“How do you know? What are you gonna do? One of my abuelita’s old wives tales or something?” If she starts getting red yarn, salt, or chili peppers, I’m gonna bolt.
“No, I’m not going to do anything to you. Just relax.” She reaches out and places her soft callused hand on my bare knee. “Now, tell me. Have you been tired lately?”
“Well, yeah.” But if she knew what I’ve been doing for two weeks, she’d understand. I’m not about to tell my mama that I’ve been having marathon sex with my best friend’s brother.
“Do your chichis hurt? Are they tender?”
My hands shoot to my boobs. Huh. They are. “Yeah.” Again. That could be due to the previously mentioned marathon sex. Tyler has a way with his hands. And his teeth. God, I have to squeeze my thighs together just thinking about his talent.
“Now, when was the last time you had your period?”
Shit. Why does she look all happy? Like she’s thrilled her only daughter is knocked up out of wedlock. I’m surprised she’s not praying or something.
My thoughts flash through any memory I have of tampons and panty liners. I seriously can’t remember the last time I needed them. I haven’t had to buy some since I discovered you can buy a vibrator at the local drugstore. Imagine that. I’ll take this box of pads, the vibrator, some lube, and throw in this cockring for my special loved one. Crazy. I couldn’t believe it. I took several pictures of the feminine product aisle and sent them to Shel. She texted back and said she knew where to shop for my birthday.
“Oh shit, Mom.” Suddenly, I feel like it’s a thousand degrees. I can feel the moisture in my pits and the backs of my thighs.
“When?” she asks.
“Just before my birthday.” Holy fuck.
“Your birthday? That was in March. How could you not know you were pregnant this whole time? It’s been months.”
I lean forward, placing my head in my hands. “I don’t have my period every month. And when I do, it’s really light. I’ve been a runner since high school. That’s like birth control in itself.”
“Not a hundred percent, obviously.” She sits up, crosses her arms over her chest and gives me a knowing smirk.
“It’s not like we didn’t use anything else.” And we did. Ty has a knack for slapping on a condom in a split second without killing the mood, kinda like a relay runner grabbing the baton in stride. Although, I can’t say I haven’t wished for some bareback skin-to-skin contact, but I know better. “Hey, this isn’t a sure thing. It only comes every three to four months. It’s normal for someone who runs as much as I do,” I tell her trying to convince myself. Tyler’s words about Shel getting pregnant keep playing in my mind. He can’t give back this baby. Shit. What am I going to tell him? He doesn’t want kids.
My mom touches her thumb to her pinky first, then to her other fingers. “It’s almost four months now. I say you take a test.”
“Oh, god. I’m gonna be sick.”
“Ay, don’t be so dramatic. Get up. Let’s go. I’ll drive you.”
About twenty minutes later, I’m walking the aisles of the local drug store. The same aisle with the ribbed vibrators and fluorescent cockrings. Shel should have bought me those for my birthday. Can’t get pregnant from a toy. I pull my sunglasses over my eyes, and pull the elastic band from my head, freeing my hair to cover my face.
“What are you doing? You look like a criminal,” my mom says. “Who are you hiding from?”
“Anyone. Everyone. My students could be here. Or Shel. Or her mom. Ty’s mom.” My stomach goes sour, like I can feel my insides curdling with every second that passes until I know for sure if I’m preggers.
I stop in front of all the tests. There have to be over twenty different kinds. Why are there so many? And why are they so dang expensive? You shouldn’t have to pay more than five bucks for something you’re just going to take a leak on. My mom grabs three boxes and starts walking away from me. “Meet me in the car,” she orders.
She doesn’t have to tell me twice.
After pissing on all three sticks, which takes the speed and agility of an Olympic athlete might I add, and lining up two of them on the bathroom sink, I sit on the toilet seat and wait. Because I’m not an Olympic athlete, I dropped one in the toilet and have yet to fish it out. I’ll do that later since I have something a lot more important on my mind. The first one is pink on the end. If I hadn’t read the directions, I would’ve thought I was pregnant and having a girl. Instead, it just means my pee made it on the stick. The second one looks wet but it didn’t change color so I’m hoping it’s doing its job.
Eons pass before a bright blue plus sign shows up in a tiny window. Great. This test isn’t gender biased. But it does tell me I’m pregnant. Holy fuck. Seconds later, the words “pregnant” in bold letters shout at me from the window of the other test. Holy fuck, again!
I’m on my feet before I can think, swinging open the bathroom door. My mother is standing just outside.
“I’m pregnant.”
A smile stretches across her face and her eyes get misty. “Congratulations.”
The warm sun on my skin is like a security blanket, making me feel relaxed and comfortable which is exactly what I need right now. Sitting on my mom’s pool deck petting my pooches is just what I need to escape the chaos that has become my life in the last two hours since I first arrived at my parents’ place.
“How are you feeling, mija?” My mom stands over me with a glass of iced tea. “It’s decaf. I brought you a granola bar too. Maybe it will settle your stomach.”
I take the cool glass and bring it to my lips. The icy liquid chills my body, even in this summer heat. “Thank you.”
She sits across from me again. Mer pops her little head up and then rests back against my thigh. Der doesn’t budge. He hasn’t moved an inch since he settled on his back beside me with his arms and legs spread eagle waiting for his belly to be rubbed. Mer snuggles closer now that I’ve taken a hand away from her to take a drink.
“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be a little more excited about this. You’re having a baby. Tyler’s baby. How can you not be thrilled? I am.”
Great. I’ve disappointed my mom. As if Tyler isn’t going to be disappointed enough. And how about my dad? He’s going to kill Ty when he finds out he doesn’t want kids. This is a big fucking mess.
“Mom, it’s complicated. Ty lives in San Francisco and I don’t. He wants to stay there. I want to stay here. And if that isn’t enough to make things crazy. He doesn’t even want kids. How can I be jumping for joy when I have a baby growing inside me who won’t have a father?”
“Snap out of it,” she shouts. “You don’t know that.”
My eyes focus on hers. “Yes, I do. Shel told us she and Matt are going to start trying, and Ty specifically said he doesn’t want kids right now. He’ll be happy to be an uncle because he can give the kid back.” I thought it was funny at the time, but now it breaks my heart.
“Oh, that’s all he said. Every man I know has said that until they have their own kids, then they become proud fathers. Just like Tyler will.”
Tears sting my eyes. Every ounce of me wants to believe her, but I’m not so sure. Who knows how he’ll react. He’s been on his own for so long. He’s more than proved he doesn’t need me, or his family.
“Hey. It’s going to be okay. Don’t cry. This baby is a blessing. They all are. You’ll see.” She reaches in her pocket and hands over my phone. “Now, call your doctor. It’s still early enough the office will be open. And then I suggest you make plans for another road trip. You need to tell him. I’m guessing you’re about twelve to fourteen weeks along which means you won’t be able to hide it much longer.”
Chapter 11
Shelly
“How’s my big brother holding up without my best friend?” I toss my feet up on the giant square ottoman in my living room and fall back into my soft cushy sofa.
There’s a low groan coming from the other end of the ph
one. “Truthfully, I’m barely functioning. It’s ridiculous how such a little person can make such a dramatic impact on your life.”
I can’t help smiling. My brother’s in love. “You’re just barely figuring that out now?”
Another groan comes through the line. “I’ve known that since the day you brought her home with you in elementary school. Only now she has a different kind of effect on me.”
“I bet.”
“Shut up.”
“What? I didn’t say anything.” I chuckle.
“Mmm hmm.”
“So what are you going to do about it?” Someone has to give him a nudge. Mel sure as hell isn’t going to. And he’s a man for crying out loud. Not all men are like my Matty. In fact, I think he’s one of a kind. My brother’s the type of guy that needs to be led to the water and then told to drink or else he’d just sit there and stare at it.
“I don’t know yet.” A silence fills the space between us and I don’t dare say anything. Maybe he’ll figure it out on his own. Maybe. I’m crossing my fingers. “I’ve been toying with the idea of coming home.” Sweet baby Jesus, thank you.
“Really,” is all I say, very matter-of-factly. I want this to be all his idea. I’m Switzerland here, trying my hardest not to demand he get his ass home and make an honest woman out of my friend. Actually, he doesn’t have to marry her. Not unless they want to. I just want him to be here for her. And I want them to be happy. Not miles away from each other and miserable every minute they’re apart. I spoke to Mel earlier and she sounded like shit. She’ll be here any minute and I’m sure she’s going to look the same.
“Yeah. It doesn’t make sense for Mel to move up here. Her family’s down there, and so are you. I just can’t imagine leaving my students or my school.”
“I get it. I know I’d feel the same way about leaving my kiddos.” My hand reaches for my belly without even thinking about it. “So you’re thinking this thing with you and Mel might be a little permanent?” I hope that’s not too much to ask.
“More than a little. I already let her go once. I’m not gonna do it again.”
My fist shoots through the air with a silent cry of “yes”!
“Sounds like a good plan,” I tell him, trying my damnedest to not scream and yell into the phone and run circles around my house. “Mel’s probably thrilled.”
“Hey,” he shouts into the phone. “Uh,” he lowers his voice. “Don’t say anything. I haven’t mentioned the move to her. I don’t want to get her hopes up just yet. I have to find a job and a place to live. I’m not going anywhere near Nick’s fucking house, that’s for sure. Anyway, I’ll tell her when I have it all figured out. She loves surprises. The smile on her face will be worth keeping her in the dark for a few. At least, I hope so. Who knows? I may be a bit over ambitious. She could laugh in my face and tell me she doesn’t want a real commitment. Come to think of it. That’s a definite possibility. She just got divorced.”
There’s a knock at my door before it swings open bringing in a late afternoon breeze.
“Shel,” Mel calls out. “I’m here.”
“In here,” I shout back.
“Who’s that?” Ty asks.
“It’s Mel.”
“Don’t say anything.”
“I won’t.” Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to tell him he’s a total whack job if he thinks Mel’s not entirely in this too. He can’t possibly be seriously thinking she’d be anything less than ecstatic to have him home and living with her.
Mel drags through the entry way and flops herself on the sofa next to me. Instantly, I cue in to her sadness. She looks worse than I thought. Her eyes are swollen and she looks deathly tired. “What’s wrong?” I sit up to ask her.
“Who’s that?” she whispers, pointing to the phone.
“My brother.”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong?” Ty shouts in my ear. “Is everything okay? What’s wrong with Melissa?” His use of her full name is not lost on me. And if he could see her, he’d know he was right on the money in using it.
“Shh.” Mel puts her index finger up to her lips. “Don’t say anything.”
Oh, fuck. Between these two and their secrets, I might just combust. Since when am I a vault?
“Hey, Ty. Mel just got here. And since you hogged her for two weeks, it’s my turn. I’ll talk to you later.”
Before I can hang up, he says, “Tell her I miss her.” Oh, gag me.
I tell her anyway.
“Tell him I miss him too and I’m gonna pack my puppies and be on my way back tomorrow.”
Ty chuckles. “I heard her. Tell her I’ll be waiting.”
“Alright, alright. You can talk about the details on your own time. Bye, big brother.”
And before he can say another thing, I tap the “end” button on my cordless phone and turn to my friend. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she says, her voice rising to a squeal. “Why? How are you? I feel like it’s been years.”
“Don’t you nothing me, Melissa. Your eyes are bloodshot and puffy. Looks like you’ve been crying your eyes out or you had an allergic reaction to something like the Fresh Prince in Hitch.” I stare her down, raising my right brow to show her this is serious business.
She actually clicks her tongue at me with a bitch snap of her neck. “And you don’t give me that look.”
I give a click and a snap right back. “Then spill.”
“Fine. I just left my mom’s house.” I practice my silent routine again. Twice in one day is killing me. When has anyone known me to keep my mouth shut? Yeah, that’s right. Never. “Okay, so right now, I’m talking to my best friend, right?” I nod. “We had a little heart to heart about this guy I’m seeing. And how it’s a little complicated being that it’s a long distance thing. I got a little emotional as you can see.” She gestures to her face with her two index fingers.
“Melly, it hasn’t even been a week since you left him.” I know my brother is a good looking guy but really? Is it all that serious? Who am I to talk? I’d be looking just as pathetic as her if I was in the same situation.
“I know. It’s crazy huh. I just miss him. You were right when you said we should be careful. I thought I could handle the casual thing but I guess I can’t.” With her dainty elbow perched on the back of a sofa cushion, she rests her head in her hand with a loud breathy sigh. “There are just so many ‘what ifs’ happening and it’s kind of killing me. I’m not one to be patient. After Nick left, I never thought I’d be so needy. We were married for years and I never felt the kind of desperation to see him that I feel right now for Ty. He was never home and I never missed him. But with Tyler, it sucks ass waking up every morning without him.”
Oh goodness. She’s in this one deep. So is he. And it sounds like neither one of them is talking. Dumb. How the hell do you have a relationship—long distance or otherwise—without communicating. “Have you told him how you feel?”
She shakes her head. Her eyes turn glassy again and a tear threatens to spill over her eyelids smeared with black eyeliner. “What am I supposed to say? Hey, Ty. The sex is great and all, but now I’m thinking I’d like a little more of a commitment. The guy’s a free spirit. He’s been on his own his whole life. And now, me, Miss Divorcee is going to try and tie him down.”
“I doubt he’d think of it like that,” is all I say. I’m really itching to scream, he’s moving home so don’t worry or shed one more tear. But, I can’t. Shit. What have I gotten myself into?
“I’m pathetic, huh.” Her bottom lip plumps out and she bats her long lashes at me, looking like a sad little Betty Boop with her big brown eyes all misty.
“Nah.” I reach out and pat her hand. “You’re just a woman in love.” I wince as the words come out but it’s too late to take them back. Ty would beat me with a stick if he thought I coaxed her into saying it, or feeling it. Not that she needs any coaxing.
A smile stretches across Mel’s face, and I’m happy to fina
lly see it. “I am,” she says with a content sigh. Her eyes have gone from weepy to plain dreamy. If it wasn’t my big brother that put that look in her eye, I might get all googlie-eyed with her.
“Hey, how about you go visit him again? He can’t come home for a while. You may as well go up there. I’ll even take care of the little fur balls for you.”
She holds up a finger to scold me, “Hey, don’t you call my babies fur balls.” She’s always defending those tiny rat-looking dogs. If I was looking to get a dog, a Chihuahua would not be at the top of my list. A lab or even a cocker spaniel would be much better.
“Fine,” I hold up my hands in surrender, “they’re not fur balls. But I’ll watch them anyway.”
“Actually, my mom is going on a camping trip and she invited them to come along.” She says this with a completely straight face even though it sounds ridiculous.
“Oh, really. She invited them. And what did the Mer Der pair say? Do they want to go?” I can’t help but mock her. This is why a throw pillow comes flying at my face. “Sorry, you make it sound like she’s taking the grandkids on vacation.”
This makes my friend laugh. And laugh. A little too much laughing. I’m funny but it wasn’t that good of a joke. So I toss a pillow at her.
“Woo,” she lets out a whoosh of air. “That was funny.” She slaps her knee. “So where’s Matt?”
Her face is red but she’s finally stopped with her goofy chuckle. “He went to play basketball with some of his friends. The thought of listening to girl talk sent him running for some testosterone backup.”
“It’s not like he’s never listened before and kept our glasses refilled.” She smiles. “Wow, can you believe it? I’ve been here for quite a while and we haven’t had a drink yet. We’re losing our touch.”
“About that,” here it goes, “I’m gonna be on the wagon for another eight or so months.”
Between The Sheets Page 9