Derek, Adam, and Drew were cleaning up while my sorority sisters and I sat outside, enjoying the warm evening.
“Wow, with the fence gone, the backyard is huge!” exclaimed Sandra.
“Yeah, we’re thinking of putting in a pool,” Liz said.
“Thank you, girls. That was a great shower,” I gushed.
“I’m just fucking happy we didn’t have to play some dumb games, like Guess the Baby Food…or hell, Who Can Suck Down the Bottle First?” complained Caroline.
“We all know that Sandra would have won the bottle-sucking one.” Amanda laughed.
“I would not! I’d give that prize to Caroline!” screeched Sandra.
Caroline just shrugged her shoulders. “True that.”
“It’s too bad Kennedy had to leave so soon. I haven’t seen her in ages.” Meg sighed.
“She sure made the shower over the top. I’ve never seen anything like it,” I boasted.
“Well, we knew that you were really upset that you missed mine cause you were in Chicago, so we kinda just made it the same.”
“Really?”
“Oh, that reminds me. Katie sent over a Toys-R-Us gift certificate along with the flower arrangement by the door, and Lanie sent over the Goth-looking baby basket complete with a tattoo-sleeved onesie.”
“I saw it. It’s so cute,” I gushed.
“So, Caroline, what’s going on with you and Adam?” asked Liz.
“What the hell is going on with you and Derek, Liz?” questioned Caroline.
“Oh, let the sex battle begin!” yelled Meg.
“I’m getting the tequila out for this,” Sandra called.
“It’s above the fridge!” I hollered. “Bring me an apple juice while you’re in there.”
“Why are you coming back empty-handed?” Amanda frowned.
“The boys said they will bring everything out in a minute.” Sandra shrugged.
“So, Caroline, what is going on with you and Adam?” I probed.
“Nothing.” Caroline shrugged.
“Give it up, girlfriend. Spill,” demanded Liz.
“What do y’all want me to say? I didn’t grow up with a fancy house and things or parents who were sober. I usually ate once a day and that was at school because they had a free-lunch program. I worked my ass off, bartending, while putting myself through college, but I still had to take out tons of fucking loans. Then, Mr. Moneybags walked in, and y’all know I have Daddy issues.”
“We didn’t realize that it was so bad,” confessed Sandra.
“I was tired of fighting the stress of life, so I married him. He gave me everything I ever wanted, except for love and respect. When I could prove that bastard was cheating on me, I took the prenup to a lawyer and nailed his ass. Guess I wasn’t the dumb country bumpkin he thought I was.”
“I’m sorry, Caroline,” I cried.
“The thing is, even with all this damn money, I’m still not happy, y’all. Adam makes me happy.”
“Adam? Like Adam who is always grabbing his crotch and saying stupid-ass shit?” Amanda asked, shocked.
“Yes. Y’all, he’s sweet, considerate, and passionate. He never lets me pay for a thing. He opens the door for me, and when we sleep at night, he’s just happy to hold me.”
“Do you love him?” asked Liz.
“I don’t know if I’d call it love just yet…but I do love his cock.”
“What about my cock?” Adam asked with a smirk.
“That it’s small and that Caroline needs her vibrator just to finish,” I teased.
“Shut up, lady! I have a great fucking cock!” Adam roared. “And I know how to use it, don’t I, Caroline?” He winked.
“Will you two knock it the fuck off?” snarled Drew as he thumped Adam in the arm.
Drew and Adam put down the trays of drinks and snacks while Derek was holding Ryder.
“I’m gonna give this little guy a bath and then put him to bed. Will you be all right if I go over to Drew’s to catch the game? I’ll bring out the baby monitor before I leave.”
“I can bathe him and put him to bed, Derek. Go with the guys,” called Liz.
“That’s okay. I want to do it. I missed him while I was away in Phoenix.” Derek leaned Ryder over toward Liz. “Give Mommy kisses.”
I watched Liz as she watched Derek and Ryder go into the house.
“What the hell was that?” asked Caroline.
“What?” Liz said.
“Girl, don’t give us that crap! What the hell is going on with you and Derek?” Meg asked.
“Nothing,” Liz insisted.
“Do you want there to be something?” I asked, knowing the question that she was avoiding.
“I don’t know. I mean, Brad has only been gone for five months.”
“Are you worried about what we would think?” I questioned.
Liz looked around. “Maybe.”
“Don’t be. We would never judge you,” replied Meg.
“It’s just…he’s been so great. He’s thoughtful, caring, and attentive. Even though he’s still playing hockey, he’s walked the floors when Ryder wouldn’t shut up. He always brings him stuff from his road trips. He’s always excited to see him, and he calls every night to see what new things Ryder has done.”
Liz paused and took a deep breath. “He makes my coffee how I like it. He made sure my Easter was great, and he took us to Niagara Falls one weekend. He never touches me or says inappropriate things. He’s just there to listen. He helped me figure out what to do with Brad’s things, and he’s forever telling Ryder stories about when he and Brad did stuff. Before he lays Ryder down for a nap or bedtime, Derek tells him how much his father loved him and me. Girls, he’s become my best friend…but it feels like I’m cheating on Brad.”
“Brad is dead, hon. You can’t cheat on someone who is dead,” I said, rubbing her hand.
“I know, but my heart is thinking differently from my brain.”
“Do you want him to kiss you?” Meg asked.
“Yes.” Liz answered under her breath.
We all smiled.
“Actually, when he came home this time, I thought he was going to kiss me. I was dancing with Ryder in the living when he walked in. I went rushing to him, and he engulfed us in his arms. He leaned in to kiss me, but then he quickly diverted and kissed Ryder instead. I was on my toes, leaning in to kiss him.”
“Sound to me like you are ready to let him in,” said Amanda.
“It’s time,” replied Meg.
“He’s fallen in love with you and Ryder,” Sandra confessed.
“I agree. You can see it all over his face,” Caroline said.
Liz looked at me, and I looked at her. Both of us had tears in our eyes.
“It’s time, Liz. It’s okay to let Brad go. I agree with the girls. I think my brother may be the one to do it with.”
“I love you girls so much,” Liz said.
We all stood and embraced in a great big group hug.
“I don’t know where I would be without you. These past five months have been really…well, awful.”
“Chicks before dicks, always and forever!” we shouted.
Ryder became fussy in his crib, so Liz went to settle him down. The rest of us tidied up outside and called it a night. Caroline and I said good night to the girls before we headed to my house.
“Kirsten, you think Brad would be happy that Liz is moving on with her life?” asked Caroline while we walked next door to my house.
“Yeah, I do.”
Lost in our thoughts, we quietly walked into the house.
“Hey, I didn’t expect you girls back so soon,” Drew said, getting up from the couch.
“Hey, baby, looking good,” Adam said seductively.
That man just gives me the creeps.
I leaned over and whispered to Caroline, “Are you sure?”
She smiled. “Absolutely.”
Adam started to make his way over toward us. “Hey, baby, why don’t we
go home, so you can play with my big dick?” Adam teased saying the last part in Drew’s direction.
Drew and Derek both threw pillows at Adam’s head, and Caroline and I ducked.
Adam grabbed Caroline’s hand. “Let’s go before these jealous jerk-offs want to see my dick.”
Caroline giggled while shutting the door behind her.
“Those two are too dysfunctional not to work,” I said while flopping down on the couch.
“Is Ryder settling in okay?” Derek got up and grabbed his coat.
“Why don’t you stay for a while? I think she needs some time alone with her son.”
“Is everything all right?” my brother asked.
“Yeah, everything is perfect. I just think she needs to breathe for a minute.”
“Want another beer?” asked Drew.
“Beer me,” my brother said, sitting back on the couch.
I turned and faced him. “How have the past five months been working for you?”
“What do you mean? Has Liz said something?” Derek asked.
“I don’t want to talk about Liz. I want to talk about my brother. I haven’t really talked to you since Ryder has been born, and I miss you.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Do you love her?”
My brother shifted in his seat. “I think I do. I know that I love Ryder like he is my own son, and I kinda want to thank Brad for giving me him. I know that sounds sick and twisted, but I can’t help it.”
“Why would that be sick and twisted?”
“Come on, Kirsten. I crushed on Liz the moment I saw her give birth to her son, the same night that her husband died.”
“Did you make that plane crash?”
“What? Of course not.”
“Then, why do you feel guilty?”
“I just do.”
“Derek, you have been the best friend for during this whole ordeal. You have been kind, compassionate, supportive, and so much more.”
“Stop stroking my ego.” Derek laughed.
“I’m being serious, you jackass. You have never overstepped her boundaries. You have respected Brad in every way possible. You make sure that Liz has everything she needs, and you give Ryder everything he needs. You give them both quality time. When times got rough, you walked the halls through it all and still managed to play hockey with no sleep, just like any other new dad.”
“I’m not a new dad.”
“Wake up Derek. You are just as much a new dad as Drew will be in a few weeks.”
“How do I continue what I have with Liz and Ryder, knowing that I love them both?”
Drew stepped in. “Tell her.”
“It’s not that easy,” Derek said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“What if she tells me to get the fuck out? It would kill me to walk away from them.”
“Liz would never do that,” I promised.
“It never hurts to put your feelings out there. Besides, you never know what she will say unless you try, right?” countered Drew.
“I guess.” My brother got up.
I leaned over to him and gave him a big hug. “I love you, and you are the most amazing brother that I could ever have. I’m glad you are a part of me.”
“Kirsten, tell your belly to quit kicking me,” Derek teased.
“Just letting you know that he or she loves you, too.”
“Good night, guys,” Derek said before getting up and closing the front door.
“Do you think he’ll talk to Liz?” asked Drew.
“I do, and he’ll be pleasantly surprised with what Liz will have to say in response.”
“No kidding.”
“Yep. We told her it was okay to move on whether it’s with Derek or not.”
Drew wrapped me up in his arms. “Let’s go to bed.”
I felt a slight breeze on my face.
“Kirsten, time to wake up.”
I rolled over and covered my head with the blankets.
“Kirsten.”
“Go away. Pregnant bitchy woman is trying to sleep here,” I stated. I could smell the aroma of coffee. “Two creams and one sugar?”
“Yes, just the way you like it, my love,” Drew offered.
“I’m up. I’m up. What is so important that you had to interrupt my baby sleep?” After fluffing pillows all around me, I sat up against the headrest of the bed.
“I kinda want to talk about some stuff.”
I grabbed my coffee cup and had a drink. “What kind of stuff?”
“Well…what if what happened to Brad happens to me?”
“What do you mean?” I asked in a serious tone.
“What if I die and I’m not ready to go?”
“Drew, honey, I’m not sure where you are going here.”
“I changed my will.”
“Okay.” I gave him a puzzled look.
“I know we are not married yet, but I signed everything over to you in case I die. I have set up a trust fund for the baby, and—”
I placed my hands in his. “Thank you, but—”
“I’m serious, Kirsten. I took out a five million dollar life insurance policy on both of us. Plus, I want to be buried by Brad, and—”
I started crying. “Please stop. Please.”
“I know this is a heavy topic, but honey,” Drew said, placing his hands on my face, “you need to know these kinds of things. All the paperwork you need is in the safe in our closet, and my parents have a copy.” Drew wiped away my tears. “Please don’t cry. I just wanted to make sure that you and our child are well-taken care of.”
“Thank you. I know that if anything were to ever happen to either one of us, we would make it out alive at the end, just like Liz. We are so blessed to have the most amazing family and friends.”
“I love you, Kirsten Backhard.”
“I love you the most, Drew Parker.”
He leaned in and licked my bottom lip, which made me slouch down deeper into the bed almost spilling my coffee.
“Come here,” I invited, after putting my cup on the night stand, pulling him into bed with me.
“Good afternoon, Kirsten. Thank you for coming in on such short notice,” said Dr. McKael.
“Is there a problem?”
“Kirsten, we need to have a serious talk about taking the baby out soon.”
“But it’s early. I have another two weeks at least.”
“Yes, that may be so, but in the medical world, you are full-term, and the baby could come at anytime.”
“I don’t understand, Dr. McKael,” I said with panic in my voice.
“Please, Kirsten, don’t panic. Everything is fine.”
“If it’s so fine, then why are you calling me in? Why do you want to rip my baby out sooner?” I started breathing heavier.
“Kirsten, you need to calm down. Really, the baby is fine. I’m just worried about the little amount of amniotic fluid you have. The baby is not in any danger now, but the situation could turn very quickly, so I feel it’s safer if we induce you.”
“When?” I asked, looking at my shaking hands.
“Tomorrow morning. I would like you to be at the hospital at eight.”
“That soon?”
“Yes, I think it’s for the best.”
“What will happen?” I wiped away tears. Drew should have come with me.
“After we check you in, we will start you on an IV, and then we will take your blood pressure and measure you. We’ll put on the baby strap monitor to make sure the baby is okay. Once you’re comfortable, I will insert a gel called prostaglandin. It’s used to ripen the cervix. It might work, and it might not. I might even have to give it to you twice.”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“Well, then two things will happen. First, after the second dose, if nothing happens, we will reassess the situation and hope you go into natural labor, or we still start you on a drip of Pitocin, which is more of a medical labor. Which is harder on your bo
dy. Personally, Kirsten, I prefer to start with the gel.”
“Will it hurt?”
“Not any more than when I check your cervix.”
“Can’t I just have wild sex?”
Dr. McKael laughed. “Unfortunately, in this case, I don’t think I would recommend it.”
“Can we do it anyway?”
The doctor just rolled her eyes.
What? I’m serious.
On the way home, I stopped at Drew’s office.
“What a pleasant surprise.” He walked away from his desk and kissed me. “How did the appointment go?”
“I think I need to sit.”
Drew led me to his comfy chair and handed me a water bottle.
“Dr. McKael wants to induce me tomorrow,” I breathed with tears in my eyes.
Drew panicked. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“According to the ultrasound, they don’t think the baby has enough amniotic fluid around it. It’s not a concern at this point, but it could turn into one very soon.”
“But it’s early.”
“In the medical world, I guess I am considered to be full-term.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I’m not sure.”
Drew stood me up and placed me on his knee.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our child safe, Drew.”
“Do we have any other option?”
I shook my head and laid against his chest.
“What if we had sex?”
I laughed. “I asked the same thing.”
“And?”
“She doesn’t recommend it.”
“Too bad ’cause I can see down your shirt, and fuck me, baby, your breasts look great,” Drew said, shifting his bulge.
“Thanks.”
“If you can wait ten minutes, I will clear my calendar for the rest of the week, and then I will take you to a fabulous dinner. Afterward, we can stop by your parents’ and then Liz’s and give everyone an update.”
“Can I just meet you at home in two hours?”
“Why?”
“Well, I kinda want to get my nails and toes painted, and I need to get waxed,” I said, pointing to my va-jay-jay, “down there.”
“Is that necessary?” he mocked.
“What? Painting my toenails?”
“No, waxing your…” He pointed to my crotch.
The Game-Kirsten Backhard Page 28