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Chapter 34 - Alyson
I need a drink. A big one. With lots and lots of alcohol. I close my eyes in a long blink, praying I misheard Rose.
“That’s less than a year away!” Mom exclaims. “Do you think you can get everything ready
in time?”
March isn’t that far away, she’s right. And there is a lot to do before then, and I’m not thinking about the wedding.
“I think we can swing it,” Rose says. “I’ll have to get right to work, I know, and my mom’s already on it.” She looks back at Jacob, smiling. “We don’t want anything fancy, anyway.”
I bring my hand to my head, subconsciously rubbing the space between my jaw and my ear. It’s been hurting off and on since last weekend, and I knew I should have listened to Jim about a sinus infection lingering for longer than normal now that I’m pregnant.
“Are you okay, hun?” Mom asks, and I flick my eyes up to her.
“Oh, yeah. I think I have an ear infection, that’s all,” I blurt. I should have made something up, but I’v
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THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLACES TO STAY WHEN VISITING EASTWOOD IF YOU DON’T HAVE A FRIEND OR family member to crash with. One is the Whippoorwill Bed and Breakfast, and the nicer of the two options. It’s where I stayed weeks ago, the first time I came back to Eastwood in years. And it might be where I’m staying tonight, based on how the situation goes when Alyson and I break the news to her parents. Currently, I’m parked on the street downtown, waiting for Alyson. No one knows I’m coming into town with her, and she thought it was best to arrive together. She’s getting panicked about this, and as much as I’m trying to tell her—and myself—that it’s really not that big of a deal, her anxiety is getting to me. Not because I’m worried what will happen to my friendship with Jacob. I already know he’s not going to react well. It’ll hurt to lose him. Hell, it’ll hurt to lose Ben and Logan, but it’s not me I’m worried about. I can handle it. But Alyson…it’ll kill he
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 35 - Alyson
The air leaves my lungs, and if it weren’t for Jim’s arm around me, I might have fallen over. Mom’s eyebrows pinch together, and she tips her head looking at the images. “Where did you get—” Mom tips her head, eyeing the photos. The blood drains from my face, and I can’t open my mouth to form the words to warn Jim. “This has your name on it, Alyson,” she says quietly. And then it hits her. Her mouth opens, and she lets out a gasp. The ultrasound pictures fall to the table, and Dad picks them up. It doesn’t take him long to come to the same conclusion. He stands up so fast his chair scoots out from behind him and falls over. “You knocked up my daughter?” A hush falls over the room, and I swear even the dogs stopped sniffing around the table to look. “Alyson,” Mom starts, still looking confused. She picks up the chair and reaches up for Dad’s wrist, pulling him back down. “What…when…are you sure?” “Wait a minute,” Ben says, reachin
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 36 - Jim
“All things considered, that went as well as I thought it would.” I put my arm around Alyson and push off the ground, sending the glider back. It’s getting late, and everyone but Weston and Jackson has left already. Wes is working the night shift tonight, so Jackson is staying here with Alyson’s parents. Alyson rests her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes. She looks exhausted. Physically, I know she will be for the rest of the first trimester at least. Emotionally, she’s spent. And I still think she’s one of the fucking strongest people I know. “Yeah. Only my dad and Jacob want to take you out back and cut off your testicles. But don’t worry, I won’t let that happen. I happen to like them. Well, more so what they’re attached to.” I laugh and press my lips against the top of Alyson’s head. “Thanks for looking out for my balls.” The sound of katydids and crickets echo through the yard, reverberating off the tall corn that surrounds us. The sounds o
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 37 - Jim
“JIM, CAN I HAVE A WORD?” MR. LANGFORD STEPS OUT OF HIS OFFICE. IT’S FRIDAY AFTERNOON and I’m getting ready to head out. Alyson is staying for dinner, and then is leaving too. It kills me thinking about her driving back up to Chicago alone and I hate that we’re headed in separate directions. “Yes, sir,” I say and stand from the couch where Alyson and I were sitting. “Close the door,” Mr. Langford says when I get into his office. “Alyson is my only daughter. My youngest. My baby. She’ll always be those things to me, do you understand?” “I do.” “Now, I know this wasn’t planned, but I expect you to be there for her. No matter what.” “I plan to. I care about her more than anything, and now that she’s carrying my baby, she’s my priority.” Mr. Langford rubs his chin and nods. “Do you love her?” “Yes.” “Does she love you?” “Not yet.” Mr. Langford’s frown slowly turns. He steps around his desk and gives me a pa
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 38 - Alyson
“Can you tell?” I smooth my shirt over my stomach and turn to the side. “No.” Marissa shakes her head. “I know you and you’ve always been a skinny bitch, so I guess I’m able to pick up on that slight bump you claim is the baby, but to anyone else, you look like you ate a big meal.” “It’s weird,” I say, wrinkling my nose, and grab my shoes. I take off my heels and put on my running shoes, not caring how silly it looks with my dress pants and blouse. It’s Friday, and we’re leaving work for the week. “I’m almost looking forward to showing.” “Just don’t turn into Bethany.” I widen my eyes and shake my head, showing my horror. “If I do, slap me.” Bethany works with us and had her first baby last year. She made sure everyone knew everything about the pregnancy and complained nonstop about her symptoms. Though I can emphasize now, and after throwing up three times yesterday, I broke down and took an anti-nausea pill this morning. I still feel
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 39 - Alyson
“SEX AND SLEEP PRETTY MUCH MAKE UP OUR RELATIONSHIP,” I MUSE, NESTLING IN DEEPER INTO Jim’s embrace. It’s Sunday morning, and I’m feeling too queasy for sex right now, but could easily fall back asleep. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” “It’s not. Give me a few more weeks and we can probably throw in eating.” “Sex, food, and sleep. Sounds pretty perfect to me.” He pushes my messy hair back out of my face. “But next weekend when I’m in Chicago, let’s do something else. I still plan on having plenty of sex though.” “Oh, me too. What do you want to do?” “I’ve always wanted to go to the Science Museum there, unless you think that’s lame.” “I love the museum. You can really come next weekend?” “Yeah. And if you want to hook me up with your private jet connection, I wouldn’t object.” I laugh. “I’ll see what I can do.” “I was joking. I don’t mind driving, actually.” “It’ll get old.” “We won’t be making that drive for
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 40 - Alyson
A LOUD POUNDING SOUND WAKES ME UP WITH A START. I SIT UP, CONFUSED FOR A SPLIT SECOND, AND then remember I’m at Jim’s. I look at my phone; I’ve only been asleep for forty-five minutes. Someone knocks on the front door again, hard, heavy, and desperate. I unlock my phone and call Jim, not expecting him to answer. He doesn’t, and I swing my legs over the bed, peering out into the hall. The door is locked. Jim made sure of it before he left. A few seconds go by, and I think whoever was outside must have left. I let out a breath and prepare to go back to sleep. And then the person outside knocks again. “Jim!” the man outside the door yells. “Are you in there?” They know Jim? “I know you’re in there, man!” And they’re angry. What the hell? The pounding on the door starts again, so loud I’m scared they’re going to bust through the door. Swallowing my pounding heart, I unlock my phone, thinking I might need to call the cops about this crazy guy.
Further to Fall in Love Chapter 41 - Jim
“You’re needed in the ER.”I give the medical assistant a quizzical look. “The ER? Are you sure?”She’s sitting behind a desk in the PACU and just got off the phone. Her eyes dart to it and she nods. “That’s what they said. I asked twice since it’s not your area, but you’re being requested by Dr. Harris.”Sam is in the ER asking for me? He’s off today and he’s never in the emergency room. Why would he—oh shit.Alyson.My phone battery was low, so I plugged it in and left it with my clothes when I changed into surgical scrubs. I rush through the recovery area to get it and see I have missed texts from both Alyson and Sam. The most recent one is from Sam, and I have to read it twice because my brain refuses to believe what I’m seeing.Someone tried to break in and Alyson got hurt. We’re at the ER. I’ll have you paged.I
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