"That's great news about the job, Lauren. Congratulations. When do you move?"
"The week after my residency ends."
"Have you told the hospital yet?"
"I told them today. They were very impressed I was able to get a position there. Not many people do straight out of their residency." She pauses, looking down, then back up at me. "I was able to get you an opportunity there as well."
"Me?" I let out a laugh. "What are you talking about?"
"I spoke with the people who hired me and they agreed to meet with you about a position."
"A position? Lauren, I'm not looking for a job. I already have one."
"Corbin, you're better than some urgent care doctor. You're wasting your talents there. You could do so much more."
"I like what I'm doing. I like the work. The hours. You never understood this, but it's not always about the money. It's about what you want to get up and do everyday, and for me, that's urgent care. Maybe that'll change someday, but for now this is what I want to do."
"You could at least speak with them," she snaps. "I've already set it up. All you need to do is call and tell them when."
"You set it up?" I shake my head. "Lauren, you can't keep doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Trying to control me. Making decisions for me. We're not dating anymore, and even when we were, you shouldn't have been trying to control me. I never wanted what you wanted for me. I went along with it to make you happy but then it never did. It was never enough. And I was miserable. I was trying to be someone I wasn't. I'm finally doing what I want to do and I'm happy." I lean forward, resting my arms on the table, my eyes on hers. "I want you to be happy, too. I sincerely mean that, Lauren. I want you to be happy. But I also want you to stop interfering with my life. It's time to move on. Find someone new, or just be happy being single. You have so much going for you. Just live your life, and let me live mine."
"You don't understand."
"Understand what?"
"You and I are connected. We always will be. And because of that, we need to make decisions that are best for both of us, like this job in New York. I'm certain they'd give it to you. You're definitely qualified and you've always done well on interviews."
"Lauren, you're not listening to me. I'm not moving to New York. My life is here. I have a job. A girlfriend. A dog. My family's here. I have no interest in leaving."
"But you have to. It's the right decision."
My brows draw together. "Right decision? Lauren, what's going on here?"
She looks down at her cup, running her finger along the rim. "It isn't just about you anymore."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning..." She slowly lifts her eyes back to mine. "I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant?" I rear back. "You're pregnant? Seriously?"
"I took the test a week ago and had it confirmed last Friday. I was going to tell you then but you didn't—"
"Wait!" I put my hands up, stopping her. "It isn't mine. We haven't been together in months."
"Ten weeks to be exact." She keeps her eyes on mine. "I'm ten weeks pregnant, Corbin."
"No," I say, shaking my head. "That's not possible. And it was longer than ten weeks. We broke up ten weeks ago but the last time we had sex? It had to have been three months, maybe four."
She puts her hand on my arm, her eyes on mine. "Don't you remember? It was right before we broke up. We went out to dinner and we both had a little too much to drink. When we got home we were getting undressed and you kissed me, and one thing led to another."
Shit, she's right. We did have sex that night. It was my last attempt to feel some type of connection with her. I'd been thinking about breaking up with her for months and that week I was testing myself. Trying to do anything possible to actually feel what I told myself I felt for her. But it just wasn't there.
That night I took her to dinner was when I decided it was over. Like she said, we went out, had a meal and a few too many drinks, then came home. It wasn't a good night. We hardly spoke during dinner but I still felt an attraction to her. She looked beautiful, and I took that attraction to mean we might still have a chance at making it work.
When we got home I kissed her and it led to sex. I can't believe I didn't remember that. Now it's all coming back to me. We had sex, and when it was over I regretted it. It felt wrong, because by then I'd realized I didn't love her. I didn't even like her. It confirmed my decision to break up with her. After that night I had no doubts.
Lauren's looking at me, waiting for me to respond but I'm too shocked. This can't be true. She was on the pill. She can't be pregnant.
"I know what you're thinking," she says.
I look at her but keep quiet, waiting for her to continue.
"I was trying a new pill," she says. "Remember how the old one was giving me headaches? I tried a new pill that week. As you know, they're not effective right away. You have to use a backup method." She pauses. "And we didn't."
I do remember her saying something about switching birth control pills but I don't remember when she started the new ones. I wasn't keeping track. Even if I had, I wouldn't have thought about it that night. I was too out of it. I'd had too many drinks.
"Corbin, say something."
I inhale a breath and let it out. "Are you absolutely sure? You had a blood test?"
"Yes. It was confirmed. I can show you the results if you don't believe me." She takes her purse from the chair and pulls out a piece of paper. "Here."
Taking it from her I see the lab results. She's not lying. She's definitely pregnant.
This explains why she looks so tired. She's pregnant. With my baby!
My heart's racing as I stare down at the lab results. How am I going to explain this to Star? What am I going to tell her? And what the hell am I going to do? Lauren's having my baby and moving to New York. Will I ever see him? Or her? Who's going to care for the baby when Lauren's working all those hours?
"I know it's not what either of us thought would happen," she says, "but I'm actually kind of excited. I didn't think I wanted to be a mother until I got the news. And now? I can't wait." Her hand is still on my arm and she gives it a squeeze. "You're happy too, right? You're going to have a child."
I swallow, my eyes lifting to hers. "I don't know. I need some time."
"Corbin, how could you not be happy about this? You love children. You always said you wanted them."
"Yes, but with the person I—" I stop before saying it.
"The person you love," she says, taking her hand off my arm and sitting back. "I know we've had our problems, Corbin, but maybe this will be a fresh start for us."
"Lauren, no." I set the lab results down. "I'm not trying to hurt you but you have to know this doesn't mean we're getting back together. I'm with Star now, and I know you may not want to hear this but I really do love her. She makes me happy."
She huffs. "Then why are you living apart?"
"Who told you that?"
"Alexis. She said Star moved out of your apartment. Things can't be that great if she moved out. In fact, I'd say that's a sign things are over between you two."
"They're not over. She moved out so we could try living apart. We've lived together for as long as we've known each other and we thought it might be a good test of our relationship to see what it'd be like to live apart. It's only temporary. She's moving back soon."
"You're living apart to test your relationship?" she asks with a smirk. "If your relationship is as strong as you make it sound, why would that even be necessary?"
Why am I telling her this? It's none of her business. And I shouldn't be trying to justify my relationship with Star. I love her, and know she's the girl for me. She's my future. The only girl I want.
"My relationship with Star isn't your concern. We're here to talk about the baby. But honestly, I need some time to let this sink in before we do."
"Will you at least call and set up an interview for the hospital in New York?" She tak
es a business card from her purse and shoves it at me. "Just call that number and tell him what times would work best for you."
"I'm not calling him. I'm not moving to New York."
"So you're just going to abandon your child?" She frowns. "That's so unlike you, Corbin. I always thought you were a family man."
"I am, but we're not a family. You're my ex-girlfriend who happened to get pregnant. It wasn't planned, and now I'm not sure what to do. I need time to think about this."
She shrugs. "Fine. Think about it." She stands up, grabbing her purse. "Call me next week. We'll set up a time to meet again." She swings her purse over her shoulder. "Goodbye, Corbin."
She leaves and I remain at the table, staring down at the lab results.
Lauren's pregnant.
I'm going to have a child. A child whose mother is moving to New York. I was thrilled she was leaving. I helped her get the job. But now she's taking my baby with her which is not what I want. But I don't want to leave Boston. I love my life here. I love my life with Star.
But I also love this baby. I don't even know him, just found out about him, but I already love him. Or her. I want to be there for my child, not just on weekends or holidays but all the time. For every moment.
So what does that mean? I'm moving to New York?
What about Star? She wanted Lauren out of our lives and I told her she would be. But now? Lauren will be in our lives forever.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Star
"Last night was so much fun," Alexis says as she hands me the bag of coffee beans. "We should do it again sometime."
"Definitely! Maybe this weekend." I pour the beans in the grinder.
"You're not going out with Corbin?"
"I am, but we haven't picked a night yet. He's usually really tired on Fridays so we'll probably go out Saturday."
"You could still see him. You don't have to go out. You could just have a quiet night at home."
"I know, and I'd love that, but that would defeat the purpose of this whole time apart thing. If we keep seeing each other all the time we might as well go back to living together."
"Isn't that what you want?" She takes the empty coffee bag from me and tosses it out. "Maybe it's time you end this experiment, or whatever it is you're doing. It's obvious you love him. You don't need time apart to prove it."
"That's not why I'm doing it. I know I love him. I love him more than anything."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Because I felt like—" I pick up a rag. "Never mind. I have to go clean tables."
"No, wait." She holds my arm. "Tell me what you were going to say."
I shake my head. "I really shouldn't."
"Why not?" she asks, cocking her head. "Is it because I'm your boss? You don't want to tell me personal stuff?"
"It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
I look at her. "Lauren."
"What about her?"
"You're her best friend and I know you tell her everything I tell you about Corbin."
"I don't tell her that stuff."
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, right."
"No, really. I used to, but I don't now."
"I'm not sure I believe that." I go around her to clean tables.
She appears beside me. "I admit I was telling stuff to Lauren about you in the beginning. But that's changed now. You and I got to be friends and it didn't feel right telling Lauren that stuff anymore."
I move to the next table and wipe it down. "I want to believe that but you and Lauren have been friends forever. I know if she asked you about Corbin and me, you'd tell her."
"Not if you told me not to."
"I shouldn't have to. You know I don't want Lauren knowing that stuff."
"Okay, so next time she asks, my lips are sealed."
I stop cleaning tables and look at her. "Has she asked about me recently?"
"Last Saturday. She was driving here to get a coffee and saw you going in your apartment. She thought she'd caught you cheating on Corbin but I told her you lived there. I wasn't even thinking when I said it. I just didn't want her going to Corbin and telling him you were cheating when it wasn't true."
I sigh. "So she knows I moved out. Which means she'll be trying to get him back."
"She won't. She's moving."
"Lauren's moving?"
"She got the job in New York."
"When does it start?"
"In a few weeks, I think. I didn't talk to her long. We were really busy that morning."
"Have you talked to her since?"
"No. She hasn't even texted me. I think she's busy getting ready for the move."
"Huh." A smile creeps up my face. "I'm happy for her. I'm glad she got the job."
"I figured you would be." Alexis smiles and walks off.
Even though we've become friends I'm still not sure I can trust Alexis, mainly because of her friendship with Lauren. But I think their friendship is starting to change. Alexis doesn't hang out with Lauren as much as she used to and sometimes she seems mad at her. I'd be mad at her too. Lauren's a horrible friend. She insults Alexis all the time, then laughs it off like she's just kidding. Just last week she told Alexis she'll never find a decent man working in a coffee shop, and by decent, she meant rich. Then she told her she needed to lose weight to get a guy, even though Alexis is already too thin.
But the thing that soured their friendship the most is how Lauren treated Alexis after her dad had a stroke. It happened a few weeks ago. Instead of showing sympathy and offering her support, Lauren told Alexis the stroke was her dad's fault because he's overweight. And she said it the day it happened, which made Alexis break down in tears. I was working that day and took Alexis in back and calmed her down. From that moment on, we've become better friends. I've been helping her get through this tough time with her dad while Lauren's ignored her.
Speak of the devil. Lauren just walked in. It's a little after nine and she's wearing black yoga pants with a long, white, loosely knit sweater over it. She always looks so fashionable, even after working out. I assume she just came from her spin class. Her hair is up and she has a dewy glow on her face.
"Hello, Star," she says with a smug grin. Why is she giving me that grin? And why is she talking to me? She usually walks right past me without saying anything. "Is Alexis here?"
"She's in the back," I say, walking behind the counter. "Can I get you something?"
"Hmm." She looks up at the menu board. "It's so much harder now."
"What's harder?" I ask.
"Figuring out what to order." She continues to scan the menu, then looks at me. "Decaf green tea with a shot of skim milk."
"No coffee today?" I ask, because she always has coffee. She lives on coffee. She always gets the largest size.
"I can't." Her smug grin appears again. "Just the tea. Oh, and tell Alexis I need to speak with her."
"You could text her," I mutter as I ring up the order.
"Alexis!" Lauren calls out.
I turn around and see Alexis coming through the door from the kitchen.
"Hey, Lauren." Alexis gives her a smile. "Were you at spin class?"
"Yoga. I'm taking a break from spin class." She gives me a five dollar bill. "Keep the change."
I deposit what she owes in the register, then drop the change in the tip jar and go to make Lauren's tea.
"I need to talk to you," Lauren says to Alexis. "Privately."
There's a glimmer in her eye as she says it. She's up to something and I probably don't want to know what. It doesn't matter. She'll be in New York soon and then Corbin and I will never have to deal with her again.
"I don't have time now," Alexis says. "I have to do orders. My supply guy will be here at noon."
"It can't wait," Lauren says with a huff. "What kind of friend are you if you don't make time for me when I need you?"
Looking back at Alexis I see her take a long deep breath so she doesn't explode with anger at Lauren's com
ment. Since her dad's stroke, Alexis has needed a friend more than ever and Lauren wouldn't even return her calls, saying she was too busy to talk.
"Okay, fine," Alexis says. "Let's go back to my office."
Lauren comes around the counter. I hand her the tea, then watch as the two of them go to the back.
"Whatcha looking at?" I hear a voice ask. I turn and see Lars standing there, his blond hair held back with an orange bandana, wearing workout shorts and a tank. He's giving me his usual wide smile with his sparkly white teeth that look even whiter next to his dark tan.
"Hey, Lars." I meet him at the register. "Sorry, I was spacing out."
He shrugs. "It happens. Sometimes at the deli I don't even notice when a customer's standing right in front of me. And once I made a sandwich and didn't even remember making it." He laughs.
"I'm not at that point yet." I smile. "So what can I get you?"
"Iced mocha latte." He pulls a wad of crumpled-up bills from his pocket and tosses them on the counter. "Is that enough?"
"Should be." I take the bills and count out what I need, then hand him back the change. "Did you come from spin class?"
"Rock climbing. It was one of those fake walls but I still had a blast. A buddy of mine works there and got me some free passes."
"It's kind of early to rock climb."
"I went before they opened. My friend was working today and let me in. Had the place to myself. It was awesome."
I hand him his drink. "Maybe I'll go there and try it sometime."
"Let's go together," he says in a flirty tone. "Then maybe we'll catch a movie."
"Oh, um, thanks but I'll go with Corbin. I'm sure he'd like to try it."
"You're still with Corbin?" he asks, looking confused.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I thought Lauren said—" He shakes his head. "Never mind. Must've heard her wrong." He turns to leave. "See ya around."
"Lars, wait!" I catch up to him at the door. "What did Lauren tell you?"
"About what?"
"Corbin. Did she say we broke up?"
"Not exactly. But she did say you'd moved out."
"Why was she telling you this?"
Lucky Star Page 21