“It’s not Matthew’s.”

“Oh, fuck,” Jacob mutters over what sounds like an entire mouthful of chips.

“What?” Mom whispers, her brows drawn together so tightly it would shock her Botox injector, who fills her face with enough chemicals every few months that she hasn’t moved her forehead in years.

“The baby isn’t Matthew’s.”

“Of course it is,” she argues.

“I’m pretty sure she knows who got her pregnant,” Jacob mutters, and she spins her head around in his direction. I can’t see her face, but I have no doubt that she’s glaring at him. “Just sayin’.” He holds up his hands.

“Jacob is right. I know who the father is, and it’s not Matthew.”

“Whose is it?” she asks, turning back to me, and I shake my head.

“I’m not ready to talk about that. I…” I shake my head again. “I haven’t even told him that I’m pregnant.” And I don’t want her to tell my dad that Dayton is the father. I already know that, regardless of how much Dad might like him, he’s going to lose his shit when he finds out I’m pregnant and does the math. Not just that, but even if I’m not in the spotlight due to who Dad is, I still kind of am, and his recently divorced daughter suddenly being pregnant is going to be big news.

“Please don’t tell Dad or anyone yet.”

“Don’t tell Dad?” she whispers, her mouth falling open. “He and I don’t keep secrets from each other, Franny. You know this.”

“What about all the stuff you hide in your closet every time you go shopping, then you pretend like you’ve had it forever?” Jacob asks, and she turns to probably glare at him again.

“That’s different. That doesn’t mean anything. We’re talking about your sister having a baby, not the shoes I bought at Nordstrom.”

“I don’t mean forever. It’s—” I start, but she cuts me off.

“It can’t be forever, Francisca.” She turns to glare at me now. “You’re pregnant. You can’t hide a pregnancy forever.” She falls to her bottom and rests her back against the wall as she stares at me.

“I just need a little time to sort things out.”

“I won’t tell,” Jacob says, and I look at my brother, who can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he really is mostly awesome.

“Thanks, J.”

“We got your back.” He gives me a soft smile, then looks at Mom. “Right?”

“You know I always have your back,” she says softly, holding my gaze. “I won’t tell Daddy, but we can’t keep this from him for long.”

“I know.” I swallow, and she nods.

“Have you gone to the doctor?”

“No, I… I’ve been trying to come to terms with things.”