“Oh nothing.” Stella looked down, fiddling with her nails. “I just have some information I thought you’d want to know.”

“I don’t care about whatever gossip you’ve heard.”

Her head whipped up, and she cocked a hip to the side. “Not even if it has to do with your beloved Jade?”

I froze and looked at Stella over my shoulder.

“My friend Desiree works as a part-time receptionist at Dr. Burkes consulting rooms,” she started. “She told me Jade made a very interesting phone call yesterday - ”

“Is there an end to this story?”

“Let me finish,” huffed Stella, rolling her eyes. “So Jade phoned, and wanted to reschedule an appointment for an ultrasound.”

My jaw tensed. I had no idea why she felt the need to draw out whatever she had to tell me. “Spit it out, Stella. Now.”

“I was her twenty week ultrasound, Reid. Jade’s pregnant.”

If it were possible for the ground to fall out from under me, it would have just then. Not only did my heart stop, but my lungs stopped too.

Stella rounded my side, and placed her hands on my chest. “I told you she was no good for you, Reid.”

“You’re lying.”

It couldn’t be true. Jade would have told me, unless...

“Now that she’s having some other guys baby,” – Stella’s voice sounded far away, like I was underwater. Quite fitting considering I felt like I was drowning. – “There’s nothing stopping us from being together.”

I pushed her away from me and started stalking towards the buildings that housed the lecture halls. Stella called after me, but all I could hear was the blood rushing to my ears, and my heavy breathing.

I broke out into a jog, mentally recalling where I was most likely to find Jade at this time of day. I gave no thought to what I was going to say, but I had to see her, talk to her, before my mind ran away with me. I wanted it to be a lie, because the thought of her carrying another man’s baby was far more devastating than thinking she’d been with someone else after me. I didn’t want that to be the reason she didn’t want me.

I found the building where she had her classes, and pushed through the throng of students who had just exited class. Jade was standing outside in the crowded hallway, talking to some preppy looking douche, and the way he smiled at her had me clenching my jaw and my fists.

“Reid.” Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me, and her ‘friend’ stepped back, watching with wary eyes.

Yeah dickwad, touch her again, and I’ll rip your insides out.

“Is it true?” I blurted out, my chest heaving.

Jade’s brows furrowed, and she gripped the strap of her messenger bag tighter. “Is what true?”

The alarm in her voice told me she knew what I was asking her, but if she insisted on playing dumb, then I would have to just say it.

“Are you pregnant?”

All other activity around us stopped, and I felt every set of eyes in the vicinity as they turned on us. It wasn’t a small hallway, but with the high ceiling my voice travelled and sounded louder than I’d intended.

Jade looked around frantically, her expression panicked. I waited for her to deny it, only she didn’t.

“It’s true isn’t it?” I asked incredulously.

“Reid, I - ”

“No,” I said brusquely. “Your hesitation said it all. I thought you didn’t want to be with me because you didn’t love me, but now I understand. You’re pregnant with someone else’s baby.”

“No,” she started, but I shook my head.

“Don’t bother, Jade. I just wanted to know if it’s true.”

I backed away, bumping onto the nosey fuckers who had stopped to listen in, and as soon as I stepped outside, I heard Jade scream my name from behind. I spun around, and she was stomping her way towards me, indignation making her brown eyes darker.

That was my Jade.

My fighter.

Chapter 9

Jade

You stupid man

I followed Reid outside, blinking when the raindrops started hitting my face. After our last encounter, I’d given myself exactly one day to mope, and feel sorry for myself. After that I’d packed up my stuff at my parents’ house and come back to campus with a new sense of determination. Everything had fallen apart between Reid and me, but I wasn’t going to allow it to change me anymore that it already had.

“We’re not done talking,” I said, rushing to where he was standing. He looked so damn sexy in his dark jeans, black sneakers, and a plain grey Henley with a black knitted zip sweater. That combined with the scent of his cologne, and the rain, made every nerve ending in my body spark to life.

No!

Bad Jade!

The rain started falling harder, but I was too livid to notice and shot him a glare. His green eyes were bright, and the raindrops caught his long lashes, making them look darker.

“I think we are,” he said. “I found out all I need to know.”

I threw my messenger bag onto the wet concrete, aware that we’d garnered an audience, and pointed a finger at Reid’s chest.

“No, you heard what you wanted to hear, without giving me a chance to explain!”

I dropped my eyes for a split second, and watched Reid’s chest move up and down with every ragged inhalation. He also happened to be really sexy when he was mad, which, judging by his stormy expression, he very much was.

“What is there to explain when I can put the pieces together myself? You fucked me twice, and then left me, and I thought it was because of something I did. But now I know it was because you had someone else, and are now carrying his kid!”

My head snapped back, and my body reacted as if he’d physically struck me. That’s what he thought? I had no idea how he’d found out, but I was more upset over how he thought I’d been with someone else. The jerk!

I felt my throat closing, and had to grind my jaw to stop myself from crying. Fucking hormones. I’d been doing so well this week, and all it took was seeing Reid to mess it up.

I shoved his shoulder, and he took a step back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about!” I yelled, not caring who heard me. It was bound to be campus news anyway, so everyone might as well have gotten the scoop straight from me. “This baby,” – I pointed at my stomach – “is yours, you stupid man!”

He frowned, as if confused – because really, what I said was so fucking confusing – and looked down to where I had rested my hand. Sure, I was on the brink of losing my grip on our situation, but after this little stunt, Reid Cole didn’t deserve to see me cry.

I threw my arms out, and did a turn, looking at everyone watching us. “There you have it folks! I’m pregnant, and this ass” – I pointed at Reid – “is going to be a dad!”

When I faced him again the glower he’d been sporting was gone. “Are you happy now?” I asked. My body shook, both from the cold, and the furious adrenaline pumping through my veins. Reid opened his mouth, and then shut it. He was clearly at a loss for words.

“Great,” I muttered, slapping my hands on my soaked jean-clad thighs. My hair stuck to my face, and I bet I looked like a drowned rat.

Snatching my bag off the floor, I proceeded to walk past him, and when he made a grab for my arm, I pulled it away. “Don’t fucking touch me, Reid.”

We had a silent stare off, and when he lifted his hands and stepped back, I turned around and walked away.

ASHLEY WAS WATCHING television when I blew through the front door. I was seething, and decided to give the remainder of my classes a skip. I needed a hot shower, dry clothes, and a moment or two alone.

“Hey,” said Ashley. “You’re home early.”

I wiped my wet hair from my face, and threw my bag on to the kitchen counter. “I’m tired,” I replied. “Decided to come home early.”

“Are you okay?” She asked, frowning. “You look upset.”