Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I have lessons. I just took time off to go gallivanting around London with you and—”
“Gallivanting around London? Is that what you think that was?” He shakes his head as he pulls on his boots. “Gallivanting. I can’t believe you just said that.”
I’m blowing this.
I’m blowing this so badly, and I don’t want to. Seems we’re both saying things we shouldn’t.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” I say.
“Exactly how did you mean it, then? We went to London to get information from a man—an elderly man who is important to my family. An elderly man who lost the one love of his life when he was a young man—the love of his life who was probably killed because of my family.”
“I know, baby. I’m so sorry.”
“Just get out of here, Rory.”
“But…”
“Please. Just go.”
God. What have I done? He called my father stupid, and I lashed out. I just lashed out. I loved my time in London with him, and I loved meeting Ennis Ainsley and helping Brock deal with his family problems.
And now? I’m screwing this up. Big time.
I reach toward him, wanting to feel his soft flesh against my fingertips, but he brushes my hand away.
“I need to cool off.”
“Are you… Are we…?”
“Over?” he says. “Is that what you want to know?”
I gulp. “Yes. That’s what I want to know.”
“If we are, it’s your choice. Not mine.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I love you, Rory, that I was serious when I asked you to move in with me. I was even serious when I asked you to marry me. I was serious when I said we should go into the city to find out if you’re pregnant. I was serious about all of that. About sharing your life. About sharing your fucking problems. And about you sharing mine.”
“Brock—”
“If we’re over, it’s your decision, not mine. But for the moment? I need to cool off. And I need you out of my sight.”
I chew on my lower lip. I want so badly to touch him.
I screwed this up. But so did he. I open my mouth to say as much, but he shakes his head.
“Please. Don’t.”
Please. He said please.
And I do have a weakness for him saying please.
I nod then, turn, and leave.
Once my lessons are done for the day, it’s slightly after three p.m. I don’t dare go buy a pregnancy test at the local pharmacy, so I get in my car and drive to Grand Junction.
I’m in line at the pharmacy, ready to buy a pregnancy test that claims it can detect pregnancy within five days of the due date of your period, when I change my mind. I take it back to the shelf and replace it.
I get back in my car and drive, not sure where I’m going, until I end up at the Western Slope Family Planning clinic.
I sit in my car. Inside is Davey. And pregnancy tests. What the hell am I doing?
But I’m here now.
They have pregnancy tests here, I’m sure. Plus…I want to talk to Davey. I leave my car and enter the clinic.
“May I help you?” the receptionist asks.
“Is Davey here today?”
“She’s with someone at the moment. Did you have an appointment?”
“No. I… I saw her a while ago, and our meeting didn’t end all that well.”
“Did the two of you have a problem? We could assign you to another counselor.”
“No, Davey was lovely. I know I should have called to make an appointment, but…”
“But what?”
“I really just need to get a pregnancy test,” I say.
“Oh, of course. Were you inseminated here?”
“No…” I look over my shoulder at the few women who are sitting in the waiting room. “I’m so sorry. This was a big mistake.”
“Would you like me to leave a message for Davey?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m sorry to have troubled you.” I turn to walk out the door.
“Rory?”
I turn back at my name.
Davey stands there, having just come out from the back. She looks as pretty as ever, wearing her white lab coat, which is in stark contrast to her dark skin. Her hair is different than the last time I saw her. It’s slicked back into a tight bun, which accentuates the fine lines of her face.
“Oh, Davey,” the receptionist says. “This young lady was just looking for you.”
Here goes nothing. I smile…or attempt to. “Good afternoon, Davey.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, fine. I was just wondering if you and I could talk for a moment.”
“I have about fifteen minutes before my next appointment,” she says, “so you’re in luck. Come on back.”
I follow Davey back to her office, where I met with her previously.
“Okay,” she says. “What can I help you with today?”
“Do you mind if I sit?”
“Not at all.”
I take the same chair I sat in during our heated appointment. “First, I need to be honest with you. I’ve decided to give the other relationship a go.”