X, Y & Z

Chapter 16

Today was a bad day. An absolutely terrible day. I couldn’t go anywhere that wasn’t in a close vicinity to a toilet because my baby had me nauseous nonstop.

“Luke, you can go ahead and go home. I’ll be fine.” He shook his head and continued to rub my back comfortingly.

“No, you are clearly not okay. I won’t leave you alone.”

“She won’t be alone.” We turned and saw X standing in the doorway with just a white shirt and boxers on. It probably would’ve turned me on if I wasn’t so sick. Luke looked hesitant, but eventually stood up and passed X to go grab his things. He kneeled down next to me and started stroking my sweaty hair.

“Munchkin is having a bad day, huh?” I nodded, but stopped because I got ridiculously dizzy again. “I hate seeing you like this, baby.” I didn’t answer but instead leaned my head against the porcelain bowl. To be honest, there was nothing left to throw up in my stomach, so it was just painful dry heaves.

“Why did you do it?” I asked with my scratchy voice. My throat was on fire from that simple question, but I have to know.

“Do what?”

“Why did you stop the wedding plans with Ava?” The engagement party was tonight and now it was time for my parents to find out I’m pregnant and for X to announce the break up.

“Well I knew someone was going to get hurt in this love triangle, but I would rather one who I know will get over it than two who might not. Baby, I want you, but we have to play this right. We can’t just jump into a relationship because then it will backfire on us. I need people to be supportive of us. Can you bear with me?”

“Ok.” I didn’t have the energy to say anything else, so I just took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I was so tired but I didn’t have the energy to go back into my room. X noticed and picked me up gently. He placed me on the bed and slid in next to me.

“You have to go back.” I croaked out. Ava had a habit of popping in at the wrong times, and I didn’t want to get caught already.

“Just let me hold you for a little bit. I’ve missed holding you while you sleep.” I didn’t have the heart to say no anymore, so I just snuggled in closer to him and relaxed.

“I love you, baby.” I didn’t answer back, but I’d heard him.

I love you too, X.

I rolled over and only felt cold space where a warm body should’ve been. I sighed in disappointment that X wasn’t by my side, but it was for the best. I slipped out of bed and slowly made my way to the kitchen for some much needed food.

“Feeling better?” I looked up and X was sitting at the table with some toast in front of him. It was 2 in the afternoon, yet he chose toast over regular food? Not my problem.

“Yeah, I just need food now.” He pushed the toast to me.

“Start light. You’ll have to eat tonight anyway.” I’d forgotten about the engagement party. I groaned. “What’s wrong?”

“My family doesn’t know me being pregnant.” He stiffened.

“What will you tell them about the father?” I shrugged.

“I don’t know. I’ll figure something out.”

“Just please don’t say it’s Luke’s baby.” I stared in confusion. What was X’s problem with Luke? They were best friends and he was acting like they were enemies.

“What is so wrong with Luke?” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I just feel like I’ll lose you to him.”  I chuckled and stroked his face.