I crack the window. It’s far too stuffy in here with us breathing the same air.

“I hate this song,” she says and turns off the radio, leaving us in awkward silence.

Her hand is draped over the steering wheel, her mouth a hard set.

“Who’s the father?” she blurts out.

I lean my head against the window, trying not to get sick. The last thing I want to tell her is who the father is. It won’t take her long to figure out seeing as I have no friends and the only place I ever want to be is next door.

“Is it Deacon?” she finally asks.

As much as I want to, it’s too late to deny it. She’ll find out eventually. I just wanted him to be the first to know.

I nod.

supposed to watch his

used protection, and he knew too. This wasn’t an accident like when my mom got pregnant with me. I want this. So does Deacon. At least I hope he still

childhood crush would come back to haunt me. I’d hoped those feelings had vanished over

about my crush on Deacon?” I

women in the neighborhood. We were all guilty of ogling him. Me

crushing on the man who is now

knots. Not only because of the morning sickness and my mom and Sam’s judgment, but also because I need to tell Deacon.

mad?” I ask. I hate it when my mom

I just don’t want you to end up a single mom like me. It’s difficult

like Dad. He’ll help me raise

unreasonably happy even though I know I shouldn’t

help out?” my mom asks. “He already has an infant to take

at my hands, braid

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