44.

                                    

                                          
After I calmed down from...well, whatever it was, Gisella and I curled up on the couch. We had fallen asleep but only for a short amount of time because when the hourly check-up with my guards came by and I couldn't answer, they barged in. I apologized then decided I should go. I apologized once more for my guards and thanked her. She reminded me I have a few months to think of a plan and that she's always there if I needed her. 
                          
"I want to take the long way back," Jackson tells the other driver as we climb into our cars. I roll my eyes. I know he was hoping for me to stay longer, taking the long way home is just his attempt to keep me away from Sam. "Hey!" I'm climbing into the back seat of the SUV when Jackson suddenly grabs me by my upper arm. He doesn't tug at me but the abrupt halt causes me to stumble. I fall back and into his chest. "I saw that," he growls as I collect myself. 
                          
"Good!" I fire back. "When are you going to realize that what Sam and I have isn't meaningless?" 
                          
He cringes. "He might be younger than me but he's still grown enough to know you're just a kid."
                          
"Stop treating me like a child!" I yell. A few people walking by break their necks to look at us. "What?!" I snap at them. 
                          
"Get in the car!" Grabbing me but my arms, he lifts me off the floor and into the car. "We're not having this discussion." He's about to slam the door shut when I kick it back open. "Sidra!"
                          
I lean forward, getting a little too close, and whisper so only he can hear me, "I'm not a kid and I'm especially not your kid." He winces like I just slapped him, but the hormonal side of me craves more. "And Sam's not like that. It's real, and I really wish you could trust me." 
                          
I expected his temper to grow like it usually does but instead, his face drops, disappointment and hurt flashing in his chocolate brown eyes. "Beside David, I'm the closest thing you have to a father, and I'm telling you right now, not as your bodyguard, no one will ever be good enough you, especially not Roback. You don't know the type of person he is." Before I have a chance to disagree, he shoves my feet inside the car and slams the door shut. 
                          
Why would Jackson say that about Sam? What could he possibly mean by that? 
                          
I fish out my positive pregnancy test from my back pocket then, lying down, I hold it to my chest. I can't help but feel like the sandwich bag I put it in is kinda killing the mood. It doesn't radiate the power it has wrapped in plastic. I groan loudly, feeling my mind wander. 
                          
*********
                          
It was a longer ride than it should've been. But I waited impatiently in the back until we pulled up my driveway and stopped in front of the door. I take my shoot and jumped out of the car. Jackson called after me but I was already running through the front door. He didn't follow me, I'm not sure why but I'm really not complaining. I run through the large house until I found someone. 
                          
"Have you seen Roback or Burkhardt?!" I yell at the guy who peers down at me with wide eyes. 
                          
"They're on the court."
                          
"Thank you!" I squeal, running towards the side entrance. I didn't expect my legs to move so quickly and I ended up slamming into the door, but I push through the pain and yank it open. I run around the guesthouse, through the small patch of woods, then onto the basketball court. I'm glad to see only Sam and Burkhardt playing. They haven't noticed me, so I take a moment to catch my breath then take off running again. "Sam!" I yell once I'm close enough. 
                          
He abruptly spins around at the last second-I don't know what's going on with my timing-and I crash into him, nearly knocking us over. 
                          
"Sidra!" Sam exclaims. "Baby, what's wrong?" He brushes my hair out of my face then cups my cheeks. I throw my arms around his torso. "Are you okay?"