent effective. And weren’t you sick when you went on that dance workshop weekend? If you were throwing up, there’s a chance that the pill didn’t absorb in your body the way it should.”
Shit! I never thought about that.“Here I was telling Hayden not to worry, I’m on birth control.” I scoff. “I should have known better.”
“What’s done is done. No point dwelling on what you can’t change. You need to decide what you’re going to do next.”
The next thing I need to do is go home. And not to Hayden’s house. Not with the news hanging around my neck. I need time to think. “Can you take me to my apartment please?”
Harper cocks an eyebrow. “You’re not going back to Hayden’s house? You know he’ll freak out, right?”
I can’t worry about how he’ll react. I need to focus on what lays ahead for me. I place a hand on my stomach.For us.“I don’t care. I need time alone.”
Harper stares at me with concern. “Are you sure? You shouldn’t be alone. Stay at my house if you need time away from Hayden.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m fine. It’s been two days, and I’m feeling better,” I say, but Harper looks unconvinced. “I’mfine. Promise. If I need anything, or if things change, I’ll call you.”
Harper twists her mouth to the side like she’s trying to determine if I’m telling the truth. “I don’t like this, but if this is what you want, I’ll take you home. If Hayden blows up at me, you’ll babysit Avery every weekend for the next month…no, make that two months.”
I giggle. “I might be in London.”
“I don’t care. You’ll fly home to do it.”
With all seriousness, I say, “Please don’t say anything to Hayden about the baby.”
“I won’t.” She clasps my hand. “He eventually needs to know.”
We leave the park, and Harper gives me a ride home. After letting myself in with Harper’s spare key, I drop onto the couch with exhaustion. Just when I thought my life was taking off, it comes crashing down in a ball of flames.
For the next half hour, Hayden is blowing up my phone with calls and text messages. I don’t have the energy to talk to him. Eventually, the phone goes silent, and I lay on the couch, flicking through photos on my phone.
I smile as I look at the ones I’d taken at the dance workshop weekend. I love seeing the children’s smiling faces and their excitement for learning different dance styles and routines. I’m going to miss teaching and watching my students grow. Out of everything I’ve done in my life, teaching dance has been the most rewarding so far.
God, I’m acting like I’m not pregnant and still moving to London. I’d love to see how a corset looks with a swollen belly
My phone beeps with a message.
Harper: You better answer your phone. Hayden is out of his mind with worry! I had to tell him I took you home. So be prepared for a visit from a raging bull. Good luck with that xx
Damn it. I was hoping for more time alone. After the way he’s been hovering over me the last two days, I should have expected he wouldn’t sit at home and let me leave. If I text him and tellhim I’m okay before he arrives, maybe he’ll stay away.Yeah, right.What are the chances?
Me: Hey, Hayden. Sorry I forgot to call you and made you worry. I’m fine. Feeling great. Harper took me home because I’m more comfortable here. Thanks for looking after me.
I stare at the screen, waiting for a response. Nothing comes through. But two seconds later a knock pounds on my door. I freeze. Did Hayden fly here? I’m not ready to face him. Not with news that will change our lives.
“Alyssa, open up now!” He pounds harder on the door.
Before he breaks the door off its hinges, I trudge over and open it. Hayden has his arm raised and resting on the doorframe. His hair is disheveled, like he’s run his fingers through it a thousand times. His face is dark with fury.
“Why the hell are you at your apartment?” he demands to know.
“I live here?” I shrug.