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.”

“I’m - ” My words got caught in my throat when a sharp pain shot through my stomach. I bent forward, and cried out.

“Jade.” Ashley was at my side before I could blink. “What’s wrong?”

Another pain hit me, and sent me crumbling to the floor. Ashley caught me, but not quickly enough. We both fell, and I winced.

“Something’s wrong,” I said, trying to breathe through the cramps. “Can you take me to the hospital, please?”

“Sure, let me grab my purse and my keys.”

Ashley slid out from under me, and gathered her things before helping me to my feet. “Will you be able to walk?” She asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. Ashley and I had grown distant after she’d gone out with Dane towards the end of last year – long story – but I’d never been more grateful to have her in the apartment. I was terrified, and couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to the baby.

“Yes – Oh God.”

Ashley managed to help me downstairs to her black Lexus, and got me buckled in before running over to the driver’s side. She started the car, and hit the gas, sending asphalt flying behind us.

“Did you eat something strange?” She asked, darting her head back and forth between me and the road ahead.

I shook my head. “I’m pregnant,” I said. “And I think something is happening to the baby.”

I saw Ashley’s eyes widen, but she didn’t say anything as we drove to Dr. Burke’s. By the time she stopped in the lot, the cramps had intensified slightly, and I was starting to really panic.

“Excuse me,” she said to the receptionist when we walked through the door. “We need to see - ” she looked at me.

“Dr. Burke.”

“It’s an emergency,” she continued. The receptionist was on the phone, but didn’t seem too eager to help us. Ashley surprised me by reaching over the front desk, and pulling the telephone cord from the wall. I had to hand it to her, she was fiery.