Teller
“Sunshine, I’m home,”I call out as I step into the house. It’s unusual for Charlotte not to meet me at the door.
Unless she’s waiting in our room with a surprise. The thought of her sprawled out on our bed in some sexy outfit propels me up the stairs. Every inch of our old farmhouse has been remodeled but the old stairs still creak in certain spots. There’s no sneaking up on Charlotte unless she’s in the shower or maybe asleep.
The bedroom’s dark. As my eyes adjust, the faint shapes of a dresser, nightstands, and our bed fall into place.
She has to be home. Her car was in its usual spot. Unless she’s at Rock and Hope’s. Or she’s visiting her brother.
A soft sniffle breaks the silence.
“Char?” I push the door open wider and slide my hand along the wall, searching for the light switch.
“Don’t,” she says in a hoarse whisper.
“What’s wrong?” I cross to the bed and find her wrapped in a ball of blankets. “Hey, are you sick?”
“No.”
Cold fear strikes me in the chest. Our little secret. The news we haven’t shared with anyone yet. It was too soon.
“Tell me.” I need to know, even if I’m afraid of what she’s going to say.
Instead of words, she grips my arm. “I got my period while you were gone.”
“Shit.”
“I went to the doctor—”
“By yourself?”
Her face screws into a scowl. “They told me miscarriages are common this early.” The bitterness in her voice fades. She sniffles. “They acted like I was ridiculous for even coming in and sent me home.”
“Fuck. Are you serious?”
She groans and curls up even tighter.
“Are you in pain?”
She hums a noise that I interpret as a yes.
“Should we go to the hospital? Or another doctor?” I need to do something. Wrap my hands around the neck of the doctor who so callously sent her home and squeeze really hard. How could I be off wallowing like a pussy when my girl was going through this alone?
“Did you tell anyone? Call someone to go with you?”
“No,” she groans. “Hope’s close to her due date. And I didn’t think I could see Heidi right now.”
“Charlotte.” I sigh and stand. “You should’ve called me. I would’ve come back right away.”
“Don’t go,” she pleads.
“I ain’t going anywhere, Sunshine.” I strip off my clothes and tug on the blankets. “Scoot over.”
She slides a few inches away. Enough for me to ease my big frame onto the mattress and pull the covers over us. Her skin’s hot against my fingers. “Are you all right?”
“No. I’m not okay at all.”
“I mean…” Fuck, why am I asking her stupid questions? I skim the back of my hand over her cheek and against her forehead. She’s warm but not feverish. At least, I don’t think so. “Are you sure we shouldn’t go to the hospital?”