We part ways, and I stalk into the restaurant, a man on a mission as I head for the buffet. As much as I crave the juicy bacon, I’m not an asshole. If the smell turns her stomach, I’m not going to get any. Quickly, I load up a tray filled with fruit, muffins, hardboiled eggs, oatmeal, and some hash browns. I toss on the condiments, then grab a coffee for myself and an orange juice for Carrie. Several people give me curious stares as I leave the restaurant with my haul, but I pretend I don’t see. By the time I slip into the lounge, I’m thankful to see Carrie secured us a table in the corner hidden by some plants and high-backed chairs.
“We’re not supposed to eat in here,” Carrie says, eyeing my tray as though she expects to be assaulted by the bacon.
“Well, we’ve had a rough morning. They’ll get over it.”
She smirks as I set the tray on the coffee table and take the seat next to her. Her eyes light up at the orange juice. She takes several sips before picking up a muffin. Once she has something in her stomach, the color returns to her face, and she picks through the hash browns I’d actually gotten for myself. Since she shoved the oatmeal off to the side, I take that and dive in, eager to chase away the angry grumbling in my stomach. I polish off the bowl at record speed and eat one of the bananas before feeling satisfied. Grabbing my coffee, I settle back in my chair, lifting an expectant brow at her.
“I really messed up,” she mutters, her bottom lip trembling. “Like really, really messed up.”
“Both the Voss kids are fucking failures today. At least we’re in it together.” I playfully nudge her foot with mine, hoping to cheer her up, though I feel like crying right along with her.
“I can’t…” She frowns, staring into her orange juice cup. “I don’t want to get rid of it.”
“Okay,” I say slowly. “What do you want to do?”
“Carry it to term. And then…” She swipes at a rogue tear before turning her blue eyes on me. “I had goals, Canny. Big dreams. I wanted to go to Julliard.” A ragged hiccup of a sigh escapes her. “And Damon…”
I fist my hand, swallowing down my anger. “He’s eighteen.”
Sadness is chased off by a fierce expression. “We both consented. It’s not about his age.”
Try telling the law that, sis.
“He got offered a scholarship to the University of Florida. It’s close, but he can’t play ball with a baby.”
At this point, I don’t feel sorry for Damon, but I bite my tongue. “So, what are you saying?”
“Does it make me a bad person if I want to put it up for adoption?” Her eyes grow watery again. She’s just a kid making a grown-up decision.
“Of course not,” I assure her. “How will you handle the attention at school, though?”
“I can still play the violin.” She lifts her chin. “Everyone else can go to hell. Even Paige.”
“Why Paige? I thought she was your best friend.”
“I only hung out with her because you were with Naomi. She’s changed this year. Once she finds out I’m pregnant, she’ll want to distance herself from me. I know her. She’ll be thinking of her popularity, not me.”
I reach over and take her hand in mine. “Whatever you do, I’ll be there for you. You know that, right? If it’s abortion or adoption or keeping it. I’m here.”
She nods and squeezes my hand. “You’ve always been there, Canny. Always.” Her gaze darts over her shoulder before she brings it back to me. “What happened up there?”
Dread washes over me. I pull back my hand to rake my fingers through my still-wet hair. All I want to do is drag Alis into my arms and assure him we’ll figure it out just like I promised my sister, but I can’t. At least, not yet.
“Me and Alis…” I trail off, shooting her a helpless look.
Her eyes widen. “But you hated him.”
“Back then,” I agree, “but things changed.”
“Apparently,” she says with a snort.
“I love him.” My voice grows hoarse. “He makes me happy. Like so fucking happy. And now.” I swallow hard, dropping my stare to my coffee mug. “Dad and Quinn found out. We knew if they ever did, they’d be pissed. But they’ll get over it, right?”
She furls her brows as she studies me. “They have no choice.”
“They could disown us.”
Her eyes roll. “You and Alis sleeping together have nothing on me getting pregnant at sixteen. Dad’s not going to disown me, so why would he disown you?”
“You have a lot of faith in that man. Even after all he did to us.”
“Which is why I believe he’ll get over it. We moved past what he did, even if it fractured our family beyond repair.”