“True.”
“But that’s not what I do, of course. I deliver babies. When I can. I can’t always be at the correct compound when a baby is ready to be born, so I have trained other men and women to assist in the birthing process, but I try to be where I’m needed at the right time.”
“Right. I didn’t think of that. People get pregnant down here.” She shuddered, hugging her arms around her. She licked her lips, suddenly realizing she would be one of them if she started having unprotected sex. Jesus. The idea frightened her to death. She wasn’t ready to be a mom. It wasn’t as if they probably had a stash of condoms.
Layla rubbed her brow.
“You don’t have to be one of them, if you’d rather not,” Julie responded.
Layla met her gaze, her brow furrowed. “How?”
“I have access to birth control. There’s a black market for it. I can give you a shot that will buy you three months at a time. Convenient. Easy. You won’t even have a period while you’re on it. I can give it to you today if that’s something you’re interested in.”
Layla licked her lips. “I hadn’t thought about it at all. I guess I should probably talk to the, uh, guys about it.”
“Have you had unprotected sex already? I’d need to know that first.”
Layla’s cheeks heated to a hundred and fifty degrees. “I haven’t had sex at all yet,” she murmured, glancing around to make sure no one heard her.
Julie stepped closer and set a gentle hand on Layla’s shoulder. “No need to be embarrassed. What we discuss is between you and me. It will never go any further. Okay?”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“And my opinion about Jay, Gatlin, Ledger, and Nile just went up about ten notches.” She smiled. “Like I said, good men.”
“I know.”
“As for discussing your options with them, you may do that if you’d like to, but ultimately you own autonomy over your body. It’s the primary reason The Wanderers exist in the first place. No one has the right to tell you when you should or shouldn’t get pregnant. They don’t have the right to force you to remain pregnant either. If you ever discover you’re pregnant and you don’t want to be, you come to me and no one will ever know.” She lifted her brows as if making sure Layla understood her meaning.
Layla nodded. “Thank you, again.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
Layla considered the gravity of Julie’s job and how important she was to the community. She saved lives. She helped people. She birthed children, but ensured they were wanted.
“I think I should talk to the guys tonight, if that’s okay. We’re still feeling each other out, obviously, but I wouldn’t want to make a decision like that without talking to them first.”
Julie nodded but her expression was skeptical. “I don’t blame you for discussing it with them. In a solid relationship, it’s best to be totally upfront and forthcoming, but in the end, know that the decision is yours alone. They aren’t the ones who have to carry the baby for nine months, give birth to it, and then breastfeed. You are. Don’t let them bully you into doing something you’re not ready for. You’re so young.”
Layla stood taller. Julie was right. She really liked this woman. No wonder her mother was such good friends with her. She suddenly lurched forward and hugged her mother’s old friend.
Julie returned the hug just as forcefully, rocking Layla back and forth in a soothing motherly fashion. It was what Layla needed most right now. A mother.
“I hate that she’s not here to talk to,” Layla whispered as she released Julie.
“I know. I’m so sorry. It sucks. But I’m here for you anytime you need me. Okay?”
Layla smiled, forcing back the emotional overload. “Thank you.”
“Talk to us, baby,” Jay pleaded later that evening. “All this pacing is making me nervous. We’re all here now. Tell us what’s on your mind.”
Layla stopped pacing and took a deep breath, leaning against the living room wall so that she could face the four giant men who gathered in a half-circle around her. They had matching furrowed brows, matching hands on hips, matching shallow breaths of concern.
Layla rubbed her hands together and faced them. “I met Julie today.”
“Good. I heard she was here in the compound this morning,” Gatlin said.
A few moments later, Ledger spoke. “You’re scaring the fuck out of us, princess.”