too. You go on.” I motion at Sukii.
She gives me one quick peek to see if I’m sure. I nod and she walks back to the house, shouting up at Cap, “I’m on Bev’s team!”
Nat smiles but there’s something in her eyes, nervousness maybe. “Wanna know the funny part of this whole story?” Her bright-blue eyes flicker to mine nervously. “Lori’s the one who’s keeping my pregnancy a secret right now. No one knows but him.”
Her confession is startling. “What?”
“Yeah, I started to figure out that something was wrong on Monday and Googled my symptoms. It said there was a good chance I was pregnant. I called Lori so I could take the tests at his house. I couldn’t bear the thought of taking them alone. And there’s no way I could tell Sami or my mom. And Brady would be too crazy and spill the beans.”
“Right, obviously.”
“I took the tests, all five. Every one of them was friggin’ positive.” She sounds about as excited as I am. “I didn’t want to tell Sami ‘cause we’ve put so much into this wedding.”
“I feel ya on that one.”
“Right.” She laughs but it kinda sounds like a sob. “And my mom is the strictest—anyway, she would be so disappointed. A baby out of wedlock, even if it’s by weeks. She barely tolerates Brady. And I just wanted this to be perfect, for Sami. And I screwed it up.”
“How far along?”
“Just over a month. I started a different pill three months ago to ensure I wouldn’t get my period for the summer. And I don’t know, maybe it wasn’t strong enough. Anyway, I went to a Planned Parenthood because my regular doctor can’t be trusted not to tell my mom. They did a quick ultrasound and figured about five weeks.”
“Gestational sack?” I ask with a stupid embarrassment coursing through me.
“Yeah, it wasn’t visible.” She swallows hard. “The reason I’m telling you is because his response was the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. He was so excited for me. I was freaking out and he was just—Lori. So amazing. He’s the best guy I know. And before he met you, he always tried to do that whole ‘never falling in love’ thing, but the truth is, I think all he wants in life is to have a family. Deep down he feels he’s never had a good one.”
“I noticed he doesn’t like talking about them.”
“He pretends like they’re not so bad because he and his dad go skiing at Christmas and stuff, but I think they’re awful. His grandpa built the family empire and works hard for what he has, but the rest are leeches. Snobby leeches. Lori almost never goes home. Unless he gets word about Sean. But that never turns out to be anything.”
“Who?” That’s a new name.
“Sean, his older brother. He’s an addict—heroin and meth. Lori thinks he’s in Seattle maybe, in a homeless camp.”
“Oh my God.”
“Yeah, it’s why Lori’s always feeding the homeless. I think he’s buying karma for his brother in hopes that someone else is doing the same for Sean, wherever he is in the world.”
Her words bring tears to my eyes. “I had no idea.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, he’s not what he seems. He’s like Sami. Heart of gold if you look past the way they are.”
“Thank you for telling me that,” I whisper. “I’m bad at assuming things.”
“I know what you mean,” she says with a heavy sigh. “It seems unreal that they all have a story we can relate to and a past that shaped them in the same way ours has, even though their wealth is extreme.”
“Totally. When are you telling Brady?”
“I was going to surprise him on Sunday. I’m assuming you’re telling Lori the same day?”
“Yes.” It sounds so firm and fierce but the reality is different.
“Prepare yourself for his response. I know Lori. He’ll need a minute to digest it and then he’ll be excited and overjoyed and he’ll take charge.” She smiles and nods at the house. “Anyway, I’m going to lie down before Sami gets here. I doubt napping is on the itinerary.”
“Okay. Thanks for not telling him.”
“No, thank you for waiting until after the wedding. I owe ya.” She winks and walks away.
Her words stick with me, giving me more to think about than I’m prepared for.
14
The calm before the storm
Friday, July 28
Lori
The rehearsal was nice, calm and relaxed as Nat and Brady joked their way through it. Us guys were