Torn Bond (Bonded Duet 1)

After five times and he hadn’t answered, I started to pace the room. I was still in my pj’s with fluffy socks on my feet to keep my toes warm because the air conditioner was constantly on in the dorm. I kept the test clutched in my hand as I continued to try and dial him, but still, there was no answer.

Maybe he thought I was calling him to beg him to come back to me? Maybe he thought I was in the same frame of mind as I had been when he’d left a week ago. But so much had changed since then. So much.

Hours passed, and still no answer. I was on the verge of calling my mom to see if she could get ahold of him, when someone knocked on my door. I rushed over to it, not sure what I was expecting, but when I opened it, and Curtis’ face appeared, my shoulders slumped.

“Hey,” I greeted and spun around so he could come inside. I clicked the call button again, probably my hundredth attempt as I paced back and forth.

“You okay?” Curtis asked, and I held my finger up as the dial tone rang out and then clicked to voicemail again.

“Yeah.” I bit down on my bottom lip, debating whether to tell him or not. This was something I would have spoken to Stella about, but she wasn’t here anymore. And Curtis was my only friend now. “I’m…” I held the test in front of me. “I’m pregnant.”

Curtis’ brows flew high on his forehead as he stared at the test, and his wide-eyed gaze met mine, shock being the only emotion to pass over his features. “Holy shit.” He blinked several times. “Whose is it? I mean, what are you going to do? I mean”—he shook his head—“how do you feel about it?”

“I feel…” I smiled and stared at the wall behind his head. I’d stared at that exact spot when Ford had left, but what I felt now was the polar opposite to then. “I’m happy.” I sighed. “And it’s Ford’s baby.” I paused, not knowing what my next step was. “He won’t answer his cell.” I held my cell up as if that would back me up. “But I have to tell him. He needs to know.”

Curtis stared at me for what felt like forever. “I…erm, can’t you just go to him?”

I shook my head and let my hands flap at my sides. “He lives back home. Five hours away.”

Neither of us said anything for several minutes, and I tried calling him again. Maybe he’d answer now? Or maybe he was in a meeting and couldn’t get to his cell? But I knew he always had it on him.

“I could take you?” Curtis asked.

My head whipped up to face him. “What?”

He shrugged. “I could take you to him so you can tell him.”

“You’d do that?”

“Sure.” He pulled his keys out of his front pocket. “I’d need directions, though.”

Butterflies took flight in my stomach at the prospect of seeing F

ord. I didn’t know how he’d react, but I knew I wanted to keep this baby. I was already so in love with it.

“Okay,” I whispered, and then repeated, “Okay.”

Curtis laughed. “Get dressed and meet me outside.” He spun around and walked out of my dorm, and I got my ass into gear. I rushed around to get ready and grabbed a bag of overnight clothes, just in case. There was no way I’d be back here tonight, not with how long it would take to get there, and if Ford was happy, then maybe I’d stay over his place. And Lottie. I’d get to see Lottie.

I hooked my bag over my shoulder and tried Ford one last time, but when he didn’t answer again, I pulled my door open and resolved to tell him face to face.

It felt like I was floating on air as I made my way out of the building and to Curtis’ car. I pushed inside the black Camaro and grinned over at him. “Thanks for doing this.”

“No worries. It gets me out of today’s classes.” He chuckled and pointed at the navigation system. “Put the address in, and we can get going.”

I leaned forward and put in my home address because I could direct him to Ford’s from there, and then we were off on the five-hour-long journey. I was in my own head for so long, playing over all the outcomes in my head, that I didn’t realize we were so close until we drove past the school my mom worked at.

I pointed it out to Curtis, and he said, “It feels like I’ve known you for three years, and yet I haven’t known you too.” I knew what he meant because I’d kept my home life separate from college, but I didn’t think too much about that as I directed him to Ford’s house.

Curtis pulled up outside, but Ford’s car wasn’t parked on the drive. “I don’t think he’s here. Let me go and knock, but if he isn’t, he’ll probably be at my mom’s house.”

Curtis nodded and idled the engine as I jumped out and ran up the drive. I pounded my fist on the door and spun back to face Curtis as I waited. After a minute and knocking a second time, there wasn’t an answer, so I ran back to the car.

“He’s not there,” I told Curtis. “Go back the way we came, and I’ll tell you when to turn.”

He did as I said and glanced around at all of the houses. “So, this is where you grew up?”

“Yep.” I stared at my cell, seeing it was just after 2 p.m. “Take this left.” Curtis turned into my road, and I frowned at all of the cars lining the street. Each side was full of vehicles, and the closer to my mom and dad’s house we got, the busier it became.