Imperfections Come To Light (The Imperfection Series Book 2)
Page 9
She blinks twice, turning to Nick. “I heard you. That’s one way to lock it down, it’s airtight.”
I look at Nick and he’s watching Ava with a stern look on his face without saying a word. I turn back to Ava when she gets up, her hands folded across her chest. She paces across the floor and halfway across the room she turns around with an incredulous look—the one when someone slaps you and you can’t believe they did it. Like my mother did to me, that’s the look.
“What the hell were you thinking? I know what, but couldn’t you wrap it up? Are you going to get every female in her family pregnant? After the last fiasco you should make sure those little suckers are sealed in tight.”
I’m a little shell- shocked as I wasn’t expecting this reaction from her. I can feel Nick tensing up beside me, and when I turn to him he looks pissed; this isn’t good. He’s off the couch and in front of Ava in one stride.
“Pick a fucking side, Ava, and stay the fuck on it!” he barks out. “You’re giving me whiplash.”
“I’m giving you whiplash?” Her hands are in the air, her index fingers going around in circles in front of her face. “Your dick should have whiplash the way you’re whipping it all around with those sharpshooters!”
I shoot up off the couch to prevent a blowout argument between them, and stop them from saying something they’ll both regret later. I have to hold on to Nick’s arm to steady myself when my head starts spinning. He holds on tight to my waist and leads me back to the couch.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” Nick kneels in front of me and brushes some of my hair back.”
“I’m fine, I guess I got up too fast.”
He sets his jaw and looks over at Ava next to him, the familiar muscle in his jaw standing out when he gets angry. This is all going south.
“Cat, I’m sorry if I upset you, I’m not upset with you. I wasn’t expecting you to tell me you’re pregnant,” she says, sounding panicked as she sits next to me on the couch.
“It’s okay. I wasn’t expecting to hear it myself the first time.”
Nick looks at her, rolls his eyes, and sits on the edge of the chair she was sitting in before. I run my fingers through the front of my hair and sit back with a big sigh. “If this is how you’re taking it my family is going to burn me on a stake in the shape of a cross.” I’m trying not to cry but I feel it coming. Ava foresees the flood of tears on my face while I try my best to smile to stop them.
“Cat, you’re my best friend; if you’re happy, I’m happy. Are you?”
My gaze turns to her then Nick. He’s waiting to hear what I say. “I think I am.” It’s the truth, these past few weeks with Nick I’ve been happy. Sick and happy, except for when I think about my family, then I’m just sick.
Ava takes my hands in hers and rubs the back of my hand. “Then I’m happy for you. Don’t listen to what I said before…I was…you’re moving out and leaving me by myself again. I’m not happy with that part; you’re being taken away from me. You’re moving out, having a baby. When are we going to find time to hang out, be friends? Your life is changing at warp speed plus a baby is a big life changer. Next thing you know you’ll be leaving for the suburbs in Chappaqua and getting married.”
I laugh at the picture she’s painting. “Slow down, no one’s getting married!”
“I just don’t want to lose my friend to domestic life; look at Isabelle, it’s all about Conner and Kevin. I had big plans for us this summer, it was supposed to be college 2.0, now I feel bad ’cause I sound so selfish.” She releases my hands and puts her arms around my neck and I hug her back, both of us holding back tears.
“Ava, if anything, this baby is going to make our friendship stronger, we are going to be even more connected as family. If it wasn’t for you, Nick and I wouldn’t be together and this unexpected but happy pregnancy, which brought us back together, wouldn’t have happened.”
“I don’t know if I want to take credit for all of that. But you’re having a baby with my bonehead cousin, it’s going to take some time to get used to, which is totally my problem. And insecurities.” The last part she whispers to me. That’s something new because Ava has few insecurities, unlike me.
She pulls back smiling and puts her hand on my stomach. “I can’t believe there’s a baby inside you. How pregnant are you? I haven’t been gone that long. Are you sure you’re pregnant?”
“She’s sure!” Nick snaps in a clipped tone.
Ava presses her lips together and makes a face. They are so much alike in looks and temperament.
“The doctor confirmed it when I was rushed to the hospital with a concussion and again when I went to both prenatal visits.”
I tell Ava the whole story. She can’t believe all of this happened while she was gone.
“Whoa! I’m not going to leave New York again. Whenever I leave you end up at the hospital.” We both laugh. “I’m serious, I can’t leave you alone for more than two days.”
“I know, right?” I say between giggles.
“I’m going to start packing some of your things,” Nick says, getting up, and going to my room.
“Go talk to him, Ava.”
“For what?”
“You were kind of harsh.”
“I wasn’t the only one, did you hear what he said to me?”
I tilt my head to the side waiting for her to argue.
“Fine. I’m only doing it because you’re pregnant.”
Nick
“What the fuck is your problem, Ava?”
“You knock her up two months after her sister miscarried your baby and you’re asking me what’s my fucking problem? Why the hell didn’t you use protection?”
“Does that matter now? It’s done. And how is that any of your business? As long as Cat and I are happy then that’s all you need to be concerned about. When I ask for your opinion give it to me, until then don’t.”
“I’m sure you knew she wasn’t on any form of birth control.”
“It wasn’t the first thing on my mind at the time. I’m sure you’ve been in the same situation a time or two.”
“Since you asked, no, I have not been in that situation and I know that wasn’t on your mind, your dick was doing all the thinking for you.”
“Watch it, Ava.”
“What is she going to do? How are you going to protect her from her family, her so-called friends, and the gossip and whispering? And I know you’ve heard, don’t act like you haven’t. After that scene Kate made in the hospital that was it, the unconfirmed word on the street was out. More so among people we know personally.”
“Has anyone come and said anything to her about it?”
“Not that I know. I don’t talk to her about that stuff. I don’t want her to feel worse about gossip people know nothing about. I know I was coming off like a real bitch out there but this is an impossible situation for her. Both of you are going to be in for it. I hope you’re ready; you’re going to have to dust off the rusty old tin armor and be ready to defend her and the choices you’ve both made.”
“I’ll always defend and protect her with every fucking breath of life I have in me. Defending the choices I make isn’t something I worry about, that’s something to do for anyone who would dare hurt her or make her feel less than worthy of any and everything she deserves and more.”
“I know you’ll take care of her. I didn’t mean to jump all over you like that, your news took me by surprise. When I left I had a single roommate who wasn’t pregnant, who was finally learning how to cope with a devastating end to a relationship that barely was. Imagine my utter astonishment coming back home to a pregnant ex-roommate and the heartbreak she’s trying to get over, telling me I’m going to be a cousin slash aunt again. It’s a lot to deal with ten minutes after I step through the door.”
“I’m sure it was, but that’s no excuse for the way you fucked up out there. She’s stressed enough about her family and what they’re going to do. What she needed from you was support and to be happy f
“I know, I’m sorry. You know I’m going to support you and Cat through all this, no matter what. But my honest reaction was a dose of reality. At least now you have an inkling of what to expect from others who are not going to be supportive at the idea of you and her being a couple.”
“Trust me, I didn’t need you for that. I already know what to expect. I’m trying to keep a positive spin on it for Cat. You know how much I love her and that I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. It’s not just her I have to protect now. I’m going to be a father…to our baby.”
“I know I asked Cat, but I’m asking you, you’re happy about this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? She’s the love of my life.”
“Enough said. Now, do you have something to say to me? Like an apology.”
“For what?”
“You know what, forget it, I forgive you anyways. I’ll chalk it up to the stress of impending fatherhood. Making you even more of an ass.”
“Yeah, you do that,” I say, but as she walks out the room I grab her arm and give her a kiss on the cheek. She pushes me away, wiping her hand across her face holding back a smile.
Cat
When she comes back, she’s smiling. “You must have patched things up because I didn’t hear screaming or things breaking.”
“We made up, sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“I apologized and he didn’t, which I knew he wouldn’t.”
“He’s been really great since the day he took me home from the hospital.”
“I have no doubt in my mind about that. He loves you. He’s not going to let anyone, not even your family, get between you.”
“My family. It’s been a roller coaster of a time. I don’t want to hurt them, I want to be happy. Nick makes me happy and I’m tired of fighting it.”
“When are you going to tell them?”
“I don’t know. I get heart palpitations if I think about it too much. I do know I’m going to tell Chris first. He’s the only one I’ve spoken to since the holidays.”
“How do you think he’s going to take it?”
“About as well as you.”
“I didn’t take it so well, did I?”
“Understatement. It’s fine, I understand. My biggest worry is Kate.”
Ava makes a pained face grimacing. “I don’t really like your sister but I have to say I feel for her. This is going to be a hard pill to swallow.”
“It sure is.”
Nick comes out with a box of my things. I push all thought of my family, especially Kate, out of my mind for now. We spend the rest of the evening at Ava’s packing up my stuff. I had a good time, Nick was still a bit grumpy about what Ava said, but toward the end of the evening it was forgotten. Ava cooked, she’s a great cook. Most people wouldn’t believe she could throw down in the kitchen but as I said to Chris, she will surprise you. She’s not only about looks and labels.
At the end of the night I look around the room that I called mine for almost four months. Many life-changing moments happened to me in the short time I called this place home. It gave me shelter from the cold when I had nowhere to go. A place to cry and drown my regrets in a pillow full of tears. It made the bonds of friendship between two old friends stronger than ever with love and support and understanding. It also brought Nick and I back together the night of my birthday and we created a life. I put my hand on my stomach and close the door behind me, walking out to the next chapter of my life.
Nick is waiting for me by the door while talking to Ava. They look like two beautiful dark-haired bookends. They don’t know how good-looking they are, especially side by side. I put my hand on his arm. “I’m ready to go home.” He smiles down at me when I say home and Ava gives me another hug.
“I’m going to miss you. We were supposed to hit up all the clubs this summer, drink, and flirt with cute guys in our five-inch stilettos. Now who am I going to go with? I guess I’ll have to settle for Chloe. You know you can still come, I think you’ll be a hot pregnant chick.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No.”
Nick puts his arm around my shoulder. “No one wants to hit up a pregnant chick, Ava.”
Ava and I give him a look that screams, “What!”
“You need to check him,” Ava says to me.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Nick?” He gives me his charming don’t-be-mad-at-me smile. The one I’m a sucker for especially when his eyes light up.
“All I’m saying is most dudes don’t want to have sex with a pregnant woman. That’s why guys go to the club to hook up. Once you start showing…” He shakes his head at me. “But I’m going to want you, that’s all that should matter. I’m more than willing to entertain you. I’ll guarantee you won’t be bored or have any need for the club when I’m through with you and your fabulous body.”
He bends down and wraps both his arms around me and runs his tongue along the outline of my ears. I giggle, turning my face toward him and brush my lips across his.
In a disgusted voice Ava says, “Please control yourselves.”
I tug on his arm to stop. “Come on, let’s go. We’ve overstayed our welcome. Bye, Ava.”
“Please try to get her home safely before you start fornicating, I’m not bailing you out.”
Nick winks at her with a smile. “Keep your phone on.” She shakes her head at him and closes the door.
Nick
She’s sleeping peacefully on her side, curled up under the blanket. I wish I didn’t have to go to work today. I’d like nothing more than to get back in bed with her. “Hey, babe, I’m leaving.”
“Oh my God, I’m late! What time is it?” Her head pops up off the pillow, and she looks flustered and cute as always, brushing her hair out of her face wildly.
“You’re not late, it’s Saturday.” I smile.
She lies back on her side closing her eyes. “Why didn’t you say that? Stop turning my damn alarm off in the morning.”
“You keep slamming it off every ten minutes. It’s annoying.”
“I’m not like you, I can’t spring out of bed like I stepped out of the shower fresh and ready to take on the world.”
“Understood, but you set the alarm for two different times: an hour before you need to get up, and between that hour you hit snooze every ten minutes. It annoys the shit out of me.”
“I’m going to start sleeping in the other room,” she grumbles noncommittally.
“No, you’re not,” I say, rubbing her back and kissing her shoulder.
“Why are you leaving so early?”
“I have a lot to do. I’m leaving work early to meet my father at my mother’s house this evening and I have clients I need to meet with.”
“Why are you meeting your father at your mother’s?” She rolls on her back her head on the pillow.
“I’m going to tell them about you and the baby.”
“Was that today?”
I nod my head yes.
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait?”
“Till when?”
“Hmm, when the baby’s born.”
I smile and pat the side of her leg. “No.” She pouts like a child, it makes me smile wider. She doesn’t want me to tell my parents because we agreed we would tell Chris after.
“What do you think they’re going to say, mainly your father?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care. What they think doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect the decisions we make or what I want.”
“You don’t think they’re going to be upset you’re having a baby so soon with me after what happened with Kate?”
“Honestly, the only thing my mother will truly be upset about is if I get married without telling her.”
“And your father, what would make him upset most?”
“If I even entertained the idea of not having an ironclad prenup, my dad would put my balls on the chopping block.” I play with her fingers in her lap. She smiles at me and I smile back.
“Who is this lucky lady you’re going to get married to one day?”
“I never said I was going to get married.”
“Well, if you were ever to consider getting married what would she look like?”
“Aha, well let’s see. If I marry, the woman I choose will be smart, about this tall—” I hold up my hands to about her height, “—with eyes I can stare at for hours, that’s a must.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m going to work long hard hours to keep her satisfied so I need to have some motivation to keep her barefoot and pregnant with the ten kids she’s going to have for me. She won’t have time for a job, her job is going to be inside the home taking care of my kids.” I watch with amusement as her eyes widen.
“You pig, here I thought you were a man of the world and you believed in equality for women in the workplace and at home.”
I hold two fingers up and sincerely say, “On my honor as a scout I absolutely believe in equality for women at work and in the home as well as in the bedroom.”
“You were never in the scouts.” She squints her eyes at me.
“I know, this is why you can’t hold me to what I say.” She slaps me on the arm and I grab her hand, pulling her to me for a kiss.
“You’re lucky I know you’re joking or I’d knock your block off for being a male chauvinist.”
“Baby, I can’t help it, you bring it out in me, that sweet little ass of yours makes me want to keep you tied up in my bed forever. Plus our kids are going to be the cutest little bastards alive.” I kiss her again on the lips.
“Would you forgive me if I cheated on you, Nick?”
“Where did that come from?” I look at her and raise a curious eyebrow. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No, I was only wondering.”
She leans back and I study her. “Would you forgive me?” I ask her.
“Maybe.”
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