Chandin Whitten - Beautiful Misery

Flopping back on my bed I sighed. “I’m pretty sure we both know how I got myself into this mess. Now I need to figure out what I’m going to do.”

Jenna was silent but I could hear her breathing. She took a deep breath and said, “Cobie, don’t do what I did to your brother. Tell the father. Is it Larkin’s old friend? The one you were telling me about at Evie’s party. What was his name, Braylon?”

Huffing I said more to myself than Jenna, “I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure? How are you not sure?” Jenna asked. I could hear the irritation in her voice.

“I mean, it was just the one time with Bray.”

Jenna snorted, “You do know it only takes one time, right?”

Rolling my eyes I replied, “Yes, smartass I know that. What I was going to say before you cut in was a few weeks later I kinda hooked up with someone else. Sort of like a revenge thing. I had stopped taking my birth control right after Bray but I did the math and when I slept with the other guy I shouldn’t have been ovulating. But I guess Bray or the other guy could be the dad.” Covering my face with my hand I felt my tears. “Oh God. What kind of mom doesn’t even know who the father of her baby is?”

“Oh honey. The best thing would be go to the doctor, they can give you the conception date, or close to it. Using that date you should be able to determine who the father is since you said there was a gap between the two guys. Who is the other guy? And, you do know your brother is going to kill whoever got you pregnant, right?”

Sucking in a breath I ran my bottom teeth across my top lip. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her the truth. Should I tell her that there is a good chance Gage is the father of my baby?

“I’m not so worried about Larkin with this, it’s you I’m worried about.”

Jenna asked confused, “Me? Why would you be worried about me? Babe, not too long ago I was you. I’m not about to judge you for the same thing I did.”

“Because the other guy is…” I trailed off.

“The other guy is, who?”

“Gage.” I barely got his name out before I slammed my hand over my mouth.

I could hear Jenna’s intake of breath. I know she loves my brother but she and Gage have something special. I don’t want her to hate me for possibly having his child.

“Jenna? Are you still there?” I asked quietly.

“Um yeah, still here. Just surprised I guess. I knew the night of his opening he was going to go for you. I warned him but that dicklicker didn’t listen.”

I stood up from my bed and paced my floor. “He tried to stop me. I sorta pushed him into it. He told me not to but something inside of me wanted to get back at Bray. It was just one time in his office. I never thought this would happen. If I even had a clue that I would end up pregnant I wouldn’t have had sex with him. I swear, Jenna.”

“Co, I know exactly how you feel. I was in the exact same boat as you just a few years ago. But, I am not about to be the one who breaks this to your brother. He is going to shit a brick.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I snorted.

Jenna sighed before saying, “Ok, well make a doctor appointment and get the conception date. Do you want me to fly out and go with you?”

“Would you, please?” I asked, relieved. I didn’t want to sound like the whiney little sister but Jenna was the closest thing I had to a sister and I needed her.

“Of course I will. I am always here for you. Make your appointment then let me know when it is. I have to go, Evie will be waking up soon but text me with the info. Love you, Co.”

“Thank you, Jenna. I will call now to make the appointment. Kiss my girl and tell her Aunt Co loves her.”

“Ok, good luck,” Jenna said.

I hit the END button.

Pulling up my Gynecologist’s number I called to make my appointment.

My appointment was in three days. Now I had to tell my mom.

Before facing my mom I pulled my text messages up to text Jenna.

Me: My appointment is on Thursday at 11am. Thanks so much for everything.

Jenna: We will be there. You’re Welcome xo

Tossing my phone onto my desk I rubbed my hand over my belly. Worrying my bottom lip with my teeth I opened my door and walked down the stairs. I saw my mom sitting in her chair by the fireplace, reading. When she heard me she looked up from her book.

“Hey, sweetie,” My mom said as I walked into the room.

I sat on the couch and pulled my feet under me. I looked at my mom and saw her smile fade from her face. Carrie Nayler was the coolest mom, but you couldn’t pull one over on her.

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” She asked me, surprisingly calm.

Dumbfounded I dropped my eyes to the floor. “How did you know?”

My mom got up from her chair and took a few steps so she was standing in front of me. Placing her hand under my chin she tilted my head back so I was looking at her. She shrugged and softly said, “Call it mother’s intuition. I have had a hunch for about a week, I was just waiting for you to tell me.”

“You really are super mom aren’t you?”

My mom smiled before sitting down beside me.

“You’re not pissed or screaming, why?” I asked nervously.

“Sweetie, you’re an adult. Having sex was your choice and you knew what could happen. I’m not thrilled but you know I support you no matter what. I really wish you were through with med school and married before having a baby but it’s too late now. Have you told Bray yet?”

Scrunching my brows I asked, “How did you know about Bray?”

“I heard you talking to Jenna at Evie’s party. Does he know?”

Here comes the even harder part. How does a girl tell her mom that she’s not sure who the father is, well at least not until I go to the doctor. Using both hands I covered my face. “I haven’t told him yet.” I stopped just long enough to peek between my fingers and see that my mom was studying me.

“Because…” She said slowly narrowing her eyes, trying to get me to finish what I needed to say.

“Chewing my bottom lip I said, “Because I’m not sure if he’s the father.”

My mom let her head roll on her shoulders and rubbed her temples. “Oh, Cobie Renea. What have you gotten yourself into? Who do you think the father is?”

I could hear the disappointment in my mom’s voice. I hated myself for letting her down but there was no changing things now.

“I’m so sorry, mom. I never thought this would happen. I was always so careful. I had only been with Bray until I went to his apartment and some hoe answered his door. I mean I was only with Bray one time but it still hurt. When we were in Alabama I was still upset…”

My mom cut me off. “It was Gage wasn’t it?”

Jerking my head to look at her I asked, “How the hell? How do you know everything?”

My mom smiled. “I saw the way he was watching you at Larkin and Jenna’s wedding. When I saw the two of you at Evie’s party it kinda confirmed my suspicions. You two wouldn’t even look at each other, avoiding one another like the plague. Is he who you think the father is?”

Shrugging I said, “I really don’t know. I mean if I had to guess, most likely it is but I don’t want to say anything until I get the conception date from my doctor. I was with Bray right after I got off my period. So really neither of them add up but I don’t know.”

My mom rested her hand on my shoulder. “Everything will be ok, honey. You’re going to have a baby. A little earlier than expected but you will be amazing. You’re not in this alone. If Gage is the dad, I know he will step up and be the dad your baby deserves. After Larkin told me what Gage did for Jenna I have no doubt he will do nothing short of giving your baby the world.”