Hooked (TKO 2)

Slowly, her hands move from her face and I use my thumb to wipe away some of the mascara running down her porcelain cheeks.

“Lance, I’m pregnant with his baby.”

The world around me stops. The birds aren’t

chirping anymore, and the wind isn’t blowing in the trees. The worst thing I could have ever heard just continues to play over and over again in my head. Jealousy hits me like an evil monster, but I can’t let her see that. I told her she could tell me anything, so I opened myself up to this. But what the hell am I supposed to say? First he took her virginity, and now she’s pregnant and a piece of shit like him doesn’t even deserve to be a father.

“Does he know?” I ask. “How far along are you?”

“No, he doesn’t know. I just found out yesterday. I’m only four weeks along.”

“You can find out that early?”

“Apparently so. I don’t know what to do. How did I get myself into this?”

I’m searching for any answers I could give her. What would Raegan say if she were here? Trying to think like a woman is hard. In my gut, I know what I have to do. I close my eyes and try to imagine talking to my mom. She raised me to be a good man, to make the right choices no matter what the situation. I’ve always strived to make my momma proud, and even though she’s no longer here, I still want her proud as she smiles from heaven.

“Leave him and be with me. Say it’s my baby, Hilary. I’ll take care of it as if it were my own.”

Her eyes widen. Even I can’t believe I just said those words, but to get her away from him, I’d do it. I don’t know the first thing about babies, but that’s where Raegan comes in.

“You would do that for me?”

“You know I would. I would do anything for you. I did it for you then and I’ll do it now. You’re early in the pregnancy, so no one would know. If he gets stupid with you, I’ll handle him. You won’t do this alone.”

“I have been terrible to you, Lance. I don’t deserve you.”

“I don’t deserve you either, but here we are.”

My phone buzzes. I text Raegan to let her know where we are.

“Raegan is on her way back. What do you want to do? I told you what I’ll do for you, but I need to know what you really want to do.”

“I want to change my phone number first, so he’ll leave me alone. And I want out now. I won’t ask or expect you to take care of this baby, Lance. Let’s take this day by day, please.”

I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Anything you want. Does Raegan know about the baby?”

“No, she doesn’t. You’re the first person I’ve told.”

“I can text her back and tell her not to come here. I can take you to do whatever you need to do, and we can go talk to your dad.”

Before she can answer, I’ve already begun texting Raegan. She immediately replies, wanting to know what’s going on, and I tell her to mind her business. I laugh at her bitchy response, and stick my phone back in my pocket.

“Can you drive? I’m feeling shaky.” Hilary rises to her feet. She hands me her keys as we approach her car.

I open the door for her and she slides in and buckles up. I walk over to the driver’s side and let out a sigh. I wasn’t lying to her a few minutes ago. I’ll do anything for her, and if it means taking on the role of father to this baby, then I will do it. Before I open the car door, the reality hits me that I’m supposed to be at Lou’s shortly. That’s not happening now. Fuck. I grab my phone and call Garrett. He’s bound to be more understanding than Howard.

“You on your way, man? Tell me Raegan is out of your drama.”

“Well, hello to you, too. Yes, Raegan is out of the drama. I heard things today that not even she knows.” It’s not my place to say, so before he can ask, I continue, “I’m calling to tell you I won’t be there today. I’ve got some personal things to attend to.”

“By personal, do you mean Hilary? As long as Raegan isn’t involved, I’ll forgive you.”

“Can you do me a favor and let Howard know? I’ve got to go.”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Garrett assures me as he ends the call.

I open the door and climb in. Hilary stares blankly out the window. I start the engine and the car comes to life. The speakers are blaring Taylor Swift. The song ‘Shake It Off’ is something I enjoy listening to, but I won’t admit that to just anyone. Garrett and Raegan know, and they won’t let me live it down.