“No, I’m not shitting you, Maverick.” I say firmly. “Why thehell would I joke around about that.”
“I’m gonna…I’m gonna have a baby.” He clarifies, as if hedoesn’t believe it himself.
“Are you…happy about this?” I ask, totally dumbfounded. HereI’m feeling like this is a curse, and this guy looks like he’sgoing to break into a happy dance.
“Well, of course, I’m happy about this. I mean,shit…”
“But we’re not together. And, frankly, I don’t even think thatwe like each other that much, except when we’re naked.”
“But a baby…Ellie. Gosh, that’s the greatest blessing in theworld.”
I barkfacetiously. “Yeah, maybe to you.”
It’slike he ignores me. “And you’re sure it’s mine?” he’s asking likeit’s a present that I’m giving him, and he can’t believe that he’sabout to take possession of it.
“Of course it’s yours. What do you think? That I’m some kindof a whore?”
“No, babe, I don’t mean it that way. I just know that you’restill tight with your ex is all. I thought maybe you might have hadlike a bonus night with him or something.”
“No.” I scoff, looking at him like he’s just asked me if Iwear men’s underwear.
He looksat me and smiles, and not just a smile, but a shit-eating grin,that makes my skin crawl. “Why aren’t you happy about this, Ellie?Shit, I thought women lived for the day that they find out they’rehaving a kid.”
“Maybe if they’re married and settled, and not knee deep in adivorce and career, but not me. I’m not even sure I’m keeping thiskid.”
His eyeswiden. “Oh, babe. Please tell me you’re gonna. I can’t…I can’tstomach the thought.”
“And you’re telling me that you want this child?” I ask,totally taken aback…and disgusted.
“Of course! God Lord, Ellie. This is the greatest news ever.Shit, even Blake and Ruby are trying to have a baby. It ain’talways easy. It’s a real blessing when you have one without eventrying.”
“Or a curse.” I scoff. “Maverick, I gotta tell you…I’m notsure what I’m going to do.”
We hearthe door at the back of the house close, and assume that Blake justleft. And I start to wonder if he overheard anything, but I let itgo.
“Well, I’ll tell you what. You’ve got all the support thatyou’re gonna need, babe. Once my mama finds out that she’s gonna bea meemaw, she’s gonna dig right in. And, hell, I’m tickled. I’ll bethe best goddamn daddy there is around, Ellie. And I mean it.” Ican tell by his expression that he wants to hug me, but he doesn’t.“Now, I know that we’re not a couple, but whatever y’all want,Ellie, I’m fine with it. I’ll respect your wishes.” Henods.
ThatI’ll give him. “Thanks.”
“So, when do y’all go and do the sonogram and all that stuff?I want to go…if….if you’re okay with that.”
“I should get a call from the doctor with the appointment forthat. And I’ll let you know.”
“I appreciate that, Ellie. Really, I do.” He says so sincerelyI have to look away from him.
I havenever seen a man so happy before. This is a hundred times happierthan after we slept together. It’s…surreal. If anything, I expecteda lukewarm response, but Maverick is so genuinely happy, he’salmost making me feel guilty for begrudging this wholesituation.
“Ellie, I…gosh, I don’t even know what to say.” He says,smiling at me. And I wonder if he’s really excited about this, orif he’s too dumb to realize what’s really going on here. That we’reabout to embark on eighteen years of heartache and stress. Then hedoes the unthinkable. He takes a step towards me and gives me ahug. “Thanks. Thanks for telling me. I know some chicks wouldjust…well, never mind. I’ll be there for you, Ellie. I promise youthat. You need anything…I’m here.”
He pullsaway and searches my eyes. He wants to kiss me but I’m so not inthat place right now. “I should go.”
“Okay. You let me know when that sonogram is. I’d love to comealong.”
“I will.”
He opensthe door for me. “Take care now.”
“Thanks. You, too. And make sure that Gunner gets thosebooks.”
