"Leighton, I know" Sam said with a knowing look and I felt my heart drop.

Know what?

The tears fell down my face quickly as Colby just stared at me.

"Leighton, can we please go talk privately?" Sam asked as I wiped my tears.

"Colby, be nice to her guest. We'll be back and then you have some explaining to do" Sam walked towards the laundry room and shut the door. He leaned against the washer, and I wiped another tear off my face.

"Is he the father?" Sam asked and my eyes widened, and I slowly nodded. "Why did you go to him when you left?" He asked and I felt like I was having a conversation with Logan. It didn't feel judgmental, just protective.

"I was going to go to my brothers, but it was late, and he was closer. I told him I needed somewhere to sleep and that I'd be out by morning. He made me explain and then he said he was coming with me, and we were going to go get my stuff. How did you know?" I asked, extremely confused.

"I saw Katrina looking at your ultrasound photos when you picked us up from the airport" He explained, and I took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I asked Kat about it that night, and she told me you didn't want to talk about it, and I respected that. I'm not mad at you. It's none of our business Leighton. Is that why you're always in a hoodie?" he asked, and I shrugged.

"That and to cover my tattoos. I don't know when my bump will pop, so I've tried to just cover my stomach in general. If you only know me to be in hoodies, you won't question me in them later when I'm hiding my stomach when the bump pops"

"How long did you plan to keep it a secret from us? Clearly you have what feels like a scheme going on"

"I was planning on never telling you. My goal is to save up and move out and buy my own place before I have my baby. That way you guys had no reason to kick me out. I know you don't want a baby in your home, hell Colby doesn't want me in your home, so I figured by the end of like my 2nd trimester, I'd have enough to at least get some sort of small crappy apartment, and get out of your guy's space"

"You can't be certain what our reaction would be without telling us Leighton. Why are you afraid to be honest? Keeping secrets only makes things worse"

"Because what young adult male wants a baby in their house twenty-four seven? You guys like to party. You guys leave drinks all over and shit all over that is harmful towards a baby. I don't want you guys to have to change your life, just because I have a kid. It's not your responsibility and I would never ask you guys to make those changes. It's easier to leave if I'm not attached, and I'm already attached. Kat was there for me when my own support system couldn't be. That meant a lot and she's been there for me before she even knew I was pregnant. I'm already closer to her than I would've liked. Yeah, I don't want living here to feel like hell, but I also know this is just my temporary home"

"Leigh-" Sam tried to cut me off, but stopped as I spoke again "I don't want Colby to find out. I swear I'll be moved out before he knows. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys and I'm sorry you all have to lie to him. I'm extremely sorry I'm making your life harder. I should've just left when Colby basically kicked me out but Gabe wanted to come get my things with me now"

"Leigh-" Sam tried again but I stopped him, wanting the conversation to end.

"Can we not talk about this right now? Please" I begged, feeling the burning sensation behind my eyelids.

"Fine, but why do you want to hide your tattoos?" He asked, and I could tell he was biting his tongue on what he really wanted to say.

"A lot of people don't like when girls have a lot of tattoos. Plus, I got them for me. Not to flaunt them"

"Leighton, we aren't going to judge you because you have tattoos. Can I see them?" He asked and I hesitantly nodded. I pulled off my hoodie, instantly covering my stomach.

I wasn't stick thin, I had some weight on me and it was only going to get worse with the pregnancy. I felt like I was gaining weight quickly, and I haven't even popped yet. I could pinch the extra skin between my fingers on my stomach and hips. I didn't have thick thighs, but I had fuller thighs. I loved that you couldn't see my bones other than when I stretched my arms up, you could see the imprints of my ribcage shining through my skin. I didn't have small boobs, but I didn't have Porn star boobs either. I never really paid attention to my chest, but I knew they'd grow as my milk came in which made me nervous.

I always dreaded bra shopping.

"It looks cool Leighton!" Sam exclaimed, eyeing my arm, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you"

"Do you have only those?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"I have one on my foot" I shook my right foot that was covered by a sock. "I have one on my ribs" I lifted my shirt so he could see the side of my ribcage where I had "perfectly imperfect" written in a fancy font. "I got perfectly imperfect when I was a teen. My parents didn't know till a few months ago when I wore a bathing suit" I giggled, remembering that day like it was yesterday.

"You shouldn't have to cover them, Leighton. They're really cool and make you more unique"

"Well, you're forgetting I have a bump I'm going to have to hide!" I smirked, rubbing my little tummy.

"You wouldn't have to hide it if you told Colby. He's the only one who doesn't know. Why are you hiding it in the first place?"

"I thought you wouldn't want a pregnant chick living with you. I'm sure he doesn't. He doesn't even like me now and he doesn't even know I'm carrying a child"

"Leighton, ignore him. He's sulking because his life is shitty right now. He has no right to take it out on you. You haven't done anything. Speaking of, let's go find him right now and hopefully he and your ex are still alive" Sam laughed, opening the laundry room door.

We walked out and Colby and Gabe were sitting on the couch, far away from each other, mindlessly scrolling on their phones.

"Let me drive Gabe back home, and I'll come back, and we can talk, is that okay?" I asked and they agreed. I saw Sam sit down across from Colby and watched us leave.

The car ride with Gabe was really quiet, almost an uncomfortable silence.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked him, biting my bottom lip.

"I just don't understand why you want to stay there" Gabe spoke up, turning to face me as I drove.

"What do you mean?"

"If you're so uncomfortable living there, why don't you move back into my place?" He suggested and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, like I wanna be in the next room when you and Piper are fucking. I'll pass, thank you very much" I grumbled and Gabe scoffed.

"You're being ridiculous" he bellowed. "We weren't fucking! It's not my fault our friend was over when you were in a crisis"

"No, I'm being realistic. I don't want your new relationship shoved in my face" I argued back

"And I don't want strange males living with my pregnant girlfriend." He fought back, and I rolled my eyes yet again, stopping at the stop sign before turning the corner.

"I'm not your girlfriend-"

"- The same way Piper and I aren't dating!"

"-I'm not your property and you lost the right to be jealous. The child is in my body, not yours. You can be concerned about the baby, but you're not allowed to be concerned about me like you're my boyfriend. I understand you're worried, but you can't just not let me hang out around males. If I didn't hang around boys, I wouldn't be in this situation with you right now. So y'know what? Maybe I should listen to you, because this shit could've been avoided if I didn't let you in my pants" I grumbled, getting agitated.

"You're the mother of my child Leighton!" He argued, and I bit my bottom lip, trying to hold back my explosive reaction.

Pick your battles.

Was this one worth your time?

No.

"I understand that Gabe, and I'm touched that you're concerned for me, but I promise, if I didn't feel safe there, I wouldn't have lived there for a month now. I'm not saying you can't be concerned about our wellbeing, but you can't act like a possessive boyfriend. I've never been your property, and this baby isn't your property. We are humans. You don't own us. You get to pick if you want to love us or leave us, but you can't claim us. Colby has never, ever, ever tried to hurt me. We're human. We have arguments. You and I had them too. You can't put us in a box just because you're nervous something will happen. If I wasn't pregnant with your child, we wouldn't even be in this situation together right now."

"Leigh, I understand what you're saying, but that doesn't take away what happened tonight"

I pulled into his parking lot and turned off the car, maneuvering to face him.

"And what exactly do you think happened tonight? We yelled. I ran away. He ran after me. You sat awkwardly on the couch. Am I missing something?"

"What about the part where you came crying to me about how you needed somewhere to sleep!" He shouted, causing me to wince at the change of volume.

"I LEFT VOLUNTARILY! They didn't kick me out! I overheard Colby say either he left or I left, and I made the decision without him, that it would be me. My plan was to leave eventually anyway and y'know what? Maybe it was my mistake to come to you. I shouldn't be running to my ex-boyfriend, hell I shouldn't have run at all! But I did, and I like to believe everything happens for a reason. You know I live by that motto because it's the only way I can keep sane. What happens, happens! Hell, I never planned on us breaking up! Yet here we are. You're home now, can you make it up to your door? Or do you need me to walk you, princess?" I informed sarcastically and Gabe glared at me, climbing out of the car.

"You're being a bitch Leighton" He said and then shut the door.

I felt my jaw drop, utterly flabbergasted.

He very rarely ever said that to me.

"How?! I'm grateful you were willing to help me, and you let me into your home. All I'm saying is that just because I came to you as a friend, doesn't mean you get to react like a boyfriend! You lost that right when we broke up and you sure as hell can't tell me right now that this insecure reaction of yours is because I'm carrying your baby! This is utter jealousy and jealousy is ugly and a disease. It's not a cute look and I refuse to have you badger me about life choices that aren't yours to make! If you want to win me back, if that's your fucking goal in this, this isn't the way to do it!" I shouted, having rolled my window down.

"Goodnight Leighton" he said and walked away, almost sounding defeated.

I quickly got out of the car and jogged after him, reaching him just as he opened the apartment complex's door with his key.

"No! We aren't done yet!" I yelled, reaching for the back of his shoulder, causing him to turn around.

"What do you want now Leighton? You've made it clear. You don't need me! You rather stay somewhere you're unwanted, and not with me, someone who has loved you for years!"

"You seem upset at me and I'm not leaving until you tell me why!"

Gabe grumbled to himself, and we walked up to his apartment door, the time reading 12:17am on the oven clock.

Tomorrow was going to suck.

"You know I hate drama. Why are you mad at me? What did I say that made you upset?"

It was quiet for a moment before he spoke up, letting out a loud deep sigh,

"I don't want to lose you Leigh" He confessed, surprising me.

"I'm literally forever connected to you, Gabe. Your child is in my womb"

"Leigh, you don't understand! I dated you for four years. You're everything I've thought about since High School. You've lived in these four walls with me for two years. I never imagined not being with you. You're everything to me and then in one conversation I lost it. I lost you. Do you know how excited I was when I got off that call with you, that you were pregnant? I know this sounds selfish, but I wouldn't lose you. I would still see you. We had something to connect us forever."

"Gabe, life changes. We move on. Like I said, we are connected by this baby, but that doesn't give me the reason as to why you're upset right now"

"You're living with three boys, Leigh!" He exclaimed, and I could see the vein in his forehead, starting to poke out.

"AND?! I'm allowed to make new friends and hang out with them, Gabe!" There was silence for a moment, so I spoke up again "What you don't understand is that we don't get the healing that you get from a normal relationship breakup. I can't just not talk to you for 6 months. We are having a baby together! I have to stay in contact with you. You've already moved on. Whether you're healed or not, but what you're going to have to accept is that someday you will have to watch me be with someone else. Someone else will help raise our daughter. The same way I will have to accept that whether it is Piper or someone else, they will also help us. I don't want to be surrounded by drama. I don't want us to fight or to not get along with future spouses. I may only be 20, but I already have enough on our plate that I don't need us arguing on top of it" I paused, feeling myself getting worked up as the frustration of his reaction was building in my chest.

"Leighton, he likes you!" Gabe blurted out and my eyes narrowed.

I was too tired for his dramatic accusations because of something he saw for an hour.

"Stop making accusations, just because you're insecure. I told you we are only friends, if even that, and you need to accept my word whether you believe something else or not. You have to trust that what I say is true"

"How don't you see it?" He asked, flabbergasted. I shook my head, pursing my lips a little.

"I hear what you're saying. I understand that this is how you feel, and I can see your insecurities shining through, but you have to trust me that what I tell you, is true. Whether you think he likes me or not, doesn't matter, if what I'm telling you is that we are only friends." I repeated, starting to fidget with my rings.

"You know how when you're in elementary school and you hear about how when a boy picks on you, it means he likes you? Like when he messes with you and you get annoyed, it's a sign he actually likes you? That's what he does!" He flared his arms out, his palms facing me as he spoke with passion in his tone.

"You literally don't know him, you were with him for an hour, and now you're making an accusatory assumption. I'm not saying you're right or wrong, but what I am saying is you're missing the whole context from before you came over. Look, it's almost 1am, I have to get up for my first day of work in a few hours, I understand where you're coming from. I hear your concerns and I get why you think what you do, but can we please talk about this tomorrow? Can I crash here for the night?" I sighed, rubbing my tired eyes. I was beyond frustrated that he wasn't respecting what I was telling him, and instead pushing his luck with me.

Gabe nodded, wandering off towards his room to get me a pair of his sweatpants.

I sent Sam a quick text, telling him I was spending the night here and that I would come home after work.

I crashed in the guest room, only to wake up a couple hours later to my phone ringing.

I glanced at it and it read , so I put my phone on mute and went back to bed.

That morning I woke up to the smell of coffee, making me groan.

Still hate that smell

I got up and quickly ran to the guest bathroom, starting my morning with my head draped over the toilet.

"Leigh? Are you okay?" Gabe voiced his concern, myself mentally groaning at how embarrassing and uncomfortable this was.

Nothing cuter than walking in on your ex-girlfriend throwing up in your bathroom.

"I'm fine! Just morning sickness" I called back, sitting down on the white tile floor. I was practically panting, trying to pull myself together and get over the scent of coffee that was filling the air, managing to turn my stomach even more.

Unable to beat the fight, I found myself throwing up yet again, causing Gabe to enter the bathroom.

"Babe, are you okay?" He asked, moving my hair out of the way.

Babe?

"I'm fine, go get ready for work" I sighed, wiping my mouth and mentally griping at how gross it was to throw up, and to think I had a while left of this.

Ugh

It was 5:23am, which meant I had two hours to get ready before I needed to go to my first day of work, and I still had to get home to grab my uniform.

I thanked Gabe for letting me stay and offered him his clothes back, holding yesterday's clothes in my hand, planning to change in the bathroom real quick, wanting to know where he wanted them left.

"You can give them back when we see each other next, just head home so you aren't late. I gotta head out in a few minutes to go to work" he said, a coffee mug in his hand.

I tried my best not to deep breathe the scent in and let myself out of the apartment.

The second I walked into the quiet house; I was met with yelling.

Great.

Why can't anything go smoothly?

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?" Colby shouted, coming around the corner from the living room.

A look of relief came over his frantic features as his eyes landed on me. I could still see the look of anger and concern carrying over the small features of his face.

"Good morning to you too?" I grumbled, heading towards the stairs so I could shower.

It was too early for a lecture. I was an adult after all. Why was he acting like my father would if he caught me sneaking back in?

I ignored his yelling, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door, locking it and stripping from Gabe's clothes.

Whilst I was turning on the shower, I heard Colby knock on the door and I mentally groaned.

What did he want now?

"Why are you wearing some guy's sweatpants?" He called out, knocking on the door again. "Where did you go!? Why didn't you answer my calls?" He rapidly fired, causing my brain to feel like it was spinning.

I'm sorry? Was I not 20 anymore? Was he my legal guardian? Why is he on my ass about my whereabouts? I wasn't any of his concern nor did he have any right to be yelling at me right now.

I was standing under the shower, reaching for my shampoo when I heard his muffled voice call out "Are you at least okay?"

"I'm okay!" I called out, rinsing out the shampoo.

It was silent, letting thoughts fill the void. When I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my body, reaching for my toothbrush, there was another knock at the bathroom door.

"What?!" I called out, getting frustrated at being pestered.

"Can I come in?" I heard Colby's voice and I rolled my eyes.

"Can I get dressed first?" I asked, reaching for my clothing.

"Yeah" He said and then it was silent again.

I pulled on a bra and underwear, dark blue skinny jeans and a bright red sweatshirt before opening the bathroom door, my wet hair wrapped in a towel.

I couldn't help but make a weird face and then laugh when I saw Colby was sitting on the floor outside the bathroom door.

"Okay weirdo" I chuckled, reaching back for my toothbrush.

"Why didn't you answer my phone calls?" He asked again and I narrowed my eyes at him whilst brushing my teeth.