Chapter 40 Desiree Dixon

He Kind of Has it Coming

I stare at my phone as I lay in bed. I have no idea how to respond, and maybe I would if I didn’t have the worst stomach flu in the history of the stomach flu attacking my body right now.

I toss my phone on my nightstand and beg for sleep to wash over me, but it doesn’t. Instead, my stomach rolls, and I get up and slowly drag myself over to the bathroom to try to heave, but there’s nothing left in the well.

I slide down the bathroom wall and hope for sleep to hit me there, but it doesn’t.

I’m still in San Diego even though I started my position with the Aces over a month ago. Angelica talked me into changing my contract to a consultant rather than leaving altogether, and since the Aces are allowing me to work from home anyway, I didn’t see the point in uprooting my life when I wanted to do everything in my power to avoid Asher Nash.

Erin is cool with me commuting to town when I have big events, but my parents don’t really seem to get why I changed my mind.

It’s fine. They don’t need to. I’ve told them I haven’t found the right place yet, and I’ve left it at that.

I spent a little time planning the foundation for Asher, but since he ended things, I put that project on the backburner.

I force myself to my feet, and I head to the kitchen to get some water. I take tiny sips as I head back to my bedroom, and then I toss and turn as I wait for sleep that never comes.

When morning dawns, I don’t feel much better, but I suppose I should reply to Asher.

Me: I’m actually not around. I’m in San Diego.

I leave it at that, but he doesn’t let me get away with it.

My phone rings a few seconds after I send the text, and I blow out a breath. He knows I’m here since I just texted him, so it’s not like I can ignore him.

“Hi,” I answer.

“Hey. You’re in San Diego…like for the day?” he asks.

“No. I never moved to Vegas. I still live here.”

“So you didn’t take the job with the Aces?” He sounds surprised by that.

“I did. I’m working remotely.”

“Oh. Will you move here when it gets closer to the charity ball?”

“I don’t know yet. Is there a reason why you called?” I ask, and I know I sound like a bitch, but, well, he kind of has it coming.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “You sound…strange.”

My voice is scratchy from spending the last two days vomiting, but I’m not about to admit that to him. “It’s probably because you haven’t heard my voice in two months, but yes, I’m fine.”

I hear Addy yell from the other room. “Are you talking to me?” At the same time, Asher says, “Look, Des…I’m sorry. Please give me another chance.”

I don’t respond to Addy since I have to address Asher. “I’ll still need to hide it from my dad, and you still won’t be comfortable with that.”

“ Do we have to hide it, though?” he asks.

Addy appears at my door, but her voice enters before she does. “You feeling any better?” She’s dressed and ready for work.

I point to the phone when she comes into view.

“Oh!” she says. “Sorry. Can I get you anything before I head to school?”

I shake my head and mouth thanks .

“Why’s she asking if you’re feeling better?” Asher asks. “Are you sick?”

I blow out a breath. “It’s the stomach flu,” I mutter. “I’ll be fine.”

“Where are you?” he demands.

“I’m at my apartment in San Diego,” I say dryly.

“Text me the address. I’m on my way.”

“Stop it, Asher,” I say. “It’s a little stomach bug, and I don’t want you to get it.” You know, besides the fact that I don’t want him to see me at my absolute worst when it’s been a month and a half since the last time I saw him.

“Text me the address,” he grits out, and then he hangs up the phone.

I’m too stubborn to listen to him, so I don’t text him a damn thing. Instead, I close my eyes and try for more rest, but Addy shows up at my door.

“I didn’t leave yet. Who was that?”

“Asher.”

Her eyes widen. “Asher? What did he say?”

“That he misses me and wants to see me, but honestly, hearing from him made me feel even worse.”

“Then let me take the day off so I can take care of you,” she says.

“Don’t be silly. Your students are depending on you, and I’ll be fine. It sort of comes and goes anyway, but I’m just really tired and need some rest.”

“Can I ask you a question?” she asks.

I nod, not moving to a position for a chat.

“How long have you been feeling like this?”

I lift a shoulder. “A few days. A week maybe.”

“Does the stomach flu last that long?” she wonders aloud.

“No idea, but this one is.”

“Is, uh…is there any chance you might be pregnant?”

I sit straight up at the question as my eyes widen. The sudden shift in my position pulses nausea in my stomach.

“Oh, shit,” I mutter. “Shit,” I say a little louder. “I was on the shot, and I had to cancel my appointment when I went to Vegas, and I can’t remember if I ever rescheduled.”

I grab my phone and look through my calendar, and it takes me a minute to realize my last shot was in July.

It’s December now. I’m supposed to go every twelve weeks, and I missed the one scheduled in early October.

We had sex in mid-October…but that would be too soon, wouldn’t it?

These thoughts are swirling around my mind as Addy stares intently at me. “Well?”

“I think there might be a tiny chance.”

She closes her eyes, and then she says, “Stay here.”

She heads out into the family room as I try everything in my power not to freak out. She returns a minute later. “Okay, I called in. My lesson was already sitting out for the day, so it’s easy peasy for a substitute anyway. Do you have any pregnancy tests?” She’s being so calm and rational, and I feel like…well, like I’m going to throw up again.

“No, do you?” My voice is a tad hysterical.

“No. I’ll go get some. Do you need anything else?”

I shake my head, though some water sounds good right about now. And a banana. And a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And some Doritos.

Peanut butter and jelly? I haven’t had one of those since I was in middle school.

Holy fuck. What if I’m pregnant?