Dr. McKael and the nurse came rushing in. They laid her bed flat, gave her oxygen and sedated her.
“This will keep her calm for a while. Even though she looks out of it, she can hear and feel everything that’s going on around her. In a few hours, we’ll reassess her,” Dr. McKael said sadly. “This is a huge tragedy. What she is going through isn’t uncommon. She will pull away and lash out at those who are closest to her. We can keep her and the baby here longer if needed. When it’s time to go home, that is when she will need the most support.”
Dr. McKael looked over to me. “Kirsten, you really need to go home, eat a proper meal, and catch up on some sleep.”
“But I need to be here.” I cried.
Drew walked up behind me. “Sweetheart, she’s right. Liz will be sleeping for a while. Why don’t we go home, shower, eat, and take a nap? When we wake up, we’ll bring over Ryder’s things and Liz’s bag.”
I turned into Drew’s chest and cried.
Derek decided to stay until the parents came up. Adam and Caroline decided to come and have breakfast with us before we went home.
“Adam, why does your eye look like someone punched you?” Drew asked.
Adam looked over to Caroline and winked. “Well, you see—”
Caroline went on, “Things got sorta carried away this mornin’—”
“And?” I asked.
“Okay, damn it, I got crazy in bed, y’all, and I kicked Adam in the nose. We went to the ER. Nothing was broken. When Adam got one of those wristband things, we snuck into Liz’s room before visiting hours.”
Drew and I looked at each other and then back to them.
“How? I mean…when did this happen?” Drew asked.
I still couldn’t pick my mouth up from the table.
Adam laughed. “You see, Drew, when you are a sexy fox as myself—”
“Dickwad.” Drew threw his straw wrapper at him.
“We don’t know how it started.” Caroline cleared his throat. “The first time we slept together was at the wedding.”
“What?” I choked on my iced tea. “That long and you didn’t say anything? What about Mexico? Why didn’t you come, Adam? Does Meg know?” I rambled.
“Meg knows. She’s the one who caught us at the wedding in the storage closet.” Caroline laughed. “We didn’t want anyone to know, y’all. We don’t know what’s happening between us…well, besides really great sex. Adam didn’t want to come to Mexico, and believe me, that was the longest time that I’ve gone without a good stiff one, y’all.” Caroline fanned herself as Adam sat there with a proud grin on his face.
I looked at Drew. “I told Liz that he had to have a big penis.”
“Which he knows how to use very well,” piped in Caroline.
“I don’t think I’m hungry anymore,” complained Drew.
“Don’t be a dick and just say I’m the man,” teased Adam.
When we finished breakfast, Caroline and Adam went back to Adam’s place, and Drew and I went home. After a restful nap and shower, Drew asked, “Babe could go over and get Ryder’s and Liz’s things? I’m just not ready to step foot in that house yet.”
“Sure, Baby.”
I walked into the house. It was an eerie feeling, knowing that Brad would never step in these doors again. I went up the stairs and stopped dead in my tracks in the doorway of the baby’s room. Brad’s mom was sitting in the rocking chair, holding one of Brad’s old baby blankets, and crying into it.
“Mrs. Edison?”
“Kirsten, I didn’t hear you come in.”
I walked into the room, sat by her feet, and placed my head on her hands. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say.”
We held on to each other and cried. We heard a throat clear. I looked up and saw Brad’s dad walking into the room.
“I’m sorry, my love, but we need to get back to Liz.”
I stood up and picked up Ryder’s bag out of the crib. I handed it to him before I went into Liz’s room and grabbed her bag out of the closet.
“I loved him. Drew and I loved him like he was our brother.”
Mr. Edison grabbed Liz’s bag. “Thank you.”
Liz and Ryder came home three days later. She didn’t want us to come over. She just wanted to spend time with her parents and Brad’s.
It was killing me not to go over there. I paced the house all the time and walked in the backyard just in case she went outside.
Brad’s funeral was small. Just immediate family and very close friends were in attendance. It was a lovely service. The weather was warm, and the sun was shining. Liz stopped me and asked, “Please take Ryder home with you, while Drew and I go to the reading of the will.”
“Absolutely.” I gave her a weak smile when I took Ryder from her arms and headed home.
Drew walked in the door.
“How did it go?”
“As well as to be expected. Liz just sat there, like a stone.” Drew flopped onto the couch beside Ryder and me, and he started to play with his foot. “Kirsten, I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Liz…she is just out of it. I don’t know what is gonna happen when all the parents leave tomorrow.”
“They are leaving so soon?”
“Yeah, Liz kicked them out. She said it was time that we all started living our lives again.”
I put Ryder on my shoulder and burped him.
“Baby, I can’t wait to see you with our little one,” he whispered.
“I know. Having Ryder this afternoon made me that much more excited.”
Drew gave me a kiss before going upstairs to change.
I’d just finished putting Ryder in his car seat to sleep when the front door creaked open. My brother poked his head in.
“Hey, Derek.”
“Hey.”
“Want a drink?”
“No, I just came over to grab Ryder for Liz. She’s saying good-bye to the parents right now.”
“Drew said they were leaving tomorrow.”
“She asked them to leave tonight. She wants a fresh start with Ryder in the morning. At least, that’s what she told them.”
“And what do you think?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking of maybe asking her if I could stay with her for a few days. Do you think that’s creepy?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “What about Jennifer?”
“Jennifer went back home to Calgary. She decided to go work for her uncle’s oil company.”
“When did she leave?”
“Three weeks after you left. They told her that they didn’t have a position for her since you quit.”
“She must think I’m a bitch.”
“No, I explained everything to her.”
“Still.”
“Kirsten, it’s okay. Really, we split on good terms. I think it all worked out in the end anyway.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. So, what do you think if I ask Liz if I can help her?”
“All you can do is ask her, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“I just want to offer.”
I hugged my brother before he left, and then I joined Drew upstairs.
After I tossed and turned in bed, I finally decided to get up. I went and got a mug of warm milk. Then, I headed over to the back door and stepped outside. I heard crying next door.
“Liz?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Want me to come over?”
“Yeah.”
“You want some warm milk?”
“Yeah.”
Liz and I were sitting in her living room, looking at old photo albums.
“Look at our hair in junior high. What the hell were we thinking?” I said.
“Shut up! The perm was in.” She laughed.
“It’s good to hear you laugh.”
“It feels good to laugh
.”
“We’re going to be okay, Liz.” I leaned my head on her shoulder.
She leaned her head on top of mine. “I know.”
I woke up when I heard Ryder crying. I went to get up, but Liz stopped me.
“I got it.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong. It’s rough that Brad’s not here. I fucking miss him like mad. My body aches for him. But I know that he wouldn’t want me to neglect our son or not carry out a good life for us. Besides, with the parents gone, maybe I can finally hold my own son.”
“So, that’s why you gave the parents the boot.”
“My god, Kirsten, they treated me like I was gonna break. I thought for sure my mom was going to ask me to wipe my ass.”
I laughed. “I could totally see that.”
“I know, right?”
“You get Ryder and change him, and I’ll make his formula,” I offered, getting up from the couch.
“Hey, there you are.” Drew strolled in.
“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep, and I heard Liz crying, so I came over with warm milk.”
Drew walked up behind me and started kissing my neck. “Good Morning.”
“Morning.”
“Instead of making out in my kitchen, why don’t you make breakfast, Drew?”
Drew and I scrambled apart, like we were high school kids getting caught on my mom’s couch.
“Sorry, we didn’t—” Drew said.
“There’s no need to be sorry. It’s gotta start getting back to normal around here sometime. I want everyone back to normal…if that’s even possible.” Liz broke down and cried, holding Ryder close to her chest.
“Adam and Caroline are having sex!” I blurted out.
“What?” asked Liz, totally surprised.
I passed her Ryder’s bottle. “The first time they had sex was at your wedding,” I said.
“No way!”
“Meg caught them in the storage room,” I said, stating a huge entertaining fact.
“I knew something was up.”
“His johnson.” I laughed.
“Gotta be… why else would she hook up with him?” teased Liz.
“Girls, I’m not making breakfast while listening to the two of you talk about how big Adam’s dick is,” Drew complained.
Liz sat at the kitchen table as she began feeding Ryder.
I hopped up onto the counter near the sink. “When you guys used to play hockey in college, didn’t you take a quick sneak peek in the shower? You know, don’t you guys size each other up?”
“No, Kirsten, we don’t size up,” Drew stated, annoyed at our conversation.
“Liar!” Liz shouted. “It’s human nature. All guys do, just like us girls. We always compare our boobs.”
Drew looked at me with an oh-really face.
“Don’t look at me like that, Drew Parker!” I pointed to myself. “I never did.”
Drew started stalking over.
“Don’t you even think about it, Drew.” I leaned down and grabbed the kitchen sink nozzle and sprayed him.
Drew stood in that one spot and looked at me, stunned. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
Liz started laughing. “You two look hilarious.”
“I’m glad I can amuse you.” Drew pouted.
When he ripped off his shirt and wrung it out over the sink, I just stared at his chest.
He looked up at me. “Like what you see?”
I nodded and swallowed.
“What’s going on?” Derek asked, walking into the kitchen. “Whoa, dude. Cooking bacon without a shirt is not as cool as it seems.”
Drew turned around and puffed out his chest. “And what? Hide this spectacular body under clothes? I think not.”
I slapped Drew’s chest. “I’ll go put your shirt in the dryer.”
When I returned to the kitchen, Derek was pouring himself some coffee.
“What brings you by this early?” Drew asked.
“I had team practice. Then, I wanted to see if Liz needed breakfast before I went home to sleep.”
“I’m good. I got breakfast and a show. Didn’t we, Ryder?” Liz cooed.
With perfect timing, Ryder let out a big burp.
After breakfast, Liz scanned shyly at us, “Would you mind stopping by later. I kinda wanted to have a nap.”
“Yeah, sure. I could use one, too.” I yawned.
“Thanks for coming over. I’m sorry that I kinda pushed you away.”
I kissed her cheek and then Ryder’s head, “Never apologize. We will always be here.”
Drew kissed her cheek. “I have to go clean out Brad’s office today. Would you like me to bring the boxes here?”
“Can you keep them for now?”
“I’ll have them until you’re ready.” Drew took my hand, and we both smiled at Ryder.
“Congratulations, Liz. He is absolutely perfect,” I said.
“Before you guys go,” Derek interrupted, “I want to ask Liz a question while you are both still here.” He looked over to Liz, fidgeting. “I was wondering…or I’m offering…”
“Yes?” Liz asked.
“Liz…I’d like to stay here with you and Ryder. I’m not asking for a relationship. It will strictly be platonic. I just want to stay here and help you. I know that Drew and Kirsten are next door, but they are going to have their baby soon, and well…”
“What about hockey?” asked Liz.
“I’ll still play, but when I’m in town, I want to help out with Ryder and finish a few projects that Brad and I started around the house.”
“Are you the one who finished the crib?” she asked.
“Yes, after Ryder was born, I came here and finished setting up the nursery.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Will you think about it? I don’t mean to get weird, and I don’t want to step on your toes or Brad’s. I just seriously want to help. God, this sounds so creepy when I say it out loud.” My brother ran his hands over his face.
Liz walked over to Derek and gave him a hug. “I’ll think about it. Thank you for loving us this much.”
“Kirsten, hurry your ass up!” yelled Liz from the bottom of the stairs.
“I can’t find shoes that will fit my feet!” I yelled back, throwing the seventh pair back into the closet.
“Put on a pair of crocs.”
“I, Kirsten Backhard, do not own crocs,” I replied sarcastically.
“Really?” Liz asked from the door.
“Can I just go barefoot? Look at them.” I lifted one leg. “I can’t believe how swollen they are.”
“What did the doctor say yesterday?”
“I’m retaining water. They are going to keep an eye on it. They’re more concerned about me not having enough amniotic fluid. I have another ultrasound later this week.”
“Are you going to find out the sex?”
“I’ve been trying, but this baby either has its legs closed or shows us its ass.”
Liz laughed. “She’s stubborn, like her mother.”
“Where are we going anyway?”
“It’s a surprise,” she said, pulling out of the driveway.
“I hate surprises,” I growled.
“That’s only because you are not in control,” argued Liz.
“Can we stop for a Slurpee?”
“No, we’re already late. You can get a drink where we are going.”
“Geez, Liz, you sure got this mother thing down,” I grumbled.
“Thanks,” she said with a big smile.
“Where is Ryder today?”
“He’s with Derek. When Drew is done working, he’s gonna meet up with them.”
“How’s the Derek thing working out?”
“You know, I was pretty hesitant as first, and I wondered how it would look and what others would think, but it’s been great.”
“How so?”
“He never oversteps his place, and he’s respectful of my feelings.
He cleans up after himself, and he just does all the odd jobs around the house—all of it without me even asking.”
“That’s good.”
“The first few weeks were the hardest. I’m sure he thought I was losing it at night with all the crying I did and the temper tantrums I had, but he just let me have them. He would feed Ryder at night, pick up the groceries, and change diapers when he was home.”
“As weird as his offer was at the beginning, I’m glad you accepted someone’s help,” I said.
“He’s truly been great. You should have seen him coming home last time. When he saw Ryder turn over for the first time, you’d think he’d won a million dollars.”
I looked over at Liz with a big smile on my face.
“What’s that look for?”
“Nothing.”
Liz drove around the block. “Shit, I forgot something at the house.”
“What did you forget?”
“Something.”
“Nothing like being vague, Liz.” I laughed. I already knew they were throwing me a baby shower. Drew had let it slip last week.
“Whatever.”
“Come in and give me a hand,” she demanded.
“What do you need again?” I teased.
“Fuck. Who told you?”
“Drew. I walked in when he was talking to my mom about something on the phone, and he tried to make it sound like he had a mistress.”
“Oh no!” Liz giggled.
“Oh, yes. Imagine how family dinner went on Sunday.”
Liz and I got out of her car and walked into her house.
“Surprise!” everyone shouted.
“Ah!” I leaned over and grabbed my stomach.
“Kirsten!” Drew yelled, rushing over to me.
I stood back up. “Gotcha!”
Liz slapped my shoulder. “You fucker!”
“Not funny,” growled Drew.
“Pretending that you have a mistress wasn’t funny either…my poor mom.” I laughed.
Drew grabbed me, dipped me, and kissed the hell out of me. He didn’t stop until the catcalls got louder.
“All right, all right, I need to breathe,” I panted.
“We’re so finishing that later,” he said, pushing his stiff crotch against me.
“We’ll see.” I walked away and started greeting everyone.
The Game-Kirsten Backhard Page 27