When He Falls

by Michelle Jo Quinn

  A little giggle played on my lips as I watched him. He looked like a muscular duck with crap between his pants, but he was getting the hang of it. I let go of one of his hands and skated beside him. A couple of times he had to stabilize himself, looking like he was about to fall over but he regained his balance.

  He was a fast learner.

  I recalled when he'd taught me tricks on my bike as kids—how to do the cool ditching my bike move without stopping and the whole biking without hands. Although some of the tricks he'd taught me, like trying to do a handstand on the bike, had been causes of my emergency visits to the hospital and getting stitches. Those had been plain, stupid...fun.

  Zach had also taught me how to catch and throw a ball. Maggie and Mom were both inept when it came to sports. I guess I got those athletic genes from George, my father. And since George had never been a part of my life, I'd often been left to my own devices as Mom and Nica had been gone a lot.

  We went around the rink slowly, and halfway through, I let go of his other hand. He panicked and reached for me, but he ended up tripping the both of us, ending with him flat on his behind with me on top.

  Zach and I lost ourselves in a fit of laughter while we tried to get up and back on the skates. If he was serious about bowling, I hoped he had an idea how to do it. It would have to be his turn to teach me as I'd never learned how to do that.

  Once he got the hang of skating—after a couple more falls—we moved faster along the rink, and he skated around me with fancy hand moves to the sound of disco playing in the sound system.

  My belly muscles ached. When was the last time I'd laughed this hard in a day?

  "Let’s go bowling!" I said to him after a few more laps around the rink.

  "Sounds good to me."

  We changed back to our shoes and returned the skates. We asked the counter server for an address to the nearest bowling lanes, and after a quick internet search, he'd given us one, which was what we gave the cab driver. Ten minutes in, we arrived at a glow in the dark bowling alley. And since the theme for the day seemed to be nostalgia, the music that played was hit songs from the '80s.

  After grabbing bowling shoes (ahem, again Zach asked for massive size bowling shoes and me checking out his crotch) we picked the last lane to the left.

  "I'll make you a bet," Zach said, waggling his brows at me. "Whoever loses buys the next meal."

  "Done deal," I said confidently. He didn’t have to know I didn't have a clue how to bowl. He had paid for brunch and had refused for me to pay any of the cab fares, and skating and bowling fees. At some point, since I had pointed out much earlier on that we weren't on a real date, I had to pay for something.

  "I think you've got luck on your side, Beanie," he announced after I had a strike for the fourth time. Even if I tried losing, the ball wouldn't do its thing. But Zach was a real competitor, and he would not lose without a fight. That, or he was great at letting me win.

  "I've got another bet!" He perked up, holding a dark ball in his hands.

  "You're already losing anyway, I'm not afraid to take everything you've got." I gave him a smug look.

  He quirked the corner of his lips into a tilted smile. He switched holding the ball with one hand and with the other, he reached for a lock of my hair and twirled it around his finger. "If I get a strike—" His eyes followed the line of my nose down to my lips. "—I get a kiss from you."

  The sound of my heart hammering in my chest startled me as much as his bet did. "A kiss?" I swallowed a gob of spit to wet my suddenly dry throat.

  "Yup. One kiss...on the lips." He uncurled my hair from his finger, and then pointed at his lips.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. "How long is this kiss going to be?" I asked, ignoring the heat building in my belly.

  His reply was quick. "Seven minutes, of course."

  Seven? "Why seven?" I asked.

  His lips quirked at one corner and his eyes locked with mine. "I never went to those parties back in middle school. I've only heard of seven minutes in heaven from some friends. I'd like to experience that."

  A few seconds passed before a laugh gurgled from me. Mostly because I didn’t know what else to say. "Are you serious? Tongue or no tongue?"

  He contemplated on this, letting the tip of his tongue dart out of his lips for a moment. My eyes focused on that and my insides heated up to Hades’ proportions. "No tongue. Just lips." Then he gave me that charming, boy-next-door smile.

  I straightened my back and raised a hand. "And if you don't get a strike?"

  Zach shrugged. "Up to you. What do you want?"

  I tapped a single finger on my chin. My other hand still raised in front of me. "I know." I pointed at him. "If you don't get a strike, you have to teach me some of your moves."

  "What moves?" He scrunched his forehead.

  "Your fighting moves I saw this morning when you tripped that guy in the cage thing."

  His smile stretched, and his eyes sparkled with delight. "You want to learn that?"

  "Yes, it looks fun." I nodded.

  He moved forward, and my raised hand pressed against his chest. His heartbeat played underneath my touch. "Okay then." Zach held my hand, and we shook on it.

  I backed away from him while he positioned at the beginning of the lane. As a beginning stance, his legs were slightly apart, he bent at the waist, looked over his shoulder and wiggled his behind. I stifled a guffaw. Then, once he focused back to the front, one of his legs switched to the back as he swung his arm forward and let the ball roll.

  There was a fifty-fifty chance, I thought. He had not been consistent the entire game. Either way, I would win because I'd get to spend more time with him. I waited with bated breath as the ball neared the pins. My hands clasped together behind me. Then the ball hit the pins right smack in the middle, bringing them down and sliding back.

  But at the end, there was one pin left standing.

  "Ha! I win!" I hopped up, with arms raised.

  Zach groaned and did a slow clap when he turned to me. In my excitement, I jumped to him. His arms were around me in an instant, and he lifted me off the ground while I celebrated. "That means you will buy dinner and you will teach me your moves." I poked at his strong, firm chest.

  My hands, in their own accord, splayed on top of his ribcage. His earlier, much steadier heartbeat had gone full speed. I stared at his eyes and got lost in the moment. And I almost wished he got a strike so he could kiss me. My nose was inches from his, which meant my lips were at a good kissing distance.

  Stop! I warned myself. I couldn't think like that.

  He lowered me back on the floor, and I busied myself by gathering our stuff. We decided to stay at the bowling alley and have an early dinner at their cafe to save cab fares.

  Zach ordered a big salad with grilled chicken breast. And for dessert, we shared a slice of the apple pie we brought from Pearl's diner. Our server didn’t mind since we told him where we got it, and we offered him a slice.

  I ate my burger and didn’t realize how famished I was until it was all gone. I finished off my fries and milk shake too. There could be another reason for this hunger, but I refused to think of that when Zach was around. He'd always been in tune with my emotions way back when he'd lived beside me, and we'd had a chance to hang out. I couldn't risk him finding out before I was absolutely sure what was going on with my body. There had been no signs of morning sickness or nausea, but also, no sign of my monthlies that had always been on time.

  After the burger and pie, we'd sat around watching the other bowlers, with a cup of coffee for me and a glass of lemon water for Zach. At some point, some patrons who recognized him approached us, and they asked for photos and autographs.

  I sat back and let him have his moment. His fans were polite enough to leave us be once they got what they wanted. It never ceased to amaze me the weak little boy I'd known way back then had turned into a scary-cute famous MMA fighter. He'd never spoken about it at all, which I'd found odd. June had alwa
ys talked about all his football games, especially those they’d won even though I’d been to each of his games.

  By the time we left the bowling alley and cafe, it was nearing six o' clock. We stopped by an indoor market and found some trinkets I would probably never use. But a little sun-catcher caught Zach's attention, and he bought for his Ma.

  "I'd like to see her one day, if that's okay with you," I told him while we walked around the stalls.

  Zach halted in front of a shop, which sold handmade baby and kid’s hats. "You mean Ma?" I kept my eyes targeted on him rather than what was behind him. "I would love it if you could. I can probably arrange something next week. I'll talk to my manager about flights and stuff."

  "Oh, it's fine. I think I can drive there. It's not that far from Fresno."

  He tilted his head to one side and furrowed his brows. His hands were tucked into his jeans pocket. "You're going back soon?"

  I shrugged and continued to walk. "I don't know yet. Maybe. Maybe not. I'm in no rush to get back." Thinking all that was waiting for me was the same embarrassment that had made me leave in the first place.

  "Hmmmm...well, let me know as soon as you figure it out, and we'll make arrangements."

  "Yup. I will." But first, I had more important matters to look into. I might be able to hold off going back home for the rest of the summer, but sooner or later, I had to face the truth about my condition.

  I promised myself that as soon as I returned to Nica's, I would take the darn test and find out once and for all. This way I could finalize all my decisions and accept the most-dreaded facts.

  "You want to go out tonight? Some of my friends are going to a bar," Zach asked. Throughout our time together, he'd only checked his phone while I'd excused myself. As soon as I'd come back from the bathrooms, he'd replaced his phone back in his pocket.

  I worked my lip while thinking. "I don't know. I don't really like bars, plus I'm getting a little tired." And possibly more pregnant by the hour.

  "It's been one hell of a day, huh?" He sounded both happy and disappointed.

  "Yeah, it's hard watching an MMA fighter fall on his butt three times on roller skates and lose to a girl who has never gone bowling before." I jabbed a finger at him.

  Zach caught my hand and pulled me closer. "What makes you think I didn't just let you win?" he said, his voice a low murmur.

  I shook my head. "You wouldn't. Even when we were kids, you have never let me win. You always pushed me until I got it perfect," I reminded him.

  He must have recalled as he gave me a wide smile. "Yeah. Those days were fun." His eyes twinkled, and it drew me closer. I wished he would say more, but he didn't. He just continued to hold me in his arms. And I continued to get lost in the depths of his gaze. There were both danger and excitement lurking behind those brooding eyes.

  After promising to hang out with him the next afternoon for movies and pizza, I said goodbye to Zach and thanked him for the best day I'd had in a while. I waved a cab over and asked the driver to wait.

  I turned around to Zach and swung my arms around his neck. Without another word, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. It was not seven minutes of heaven, but it was heaven all the same. And it was all I could give him at the moment. Besides, this was Zach.

  Zach sighed heavily into my ear, and his warm breath tickled me, before he said, "Thanks for a great day, Beanie."

  With my hands still clasped around his neck as I pulled my body away from him. "Thanks, Wacky-Zachy. I'll text you later about tomorrow." Then I released him and hopped into the cab.

  As I leaned against the backseat of the car, I received a text from Zach:

  Is it tomorrow yet? Miss you already.

  My heart leaped. I typed a quick response, letting a smile spread on my face, just in case I could transmit my joy through my message:

  Soon. Have fun tonight. And added: Don't miss me too much.

  But at the last minute, I deleted that last bit. I couldn't figure out what my heart was asking from me. Honestly, I wasn't ready for it yet. And maybe neither was Zach. All I knew was that I couldn't suffer another heartbreak.

  Chapter Eight

  Maggie

  The plastic tester sat on the counter in front of me, but I kept my eye on my phone, counting down the seconds until the allotted time for me to see the result.

  Twenty seconds passed. Did I want a girl or a boy? June had always wanted a boy. Then again, he'd also said he'd wanted a child with me, not Delaney.

  Forty-five seconds. What would the likelihood of me having twins since the father was one? That meant I would have twice as much work to do, but twice as much love to give. What if Delaney was having twins too?

  Two minutes. I could see a faint line. I checked the box and read the instructions once more. How long was I supposed to wait? I thought it was an instant test?

  What if June decided he wanted to be a part of my, our child? How would Delaney react to that?

  I wished it would be a girl. June would most likely be less enthused with a daughter than a son. And Delaney had always wanted a girl.

  A little snort bubbled out of me, even though my own thoughts had surprised me. I didn't normally think ill of anyone. Would I always be resentful? The sad part was neither June no Delaney had asked for my forgiveness. But, if they did, could I forgive them?

  Thirty seconds more before I could get the result. Was I or was I not?

  "I think I'm going to be sick," I muttered to myself, squeezing my stomach as I moved over to the toilet. I closed the lid and sat on top of it, hanging my head between my trembling legs.

  When my phone vibrated in my hand, it caused me a slight panic. I threw it down on the floor, where it was saved by the high-pile bathroom mat. The alarm had gone off. I'd set it to when the test would be ready.

  It was now or never. "Just do it, Maggie," I told myself, shaking any nervousness off my numb fingers. I bent to pick up my phone and canceled the annoying beeping and vibrating. It took two short strides to reach the test on the counter. And just as I was about to read it, Nica knocked on my bathroom door.

  "Maggie, are you ready? C'mon, I can't be late today," she said through the wooden panel.

  In a panic, thinking she would swing open the door and find me with a pregnancy test, I stuffed the plastic thing in the top drawer without checking to see what my future held.

  "Yeah, I'm coming," I yelled back.

  A moment passed, and I stared at the drawer pull. But knowing Nica was just behind that three-inch door made me anxious. Without taking a look, I stepped out of the bathroom.

  It was the biggest mistake I'd made that day.

  Since Zach would be too busy for most of the day, I'd decided to offer Nica a hand at her company, if she could find something for me to do. Staying idle didn't bode well for me. It was how I ended up in a church basement in front of strangers who had to have worse problems than me. Zach had texted me before he'd gone out last night to say he didn't want me waiting around too much while he trained and worked on promotions. I respected his decision, but admitted that I would miss him.

  When we arrived at Bliss, Nica had a list for me to do which involved keeping my hands busy, but my mind wandering. And all I thought of was the possible two lines on the pregnancy test. People came and went into Nica's office where she had me stuffing handmade invitations into an envelope for an event happening in a couple of months.

  Based on my calculations, I was eight weeks along. I'd read that at this stage the life growing inside me was called an embryo and was a size of a cranberry bean. A cranberry. June was allergic to cranberry, but I loved the tang of cranberry juice. I should have taken it as a clear sign that he'd leave me at the altar.

  Even the prospect of one of the newer staff, Rocco—a former male stripper, according to Chase—showing off his abs when he reached up to change a light bulb didn't entice me. Though, it was entertaining to see almost all of the female employees and Gerard ogle him from their respective office
s.

  "Maggie, you're missing out," Chase informed me while she stood with her hands on her hips inside Nica's office.

  "She's not interested," Jewel said, but I believed it was an answer for the both of us. Apart from Nica and I, Jewel was the only other female staff not to join in on the possible strip show.

  I smiled at her, but wondered why she wasn't interested. Admittedly, I thought Rocco was extremely good-looking, and to use Chase's endearment: "I wouldn't kick him out of bed." Jewel was single, and I'd been told that Rocco was as well, although, apparently, there were rumors he was gay. He seemed like a fun guy to hang out with, and I bet he'd have a blast with Zach—gay or not. Zach didn't seem to be too particular whom he befriended.

  June would hate Rocco, and he would loathe Zach. He'd always been highly competitive and protective of me; sometimes it had bordered on possessiveness. He'd always been jealous when another guy even bothered to check me out, and I'd always maintained that it wasn't my fault.

  I could just imagine the fumes coming out of his ears if he ever saw Zach and me together.

  Zach. What would he be like as a boyfriend? Was that something I was ready for?

  First thing's first, Maggie, I told myself. I had to get home and find out the result.

  One. Pink. Line.

  I couldn't find the box anywhere in the bathroom, but I remembered what the single line meant. Negative. I was not pregnant.

  A heaviness pressed on my chest. I hugged the plastic tester close to me as I curled into a fetal position on my bed. As much as I was hurt, I couldn't get myself to cry. How could I when I'd lost something that was never there in the first place?

  But what about the chance I could have had with June? Now, there was nothing to hold onto. He only had that with Delaney. All I had were moments burned into my mind. Had he erased those from his memories? Would he have if I'd been pregnant with his child?

  My phone buzzed beside me, and a photo of Zach popped up on the screen. I let go of the breath I held in a puff, like it had choked me and I was breathing in something new.