the powder room in the hallway and gives me a little push. “Go. Take the damn test. At least then you’ll know for sure. I know you’re worrying about what will happen with my brother, but you need to know. No point in worrying about something if it isn’t going to happen.”
My knees are weak and my legs wobble as I make my way to the bathroom on his orders, the frantic beating of my heart the only thing I can hear. The sound of the door shutting behind me doesn’t even register in my mind, and I’m left to stare at my own reflection in the mirror. Seeing how pale my face is under the redness on my cheeks, and the black streaks of mascara left behind from my crying jag, makes me flinch. I’m one hot ass mess.
After wiping what’s left of my makeup off, I sit down to take the test. Have you ever tried to pee on a stick with trembling hands? If not, I don’t recommend it. I’m not even sure I got enough on the damn thing for it to give an answer, but when I’m finished I cap it and set it on the counter to wait anyway.
Ryker barely gives me time to wash my hands before he’s knocking on the door. “Fallon? Did you take it?”
I pull the door open, rolling my eyes when I see his anxious expression. “Yes, Dad, I took the stupid test.” I want to be mad at him but I can’t. He pushes me further into the small bathroom and grins down at me.
“Your sarcasm is back; you must be feeling better.” I sigh shaking my head.
Better? Not even a little bit.
We both turn to look at the small white piece of plastic that’s going to change all our lives, and I swear the longer I stare at it, the bigger it becomes.
A few minutes go by before Ryker nudges me. “You should be able to look now.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to. You look.” I know I sound petulant, but I can’t help it. He wanted me to take it; he can look to see what it says. I already know.
He scrunches up his nose but moves me aside so he can look down at the test. I hold my breath while I wait for him to confirm my suspicion, and when he turns to look at me with awe-filled eyes, I know for sure.
“It’s positive,” he says, not even trying to hide the happiness in his voice.
Ryker grabs me around the waist and spins us both around in the small space. I don’t know how he doesn’t bump into the wall or counter, or send us flying into the tub, but he manages. When he finally sets me back down I’m dizzy, my mouth is dry, and I’m not sure how I feel about the results of the test.
“Dad is going to be over the moon.” He hugs me, his arms wrapping around me and squeezing me so tightly I yelp. “You did it, Fal!” He seems so happy, and yet here I am emotionless.
His hand caresses my still flat stomach in wonder, and my eyes fill with tears. This should be Reed and I. We should be the ones who are thrilled about having a baby. Instead, he’s gone and I’m here with Ryker.
“It should be Reed with me right now. He should be here, Ryker. He should be as happy as you are, but he’s not. He’s not here, and he’s not happy. How am I supposed to deal with that?” The tears start to fall again and this time, I can’t stop them.
“He doesn’t love me the way I love him and there’s nothing I can do about it.” I sob, my chest constricting with each breath I take.
The joy in Ryker’s eyes dims, and I hate that I’m the cause. This should be a happy time, but it’s so far from being a joyous moment for me.
He clears his throat, his arms still holding me, before he says, “Give him some time, Fallon. I know my brother loves you. We all know it. He just needs to admit it to himself and once he does, I’m sure he’ll be falling all over himself to apologize for hurting you.”
He sounds so confident, and I wish I could believe him, but if Reed truly loved me, he wouldn’t have run out on me. Not when I needed him the most. We’ve