“Hi! Sorry I missed your call earlier, babe. I’ve had the craziest morning. It’s so unbelievable that, if I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. In fact, it’s been a pretty crazy fourteen hours.”
“I bet, if we compared mornings, mine would win for the suckiest,” she tells me with a croak to her voice.
“Are you still sick?” I ask sympathetically.
“Yes, so sick that Drew had to bring me to the hospital in the middle of the night.”
I’m incredibly thankful that I’m sitting in traffic and not moving at fast speeds because I’m fairly certain I would have swerved and crashed.
“Shit. I thought you just had the stomach flu.”
“I do, but I passed out because…crap, I wanted to tell you this weekend, not over the phone.”
“Tell me what?”
Now, I’m panicking. Is it cancer? Shit, is she going to tell me she’s dying?
The line goes quiet, and during those few seconds, I’m thinking the absolute worse.
“I’m pregnant.”
All the worry and anxiety seemingly float out of me, and I bring my hand to my face, excitement bubbling up inside me.
“Oh my God, you’re pregnant,” I screech, tears welling in my eyes.
“Yes, I’m fourteen weeks.”
Then, the tears start to fall. “Jo! You can’t tell me you’re pregnant while I’m stuck in traffic, not when I can’t hug the shit out of you!” I cry out, wiping at my falling tears.
She laughs lightly down the phone. Then, my happiness quickly dissipates when I remember she’s in the hospital.
“Shit, is the baby okay?”
“Yes, the baby is fine. I just haven’t been able to keep any fluids down since yesterday, and because I was so weak, I passed out. Drew brought me to the hospital as a precaution and for the doctors to administer some fluids, so I could hydrate. I’m already feeling better, and they gave me some kind of magic drug for my sickness. I haven’t thrown up since.”
I let out a ragged breath, and then excitedly giggle. “So, that hunk of muscle got you good and pregnant, huh?”
She chuckles. “He sure did.”
“I’m surprised it took this long, to be honest. I swear, that man could get a woman pregnant just by looking in her direction.”
She just laughs again.
“So, mama bear’s gonna be a mama again. How do you feel about that?”
“I’m excited and a little nervous. It’s been eight years since I had Junior, and though he’s the most amazing kid, it’s a bit daunting, knowing I’ll be doing it all over again.”
“Well, this time will be different because you won’t be a single mom. You’ll have Drew with you. It won’t be like last time.” I know she didn’t say that worry out loud, but I know how my best friend thinks.
She lets out a long breath, sighing. “I know. It’s just…I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop, for my happiness to be taken away. It’s stupid; I know.” I hear her sniff, and immediately, I know she’s crying. “Shit, now, I’m crying. Damn hormones.”
“Babe, it’s not stupid. You were in a bad place for such a long time after Christopher died, but you found your way again. You found Drew, and now, you’re getting married and having his baby. You can stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and enjoy being happy.”
“I am happy. Well, not right now, but once I’m out of the hospital, I will be.”
I glance at the clock on the dashboard where it states it’s nine forty-five and then back at the traffic. I’m never going to make it to the studio in time.
Shit.
“Do you want me to cancel my classes today to keep you company? If so, say the word, and I can be on the I-35 in twenty minutes. I’m not even gonna make my class on time anyway, thanks to dumbass traffic.”
“No! I can’t ask you to do that. I’m okay, really. I have Drew, and he’s already brought me enough magazines to last a two-week stay.”
She tries to laugh, but it sounds forced. I hate that my best friend is sick, and since we’re two hundred miles apart, there’s nothing I can do.
“What about Junior? Do you need me to look after him?”
“Drew’s sister has got it covered. She actually texted me an hour ago to tell me Junior’s right as rain this morning and demolished a plateful of pancakes.”
The traffic in front slowly begins moving again, and I creep forward. “Have I ever mentioned I hate that you live two hundred miles away? I feel useless that you’re sick, and I can’t do anything about it.”
“You’ve said it at least a thousand times since I moved to Austin. We might be two hundred miles apart, but you’re always there for me, and I love you for it.”
“I’m your best friend, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Okay, okay, enough of the sappy shit. I can’t handle it right now. Tell me about your morning. You were going to tell me something.”
Oh, yeah. Chase. For a split second, I forgot the life-altering story that is Chase’s life. I don’t even know where to start—or if I can.
I exhale a breath as I push my foot down on the accelerator, moving at fourteen miles per hour.
“I think I’m going to need to go through a full bottle of tequila before I can even form a word.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yes, pretty much. I can’t really go into specifics because I promised I wouldn’t tell a soul, but last night, I bumped into Chase. To cut a long story short, we had an amazing night; he taught me how to ice skate, and we opened up to each other—him about his childhood, me about my ballet. We nearly kissed, but, of course, saved by the bell, dinner arrived. We ate Chinese, talked…and then, just like the past two times I’d been with him, everything turned to shit, and he began talking in riddles about his fucked up life. I asked him to open up to me like he had about his childhood, but he said he couldn’t. So, in Kaelyn fashion, I stripped down to my birthday suit and got the hell out.”
“Wait, what? You stripped?” Jo asks, confused and amused.
“Well, I was only in a jersey,” I explain.
“Wait, rewind. Why were you only in a jersey?”
This is why I’m shit at giving a short version of anything. I miss important context, and my story doesn’t make sense.
“Okay, maybe you need a longer version,” I admit, chuckling. “After my ass meeting the ice time after time when he was teaching me to ice skate, I was soaked by the time we got back to the changing rooms. He offered to dry my clothes, so while they dried, he let me borrow one of his hockey jerseys,” I tell Jo just as traffic begins moving a little faster.
“Okay, gotcha,” Jo says, finally on the right page.
“So, after my stripping moment, I changed back into my normal clothes before getting the hell out of there. I thought for sure I wouldn’t see him again. So, you can say it was a surprise when he knocked on my door at six this morning. He hated the way last night had ended. He apologized and told me he wanted to take me somewhere, so he could explain to me why his life was so fucked up. I agreed, and in the shortest time, I got changed before I got into his car. Then, he showed me the reason we can’t be together, and it exceeded my imagination to the ninth degree. His life isn’t just fucked up. It’s bad in a catastrophic way. I’m still trying to get my head around it. I wouldn’t wish what he’s going through on my worst enemy.”
“Wow, Kaelyn, I’m sorry. Where are you guys gonna go from here then?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I told him I’d be there as a friend.”
“Are you sure you can just be friends with him? I know you’ve not known this guy for too long, but already, I can tell how deep you’re falling for him.”
“Am I that obvious?” I ask, bemused.
She’s right though. I fell for him the moment I caught eyes on him at the New Year’s Eve party.
“Yes, and no. To a normal person, it might not be, but you’re my Kaelyn. I know you inside a
nd out. I know this guy will either be the best thing to ever happen to you or he will break you. Just promise me, you’ll be careful. The last thing I want to see is you hurt, especially after all the Teddy stuff.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Why did you have to bring up his name? I’m about to go teach a yoga class, and I don’t want him interrupting my Zen.”
The traffic finally begins to move at a normal speed, and it feels freeing to be able to put the pedal to the metal. I glance at the clock. If I don’t hit any more traffic, I might actually make it to the studio with half a second to spare.
“I’m sorry.” Jo laughs lightly before her voice levels out. “I just want to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for more hurt.”
“I know, and I love you for that. And I won’t get hurt. If anything, being friends is probably for the best anyway. It will help squelch any feelings I have for him and focus on what’s important, and it’s being a friend during such a critical time.”
“You really believe that?” Jo asks skeptically.
I chuckle under my breath. “No…” I say slowly.
“Well, just be care—”
“Be careful; I know,” I finish for her. “I will. So, enough of about me. What are we going to do about the wedding since, by the time June rolls around, you’ll be waddling around like a penguin, about ready to burst.”
“Hey!” she argues.
I just laugh. “I’m right though. Nobody’s dream wedding is when they’re in their third trimester. Especially you. I remember what a fucking nightmare you were when you were expecting Junior. No way am I putting up with bridezilla-slash-hormonal bitch. So, what’s the plan, mama bear?”
“I don’t really know. I mean, Drew mentioned Vegas, but the thought of getting married by Elvis isn’t how I envisioned ever getting married.”
“Vegas isn’t just about shotgun weddings by Elvis, babe. You can have any kind of wedding you want. You can get married by whoever you want, even Captain America,” I say, knowing Drew has a hard-on for him.
She giggles. “Drew would be in his element for sure!”
“What’s more important to you—the wedding or the man you’re going to marry? If it’s the latter, then it doesn’t matter where you get married.”
“Yeah, I know you’re right. I guess Vegas could be fun but not being able to drink would suck.”
Even though I can’t see her, I know for a fact that she’s pouting those pretty lips of hers.
“I’ll just do the drinking for you,” I exclaim naughtily as I turn left at a junction. “That, and when you’ve had the baby, I will take you out and get you good and drunk on SoCo and tequila shots, like we used to do in college.”
Jo lets out a groan. “God, no. I’m too old for that shit. And no Vegas. If I can’t drink, it’ll be no fun. And I want Junior there, and Vegas is hardly the best place for an eight-year-old.”
Immediately, a light bulb idea goes off in my head. “Tyler and Mia live on the beach in North Carolina, right? Why not just get married there? You don’t even need a priest. You can have me or Tyler officiate the wedding. Although, if you don’t pick me, I’ll no longer be your best friend,” I warn her.
She gently laughs. “You’d always be my first pick, you know that. That actually sounds amazing, but the winter weather in North Carolina is freezing.”
“Well, we could make it a winter wonderland affair,” I offer. “Like Phoebe and Mike’s wedding from Friends. You always said that was your favorite Friends wedding.”
She gives out a heavenly sigh. “I did love their wedding, but you know I hate the cold. Let me think about it. I mean, I’ll probably be in the hospital for another day, so I’ll have plenty enough time to think.”
I turn another left, and I finally see the studio in sight. I pull into my usual space and put the car in park. “I’ve just pulled up outside the studio. I hate to leave, but I need to go. But, before I go in there, are you sure you don’t need me?”
“I’m sure,” she tells me.
“Okay, but if you need anything, let me know. I’m only three hours away.”
“Well, actually, six hours with your driving,” she jokes.
“Hey,” I protest. “That was one time, and it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t moved, like, a million miles away!”
“Exaggerate much?”
“Whatever,” I snap, giggling. “Tell baby dada congratulations from me, and I’ll call you later. Get some rest.”
“I will. Love you,” she says.
“I love you, too, mama bear.” I go to disconnect the call, but I quickly backpedal. “Jo,” I call out.
“Yes?” she answers.
“I am so fucking proud of you. You deserve all this happiness, and don’t you ever think any differently.”
I hear her sniff, and I laugh when she says, “Now, you’re making me cry. You can’t make me cry when I’m pregnant.”
“Okay, I’m going; I’m going.”
This time, I disconnect the call, and the excitement I was feeling about her news fizzles. I can’t help but feel envious of her. She deserves this, but I also can’t keep the niggling voice from the back of my mind, saying that I deserve it, too.
I let myself have a pity party for all of two seconds before I take a few meditating, deep breaths, letting the jealousy and envy melt from me. Once I’m calm, I grab my bag and then quickly hightail it to my first class of the morning.
Pumping the Python
Kaelyn
After a pretty eventful twenty-four hours, it’s safe to say, all I have energy for is to lounge on my sofa and watch The Big Bang Theory. I’m steering clear of Grey’s Anatomy tonight, especially since I feel as if I’ve been featured in my own episode today. The episode began with me learning that Chase’s wife was in a vegetative state and pregnant with another man’s baby. Then, I found out my best friend was pregnant, and then, some woman passed out on me during a yoga session this morning, only for her to come to and tell me that she was pregnant. It’s like everyone is pregnant but me. I’d do anything to have a baby, or at least be on the right track for motherhood, but when the only guy you like is unavailable with a capital U, getting pregnant anytime soon isn’t in the cards. If only immaculate conception were a possibility.
Skipping dinner for a pint of ice cream, I let Sheldon Cooper cheer me up to no end until I begin nodding off on the sofa. My restful slumber is short-lived when a knock on the door awakens me. I glance at the clock on the fireplace and see it’s just after eight p.m. I inwardly groan, disappointed in myself for falling asleep on the sofa before eight on a Saturday night. I feel like I’m growing old before my time, and the only things I get to look forward to now are nights in front of the TV.
Wrapping a blanket around my shoulders, I groggily shuffle toward the door. Even though I live in a fairly safe neighborhood, I check the peephole. My heart slams inside my chest at the sight of Chase standing in front of my door. My self-consciousness kicks in, and I immediately begin smoothing down my hair before throwing the blanket from my shoulders. Then, I look down at my attire, and I inwardly groan when I see I’m wearing my Bra off, Hair Up, Sweats On T-shirt and a pair of neon-green lounge pants.
Shit, I am officially a fucking cat lady.
Throwing caution to the wind, I unlock the door before opening it. It’s one thing to see him through the peephole, but to see his tall, dark, and delicious features standing above me is something else entirely. My entire body comes alive with electricity even though he’s a good foot away. His eyes lighten up the instant he sets his sight on me, and suddenly, it doesn’t matter that I’m wearing mismatching PJs or that I don’t have a stitch of makeup on or that my hair probably resembles a bird’s nest because I fell asleep with it still wet after my shower earlier. No, it doesn’t matter because, right now, he’s looking at me as if I’m the only person on this earth who truly matters to him right now.
“Hi,” I greet, smiling coyly. It’s a different greeting tha
n the one he received this morning, but the time between this morning and now honestly feels like light-years have passed.
“Hi. I didn’t wake you, did I?” he questions at my, no doubt, disheveled state.
I’m hardly winning any beauty contests right now.
“No,” I lie. “I was just watching TV. What are you doing here?” I ask because I certainly didn’t expect to see him tonight, especially at my door at eight p.m. with a pizza box in his hand. My stomach growls at the aroma of food coming from the box.
“I was on my way home from the rink, and the thought of going home to an empty house just felt unbearable. So, here I am. I do come with food,” he says, as if he has to entice me with food every time he knocks on my door.
I chuckle. Wow, I really tore him a new one this morning.
“Well, if you have food, then how can I possibly resist?” I teasingly retort as I move aside and let him in. I shut the door behind him before leading him through the small entryway toward my living room. “How come you’re only just leaving the rink?”
He sets the pizza on the coffee table and exhales a breath. “Anything to avoid going home. I stayed until it was impossible to do any more work because I’d done it all. I did get a little therapy in while I had the rink to myself though.”
I nod, understanding exactly what he means by therapy. Hockey is his, whereas yoga is mine.
“Do you want a drink? I have a few beers that my brother left,” I offer as I head in the direction of the kitchen.
Chase follows. “A beer sounds great, thanks.”
I step into the kitchen and head to the refrigerator. As I grab hold of two beers and shut the refrigerator door, I turn to see Chase with a smirk on his face as he looks me up and down, taking in my hideous attire.
“Nice pajamas,” he says. “I never thought neon green would be your color, but you look fetching,” he adds, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“For your information, these happen to be really comfy,” I argue.
He just cocks his brow up. Then, his eyes fall to my T-shirt, and his smile widens. “Your T-shirt is no comparison to the Hug Me pajamas, but it’s a bonus, knowing you don’t have a bra on underneath.”
My Forever (Our Forever Book 3) Page 14
