“I am,” he growls. “I woke up and our bed was empty. But I had a feeling I knew where you were and have a special request. Can you have the barista add some sugar to my joe?”
“And for me too,” Joseph calls in the background. His voice is somewhat echo-y, so they must be in the kitchen.
“We need an extra pick-me-up after that workout you gave us last night,” Gray growls suggestively. “You were incredible, honey,” he adds. I smile to myself, my insides going warm.
“Okay, sure. No problem.”
“Thanks, baby. Come back upstairs because the bed’s cold with out you. See you in five. ”
Hanging up, I take a second to clamp down on my emotions because it’s so embarrassing to go hot and needy all over just from two-minute call with your boyfriends. But I manage to get myself together and call out, “Siri, I’m sorry to be a pain, but can you add some serious sugar to the coffees? I have them here.”
She smiles and nods. “Yeah sure, no problem. Here, I have the industrial strength rock sugar here. I’ll throw a couple nuggets in.”
“Thanks,” I manage when suddenly, a wave of nausea hits me. A disgusting belch erupts from my throat, and I throw my hands over my mouth before bolting for the restroom.
“Hey, are you okay?” Siri calls, but I can’t answer.
Running into the cafe bathroom, I barely make it into a stall before I’m sick, throwing up everything I’ve eaten for what feels like the last week. My stomach heaves and clamps painfully as I bow down in obeisance to the porcelain throne. Once I’m done, I pause for a moment, panting and sweaty. Oh my God, what was that?
When I finally manage to stagger out, a very concerned looking Siri is waiting behind the counter with my order.
“Are you okay?” she asks. “That sounded really scary.”
“Yeah,” I manage with a weak smile. “I must be coming down with something, that’s all. But I better get out of here before my stomach acts up again because ugh, that was so awful. Thanks!” I lift the tray in a grateful gesture and nod as I leave.
Siri nods too and murmurs, “Sure, no prob. Feel better soon.”
Coffee and croissants in hand, I practically run to the elevator before pressing the call button frantically. Finally, it arrives and I lean back, resting my head against the wall, as the lift begins its ascent. What was that? Did I eat something rotten, or has someone at school been sick? Who knows?
Another twinge of nausea hits me and I breathe deeply through my nose, hoping to hold it off until I can make it upstairs. I absolutely do not want to get sick in this elevator because that would be horrific. But then, realization strikes and I blink, my nausea forgotten for a moment. When was that last time I got my period? My mind scrambles as I realize that in fact, it’s been ages and I haven’t noticed.
“Oh shit,” I whisper to myself, my palms going clammy. After all, this relationship has been wonderful, but Gray and Joseph were totally clear that there’s an end date to our liaison. After all, they can’t go public with our affair, so one day I’ll have to move on if I want a family. But that family was never supposed to include a baby with the Senators! Oh god, oh god, what’s going to happen?
Moreover, how can I be pregnant? We’re careful and always use condoms. Strike that. Most of the time, we use condoms. There were a few nights when the three of us got carried away and didn’t think to pause for protection. It couldn’t have been more than once or twice, but I guess it really only takes one slip up.
Oh shit. What do I do? The elevator door opens and I take several deep breaths trying to calm myself down. The last thing I need to do freak out and panic right in front of my boyfriends. After all, I have a feeling I’d know what they’d say. Gray and Joseph never wanted a serious relationship, and keeping our tryst a secret with a baby in my belly is well-nigh impossible.
Despair makes me hang my head, but then I inhale deeply and look up before forcing a smile. I’ve got to get tested for sure before having an all-out panic attack. As a result, I paste a cheery expression on my face and march into Joseph’s apartment with our coffee and croissants in hand. On the outside, everything looks fine, but on the inside, I’m frozen with fear.
8
Emma
* * *
A week later.
As I trudge back to my dorm room, my heart is heavy. I haven’t been back for what feels like ages because there was no need. For the past three months I’ve practically lived in Joseph’s penthouse, enjoying the steamy attentions of the two Senators, but now I need the privacy that my room provides.