Baby Drama Page 3

  “I’m leaving. Thanks for the use of the hot tub and the coffee.” I smiled.

  “You’re welcome.” He got up from his desk and walked over to me. “I had fun last night.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.

  “So did I.”

  “I hope you understand that it was only what it was: a one-night stand.”

  “Of course I know that. That’s all it was for me too. I better get going, I have some errands to run.”

  “Sure. It was nice to meet you, Jenna Larson.” He pressed his lips against my forehead. “Take care of yourself.”

  “It was nice to meet you too, Mr. Thorne. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”

  I walked to the elevator and as soon as I pushed the button, the door opened. Stepping inside, I gave him a small wave as the doors closed and I rode down to the lobby. When I got home and went into the bathroom to take a shower, I pulled my birth control pills out of the medicine cabinet to take it like I did every morning and noticed I’d forgotten to take yesterday’s pill.

  “Oh shit,” I said out loud. I could have sworn I took the pill yesterday. But instead, I had taken some aspirin and forgot about the pill because I woke up with a bad headache. Popping both pills out of the pack, I chased them down with some water.

  Chapter 5

  Six Weeks Later

  Jenna

  My world had fallen apart, and I didn’t know what to do. Not only did I lose my job because the two idiots I worked for didn’t know how to run a company, but I also had thirty days to come up with the financing to purchase my apartment that was so conveniently being turned into condos. Whoever would pay to buy this dump was stupid and that was something I wasn’t. To make matters worse, I had been sick with the flu all week.

  “Maybe it’s just nerves,” Bri spoke as she sat next to me on the couch while I lay there wrapped up in a blanket. “Or maybe it’s just the stress of everything going on. You’ll find another job. It’s only been a week. You know, Jenna, you can always—”

  “No, Bri.”

  “But think of all the—”

  “No. I’ll have to find another apartment and a job.”

  “You know I would ask you to stay with us temporarily, but Carson wouldn’t—”

  I put my hand up. “I would rather live on the street than share a space with him.”

  “That’s hurtful, Jenna.” She pouted.

  “I’m sorry, but you know how I feel about him and how he feels about me.”

  “I don’t know why you two can’t get along. I love you both and this really hurts me.”

  Suddenly, I could feel the vomit rising. Jumping up from the couch, I ran to the bathroom and hugged the toilet.

  “Maybe you need to go to the doctor,” she said as she stood in the doorway. “You’ve been sick for a week. Could you be—pregnant?”

  “Oh my God. How could you even ask me that?”

  “It was just a thought. Anyway, I have to go. I’m meeting Carson for lunch. Call the doctor. Maybe he can give you something. I’ll call you later.”

  Pregnant? I swallowed hard. The thought never crossed my mind. Grabbing my phone, I sat back down on the couch and stared at my period app where I kept track of my periods every month. The weeks had gone by so fast that I’d forgotten about my period. Usually, I was reminded every month by the painstaking cramps I’d get a couple days before. But I hadn’t had any of that. I tapped the app and sure as shit, I was late. But it had to be from the stress I was under. Losing my apartment, my job, not knowing what I’m going to do, and blowing through the little savings I had. I needed something to manage my stress, and maybe Bri was right about calling the doctor.

  I was able to get into the doctor that afternoon after I told the receptionist I’d been throwing up all week and I thought I was dehydrated. I may have exaggerated a little bit just to get in. As I sat in the room and waited for the doctor to walk back in, I played a game on my phone to try and distract me from the nervousness that riddled inside me.

  “I have your test results back,” Dr. Levy said as he walked into the room and gave me a sympathetic look.

  “I’m pregnant, aren’t I?”

  “I’m afraid so. You’re about six weeks along. You have options, Jenna.”

  “I know.” I looked down as I fiddled with my hands.

  “I can give you the name of a good clinic if you’re interested.”

  “I am.”

  He took a small notepad from his pocket and wrote the name of an abortion clinic down and handed it to me.

  “If you decide to keep the baby, I suggest you get in touch with your OB/GYN and start prenatal care.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Levy,” I said as I hopped off the table.

  When I arrived back home, I called Bri and asked her if she would come over because I needed to talk to her. She thought she muted her phone, but she didn’t, and I heard every word her and Carson said. She told him I needed to talk, and she was coming over. He said no and that he wanted her home with him, and he planned on them watching a movie tonight. I could hear the things he was saying about me and it took everything I had not to go over there and kick his douchebag ass.

  “I’m sorry, Jenna. Carson and I have plans tonight. I can come over tomorrow morning before work.”

  “That’s okay. We’ll talk another time.” I quickly ended the call before she had a chance to say anything else.

  I was pissed, hurt, and full of rage. I needed my best friend during this turbulent time in my life and she couldn’t stand up to her controlling boyfriend enough to be the friend she needed to be to me. That was the final straw as far as I was concerned, and I wasn’t going to try anymore. As much as I tried to make her see she was in a toxic relationship, she wouldn’t. But I was no longer going to be a part of it, so I considered our friendship over. I laid in bed all night and cried. I had no job, I was basically homeless, and I was pregnant.

  The next morning, after tossing and turning all night, I pulled the piece of paper from my purse that Dr. Levy gave me and called the abortion clinic. I was in complete shock when the receptionist told me they had a cancellation and asked if I could come in at three o’clock. I agreed and tried to go about my day the best I could. Bri had sent me a few text messages, and I didn’t bother responding.

  I sat on the table in one of those hideous gowns as I swung my legs back and forth. Everything was happening so fast. I couldn’t call my parents or even go back home. They’d told me once I left, there was no coming back, and I was no longer welcomed in their home or in their lives because I was nothing but a disappointment. But they were wrong. They were the disappointment, not me. No parent should ever treat their child the way they treated me. I placed my hands on my belly. What the hell was I doing here? This wasn’t this child’s fault. It didn’t ask to be conceived, and I had no right to take its life away before it even began.

  I jumped off the table and threw my clothes on. As I opened the door, the doctor was standing on the other side.

  “Miss Larson?”

  “Yes. I’ve changed my mind, and I’m leaving.”

  “Okay. That’s good news. Take care of yourself.”

  “Thank you.” I gave him a small smile as I ran as fast as I could out of the place.

  I took a cab to Central Park so I could think. As I was walking through, I had to make a stop at the first trash can I saw and throw up. I was sure this wasn’t morning sickness. Just nerves. Thank God I’d brought a bottle of water with me to sip on. Taking a seat on a bench, I thought about what I was going to do. I needed to find a new apartment and a new job ASAP.

  Chapter 6

  Lucas

  I sat behind my desk and tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with the coding. My team had been working on the last half for the past six weeks and nothing. They couldn’t figure it out either. I was in a multi-million-dollar contract and our deadline was approaching. The stress I was under was real. I’d barely slept and didn’t have time to think a
bout anything but this project. My father was up my ass about it, and no matter how many times I told him I was working on it, it wasn’t enough. How could this even be possible? I was good, potentially the best, and I couldn’t see where the error was. I only hired the best people, and they couldn’t figure it out either. As much as I wanted my team to start from scratch, I couldn’t ask them. We’d already been working on it for the last six months and the other work they had already suffered because of it. So, I decided to take it on all by myself.

  I was in a foul mood when I stepped out of my office and told my secretary, Laurel, that I was leaving for the day and I didn’t want to be disturbed at home. At least there, there wouldn’t be any distractions and I could get a head start.

  I arrived home at one o’clock and had already put six hours into it. At seven o’clock, the doorman called and told me someone was here to see me.

  “Who is it, Russell?” I asked.

  “It’s Jenna Larson, sir.”

  Jenna? What the hell was she doing here? I asked myself in confusion. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since our night together. I needed a small break any way, so I told him to send her up.

  I waited at the elevator for her and when it arrived and the doors opened, she stood there gripping two extra-large suitcases.

  “Jenna, what’s going on?” I asked in confusion.

  “I need a place to temporarily stay, Lucas, and you’re my only option,” she spoke as she wheeled her suitcases past me.

  “What? What the hell are you talking about? Listen, Jenna. It’s good to see you and everything, but this is a really bad time. I have a lot going—”

  “And so do I!” she snapped at me.

  “Okay. Let’s both calm down and you can tell me what’s going on with you. But I’m on limited time. I’m working on a very special project and I have to get back to it.”

  I walked over to the bar and poured us each a scotch. Her being here and trying to move in was the last damn thing I needed right now.

  “Here.” I held the glass out to her.

  “No thanks.” She put her hand up, and I gave her a strange look. “I’m pregnant, Lucas. I’m pregnant with your baby.”

  I stood there in shock as I felt the color drain from my face and the glass of scotch I was holding hit the ground.

  “Ha! Same reaction I had.” She grabbed hold of my arm and led me over to the couch. “I know you’re in shock. Just give it some time and it will wear off. I’ll clean that mess up.”

  I swallowed hard as a million little things raced through my mind. She was joking. She had to be. The thing was, she picked the wrong fucking night to pull this shit on me.

  “You know what, Jenna. I appreciate a good joke every now and again, but this is not a good time.”

  “Joke?” She looked up at me as she wiped up the scotch from the floor. “You think this is a joke? I’m pregnant, Lucas.”

  “That’s impossible! I know the condom broke, but you said you were on the pill!” I shouted.

  “Yeah. I was on the pill, and maybe I messed the daily doses up. Who the hell knows!”

  “How do I know the baby is really mine? For all I know, you could have slept with other guys right after me.”

  “Are you serious right now?”

  “Yes. I’m dead serious. We slept together, I’m very wealthy and you see it as your opportunity to pin it on me for some quick rich scheme.”

  Jenna

  I blankly stared at him because I was in a state of shock by his words.

  “You think I want any of your money?”

  “Why else would you come here and tell me this?”

  “Because you’re this baby’s father. I want nothing from you, Lucas. I don’t even want you to be a part of the kid’s life. I only came here because I need a place to stay for a few days until I can figure things out.”

  “And what happened to your apartment?”

  “I had to leave because they’re being turned into condos and I didn’t have the money they wanted to buy it. According to them if you don’t buy then get out.”

  “Surely you have money saved. Why wouldn’t you go to a hotel? Better yet, what about that best friend of yours?”

  “You know what?” I got up from the floor and threw the scotch-soaked paper towel in the garbage. “I’m sorry that I bothered you with this. And shame on me for giving you enough credit for thinking that you were a semi decent human being that I could count on for a few days. I won’t bother you again.” I grabbed my purse and my bags and rolled them to the elevator. As soon as the doors opened, I stepped inside and frantically pressed the button to the lobby.

  I was so angry, I couldn’t see straight. How dare he!

  “Are you okay, Miss Larson?” Russell asked.

  “No. I’m not. But I will be, Russell. Thank you for asking.”

  “May I help you with your bags?”

  “No. I’ve got it.” I gave him a fragile smile.

  “JENNA, WAIT!” I heard Lucas yell.

  “Leave me alone, Lucas. You said what you had to, and I’m leaving. You’ll never hear from me again. That I can promise you.”

  By this time, the people in the lobby, as well as the workers, were staring at us as I exited through the doors.

  “Just stop for fuck sakes.” He grabbed my arm, causing a scene on the street. “Come back up to the penthouse. You can stay tonight. But I can’t discuss anything. I have this project I’m working on and it’s crucial I complete it.”

  I stared into his deep brown eyes.

  “I’d rather sleep on a bench in Central Park than stay in your penthouse.”

  “Well, too bad. You’re not sleeping on a bench in Central Park.” He grabbed one of my suitcases and headed back into the building.

  “Give me my suitcase back!” I ran after him, tripped over the threshold of the lobby doors and fell.

  “Oh my gosh, Miss Larson.” Russell ran over to me.

  “Are you alright?” Lucas dashed over and knelt down next to me.

  “Besides being completely humiliated? I’m fine.” But I wasn’t so sure about that.

  Lucas grabbed a hold of my hand and tried to help me up. The moment I put pressure on my right foot, I screamed and fell back down.

  “Let me take a look,” Lucas said as he lifted my pant leg and removed my shoe. “Shit. You need to go to the hospital. It may be broken.”

  “Broken? Oh hell no. I’ll be fine. Just take me upstairs. Please. I just need ice.”

  “Jenna. You fell and you said you’re pregnant. You’re going to the hospital.”

  “Fine. Russell will put me in a cab. You go back up to your project.”

  “No. I’m going with you. Just stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Like I can go anywhere.” I rolled my eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, Miss Larson,” Russell spoke sympathetically.

  “Thank you, Russell. You’re a good man. Unlike some.”

  While Lucas was gone, his driver Thaddeus walked into the building.

  “Miss Larson, I’m here to help you to the car. It’s best that I carry you.”

  “Yeah. No, Thaddeus. I’m humiliated enough. Bend down.” I gestured with my hand.

  He did as I asked, and I hooked my arm around him. As he helped me up, I made sure not to put any weight on my foot at all. The pain was unbearable.

  “Okay. Let’s go,” Lucas said as he tried to wrap his arm around my waist from the other side.

  “Don’t touch me!” I pushed him away.

  “It’s okay, sir. I’ve got her,” Thaddeus spoke.

  He helped me in the car, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to burst into tears. I was so angry and scared. Not because of my foot. I could have cared less about that. I was scared for the baby. What if it got hurt when I fell? The most horrific scenes were playing in my mind.

  “Are you—”

  “Don’t talk to me, Lucas.” I put my hand up.

  He let out
a long sigh and turned his head so he was looking out the window.

  When we reached the entrance to the Emergency Room, Lucas climbed out and grabbed a wheelchair while Thaddeus helped me out of the car and into it. Lucas wheeled me inside where we were immediately stopped by a security guard.

  “How can we help you?” he asked.

  “She fell and it looks like she may have broken her foot,” Lucas said. “She’s also pregnant.”

  “Follow me.”

  We followed him to the desk where a nurse who was about my age quickly took down my information.

  “You say you’re pregnant?”

  “Yes.”

  “How far along are you?” she asked.

  “About seven weeks now.”

  “Okay. Let’s get you back there and make sure the baby is okay. Are you the baby’s father?” She looked at Lucas and he hesitated to answer.

  “He’s having a hard time accepting it,” I said to the nurse and she shot him a look.

  “If you don’t want him back there, we’ll make him stay in the waiting room.”

  “I’m going back with you, Jenna. If you want to cause a scene, I’m ready.”

  I rolled my eyes at him.

  “It’s fine. He can come back with me.”

  We were immediately taken to a room, and I was instructed to change into a gown.

  “What do I need this for?” I asked.

  “The doctor is going to want to do an ultrasound to check the baby. Then we’ll go from there.”

  “What about her foot?” Lucas asked. “Look at it. You can clearly see something isn’t right.”

  “We will deal with that after we check the baby. Let me help you change into the gown,” the nurse spoke.

  “I can help her,” Lucas said as he took a step forward.