Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
“Sorry for the abrupt meeting, ladies,” Coach announces. “We have an issue that needs to be addressed, but I want to stress that nothing is allowed to leave this room. We are a family, and we’ll handle this as a family.”
Oh, fuck me.
I watch as his and Molly’s gazes fall on Callie and me, and I immediately look away. Surely I’m overthinking this. No one knows. How could they?
“Five positive pregnancy tests were found in Callie and Cameron’s bathroom.”
There is a sharp intake of breath around the room, and Callie goes still beside me. I feel her gaze move across my face, and I don’t dare look up.
“The cleaning lady found them wrapped in pads and stuffed in a box.”
Jesus, was she searching us?
“She is trained to look through everything for drugs, in case you’re wondering.”
Well, okay.
I feel Callie’s hand move into mine as my eyes start to well up with tears. She laces our fingers together, and I squeeze her hand, so thankful for her support.
“Callie, are you pregnant?”
“No,” she answers.
“Cameron?”
I can’t answer, nor can I look up. When another teammate, Lana Demile, scoots beside me and takes my other hand, I come undone. She rubs my back, and more and more, I feel my teammates holding me or rubbing my skin. I can’t see; my tears are so heavy and roll down my face with a vengeance. Callie’s cheek presses against mine, and I hiccup a sob. “It’s okay. We’re okay,” she murmurs.
I swallow hard as I lean into her, needing her support. When I finally look up, my coach and Molly are blurry as I whisper, “Yes.”
Coach closes his eyes as he looks away, and Molly looks pained. “Oh, Cameron.”
“My mom thinks my birth control was compromised when I was on those antibiotics last month.”
Callie, being Callie, continues to rub my back and hold me close. She keeps saying over and over again that “It’s okay,” but we all know it’s not.
“You know you can’t be on the team pregnant, or take time—” Molly starts, but Coach cuts her off.
“This is not the time to talk about that. We are here to support our teammate,” he says sternly, and Molly snaps her mouth shut.
No one says anything for a few moments until Miley Adams asks, “So, what can we do to help you?”
My lip wobbles as I shrug. “Nothing. I have an appointment on Monday.”
Callie kisses my cheek. “I’ll go with you.”
“So will I,” Lana says.
“Me too,” Molly says, and my heart tightens in my chest.
“An appointment? I think we mean, do you need help cleaning out your locker?” Shantae Miller says from next to Coach. She sits with Miley, and the look on her face is one of pure disgust. Shantae is a very driven person, very “nothing will hold her back,” and while I am the same, I’m pretty sure she now thinks I’m a piece of trash.
“For an abortion,” I answer as strongly as I can. “I am in no way ready to be a parent, and neither is the dad.”
Nothing is said for another moment as everyone processes the seriousness of the situation.
“So, what you’re saying is, you’re killing your kid because you’re not ready?” Shantae asks, her eyes throwing daggers at me.
“Miller, that’s uncalled for,” Coach scolds, and she throws her hands out.
“There are plenty of people who would want that baby,” Shantae throws at me. “You just don’t want to lose your spot on the team.”
Beside me, Callie goes tight. “And? That’s her choice,” she says loudly. “People who want kids can apply to be a foster parent and get one. The foster care system is overloaded with children. Most with special needs. She is, what, a month?” she asks me, and I nod. “Yeah, the fetus is the size of a grain of rice and can’t even survive on its own. You don’t get to make her feel bad.”
Shantae holds her hands up. “Whoa, Callie. I get that she is your friend and you have to defend her, but this isn’t someone drinking her almond milk. This is her killing a baby for her gymnastics career.”
“And?” Lana asks. “It’s her body.”
Coach throws up his hand, and everyone goes quiet. “This isn’t a debate we are having. It is Cameron’s choice what she does, and we are all going to support her because she is our teammate. You don’t have to agree with her choice, but it’s hers. No one else’s.”
Molly nods. “Which clinic?”
I clear my throat, emotionally fucked at this point. “The one in Woodbridge.” I look down at my hands that are held by my teammates, my sisters. “It’s the one that doesn’t have as many protesters, so I’m hoping I can get in without feeling even more like shit.”
“You’ll get in,” Molly promises, and she sends me a small smile. “And whoever wants to support our teammate will help.”