Double Threats Forever by Julie Prestsater Page B

reaches each one of my friends’ eyes. “I’m sorry, guys. I’m going home.”
     
     

Chapter 13
     
     
     
    I hear footsteps trotting beside me as I leave the cafeteria.
    “Meg,” Travis calls out to me. “Hey, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
    Looking down, I try hiding the tears in my eyes. “Thanks, but I’m just going to walk home. I don’t really feel like talking.”
    “I’ll drive you. Come on,” he hangs an arm over my shoulder, “I’ll feel better if I know you got home okay. And you don’t have to say a thing.”
    I lift my arm, curl it around his waist, and lean into his chest. “Thanks.”
    Travis and I arrive at my house just five minutes later, and I slip out of his car with a quick goodbye. He was true to his word. He didn’t ask any questions. He didn’t make a peep, which is perfect because I don’t plan on saying anything, to him or any of the rest of the crew. This is Amy’s story to tell. Not mine. I told her she could trust me and I meant it. Letting my friends believe this is all about Eric spreading rumors about me is good enough. It’ll have to be.
    Once inside my house and in my room, I close my door, sit on my bed, and pull my computer onto my lap. I need to talk to someone. I need to talk to Alex.
    Time creeps by at a snail’s pace as I wait for my laptop to start up. On the way to my house, I sent Alex a text to see if he could chat. Fortunately, he’s at home for the afternoon or I’d go crazy waiting to speak to him. Even more so than I am right now.
    Finally, my computer powers on and the internet connects so I can push a video chat through to my guy. It doesn’t take long for his face to appear on my screen.
    “Hey, babe,” he smiles, “Tired of school already? Let the ditching begin. I should’ve gone to college closer to home so I could’ve kidnapped you and spent the day with you whenever we wanted.”
    The thought makes me smile. “I wish. I could’ve used one of those days today. God, I wish you were here,” I groan.
    The skin between his brows furrows. “Megan, what’s wrong? What happened?” The questions spill out with concern.
    I get weepy again. And I’m not sure why.
    “I had a chat with Amy today.”
    He grumbles, scrubbing his hands over his face. The image on my screen looks like a blur. “What now?”
    I don’t know where to start. “Well, I think we’re okay now. We’re over the past.” I pause, considering it. “I guess I’m over it. But I’m not sure Amy ever will be. She’s been through a lot.”
    “Okay.” He looks confused. I bet he is. I know I would be.
    “What I’m about to tell you, no one else knows about. Only me, Amy, and Mrs. Flores. Promise me you’ll keep it to yourself.”
    “Of course, Megan. I promise. Tell me whatever you feel comfortable with. You know I’m here for you.” The sincerity in his voice and eyes warms my heart.
    I go on to tell him the whole story. From last year, when I went with Amy to the clinic, to today when she confessed about Eric being the father and about their secret relationship.
    I don’t mean to spill my guts, but I just can’t hold it in any longer. My mind is full of sympathy, confusion, anger and it’s hard to make sense of it all. I’ve been dying to talk to someone about it.
    “Wow, I can’t believe you’ve been holding this in for months. I know going with her had to make you feel … I don’t know. Weird? Sad? Something?”
    “Exactly. Something . I don’t know what exactly. At the time, I just felt really bad for her. I know I wouldn’t want to be in that situation. At least, I’d have my mom to talk to. I always thought maybe she could talk to the baby daddy, but now I know that didn’t happen.”
    “Kinda makes me want to knock his ass out.”
    “Don’t worry, I already did.” I smile, thinking about punching Eric. I really shouldn’t feel happy about being violent toward another person, but that dickhead deserved it. I give Alex the