Vik (Shot Callers 2)

She sounded so betrayed that when my heart snapped in two, I heard the mental sound of glass splintering.

Apprehensive, I stepped forward. “Mina…”

The way I said it, with careful consideration and caution, had her eyes widening in shock. The breath she was holding was audibly exhaled, and then she said quietly, “Oh my God, you are.”

At the misery she wore, my heart picked up pace, and the words I spoke came out soft and apologetic. “We didn’t plan this.”

Lost in her thoughts, she nodded slowly, unconsciously, looking past me into the wall by my head.

I didn’t know what to say as I watched the flurry of expressions sweep over her sweet face.

Sadness. Anger. Distress. And finally, anguish.

Mina lowered her face, her shoulders shaking as she started crying, and my gut sank. Lev came forward and placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder. She let out a wobbly, “It’s fine. I’m okay. I’m happy.” She repeated herself, but if came out dismal. “I’m happy.”

Her small body shook with silent sobs, and the entire room of people kept silent, witnessing her grief unfold. A minute later, she fled, running out the front door, leaving it open as she escaped the scrutiny of watchful eyes. I moved to follow, but Lev caught me.

“Let me” was what he said as he gently squeezed my arm. His kind eyes met mine, and although his words didn’t sound very apologetic, I knew what he said taxed him. “I’m sorry we ruined your party.” Another light squeeze. He then followed his wife out the door.

My gaze swept the room. All eyes were on me. And just when I thought to abandon ship and sneak back upstairs, someone cleared their throat, catching my attention.

“A toast.” Uncle Laredo raised his glass. “To the happy couple.”

A murmur of approval went through the space, and one by one, everyone lifted their glass in salute.

I smiled appreciatively, lifting my own glass of sparkling apple juice in thanks, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Mina.

I should have told her in private. I should have offered her some warning. I should have thought about how this would affect her. But I didn’t.

Guilt ate at me.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect a reaction. I suppose I just hoped for more than the one I got.

My gut sank.

The whole scene left me feeling sad and thoughtless, even inconsiderate for merely being happy when she felt so low. Even after everyone took turns coming to congratulate us, even after Vik’s parents welcomed me to their family with hugs and kisses and a love unmatched, I never really recovered. My mood was shot.

And the next morning, Mina returned with her tail between her legs.

The doorbell rang, and I opened it to find my sister-in-law holding a clearly homemade cake. I could see it was chocolate, but the buttercream looked weirdly chunky, and the singular piped word on it was runny and bled into the frosting.

I think it said Congratulations, but even with 20/20 vision, I couldn’t be sure.

Wide-eyed, she nervously moved from foot to foot, then rushed out, “I iced it when it was hot.” God. She looked positively miserable. Tears filled her eyes, and her lips quivered as she blinked them away and let out a whining, high-pitched, “Damn it. Even when I want to apologize, I screw it up.”

Yes, she sort of wrecked my night. Yeah, it was a shitty thing to do. But, God help her, I loved this bitch like she was my own blood, and now, knowing I was pregnant, I thought about how it would feel to try and try and try some more and be denied the child you wanted so badly.

My heart went out to her. It sucked.

But I wouldn’t apologize for my excitement.

With a sad smile, I moved closer, and Mina met me halfway. We embraced, and the second her slender arm snaked around me, my throat tightened. I hugged her close, sighed, then pressed a loving kiss to her cheek.

“I am so sorry,” she wept, trembling with heavy remorse.

I couldn’t help myself. I snorted. “You made a scene and ran out like a bad ’80s movie.”

“I know,” she moaned as though the thought mortified her. “What is wrong with me?”

I snuffled out a quiet laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t rush the tray of champagne as you went.”

She groaned out loud but nuzzled her face into my shoulder, smiling into my skin. “Would you stop? I already feel like a jerk.”

We held each other a long minute before my arm loosened on her, and I stepped back to look at her. Her expression was entirely contrite.

I loved this woman. She wore her heart on her sleeve. Everyone was entitled to a bad day.

I rolled my eyes, softening it with a smile. “I’ll be honest. Your reaction was about as dramatic as Vik’s.”