That comment is courtesy of Venom.
“Fuck,” she whimpers. When I look at her face, her eyes are glassy like she’s about to cry.
“Babe.” I touch her forehead. It’s red where the cue stick hit her. A small bump has already started to grow, which is a good sign. At least, that’s what my mom always told me.
“Donotcall me babe,” she snaps as one tear slides down her cheek. She quickly wipes it away and glares at me. “Did you hear what I said?”
I blink as I stare at her. I did hear what she said, but it’s impossible. “It’s not mine.” It can’t be.
The look of incredulity on her face gives me pause. Especially when she says, “You can’t be serious.”
No matter how shocked she is—whatever she’s trying to pull here isn’t going to work. “Dead serious.”
Maggy looks right, then left, then leans closer, I guess so she can whisper, “I haven’t slept with anyone else.”
Sure.Likely story.I reach for her arm to pull her away from all the people who are now way too interested in our conversation, but I can’t do that. Not after I made a show of wanting to share our dirty laundry in front of every fucking person at EZ’s. So I speak just a little bit louder. “You’re lying.”
“You fucker.” It’s not Maggy saying those words, it’s her older friend. Venom’s old lady. “How dare you.” Her face looks as angry as, well, Venom’s. “She’s not lying, asshole.”
Turning toward her friend, I bend down a little since she’s short. Shorter than Maggy. “There’s no way I gother,” I point at Maggy, “pregnant.”
“Thereisa way because youdid.” That was from the angry friend again.
I turn my attention to her. To Maggy. “There. Isn’t.” I had a vasectomy five years ago, but I’m not about to announce that to the peanut gallery. All I can say is... there’s no way I gotherpregnant.
“You fixed or something, dude?” Venom asks as he pulls his woman in to his side. Why do I get the feeling he’s trying to protect me?
“Something like that.”
“Those don’t always work, Nate. Sometimes the tubes untie or whatever and float back together.” All four of us, Venom, Maggy, Venom’s woman, and me, all slowly turn our heads toward the source of the voice. It’s one of the waitresses. Denise or something like that. When all eight eyes are on her, she shrugs. “It happened to my dad. It’s how my mom found out he was cheating on her. He knocked up his other girl.”
Way too much information.
“The tubie things get loose and reconnect or grow back or some shit,” she adds. “Those little swimming fuckers can find their way out, that’s for sure.” Denise snorts and gives me a big smile. “Long story short…”
Too late.
“…I’ve got a little brother. Well, half brother.” She pauses looking contemplative. “Crazy how that works, yeah?”
I choose to ignore everything that came out of that twerp’s mouth. Turning back to Maggy, I repeat, “It’s not possible.” It’s not.
Our waitress shakes her head and is about to argue with me when the bartender yells, “Danielle, get back to fucking work.”
Danielle. Right. Not Denise.
“I think she’s right, man.” Venom speaks again—he’s said more words in the last ten minutes than I’ve ever heard him speak. And I’ve known the guy three years. “I think it can undo itself.”
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “I’m done talking about this.” Setting the pool cue onto the table, I step around Venom and his angry old lady and take a step to pass Maggy.
“That’s it? You’re done talking about this?” Maggy hisses.
“Yeah. I’m done. Whatever you’re trying to pull, it’s not gonna work.” She saw my place. She probably assumes I’m loaded, thanks to my address.
“You think I’m after you for your money.” It’s not a question.
I shrug. “You wouldn’t be the first to try.” Actually, she is the first to try.
“You think Iwantthis to be your baby?” Her hand is now resting on top of her abdomen. Her face in an angry scowl. “You’re the last man I wanted to have a kid with.”
