Page 9 of The Lucky One

But she was already turning the corner. “Lipstick,” I mumbled. I couldn’t blame her for avoiding me. I had broken my promise to her that nothing would happen between me and Jon.

After my shift, Gena was waiting for me in the parking lot.

“Did you have a good day?” she asked as I buckled my seat belt.

“Yeah. We were allowed to take home leftovers from the staff room.” I got out a red velvet cupcake from my bag. “I brought one for you as a thank you for picking me up.”

“Oh, aren’t you lovely!” Gena beamed and bit right into it. “But you don’t have to get me anything for picking you up, okay?”

“I know.” I drew a deep breath, using the moment she was busy chewing to prepare myself for the conversation that needed to happen. “Um, Gena?”

“Uh-huh?”

“I don’t know if you remember, but Jon’s coming back tomorrow.”

Gena stopped munching and put the cupcake on the dashboard, her expression turning serious. “I’m listening.”

I hated how everyone went stern as soon as they heard his name. “Is it okay with you if I go to Tim’s house to see him?”

Gena leaned back in her seat and observed the watery windshield for a moment. The raindrops gathered in small circles on the glass. Then she turned to look at me. “Let’s set some rules.”

I nodded hastily. “Anything you want.”

“You’re not grounded anymore, and I’m not going to lock you up or forbid you from seeing your boyfriend like Mrs. Stone did. I have to admit I was more comfortable when it was Paul, but I respect that those days are over.”

I pressed my lips together. The days of Paul, Jon and me hanging out together had become a distant memory. My eyes burned, and I fought to swallow down the emotions.

“So, rule #1: no drugs, of course.”

“Never again,” I said. Not just affirming it for her but also for myself.

“Rule #2: Curfew is eleven. Don’t stay out later than that or lie that you’re at Danielle’s or Breana’s. I always want to know where you are and with whom.”

“Yep!” I gave a thumbs-up.

“And last but not least...” Gena glanced at the windshield again, her ears glowing red beneath her bobbed haircut. “I know from Paul that you and he never, um, did it.”

I brushed my hair in front of my face, trying to hide my own blush. “He told you that... ?”

“It was more of a misunderstanding that got him to say it,” Gena said, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. I could picture Paul freaking out about talking with his mom about his sex life.

“So, I talked to your mother about it, and rule #3 is... no sex until you use protection. We could get you on birth control pills, or explore other options. Condoms aren’t entirely safe, but it’s your body, so I could teach you how to use them properly, and—”

“Birth control pills sound good,” I croaked, burying my face in my hands. I guess I was like Paul. The last thing I wanted was a safe sex talk with Gena with bananas for demonstration.

“Okay.” She gave a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll make an appointment for you.”

“Thanks, for... thinking of that.” I unhid my face. “You take care of me like a mother, and I can’t thank you enough for that.”

I wasn’t ready to share the fact that I had already been careless with Jon the one time. She was right. I wasn’t prepared for a baby, and neither was Jon. A teenage pregnancy would not only make Mrs. Stone’s prediction come true, but turn my whole life upside down.

“Of course, Emily.” Gena squeezed my hand. “I told you when you moved in that you were part of our family, and I meant it.”

It hit me that I wasn’t alone in all this. I had people supporting me, giving me second chances. I couldn’t take that for granted. I leaned over and wrapped my arms around Gena, expressing with a hug what words couldn’t convey.

Drenched in Crimson

Paul