Текст книги "Inflame"
Автор книги: Tessa Teevan
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Текущая страница: 21 (всего у книги 24 страниц)
Chapter 30
Lucy
“MMM, ARE we there yet?” I ask for about the hundredth time, sounding like a petulant child. Hey, if Kale’s going to be a dad who insists on driving on all our vacations, then he better get used to it.
We’re heading down to Gulf Shores for the weekend, and I’ve constantly asked myself on this drive why I ever agreed to having a shower down there. Since Mom and Marisa only live about an hour away from Ginger, it made sense, but now that I’ve spent seven hours in the car with Kale, stopping every hour so I could stretch my legs to keep my blood flowing, the selfish part of me is wishing that I’d made them come to me. We’re not even there and I’m already dreading the drive back home in two days.
I tried to fly, but at my last appointment, Dr. Foster had advised against it, and Kale wouldn’t even listen to me when I tried to talk him into getting plane tickets. I gave up the fight when he said we could just cancel the whole thing if I was that adamant about flying. The truth is that, as much as I didn’t want to make this drive, I’m more than excited to see Mom, Marisa, and Kale’s family.
“Baby, how many times are you going to ask me that?” Kale asks, giving me a wry smile. I can’t see his eyes through his sunglasses, but I can only imagine the exasperation in them. “We’ll be there in about an hour, okay? Just be patient.”
“You try being thirty-four weeks pregnant while you’re carrying twenty-five extra pounds on your bones with a four-pound baby resting against your bladder,” I grumble, citing the estimated baby weight Dr. Foster told us at our appointment this week.
Kale reaches over and takes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss before placing it back on the gearshift. “Just think, babe. In six weeks’ time, he’ll be here and you’ll be able to pee on your own schedule,” he says, obviously finding amusement in my situation. “Now why don’t you get some rest before we get there? You know it’s going to be chaos with both our families in the same house.”
Leaning my head against the window, I close my eyes, deciding to go with his suggestion. The fact that only six weeks lies between now and the birth of our baby is overwhelming, and I can’t believe how quickly my pregnancy seems to have gone. Then again, it’s been a whirlwind of activity since that fateful day when the test was positive, and I smile at the memories of everything that’s happened since then.
It’s been a little over a month and half since Lily’s accident, and I pop into her fourth grade classroom from time to time to check on her. She’s recovered completely, and even Kale’s finally started to realize that she’s fine and has stopped insisting on going by Xavier’s place every day after work just to see her with his own two eyes. That, however, doesn’t mean that his overprotective streak hasn’t been kicked out of high gear. He’s been hovering more than usual, waiting on me on hand and foot. While it’s extremely sweet and I get it, it’s still somewhat smothering, but I remember what Xavier asked me to do, so I allow Kale to continue to watch my every move if it’ll make him feel better.
At the same time, my frustrations have grown every day that passes without him opening up to me. I poured my heart out to him about Tim and my childhood in hopes that he’d do the same, but he hasn’t mentioned it, and I haven’t brought it back up again. I figure that he’ll tell me when he’s ready, but I’m beginning to wonder if he’ll ever be.
“Kale was going through his own shit at the time. He needed us as much as we needed him.”
Xavier’s cryptic words replay in my mind, and while part of me just wants to come right out and ask Kale, the other half of me wants him to tell me on his own. As I feel myself drifting off, the last thought in my mind is wondering if it’s ever going to happen.
Kale shakes me awake, much like he’s done every time we’ve ended a long drive. Yawning, I stretch and smile when I see Ginger’s beach house before me. More than ready to get out of this car, I open the door and jump out, twisting my torso to get my blood flowing again. I move to the trunk where Kale’s grabbing our bags, and when I go to reach for mine, he scowls at me and pulls it away. It’s just a small duffle bag, seeing as how we’re going only going to be here for two days, but he won’t give it to me.
“No lifting,” he scolds, closing the trunk and moving towards the house.
Grumbling after him, I can’t help but feel helpless. “I’m not an invalid, Kale. I can carry a four-pound bag.”
He ignores my comment and gestures for me to open the door, and I comply, giving him my own scowl. I open the door to complete chaos as Ginger, Kalli, Marisa, and Mom all start calling out greetings. Steve’s sitting back on the couch, watching the women gather around, and he just shakes his head and grins as he catches my eye. Kale seems him and nods appreciatively.
“You’re a sight for sore, estrogen-ridden eyes, Steve,” he says, and Steve holds up a beer in a salute at him. “I’m going to go run our bags up to my room, baby. Be right back.” He leans down and places a kiss on my cheek before disappearing, leaving me in the hands of the women in our newly blended family.
“Lucy, sweetheart, look at that bump! You look like you’re almost ready to pop,” Mom gushes, and I blush as her hands fall on my belly. Tears glisten in her eyes, and I can feel my nose burning as her tears are contagious. An overwhelming feeling flows through me as I look from Mom to Ginger and realize how lucky my child is, how full of love his life is going to be.
“Don’t cry, Mom,” I choke out as I wrap my arms around her. Suddenly I’m engulfed in a group hug with all the women, and there’s a mixture of laughing, crying, and swooning over my belly.
“Okay, ladies, let her breathe,” I hear Kale say as his strong arm pulls me out of the foray and wraps protectively around my shoulders. “She’s had a long day and, by my guess, is probably starving by now.”
“I’m fine, Kale,” I tell him as he directs me to the sofa, gently pushing me down. He kneels in front of me and takes off my flats before grabbing my legs and propping them up on the coffee table.
“You’ve got a big day tomorrow, babe, and just had a long car ride. Take it easy while I help Mom in the kitchen, okay?” I nod dutifully, knowing better than to argue with him. He leans in and gives me a kiss on the nose then stands and gestures to Mom. “She’s all yours, Marcy. Riss.”
Ginger smiles at me then at Kale, and I watch as they both leave the room, wondering what heck I’m going to end up eating this time. Kalli plops down beside me and takes my mind off Kale as she prattles on and on about the baby shower. Mom and Marisa chime in whenever they can, and poor Steve just spends the afternoon staring at the television, but I don’t miss the way he smiles into his beer from time to time as he watches us when he thinks no one is looking. I’m exhausted and sore from the car ride, but being surrounded by a loving family makes it all worth it, and every ounce of frustration slowly slips away.
Kale
“WHERE’S KAYLIE?” I ask as I follow Mom into the kitchen.
Mom sends an indifferent wave in my direction. “Oh, you know your sister. Always more than fashionably late,” she answers before pulling her head out of the refrigerator and glancing at me, an eyebrow cocking up. “Actually, between you and me, I think she’s seeing someone, but she won’t admit it.”
She hands me a beer, and I open it, taking a long swig. “Really? I’ll see what I can get out of her. She wasn’t seeing anyone at Christmas, but I guess it’s been a few months.” I lean across the island as I watch her begin to roll out the dough so she can make her homemade pasta. “What about Kalli? I don’t get any of the gossip anymore, and if she’s told Lucy anything, she hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
Mom doesn’t say anything as she hands me a bowl of fresh tomatoes and a knife before directing me to the food processor so I can start making her marina. I start chopping and she finally looks at me.
“Let’s just say you might have an extra babysitter in your neck of the woods sometime this summer.”
I pause, looking up at her. “What do you mean? Kalli wants to move to Tennessee? I never thought she’d move out of your house until you kicked her out,” I say jokingly.
Don’t get me wrong. I’d love having my sister nearby, but she’s always loved living in Gulf Shores, and as far as I know, she loves her job at a first-grade teacher at the school we grew up in. Plus, I can’t see her leaving the beach for boring-ass Clarksville, Tennessee.
“I could be wrong, but I’ve seen a few job searches on the computer for schools in the Nashville area.”
I mull it over as I transfer the tomatoes to the food processor and turn it into a pulp. “I had no idea she wanted to move up there. That seems random,” I comment, and Mom gives me a knowing look.
“I swear, you men are so oblivious. I thought with having grown up with two sisters you’d be more astute, Kale Montgomery.” I frown as she continues. “Your sister’s been in love with Xavier Cruz and his little girl since the moment you brought them home with you. Did you not notice the way she couldn’t take her eyes off him this past Christmas? Or how she went out of her way to ensure that Lily was introduced to manicures, pedicures, and all things woman because she knows she doesn’t have a momma?”
Shaking my head, I disagree. “Kalli was just being Kalli. I know she had a crush on him when she was a teenager, but she’s dated plenty of guys since then. She’s a total flirt and the girliest girl I know. Between me and Kaylie, she’s never had anyone to do that kind of stuff with, so she was just having fun doing it with Lily.” I try to convince her, but in the back of my mind, I wonder if she’s right, if Kalli really does have a thing for Xavier that’s more than just her unrequited teenage crush.
He hasn’t dated much since I’ve known him, even though his mom and I have both encouraged it. Part of me thinks Angela left him too broken, and he’s decided Lily’s the only girl who needs his attention right now. Before, I might’ve agreed with him. Now that I’m with Lucy, however, I have a feeling that the love of a good woman is something Xavier needs desperately, and I wonder if Kalli really could be that person for him.
“Maybe so, but I’m telling you, I know what I saw. But enough about your sister. How are things with you and Lucy? She’s glowing, Kale. She’s absolutely beautiful,” Mom gushes, and I nod in agreement.
“Things are good. Hell, they’re great even. The closer it’s getting to her due date, the more tired she’s become, but the doctor said that’s normal. I’m making sure to keep plenty of fiber in her diet because she swore that if she gets hemorrhoids it’s going to be my ass that’ll suffer.”
Mom laughs, shaking her head. “I don’t blame her. When I was pregnant with the twins, I had the worst—”
I hold my hand up to stop her, not wanting to hear another word. “Okay, Mom. A little TMI there. I don’t know. I’m sure Lucy’s probably getting tired of me watching her all the time, but ever since the scare with Lily, I can’t help it. I just keep telling myself that it’s only six more weeks until I can breathe easy.”
She gives me a soft, sympathetic look. “Oh, Kale, you have no idea. The moment that baby is born, the last thing you’re going to do is breathe easy. You’re twenty-nine years old and I still worry about you.”
Leaning across the counter I give her a kiss on the cheek. “I know, and I love you for it. But you know what I mean. I’m just ready for him to be here, to hold him in my arms. A tangible, living, breathing little human being.” As I continue to make her sauce from the recipe I know by heart, I feel her eyes on me. Looking up, I catch her gaze and know what’s coming. “No, I haven’t and I don’t want to talk about it.”
She rounds the island and places a hand on my arm. “Kale, don’t you think you’ve waited long enough? She’s bound to find out, and it needs to come from you.”
Turning to look at her, I shrug my shoulders in defeat. “I know, and I promise I plan on telling her. It’s just that… I’ve waited too long, I think, and I know telling her will just upset her, which is the last thing I want to do in her condition. I don’t know why it matters anyway. It doesn’t change anything between us. It’s just a horrible piece of my past that I’m trying to shield her from for as long as I can.”
“Okay, Kale. I understand, and I’ll respect that. But I have a feeling Lucy’s stronger than you’re giving her credit.”
Wrapping my arm around Mom, I give her shoulders a squeeze. “Thanks, Mom, and trust me. I know how strong she is, but I’m just trying not to stress her out. Can you get that?”
She looks up at me and nods before moving back to the pasta. She changes the subject to baby names, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as I silently pray that I can get through the rest of the weekend without it coming up again.
I’M NOT surprised when Lucy’s ready to turn in early. Her energy levels have been slowly decreasing the closer we get to her due date. Dinner was uneventful, even after Kaylie showed up in a rush halfway through, muttering apologies and giving greetings all at once before settling in for Mom’s homemade lasagna. After dinner, Steve and I watched a baseball game while the women all talked about childbirth, and I did my best to tune them out. I had to laugh when Steve commented that it was a damn good thing I was having a boy, and as much as I love all the women in my life, I couldn’t disagree for a second.
Now that we’re lying in bed, I’m feeling restless beside Lucy, and as much as I try to calm my shaking leg, I can’t.
She turns to face me, bringing her own leg up in between mine in an effort to stop me, and it mildly helps. “Why are you so anxious tonight, Kale?” she asks, looking directly at me.
“To be honest, I’m not really sure. I guess with the baby shower finally happening, I’m getting more and more ready for the due date. This is the last big thing before he’s here, and I’m more than ready to meet our little guy.”
A slow smiles forms across her lips. “Trust me. If anyone’s ready, it’s me. And don’t think I didn’t notice the way your mom put Metamucil in my water tonight. Did you tell her about my threat, Kale Montgomery?” She grins at the guilty look on my face and gives me a playful slap on arm. “Oh my God, you did! That is so embarrassing.”
She hides her face in my chest as I laugh at her. “You think that’s embarrassing? She started telling me a story about when she was pregnant with the twins, and I almost wasn’t able to stop her from spilling all the juicy details.”
“She didn’t,” she gasps, trying to contain a fit of giggles, but they break loose when I nod. “Okay, you win. That is worse.”
Her laughter dies down as she lies on her side, the only way she can sleep these days. My chest presses against her back as I hold her close.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” I whisper, stroking her hair just below her ear. I feel her inhale as she nods. “Do you think Kalli has a thing for Xavier?”
She lets out her breath and turns her head back towards me. “What? I’ve never even seen them in the same room together, so how would I know?” she asks, and I realize she’s right.
I’ve been thinking about Mom’s suggestion about the two of them since dinner. Part of me wonders if she really is thinking of moving to Tennessee. I decide to corner her this weekend to ask, but I’ll make sure to leave Xavier out of the conversation.
“I don’t know. I thought maybe she would’ve said something to you with all the texting you two do.”
“Hmm… Well, she was shaken up after Lily’s accident, but I figured that was just because she’s your goddaughter. Other than that, I really have no idea. But come to think of it, they would make a pretty cute couple.”
“You think? I don’t know. He’s six years older than she is. Plus he has a kid and had to grow up a lot sooner than most guys,” I mention, not sure if Kalli’s quite mature enough to deal with someone like Xavier.
“Oh, that’s not that bad. It’s not like she’s eighteen and a senior in high school. She’s an educated adult. The true question would be if Xavier could handle a whirlwind like Kalli. I don’t know, but it’d be fun to watch.”
“It’s probably nothing. Just a hunch Mom had from Christmas,” I tell her, putting the subject to rest. “Now tell me. What do you think about the name Blake Russell Montgomery?”
She wrinkles her nose at me, twisting her lips as she thinks it over. “I like Blake, but Russell? Not so much.”
“Oh, come on. Think about it. He’d be B. Russell “Sprout” Montgomery.” I start cracking up as I watch her play it over in her mind, and I recognize the second it dawns on her.
“Oh my gosh, I’m about to revoke all your baby naming privileges, Kale Montgomery,” she says as she turns away from me and fluffs her pillow.
“Hey, that was funny!” I tell her, and she just shakes her head.
“You are such a moron sometimes.”
“Yeah, but you love me,” I say, sliding my hand under her shirt to rest on her belly.
She lets out a slow sigh, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “Yeah, I love you. Corny foodie jokes and all.”
Chapter 31
Lucy
I STRETCH as the sun shines through the window and realize I’m in bed alone. Glancing at my phone, I see that it’s after ten in the morning and jump out of bed so I can get ready for the day. It’s going to be a very informal baby shower with just my family and Kale’s, but I still want to look my best because, knowing Mom, there will be gobs of pictures taken.
When I finally emerge from the bedroom, I’m freshly showered with my blonde curls hanging loose down my back. I’ve been fortunate to have flawless skin throughout the pregnancy, and I keep it simple by adding bronzer to my cheeks and just a few swipes of mascara to my lashes, perfecting the look with a pale pink gloss.
Kale’s eyes widen when he sees me as I walk down the stairs. I’m wearing a charcoal-gray wrap dress with a V-neck to show off just how much pregnancy’s changed my now full breasts. The wrap sits just above my bump, effectively highlighting it, and even at eight months pregnant, I feel sexy. It took Charlie and me forever to find the perfect dress for the shower, but when Kale reaches me and pulls me into his arms, I know I picked the right one.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, baby,” he whispers in my ear. “And if we had more time, I’m be taking you back upstairs to unwrap you myself.”
I melt into his arms, about to tell him baby shower be damned, but I pull back when I hear a throat clearing behind us. Turning to see Ginger beaming at us, I give her a sheepish smile as I bury my face in the crook of Kale’s arm, causing him to laugh.
“Morning, Lucy. How are you feeling?” she asks.
When I turn back to her, she hands me a glass with a green liquid that I know must be her famous ginger-kale concoction. Taking a sip, I allow the cool liquid to run down my throat before answering.
“I’m still a little tired from the trip yesterday and my back’s killing me, but I’m no worse for wear. Just a few more weeks, right?” I say with more optimism than I’m feeling. Kale’s hand comes up to rub my back as he tries to soothe the soreness.
Ginger gives me a wink then smiles at her son. “It’ll all be worth it in the end, I promise. Once this one was born, I completely forgot all the mornings spent rushing to the toilet.”
Kale grimaces as I down the rest of the juice. “Okay, no more talk about pregnancy and bodily functions for the rest of the day. I want to enjoy this shower, not run away screaming.”
Patting his cheek, Ginger nods then takes the glass from me. “Can you two do me a favor?” she asks. “The twins are off picking up, umm, a package, and I’m still trying to get everything ready with Marcy. Do you mind running to the bakery to grab the cake? I ordered it specifically like you wanted but didn’t get a chance to pick it up this morning before everyone woke up.”
I look at Kale and shrug my shoulders, not minding getting out of the house for a while.
“Sure, Mom. Not a problem,” he tells her, and she hands him a piece of paper with all the information.
When we pass through the living room, Steve and Riss call out good mornings, and my sister is quick to cover whatever she’s wrapping. “No peeking, Lucy!” she exclaims, exasperation lacing her tone.
I’m thankful they’re here, even more thankful that Ginger opened up her home to them so they could spend the weekend with me and Kale.
“Okay, okay. I’m leaving. Just know if it’s any sort of crazy noisemaker, there will be payback one day.” Steve’s eyes widen with alarm, and I choke back my laughter. “You know, fifteen, twenty years from now.”
Shaking his head, Kale pulls me outside, and we settle in his car. He takes the scenic route, pointing out his old school and his favorite spot on the beach, and I enjoy the ride as the cool breeze whips through my hair.
When we pull up to the bakery, he leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Be right back, babe,” he says and hops out of the car. I watch as he jogs into the store.
The cake must not be ready, because five minutes later, he still hasn’t returned to the car. The baby’s chosen this morning to be pushing onto my bladder, and if I don’t get to a bathroom soon, I’m going to have to change my dress.
I wait another minute or two until I can no longer stand it. Getting out of the car as gingerly as I can, I make my way inside the store, holding my belly and my bladder as I pray that there’s a bathroom inside.
Kale turns to look at me as the door chimes, and I barely notice the stern look on his face. “Bathroom?” I ask desperately, and the woman behind the register points to the back of the room. I let out a quick thank-you and sigh with relief when I find it empty.
Kale
“CAN I help you?” the person behind the register asks as the man in front of me moves away.
I’m looking down at my phone. Xavier just texted me that everyone’s at the house, and I don’t look up. “Yeah, order for Montgomery.”
As I look up, I hear a sharp intake of breath, which I echo when my eyes meet hers. Shaking my head, I can hardly believe my bad luck. Standing in front of me is Tara Jennings. I look out at the car and see Lucy fidgeting, and I’m more than anxious to pay and be on my way.
“Hey, Kale,” she says hesitantly.
Tapping my wallet on the counter, I motion to the register. “Let’s not do this, Tara. I just want to get my cake and get out of here.”
She gives me a scowl but turns to the shelf behind her and finds the box with my name on it. Setting it in front of me, she checks out the design, her eyes darting up to mine. “Who’s expecting?” she asks curiously, and when I glance back to the car again, her eyes follow mine. She nods in understanding and moves to ring up the cake.
Her eyes widen when the door chimes, and I turn to see who’s just entered. My worst nightmare is about to come true as I watch Lucy shuffle in, her eyes frantically searching mine. My heart sinks, knowing that the jig is up and I can’t keep her separated from my past, but instead, she asks for the bathroom and gives Tara a grateful look when she points her in the direction. She closes the door behind her, and I move to pay as quickly as I can.
“She’s beautiful, Kale,” Tara admits, but there’s something underlying in her voice that I don’t like.
“She’s the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever seen,” I counter, causing her to bristle.
“When are you due?”
Rolling my eyes, I hand over my card, ready for this to be over. “Tara, like I said, let’s not do this. We aren’t friends. We aren’t anything. And the last person I want to talk about this with is you.”
“Kale, don’t be like that. We were something once upon a time. Don’t act like we weren’t.”
I close my eyes, trying to control the fuming anger that’s beginning to build within me. The woman I love is less than fifteen feet away, and the last thing I want to do is reminisce with the girl who nearly destroyed me. The longer Tara takes to process the transaction, the more panicked I become. Suddenly, all the times Lucy asked me to open up replay in my mind and I’m cursing myself for being such a goddamn pussy and not taking her up on it.
Resting my palms against the counter, I look Tara directly in the eyes, mustering the most serious tone, trying to hide the desperation lacing my voice. “Look, whatever we had was a lifetime ago. Right now, my very pregnant girlfriend is right behind that closed door and she has no idea about you or any of our past together. The last thing I want to do right now is upset her, so can you please process the transaction so I can get the fuck out of here?”
My face drains as a wicked smile crosses her lips, and I know I just fucked up with that admission. Before I can remedy the situation, I hear the door behind me open up, and my heart begins racing. Steeling myself against the counter, I let out a deep breath as Lucy slides up beside me.
“Oh, Jesus, that was a close one. I’m not sure I would’ve made it if I weren’t wearing a dress. I swear, this little guy must think my bladder’s a trampoline because he sure is having fun pressing up against it at the most inopportune times.” Once she stops talking, she looks at Tara and gives her an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, first-time mom-to-be. I have a problem with my filter, especially when I forget I’m in public.”
“That’s okay. I have two of my own, so I know exactly how you feel. There’s no mercy when it comes to your baby and your bladder sometimes.” Tara’s eyes are on me as I look up, surprised at her admission. She raises her brow at me then looks back at Lucy, holding her hand out. “I’m Tara, by the way.”
Lucy grabs ahold of her hand for a shake at the same time that she rests her other one on her belly. “Lucy. Nice to meet you.” I watch as Tara’s eyes trail down to her belly, and I quickly sign the receipt and grab the cake, but it’s too late.
Tara turns towards me, cocking an eyebrow. “No ring? Kale, you surprise me. It only took you about three days to propose to me. Why the wait? You were all so eager for a wife and a baby. I’m shocked you haven’t already tried to lock her down.”
Lucy’s eyes dart back and forth between us, and she clears her throat. A tight smile crosses her face. “Apparently you two have a history I’m not privy to, but for your information, Tara, it’s 2014. A baby doesn’t equate marriage anymore. Where I come from, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a child out of wedlock.”
I go to take Lucy’s hand, but she holds it out of reach. Tara’s jaw sets as she looks at Lucy, and the tension between the two permeates the air. A smirk forms over Tara’s face.
“Maybe where you come from that’s true, but the Kale I knew would never have a child without making sure he’s going to be a permanent part of its life. I just find it odd that he hasn’t done that with you. I guess it’s just one of life’s little mysteries.”
Lucy visibly pales then collects herself and stands up straight, squaring her shoulders. In that instance, I realize that Mom was right. Lucy’s much stronger than I was giving her credit for, and I was a fucking fool for thinking she couldn’t handle it.
“It’s obvious you two have some sort of unfinished business. If you don’t mind, I’m going to wait in the car while you figure it out.” Without another word, she brushes past me, hurrying to the car.
“Oh, Kale, I hope I didn’t upset her,” Tara says in a fake sugary voice that sets me over the edge.
Leaning across the counter, I respond in a slow, deliberate fashion. “After being raised by a single mom with twin sisters, I never thought I’d ever say this, but what the hell. You’re a fucking cunt. You know that?” I pause as her eyes widen. “A fucking selfish, manipulative cunt, and while I may never forgive you for what you did, I’m happy as hell I didn’t get saddled down with you. The reason I proposed to you was because I thought I loved you, but I don’t see how I could’ve ever loved someone like you.
“That girl out there? She doesn’t need my fucking ring, and she’s certainly not getting it out of obligation. I know deep down in my fucking soul that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her, whether she has a ring or not. When I do propose to her, and that’s a fucking when, not an if, it won’t be because she’s carrying my kid like I did with you. It’ll be because I can’t spend another fucking day with her not having my name. Because I can’t fucking breathe at the thought of a life without her. Because I love her so goddamn much that I won’t run the risk of someone as beautiful, as kindhearted, as loving, as absolutely fucking perfect for me slip through my fingers. And you know what, Tara? I already feel all those fucking things, but unlike you and me, I want to do it when she’s ready, not because fucking society and a pregnancy test prompt me to do it.”
My chest is heaving as I finish, and I know I should feel bad for my tirade, but I honestly don’t. It’s been brewing for ten years, and it feels fucking good to finally get it out. Tara’s looking down at the counter, avoiding my eyes. I grab the cake, ready to get the fuck out of here.
“Now if you don’t mind, I have a baby shower to salvage, a pregnant girlfriend to grovel to, and a mom and best friend that are going to say, ‘I told you so.’ Have a nice fucking life.”
As I stroll out of the cake shop, I resist the urge to call her a cunt again. Mom would be appalled, but I know Kaylie’d be cheering me on. When I get into the car, I hand the cake to Lucy and she takes it without even glancing down at it. I place my hand on the back of the headrest and try to get her to look at me.
“Baby…” I plead, but she just keeps looking out the window.
“Don’t, Kale. I’m not sure what the hell just happened, but I’m pretty good at putting two and two together. Can we not ruin what is supposed to be a happy day?”
I let out a deep sigh, and lean in to press a kiss against her hair. “That’s probably a good idea. I love you, Lucy,” I whisper against her, and her only response is a single tear the falls down her cheek, and my heart plummets, knowing that I’m the one who’s causing her to cry.
