Page 25 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
“Wouldn’t have said so if I didn’t want you here.” He paused putting on his shirt. “Actually, why don’t you bring a couple days’ things and bring Percy over? He’d like it here, wouldn’t he?”
“He’d love having so much space to explore.”
“Great, then we can go out for dinner tonight and you won’t have to go home to feed him in the morning. I know you feel guilty about leaving him alone so much.”
“Really? You don’t mind having him here?”
“Sure. To tell you the truth, I’m just dating you for your cat. Me and Percy have a love connection. He’s my soul animal.” His eyes glittered with humor.
I laughed because, really; they adored each other. When Curtis was around, Percy wanted nothing to do with me. It was low key rude.
“That would be great. Thank you!”
“Honey, there’s no need to thank me. I only want you to be comfortable.”
Percy would be much too curious about the house to pester me. Besides, I could close him in the kitchen or shut the office door if I had to. I knew he would be sleeping on Curtis’ bed, surrounded by the big alpha’s scent in no time.
By the time we were both showered, fed with some of Curtis’ trademark oatmeal he insisted on making for us both, I felt a lot better. The journey across the city to my place took about thirtyminutes, depending on the traffic. It felt longer for some reason. My nausea returned when we were almost there.
Curtis kept looking at me on the drive. I could feel his worry growing the closer we got to my apartment.
“What?” I asked, just as we were pulling up to my building.
“Are you okay? You look pale.”
“Not sure. Just really tired all of a sudden.” I yawned wide, my eyes watering.
“Why don’t you have a nap and I can come get your things at lunchtime if you’re up to it?” He wiped away the tears with the pad of his thumbs. “Be easier than taking the bus or a cab with Percy and your stuff.”
“Are you sure? Don’t you have a lot going on today?” I didn’t want to be a burden.
“The crew can cover for me so I can check on you. If you’d rather stay home, let me know. I’ll bring you some soup.”
This. Exactly this was the reason that I loved him. He showed his care for me in everything he did and always made me a priority. I leaned over to give him a kiss. “Thanks. I’ll maybe have a nap and see how I feel.”
A nap didn’t help. I woke up queasy and rushed to the bathroom to vomit up breakfast. Percy stood on the edge of the sink looking down at me.
“Shit! Can’t believe I’m sick.” There wasn’t anything I’d eaten the night before that made me think it was responsible for how Ifelt. Curtis was a truly excellent cook. I’d gained a couple pounds because he liked to feed me.
A thought wormed its way into my brain. It had been a month since my heat.
I couldn’t be, could I? We’d used the contraception. There was only a tiny chance of it happening. Still, the longer I thought about it, the more I couldn’t get the idea out of my head.
There was a drugstore down the street from my apartment. I went there and picked up a test along with some stuff to settle my stomach. It was nearing lunchtime, so I looked for a text from Curtis. Sure enough, he’d messaged.
Curtis
Are you okay? Need me to come by?
How was I going to handle this? If I wasn’t pregnant, then he could maybe get sick, too. Though we had been around each other for the night, so it was possible he could get sick regardless. I wanted a minute to figure out how I was feeling.
Jae
I’m sick. Maybe you should stay away just in case.
He didn’t reply, which was odd. My brain was all foggy from the nausea and still feeling bone tired. I thought back, and I had been feeling tired more often the last week. Smells were stronger. Overall, I just felt off. Alarm bells rung in my mind. Those were all symptoms I should have been paying closer attention to.
Back home, I peed on the stick and waited the two minutes for the test. My timer on my phone ticked down while I bit at my thumbnail nervously. I didn’t know what to think or feel about this. All I wanted was my alpha. Why had I said he should stay away?
