Chapter 6

SIX

BEAU

“No, Miss Edwards. It’s because you’re pregnant and can’t take certain medications like Ibuprofen.”

A heaviness swells inside me, leaving me numb as the doctor drops the bombshell like it’s no fucking big deal.

The fluorescent lights are blinding, causing my vision to cloud as I stand beside Alexa’s hospital bed. This can’t be true.

I’m unable to open my mouth to ask questions, frozen entirely with the shock refusing to wear off. Then, Alexa sobs, followed by a blood-curdling scream.

It is enough to bring all my senses back, with the burning question that suddenly comes to mind.

We had sex only three weeks ago. I used protection. How can she be fucking pregnant?

It makes no fucking sense whatsoever. I’m not a major in science and shit like that, but surely, it’s too soon.

Suddenly, my heart stops, and the pain inside my chest refuses to dissipate. A month or so ago, I remembered seeing the pregnancy test inside Alexa’s room. I remember it so vividly because we fought, and I was livid. Thank God, it was negative.

Or so she thought…

This cannot be his baby.

My eyes move slowly to focus on Alexa properly. Nothing about her looked different, aside from her face looking slightly thinner. She never complained about feeling sick or nauseous, which is what I thought you’re supposed to feel if you’re pregnant.

I pinch the bridge of my nose to alleviate the pain inside my temple.

“I… I don’t understand,” Alexa stumbles with a pale face. “We used protection.”

The doctor glances at his chart and then lifts his head to meet her distraught gaze.

“Miss Edwards, from the bloodwork I have here, it would appear you are close to three months. However, it’s best to do a scan and measure the baby to get an accurate count. It’s important for you and the baby to get the best care.” He scribbles something on his chart, then continues, “As for treating the kidney stones, we can administer something safe to help you pass the stones. Now, I’ll check on you shortly, so try to get some rest.”

He walks away and closes the curtain behind him, leaving us alone.

I desperately want to leave and escape this nightmare I’ve found myself trapped in. My rage is barely contained, ready to destroy everything it can in sight. As my hands clench into fists, my eyes widen and fixate on the stark white wall.

Alexa reaches out and grabs my arm, her grip tight.

“Don’t leave me alone, please,” she begs.

My eyes shut to hear the pounding inside my ears. With an elevated pulse, the adrenaline rushes through my body, leaving me struggling for air. I force my eyes open, but I can’t look at her.

“I won’t leave you.”

“Look at me, Beau, please,” she cries.

I swallow with a dry throat, turning to look at her at an agonizing pace.

“What is it you want from me, Alexa?” I question, unable to change the cold tone expelling from my mouth. “You’ve got what you wanted… him.”

Alexa shakes her head with tears running down her cheeks. “I didn’t want this. How can you say that? I can’t … I can’t do this again.”

“Again?” I raise my voice. “How can you be so stupid?”

She turns away, breaking my unrelenting stare. “You know what, just go. It’s all about ego with you. I’m pregnant with another man’s baby, and that’s all you can fixate on. Never mind how I actually feel. The one who has to have this baby alone and raise them for the rest of my life.”

“Alex—”

“Just go away!”

The sound of her demand echoes around us. I bow my head, knowing I’m no good to her. I’m fucking raging, unable to control the side of me which refuses to accept all of this.

But as I shift my gaze onto her one more time, I see a terrified woman questioning her entire being.

Don’t leave her.

Don’t be that guy.

My lips pull back, baring my teeth, then I do everything in my power to control my internal thoughts.

Reaching out, I grab her hand, noticing just how cold she is. Her lips begin to chatter, so I grab the blanket and pull it to her chin.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I reassure her.

Alexa softly cries into the pillow as I rub her hand, trying to soothe her. The doctor returns with something for Alexa to take. She sits up as best as she can, swallowing the tablet before drinking water from the glass sitting on the table beside her.

“Try to relax, and the nurse will be here shortly to help you try to pass the stones.”

Fuck, it sounds painful.

Alexa simply nods, trying to remain brave when I know she has fallen apart inside.

“Focus on passing these stones,” I tell her with ease. “I mean, ouch, I can’t imagine stones coming out of my dick.”

A small smile graces her lips. “Thanks for the visual.”

“It’s gonna be okay.”

“How, Beau? How do I tell my father I’m pregnant to a man who has tried to destroy him? I’m twenty years old. I finally got my shit together and enrolled in college. Now what? I give it all up.”

“You don’t have to give it all up. Look at my mom. She got knocked up with Will in college.”

“Your mom had your dad. I have no one.”

I reach out again to squeeze her hand. “You have everyone you’ll ever need. Sure, Lex will be pissed, but he loves you. End of fucking story.”

The nurse pulls the curtain back, startling both of us. She suggests I allow Alexa to rest so her body does what it needs to do. I’m reluctant to leave her in pain, but Alexa reassures me she will be okay on her own.

I wander the streets aimlessly. All the sounds are drowned out. The faces, the people, all of it a blur. The turmoil of this whole ordeal is like being on both ends of a rope, pulled in both directions and left in limbo because there’s no end to this situation I’ve found myself in.

A bar is located on the corner of the street. Thank fuck I turned twenty-one a few months back, so I can grab a drink. I open the door to a seedy-looking joint. A few patrons are playing pool, but I head straight to the bar and order a bourbon.

The amber-colored liquor goes down smoothly. I don’t even nurse the drink, ordering another, which begins to hit the spot.

Glancing at the time, I realize I’ve been gone for three hours. Throwing some bills onto the counter, I make my way to the hospital to make sure Alexa is okay.

She’s fast asleep, but according to the nurse, she passed the stones, which is a relief.

Her eyes flutter, slowly opening, to see me standing beside her.

“Beau,” she croaks.

“I’m here.”

“I want to go home.”

“Okay, let me ask the nurse.”

The nurse speaks to the doctor, who checks on Alexa and finally discharges her. She’s incredibly weak, so I hold her arm tight as we slowly make our way outside the hospital and manage to get a cab.

Getting Alexa to her dorm takes forever, but I finally get her into bed.

“I’m so tired,” she barely speaks. “The stupid stones… they fucking hurt.”

“It’s over now. Try to get some rest.”

Her eyes close before she can even change her clothes. It doesn’t matter if she sleeps in her jeans and sweater, knowing her biggest worry will be when she wakes up tomorrow and realizes this wasn’t a dream.

She is, in fact, pregnant with Hunter Cash’s baby.

And I’m the fool who fell in love with her.