“You need to stop listening to that fuckwad,” Chase says. “Or let me smack him, like I keep offering. You’re pregnant and you need to eat. He doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Oh, you went to medical school?”
“You get miserable when you’re hungry, and stress isn’t healthy for Little Spud. I know that much.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “So go to the damn snack aisle and pick something you actually want—not carrots. I’ll grab the dinner stuff.”
Twist my rubber arm. “Fine, fine. You’re taking the blame next time he says something, though.”
Moments later, I’m alone under the buzzing fluorescent ceiling lights and deeply lost in an excruciating internal debate about chip flavours. It’seasy to pick which one sounds more appealing at the moment, but who’s to say that’s what I’ll still want an hour from now. And, if I make the wrong choice, future me will be pissed. Only possessing ketchup chips while craving Flaming Hot Cheetos is a good way to ruin my entire night.
I could get both, right?
Chase would never comment on it. If anything, he’d cheer me on for ignoring the doctor’s very practical medical advice about watching what I eat.
“Hard chip decisions?” A voice startles me, and the bag of Cheetos falls to the floor with a crunch.
I bend over to pick it up, trying to shove down the stirring in my gut and the rapid thumping in my chest. And suddenly he’s there. Derek’s hand bumps mine, and I snatch the chips, aggressively shoving them back onto the shelf as I stand.
“Derek.” I gulp.
“Cass. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in…” His eyes scan my body the way they always do, picking me apart piece by piece. Plucking at every insecurity I made the mistake of telling him about. Making me feel the need to cover up. As much as I appreciate that my body is carrying this baby without issue, I can’t help but feel self-conscious about the constant changes. The insecurities Chase washes away with a single gaze are quickly rising to the surface under Derek’s smug stare.
Thank God I’m wrapped in Chase’s hoodie. It’s not massive on me, but it does a good job of hiding my growing stomach. And it smells like his soap, which eases the curdling in my stomach.
“I’m honestly great.” I smile to myself when I realize I’m telling the truth—Iamgreat.
“Oh, good. Y’know, I’ve been meaning to text you. Alyssa and I broke up.”
“My condolences,” I snark, rolling my eyes. “Thanks for letting me know, I guess. Now there’s zero need for you to text me.”
“Cass, I’m sorry for what happened. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He takes a step toward me, and I promptly step back. If he were to touchme, I can’t say for sure that my reflex wouldn’t be to punch him in the nose.
I scoff. “Apologynotaccepted. Please leave me to my grocery shopping.”Fuck it, I’ll get both kinds of chips—no shot I’m standing here debating my choices while he stares me down.
Do you really need that? All that’s for you? Oh, somebody’s hungry.
The minuscule comments, which added up to so much more over the year we dated, swirl in my head, making my throat tighten and my nostrils burn. I grab both chip bags, and he clears his throat—the sound I know means the same thing as the comments. It’s what he’d do in public anytime I filled my plate at the buffet, got a second helping, or ordered an appetizer with my dinner.
Before he has the chance to say something, I snarl, “I’m pregnant, you piece of shit. I can eat what I want.”
“You’re…what?” His face blanches. “Is it…”
“No. She’s not yours. None of this”—I cradle my free hand under my bump, pulling the hoodie tight enough to reveal my protruding stomach—“has anything to do with you.”
Appearing out of nowhere—and with impeccable timing—Chase sidles up next to me. Without thinking, I slip my hand into his back pocket to make it seem like we’re a couple. Derek catches the movement, and his nose crinkles. The relaxed weight of Chase’s thick arm falls around my waist, tugging me closer to his side. Releasing the vise grip from my lungs with a heavy exhale. I know we fit together wonderfully when we’re horizontal. But vertically, it feels like this spot was made for my body, and I sink into it. Certainly doesn’t seem like we’re faking being together.
“Problem?” Chase’s gruff voice makes the hair on my arms jump to attention.
Derek’s nostrils flare, face twisted. “Really, Cass? You’re withRed? Jesus.”
“Devin, right?” Chase asks, knowing damn well that’s not his name.
“Derek.” Derek’s eyes bounce between us. Funny how he doesn’t have more to say when there’s a man standing at my side.
“Right. Well, look, Cass and I have a long drive home.” He tilts his head to look at me. “You got everything you need, sweetheart?”
I swear to God, I could kiss him. “Yup.”
“Let’s go, then. See you around, Dexter.”
