Chapter 03 - One phone call can change your life

Theon

I walked out of my sister's restaurant watching the sun sinking behind the snowy peaks that surrounded Aspen. My family and I settled in the city twelve years ago when we came from Greece at the invitation of my father's aunt, Nia Evangelous, who owned a Hotel and ski resort on the outskirts of Aspen. Since then, my parents had been opening a network of shops there.

I managed the snow sports stores, while Callie managed the restaurant with my mom. Lara had returned from Portland a few months ago when she graduated from college, and to our surprise, she had a daughter in her arms.

This was a big shock for everyone, especially as we didn't know anything about the child's father. Anyway, we did our best to support her in raising that little girl, we would never leave her alone. I can't even imagine what I would do if I were in the same situation as her.

And Evangeline, who was about to graduate, came back regularly to visit, often bringing a few friends along to enjoy all that Aspen had to offer tourists.

I tightened the overcoat I was wearing a little. We were in the second week of September and the temperature started to drop, especially in the late afternoon, when the wind lowered the thermal sensation even more. I loved the life there, and a few weeks ago it got even better.

“Honey, wait for me”  Harper called me, then leaving the restaurant, holding my arm, making me smile.

“You were so excited talking to my sister that I thought you'd rather stay,” I explained, putting my arm around her.

Harper and I had started a relationship after my cousin Gregor's wedding in mid-August. The two of us were old friends and I always knew her feelings for me, but I was a little reluctant to start something that could spoil the friendship we've cultivated all these years. However, I was wrong, we had been together for almost a month and I couldn't be happier.

It's to be expected that the beginning is like that, at least.

“I was making plans with her for the weekend. We're thinking of going down to Denver to do some shopping.” She smiled, snuggling up to me.

"Are you going tomorrow or Sunday?" I questioned, leading her down the street, heading in the direction of my house.

“Tomorrow, and we're leaving very early” she broke away from me when she reached the corner that would lead to her apartment “so I'll sleep in my bed tonight, honey.”

I frowned at that response, I had some plans for the evening and my sister had screwed up, but I had already been warned not to interfere with their friendship so I decided not to protest.

Harper was my older sister's first friend when we arrived in town. The two were the same age and soon identified each other. The fact that my sister was dating Harper's cousin, Adam Goodwill, brought them even closer together.

When I told Callie about Harper and me, the first thing she did was warn me that if I hurt her friend, she would make me sterile. Not that she needed to worry about that, I would never think of disrespecting or cheating on my girlfriend for growing up with so many women. In truth, I wasn't one to do crazy things, my brief fling with Samantha in Las Vegas had been my biggest and only exception.

"Come on, I'll walk you home" I pulled her back into my arms waving to old Mrs. Peterson who was leaving the grocery store.

We walked into the lobby of his apartment when my cell phone started ringing. I disentangled myself from her, reaching for the smartphone in my pants pocket. I frowned when I saw Samantha's picture plastered across the screen. We haven't had any contact since I returned to Colorado, and despite the assurance that I would be in touch if I returned to Las Vegas, I didn't understand the reason for the call.

"Who is it?" Harper asked casually, reaching into her purse for the key.

"Nobody." I rejected the call before putting the phone on silent.

I couldn't answer in Harper's presence anyway. If Samantha called me back, I would explain my new situation and ask her not to call again.

"What's up? Is Casper calling you?" she scoffed before leaning over and kissing my cheek.

"Kind of like that," I offered a wan smile, "but it's not relevant at all."

"See you tomorrow night?" She accepted the answer without question, much to my relief.

"Of course." My smile widened a little, despite the fact that I noticed that she hadn't invited me inside.

We said goodbye and I walked alone, watching the sky turned orange by the sunset. The wind ruffled my hair as I watched the sky.

I took out my cell phone to check the time, but found three missed calls from Samantha there.

I noticed Adam and Gregor coming towards me down the nearly deserted street and decided to end the mistery at once. I was about to return Samantha's call when my cell phone rang again.

Is she in Colorado? Why would she call me after so long?

"Adamos."

"Theon, hi!"  her voice sounded anxious "It's me, Samantha. I don't know if you remember me, we met..."

“In Las Vegas, yes, of course I remember you, Samantha. How are you?" I interrupted her, nodding to the two young men who stopped beside me.

"I'm... fine..." she spoke quickly, "no... I'm not fine, I'm... I don't know!"

She let out a nervous laugh, increasing my confusion.

What is happening with this woman!?

"Are you okay or not?"

"And how are you, Apollo?" She ignored my question.

“I'm fine,” I reply, not knowing how to continue that conversation.

Samantha and I got along really well during our time together. She was beautiful, sexy, fun and very hot. So hot that we barely had time to talk that week. But, the most personal thing I knew about her was her last name!

Silence prevailed on the other side of the line, making me wonder if she had hung up on me.

“Sorry, I shouldn't have called,” she groaned, before ending the call without giving me a chance to say good-bye.

"Who was it?"Adam asked as I stared at the smartphone with a confused expression in my face.

Weird call!

"Samantha."

"The dancer who stole you from your friends?"  Adam mocked.

"She didn't steal me from anyone," I muttered, walking again, followed by the two.

"I disagree. It was my bachelor party, you were supposed to be with us the whole time, and we barely saw you after the first night" Gregor joked "I only forgave you because she was so hot!"

“You shouldn't call her. Callie would kill you if she knew,” Adam scoffed.

"It wasn't me who called, it was her. And Callie doesn't have to know anything because I have no interest in anyone but Harper."

That's when my phone rang again.

“Someone's been missed,” Gregor crooned beside me. “You've made quite an impression, Cousin.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him as I answer the call.

"Sorry I hung up, but I need to talk to you" Samantha released even before I said anything.

“You can talk, but ” I started, thinking of letting her know I was in a new relationship, but decided to reconsider.

Maybe she just had a problem.

“Theon, I've been avoiding this call for the last fortnight and it's been hell for me.” I thought I heard her sniffle.

"Are you crying?"

“I'm sorry, I just don't know how to start and… I'm so sorry.” All my doubts were gone, she really was crying.

I stopped walking, worrying about her. Samantha had a serious problem and if she thinks I can help her in any way, I must listen to her request.

"Samantha, what happened?"  I tried to convey some safety to the girl.

“Can you come to Vegas this weekend?” she pleads.

"Samantha…" I sighed.

"Please."

"I can not."

It doesn't matter what problem she thinks she has. I can't get involved like that.

"Theon, I really need to tell you something, and it would be best if you came," she insisted.

"If you want to tell me something, it's better to say it right now"  I took a deep breath "I don't intend to return to Vegas anytime soon."

"I'm pregnant," she blurted out at once, leaving me speechless.

I blinked in a daze as my mind processed what she had just said, unable to find my voice to formulate a coherent response.

"You are What?" was all that came out as my heart rate accelerated.

"I know this is unexpected and you hardly know me" she continues "but I assure you that you were the only person I've been with in the last few months."

"You are kidding me. Is this your idea of ​​a prank?" I forced a smile.

That was it, it had to be a joke!

A joke in bad taste!

"I'm not" her voice cracked a little "look, I'll send you the photos of the tests and... If you have any doubt that it's yours, I don't mind doing a DNA test, I just don't want to have to deal with this alone!"

I felt a dizziness come over me as I listened to her words, I collapsed on a bench that was on the edge of the sidewalk, making Adam and Gregor, who I had even forgotten the presence of, look at me with concern.

My mind wandered to our last meeting at that club. I hadn't even remembered the condom at that point.

“I know you must be freaking out, because I am. And I don't know what to do.” The desperation crept back into her voice.

"Okay, look... Calm down" I managed to formulate "I'll... I'll digest this and call you back, all right?"

"Are you okay?" she asked apprehensively.

"I just need some time, I'll talk to you soon" I insisted, hoping she would accept that answer, while mentally doing the math of how much time had passed since the bachelor party.

"Okay, just don't disappear, please." Her voice sounded desolate.

disappear? What does she think? That I would pretend it didn't happen, and live my life quietly ignoring a probable child of mine?

I would never do something like that!

"I won't disappear, just give me some time," I assured before hanging up.

"Is Everything fine?" Gregor questioned, sitting down next to me.

I put the phone in my pocket, resting my elbones on my knees, hiding my face with my hands.

This is a nightmare!

“Theon?" Adam stopped beside me "You're pale."

"What did she tell you?" Gregor put a hand on my shoulder.

Not! This can't be Happening!

“Theon?" Adam insists.

“She said she's pregnant.” My voice came out in a muffled whisper.

I lifted my face the tiniest bit, mouth still hidden in my hands staring dazedly into nothingness.

"Did you say pregnant?" Gregor raised his voice.

"Wait, that doesn't mean you..."

"She said it's mine, Adam!" I moaned, throwing my head back and hiding my face in my hands.

That's the worst thing that could happen right now. Children were not in my plans for the next few years!

“Hey, that's what she said. But that doesn't mean it is" Gregor tried reliev me.

"May not be yours!" Adam completed "You don't even know her! To get the girl pregnant, both of you managed to put your guard down, and you've always been methodical in that area."

"Exactly, that's a great point," Gregor considered.

"Well..." I rubbed my throat, "we got a little careless last day."

“What the fuck, Theon!" Adam snorted in disbelief.

“We got carried away by the moment,” I justified myself.

"Now enjoy this moment," Adam muttered.

"Whatever! It still might not be yours,” Gregor tried to reassure me.

"She offered to take the DNA test. I don't think she would do that if she wasn't sure the son was mine".

And now I'm already referring to this child as my son!

"And you'll take the DNA test, right?" Gregor questioned.

“Yes, of course, but… I don't know, I need to think about what to do.” I sighed.

“Well, I need to meet your sister at the restaurant. Will you be okay alone? “Adam ask me.

I took a deep breath, standing up and letting the icy wind clear my mind.

“Yes, I'll be fine. I just need to go home. I'll have to talk to Samantha later, she was terrified."

"I believe, she looked pretty young." Adam frowned.

“Only twenty-five years old,” I groaned, thinking of what her mind must have been like all this time.

She said she'd been thinking about calling me for the last fortnight. I think she must have found out about that time.

Shit!

“No wonder you're terrified. I would freak out if Agatha got pregnant and we're married!

"Good luck," Adam said goodbye.

“Don't tell Callie,” I asked to Adam, who responded with a wave as he walked in the opposite direction from me.

Gregor hurried to catch up, leaving me alone with my thoughts.