Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Thank God Evans wasn't here to see this.

Women don’t talk about how uncomfortable it is to pee on a stick. Seriously. After basically peeing on everything in sight, I set the stick on the bathroom counter, and then hop in the shower.

At least the shower keeps me from waiting around for the test. When I turn off the shower, I realize I can't change because Evans’s still in my room. I hesitate but open the door. He was pacing but stopped when he heard the door open, raising his eyebrows. "Well?"

"I haven't looked," I say through the crack. "Could you turn around? I need to get to my closet."

He looks me up and down slowly as if barely realizing that I only have a towel around me. I completely freeze. "Yeah, sure," he says after a moment, then turns around. I walk out of the bathroom and hurry to my closet; I don't have much room, but I’m able to put on underwear and a bra before quickly grabbing a pair of shorts and a blouse. Not bad.

Evans is standing in the bathroom doorway with the pregnancy stick in his hands and I wince. "Evans—" I want to tell him he probably shouldn't touch that, but he looks up at me.

"It's positive," he says.

"What?" I ask, reaching for it. Sure enough, there’s a plus sign on it. "Oh my god—I'm pregnant?"

"Are you alright?" He’s concerned. "Ciara. sit—you're pale." He leads me to the bed, and I sit. I started to feel a little dizzy; I was fine five seconds ago, but now that I know I'm pregnant, I’m suddenly feeling all the symptoms.

How ironic. It’s his baby—he's the one that should be freaking out, not me.

"It's real now," I say slowly.

He smiles as he nods. "Yes, it is."

I nod, too, not knowing what to say. It's weird—I'm pregnant, but I don't feel anything. Sure, the baby is nothing but a fertilized egg, but still.

"Are you okay? Should I call the doctor or...?"

"No." I smile. "I'm sorry. I think I…freaked out."

Evans chuckles. "It's okay. I think I…freaked out a little, too," he admits.

My eyes widen. "You still want the baby, right? Because now it's growing inside me and it's coming and I can't be a mom, Evans—"

"Ciara, calm down—of course, I still want the baby. And like you said—it's real now."

"It is," I say, looking down at my flat stomach. Soon it'll grow and everyone will know I'm pregnant. There will be no hiding it. There's a brief moment of silence until my stomach decides it's time to sound like a whale. Evans smiles.

"Let's go eat," he suggests.

I frown. "It's okay—you don't have to stick around. I mean, don't you have things to do at your club or something?"

"It wasn't a question," he says with a smirk.

"Are you going to keep using this contract against me? Because that's not fair."

"Put on your shoes," he orders.

I sigh but still put on my shoes. "Is it cold outside?"

"No, it's quite nice."

"You're going out?" Adam asks as we pass the living room.

"What is it to you?" Evans retorts, glaring at him.

Adam stands from the couch. "I wasn't talking to you." He turns to look at me. "Are you sure you want to go with him?"

I understand why Adam would think Evans is some crazy, controlling psycho—which he is—but it's not necessary. I sigh. "Can you guys stop fighting?" I look at Evans "Let's just go."

He’s amused as he opens the door for me.

"What is your problem?" I demand when we get in the truck.

"My problem is your stupid roommate," he says, starting the ignition.

"You don't even know Adam."

"Have you and him been together?"

"What?"

"Is he your boyfriend?" Now he at least looks a little uncomfortable.

"No," I say, annoyed. "Even if he were, it wouldn’t be your business."

"It would,” Evans counters. “You’re carrying my child, Ciara. For the next nine months, everything regarding you is my business whether you like it or not."

I don't say anything—because it doesn't matter what I say. He'll bring up the stupid contract. I signed up for this…literally. Evans drives us to some fancy restaurant.

"Mr. Evans, nice to see you," the host says as he leads us to a table. Evans, of course, pulls out the chair for me. I'm angry at him so I don't say anything when I sit.

"Thank you," Evan tells the host, taking a seat in front of me.

"Anything to drink?"

"I'll have some wine. Ciara?" He looks at me, raising his eyebrows.

"Water, please."

"I'll be right back."

"You're mad at me," Evans says, studying me.

"I'm glad it's obvious."

"Why are you mad at me?" He looks at me like I’m the funniest person on earth.

"Do you think everything is a joke or what?" I ask without thinking.

"I consider myself a very serious person."

"You're annoying."

He chuckles, then stops when he sees me glaring. "I'm sorry. Tell me what I can do."

"You want to control everything. Acting like I can't live with Adam just because he's a guy? Seriously, Evans"

He leans over the table and whispers. "I should have mentioned—I can be very protective. Especially over the woman who's carrying my child."

I blink. I don't know how to respond to that. If we were married and expecting, it would be romantic, but we're not in that situation. "You can't control my life."

He leans back. "We can have this conversation as many times as you'd like, Ciara. I’m always going to remind you that you signed a contract."

"Maybe I should have read it," I murmur, angry at myself.

"You should have. There is a reason I made the contract."

I open my mouth to say something but stop when the waiter comes with our drinks. I sip my water, realizing how thirsty I was. Evans asks for another glass.

"I want to talk to you about something."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like it

He smiles and stares at me for a moment. "I want you to move in with me."

"What?" My voice drops to a whisper.

"I think it’ll make this much easier—especially now that you’re pregnant. You can move in with me or you can deal with me coming to your apartment every day."

"I don't want either of those things."

I don't know why I'm whispering—I guess I'm shocked. It's not every day I get asked to move in with a man…especially a man like Evans.

"You'll have your room—your space. I’ll provide the food and all the necessities. You won't have to lift a finger."

"What, are you going to clean?" I ask sarcastically.

"I have a maid."

Of course, he does. I shake my head. "No."

"Why not?"

"What's going to happen after I have the baby? I’ll be homeless." I sigh. "Evans you want to change my whole life for what…nine months? Then what? I'm homeless with no job and no money?"

"When you signed that contract, you agreed to commit to me, and I agreed to take care of you. Ciara, you won’t end up homeless with no job and no money. I won't allow that. Will you please trust me on that?"

I bite my lower lip. "I still don't know, though."

"Well, you don't have a problem living with men."

I roll my eyes. "I've known Adam for two years—it's different."

"I’m hardly there. I’m usually at the club at night," he tells me. "I won't always be around if that's what you're worried about."

I don't know why that bothers him He’s hardly home? What does he do at the club? More like who does he do? I shake my head. That’s none of my business. "You're going to make me say yes eventually, aren't you?"

He smirks. "I will."

"Anything else you want to change? Switch schools? Prohibit me from having friends?"

"Don't give me ideas," Evans teases.

"Whatever. It's already done." I say, placing my hand on my stomach under the table. I’m officially having a baby. It's so weird how easy it is to forget about it.

"You better start getting used to this, Ciara because it’s only the beginning."