Eli ticks his head a notch, and I can’t tell if it’s fury or confusion taking over, probably both. “What are you talking about, man? I’m the dad. She told meherself.”
“You’re not anybody’s dad.” I grind my fist in my good eye. “Sunday was wrong. We ended up in your room, so she assumed you were the father. She started off stalking you that night, but ended up playing beer pong withme.”
He leans back, his head pointed to the ceiling a moment. “You’re the idiot I told off that nextmorning?”
“Yes, you told me to get the hell out of your room or you’d kick my ass. That wasme.”
Eli bounces to his feet as if he were about to offer me a complete set of black eyes courtesy of that anvil at the end of hisarm.
I rise to my feet, readying for the beating. I’ve already taken one. What’sanother?
“So, you’re the dad?” He turns his head as if he wasn’t completely prepared for yet another plottwist.
“Yes, I’m the dad. I’m also the asshole who let her believeyouwere the dad for five months too long. I’ve known about the baby from the beginning. I have no clue what made me wait so long to man-up. It just never felt like the right time. I thought I’d take her to the lookout or something memorable. It’s stupid, Iknow.”
“No, it’s not stupid.” A dull laugh pumps out of him, and the relief oozing off him is downright palpable. “Dude, you’re about to be a father. It’s only natural you’re terrified. I was. I was freaking out—out of my mind with worry about the future, the baby, Sunday. First and foremost, I wanted to be the best dad for my kid, and I know that you feel the same way.” He slings his arm around my shoulder. “You and Sunday are crazy about eachother.”
“How do you knowthat?”
“Everyone knows that. You’re together. I’ve known it for a while. Sunday beams when she’s around you. Around me all she wants to do is eatnachos.”
We share a quick laugh, and I take a step back. “So tell me right now if you’re pissed at me. I want to make things right withyou.”
“Nope, I’m not pissed.” His affect grows serious as if it were true asGod.
“But I am,” a voice calls out frombehind.
We turn to find Rush headed this way, thatI’m going to kill youlook still very much firmly in place. Fuck. Justgreat.
Eli gives me a pat on my back. “And that would be my cue. I’ll see you girls later.” He takes off for the locker room, and it’s just Rush and me, and not a witness to testify about my death. How very fortunate forhim.
Rush steps in close and folds those tree trunk-like arms over his chest. “You know I want to mop the floor withyou.”
“I might let you. Might not.” I still can’t see straight out of my left eye, no thanks to him, but I’m notcomplaining.
He reaches over and gives my shoulder a hard shove. “But I’m not going to do it.” He glowers at me, and I can see traces of Sunday in there glaring right along withhim.
“How’s shedoing?”
“Twenty weeks, gained fifteen pounds, hasn’t slept in months, still pukes at the sight of chicken or cardboard boxes—but you know that, don’tyou?”
“I guess I do.” I swallow hard. I’d give anything to be there with her right now, wherever she is. I know she’ll be knocking out her finals this week. I won’t dare show up until they’re through. I don’t want to mess with her head any more than I alreadyhave.
“So, what are you going to do?” Rush runs after a ball and comes backdribbling.
“I’m going to talk toSunday.”
“Good.” He takes a moment to glare at me again. “Because I know she wants that, too.” His expression softens. “Give her until Wednesday—her last final inlit.”
“You think she’ll forgiveme?”
“I don’t know, man. But according to Trix, she’s crazy about you. Why the hell didn’t you tell me you and Sunday were a thing?” His tone is aggressive, and judging by the way his fingers press white as he strangles the shit out of that ball, I’m guessing I made the rightmove.
“Because I knew you couldn’t take it. She’s your sister, I get it.” I steal the ball out of his hands. “I don’t know. I guess I thought it would all somehow magically work out in the end. But time kept slipping, and before I knew it, months hadpassed.”
He smacks the ball right out of my arms. “Months aren’t allowed to pass this time, Baker. You’re going to talk to my sister in two days, and I don’t want to see her upset anymore.” He starts to walk away and shoots the ball my way like a missile. I catch it before it takes out a lung. “I don’t want to see you upseteither.”
He takes off, and it’s just me standing there, alone. Rush doesn’t want to see either Sunday or me upset. I guess that’s progress. Now, if only I can iron things out with Sunday. Something tells me I’m going to need a miracle or two, or ten, or twelve to get her to forgive me. I’d wait a hundred years if I had to. I just need for her to smile my way one moretime.
