The One (The Halo Series Book 2)

by Kimberly Knight

  “Hello?” Lisa answered.

  “Amanda Hugginkiss?”

  “No?”

  “Yeah, this is Amanda Hugginkiss.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  The girls were covering their mouths, trying not to laugh. I was trying not to laugh myself. “Yeah, it is. This is a man to hug and kiss. Amanda Hugginkiss.”

  Lisa gasped. “Who is this?”

  I hung up and we all laughed until we had tears.

  “All right, who’s next?”

  “Sara.” Cheyenne replied, still smiling.

  “Hello?” Sara answered.

  “Ivana Tinkle?”

  “No?”

  “Yeah, this is Ivana Tinkle.”

  “Who is this?”

  “Ivana Tinkle. Get it? I wanna tinkle.” I hung up.

  We laughed again. “Okay, who’s next?”

  “That’s it. Just those two.”

  “All right, we’ll call Lisa back first.”

  “Hello?” Lisa answered.

  “Anita Bath?”

  “Who is this?”

  “Anita Bath—I need a bath!” I said and hung up.

  “Uncle A, you’re the best.”

  “I know I am, C.C.” We laughed. “Sara again?”

  Cheyenne nodded.

  “Hello?” Sara answered.

  “Eura Snotball?”

  “No. Who is this?”

  “Eura Snotball. You’re a snotball!” I said and hung up again. “More?” I asked Cheyenne.

  “Oh yeah!”

  I dialed Lisa again.

  “What?” she said, not bothering with the hello.

  “Ahmed Adoudi?”

  “Seriously, who is this? I’m gonna tell my daddy!”

  “Tell your daddy. Tell your daddy Ahmed Adoudi’s on the phone. Get it? I made a doodie?”

  “Stop calling me!” she yelled and hung up first.

  We laughed again. “That one was my favorite,” Cheyenne said.

  “Okay, one more time for Sara and then we need to eat. I’m starving!”

  I dialed Sara.

  “Whoever this is, you need to stop calling me!” Sara said.

  “I’m looking for Bea O'Problem.”

  “Who?” she asked, falling into the trap.

  “Bea O'Problem. You have a B.O. Problem!”

  I didn’t even bother to hear her response before I hung up. The three of us were laughing too hard and I couldn’t chance that Sara would hear Cheyenne. Maybe it was wrong to prank ten-year-old girls, but man it felt good to stick up for Cheyenne—even if I didn’t know what I was sticking up for.

  Courtney went home, pinky swearing with Cheyenne that she wouldn’t tell anyone that we pranked Sara and Lisa. After we’d eaten chicken strips and chocolate milk, Cheyenne took a shower and went to bed. My parental duties were over. I dialed Nicole.

  “Hey, Baby,” she answered.

  “What are my girls up to?”

  “Just about to go to bed.”

  “Will you always be this tired?” I asked, propping my feet on the coffee table as I sat on the couch.

  “No. It turns into a horny state.”

  “Oh…when’s that?” I smiled.

  “Probably in about five weeks.”

  “I can’t wait. You’ll be all moved in and horny. I think my dreams just came true.”

  “You’re so bad.” She laughed. “Is Brooke there yet?”

  “Here?”

  “Yeah, she left to go to New York after her doctor’s appointment today.”

  “No, she’s not here.”

  “Maybe she went to Halo.”

  “Yeah, probably.”

  “The doctor told her she has to have radiation for six weeks.”

  “Shit,” I groaned. “Really?”

  “Yeah. The tumor is a type that is known to grow back so they want to use radiation.”

  “Poor Brooke,” I said, shaking my head.

  “I know.” We were silent for a few seconds. “So what do you want to do this weekend?” Nicole asked, changing the subject.

  “You.”

  “Besides me.” She laughed.

  “That’s all I want to do.” I smirked.

  “No, seriously.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe go to Cheyenne’s game.”

  “Oh, that sounds like fun.”

  “I think Easton and I are going to play again.”

  “Really?”

  “I think so. We talked about it a few weeks ago.”

  “I can’t wait to see you in those tight pants.” She groaned.

  “I’m not sure if we’ll wear baseball pants. It might be a co-ed league and we only need to wear sweats.”

  “Fine,” she huffed.

  There was a knock on the door. “Baby, hold on. Brooke’s here.” I opened the door. “I’ve been waiting for you.” I stepped aside so Brooke could enter. “Nic said you were coming. I was starting to worry.”

  “I went to Halo first.”

  “I was sure you would have wanted to wait naked in E’s bed.”

  “Shit, why didn’t I think of that?” Brooke asked and we laughed.

  “Baby, I’ll call you back,” I said, returning the phone to my ear.

  “Don’t tell her I’m pregnant.”

  “I’m not—”

  “Saturday we’ll tell her.”

  “Yeah, Saturday.”

  “Okay. Good.”

  “I’ll call you back.”

  “I’m tired. I’m going to go to sleep.”

  “Fine, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Night.”

  “Night.”

  “What’s happening Saturday?” Brooke asked as I clicked the End button on my phone.

  “Noth… Oh, um… Nic’s coming.”

  “Oh, I thought she was coming Friday?”

  “Right, Friday. I must have misspoke,” I said, looking down at my feet. Damn, I couldn’t wait until Brooke knew about the baby.

  “Okay… Anyway, so I went to Halo first and made a hundred bucks.”

  “Easton made you work?” I asked, laughing.

  “No.” She laughed. “I bet some chick with bleached blonde hair that I could get Easton to leave with me.”

  “Holy shit, really?”

  “Yeah, it was hilarious!”

  “I bet it was. Let’s not make it a habit because word will get out that we’re taking advantage of our customers,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Yes, boss! Geez, way to ruin the fun,” Brooke said and took a swig of the water from a bottle.

  “Sorry, but…”

  “I know, you’re right. Anyway, Cheyenne’s in bed?”

  “Yeah, I finally talked her off her cliff.”

  “What do you mean?” Brooke sat in the chair across from me at the dining room table.

  “Some bitches were making fun of her at practice. She was really upset.”

  “I bet, do you know why?”

  “No, she wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Then how did you talk her off a cliff?”

  “We prank called them.”

  “Shut up! You did?”

  “Yeah. Courtney came over too. It was funny.”

  “That’s awesome and wrong.”

  “Well, it worked.” I leaned back in my chair.

  “I wonder why they were mean to her?”

  “Maybe she’ll tell you.”

  “Doubt it, we barely know each other.”

  “She talks about you all the time.”

  “She does?” Brooke asked, almost choking on her water.

  “Yeah, she thinks you’re some Olympic softball player.”

  “Oh God, I’m going to disappoint her once I can actually throw a ball again.”

  “I doubt that. Just blame it on your shoulder.”

  I couldn’t imagine having to go through radiation like Brooke. She was definitely one s
trong chick. Life was throwing her curve balls, but without a doubt she was going to hit them out of the park.

  She was a fighter.

  It was time to finally give my two-week notice at work. I was nervous. I always thought I would work for Dr. Sam until she retired. Hell, I never thought I’d be moving to New York.

  “Hey, Dr. Sam. Got a second?” I asked, knocking on her open office door.

  “Sure,” she said, looking away from her computer screen.

  I sat down and before I could tell her why, she beat me to it. “Let me guess, you’re quitting?”

  I paused, blinking at her. “Yeah,” I said, under my breath.

  “I figured you would. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I understand. It will be different without you here and you’ll always have a job no matter what happens in New York.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “Don’t forget to invite us to the baby shower.” She smiled.

  I smiled back. “I won’t.”

  After lunch, I told Jenna and Kym. They knew it was coming too. Even if I weren’t moving to New York, things would have been different with them. They were my party friends. Now that I wasn’t single and having a baby, my party days were behind me. I was looking forward to hanging out with Avery and my baby instead of my friends Jack, Jameson, Jim, Jose, and Morgan.

  After work, I drove to my parents’. They still didn’t know about Avery or that I was pregnant. Since being back from the cruise, everything seemed like it was going too fast and I hadn’t even seen my parents since I’d been back.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said, setting my purse on the kitchen island.

  She stopped chopping vegetables and turned to look at me. “Well, if it isn’t my one and only daughter. It’s about time you stopped by instead of texting me.”

  “I know. I’ve been busy.”

  “How’s my Brooke?”

  “She’s doing well. She has to have radiation now.”

  “That poor girl. Tell her to call me if she needs anything at all.”

  “I will. That’s actually kinda why I came by.”

  “Oh?”

  “You might want to sit down for this.” I motioned for her to sit next to me on the barstools at the kitchen island.

  “Nic …”

  “It’s not bad. I promise.” I smiled.

  My mother sat next to me, pushing her long, blonde side bangs from her eyes.

  “Remember when you asked me how the cruise was and I told you that I met a guy?”

  “Yes, a guy I have yet to meet.”

  “I know. I didn’t plan that, but since we’ve been back from the cruise, we’ve all been dealing with Brooke’s tumor.”

  “I still don’t know why you all kept it a secret.”

  “It was what Brooke wanted. She didn’t want anyone worrying about her.”

  “I would have visited her in the hospital,” my mom said with a sad smile.

  “I know. But it’s over now.”

  “How long does she need radiation for?”

  “Six weeks. I haven’t talked to her about it yet. She just texted me and then she left for New York.”

  “Right. You both met New Yorker’s on the cruise.” My mom smiled.

  “Yeah. Well, Cali boys living in New York.” I laughed, thinking about Avery.

  “So, tell me. Why’d you come over?”

  “Oh right. So...” I paused, wishing I really could have a drink to calm my nerves. “I’m moving to New York and I think Brooke might be too.”

  My mother’s eyes widened.

  “I know. Crazy, huh?”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do. I really do. I’ve never loved someone so much in all my life.”

  “Will I get to meet him before you move?”

  “Of course. I’ll bring him by next weekend before we move my stuff.”

  “You’re moving next weekend?” Her eyes widened again.

  “Yeah. It’s hard being away from him for the entire week.”

  “What about your job? Your career? Have you sold your condo?”

  “I looked into it and I need to have my license transferred and that takes a few weeks. If I need money, I can always work at Avery’s bar. And no, I haven’t sold my condo yet.”

  “You know I just want what’s best for you,” she said, reaching over and patted my arm.

  “I know. There’s…there’s one more thing.” I took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh, Nic…”

  “It’s okay. I want this. I mean, I didn’t plan it like this, but Avery’s a good man and I know he’ll be an amazing father. He’s had practice with Brooke’s boyfriend’s daughter, and he treats me good.”

  My mother was silent, not saying a word.

  “I know this isn’t what we wanted, but it feels right.” I continued.

  She remained silent.

  “Don’t be mad,” I said.

  “I…” She paused. “I’m going to be a grandmother, finally?”

  I smiled. “Yeah. You’re not mad?”

  “Nic, you’re twenty-nine years old. You’re not a teenager anymore. I’ve been waiting years for you to make me a grandmother. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I scooted off the barstool and hugged her.

  “You know, love looks good on you. I’m happy for you, baby.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, still holding her.

  “Now we need to tell your dad.”

  Telling my dad that his baby girl was knocked up, wasn’t going to be as easy as telling my mom.

  Avery had a twinkle in his eye as he watched Cheyenne play softball. The entire game, I watched and listened as he’d explain what the girls should do on a certain play, cheer Cheyenne and her friend Courtney on, and got mad when the umpire made bad calls.

  “They’re ten, son,” Jimmy had said, patting Avery on the back and laughing at him.

  We laughed. By the way Avery was acting, you’d think we were watching college ball.

  After the game, Jimmy and Jane went home and we went to Easton’s for a barbeque. Since Brooke was in a better mood—despite having to start radiation soon—we were going to tell her that I was pregnant. I was only seven weeks along, but I hated keeping it from her. Brooke and I were both moving the following weekend, and when Avery made sure I didn’t lift anything, Brooke would find out anyway.

  “Ready to tell Brooke?” Avery asked, driving us to Easton’s.

  “Yep. I’m excited.”

  When we arrived at Easton’s, Cheyenne ran to her room. I looked to Avery and he shrugged. Cheyenne and her team had lost, but they’d lost before and no one told me she acted like this.

  “Cheyenne won’t come out of her room,” Easton said, walking out in the backyard where we were all sitting.

  “Want me to go talk to her?” Avery asked.

  “I’ll go,” Brooke said. “Maybe it’s a girl thing.”

  “Oh God,” Easton groaned.

  “I’m just kidding. She’s ten, Baby,” Brooke said and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  He swatted her butt as she walked into the house and I smiled. I still couldn’t believe that we’d all fallen in love on the cruise.

  “We’re moving the girls next weekend,” Avery said to Easton.

  “Good. I still can’t believe Brooke decided to have radiation here. Not that I’m complaining.” He chuckled.

  “Can you believe that we might not have even met if we didn’t bump into you guys that first day?” I asked.

  “I would have found you. I would have hunted you down.”

  I laughed at his reference from our last night together. “You wouldn’t have known what you were hunting,” I said, sticking out my tongue.

  “I knew the one I was meant to be with was on that cruise,” Avery said.

  “You’re full of shit.” I laughed.

  Avery walked ov
er to where I was sitting, leaning down so we were eye level, his hands on either side of me on the arm rests of the chair. “Trust me. I would have found you. The moment I saw you, before we even spoke, I knew. And then you bit that fucking lower lip of yours and you had me. Hook, line, and sinker, Baby.”

  Easton laughed and I looked up at him.

  “I see you did listen to all my stories when I was single. Hook, line, and sinker is my thing.”

  “No,” Avery said, shaking his head. “Our thing. Remember freshman year of high school?”

  Easton thought for a moment. “Oh, right.” He laughed. “Our thing.”

  “What happened freshman year?” I asked.

  “Think about it, Babe,” Avery said. “We were freshman boys going through puberty. We hooked a few chicks with our good looks.”

  “We reeled them in with our corny pick-up lines.” Easton laughed.

  “And we sank them with our—”

  “That’s okay,” I said, holding up my hand to Avery’s mouth and smiling. “I don’t need the details.”

  We laughed and Avery leaned down and kissed me. Brooke and Cheyenne walked out a few seconds later. Cheyenne sat next to me and Brooke went over to Easton and whispered something to him. Cheyenne was smiling, so Brooke had worked whatever it was out.

  “Now that everyone is here, Nicole, and I have some news,” Avery said.

  “Let me guess. You’re moving here?” Brooke asked.

  “Yes, but that’s not it,” I said. “I’m … I’m pregnant!”

  “Oh my God! Really?” Brooke squealed and rushed to me. I stood and she wrapped me in her arms, hugging me for dear life.

  “Yeah,” I nodded a big nod when we let go.

  “I’m going to have a cousin?” Cheyenne asked.

  “Yeah, C.C., you are,” Avery said, rubbing the top of her head and messing up her hair.

  “Awesome! I can’t wait to teach them how to catch.”

  Everything was turning out perfectly.

  Finally!

  Finally I was waking up with Nicole in my arms on a Monday morning. It was a little touch and go yesterday when I’d had to meet Nicole’s parents. Her mother loved me—at least I think she did. Nicole’s father…well, let’s just say he’s not too happy that I knocked his baby girl up. Honestly, I’d feel the same way if it were my daughter or even Cheyenne. But I knew the man I was and I assured him he had nothing to worry about.