Sam
I didn’t want to admit to Colette that my ex-wife, who left me because she didn’t want children, decided to have a kid with someone else.
To say I was shocked is an understatement. I haven’t seen her for almost a year. The last I heard, she moved to California. I didn’t bother asking why she was back or if she’s here to stay, because I don’t give two shits, but the fact that she’s pregnant … well, that hurts.
A fuck ton.
It only took a moment after seeing her to realize that it wasn’t that she didn’t want kids. She just didn’t want themwith me.
And then there’s Colette.
I hadn’t been paying attention to her. Not after I heard Amber’s voice. When I turned and saw her coming toward me with her round belly, everything else around me sort of faded away. Including my date.
And now I’m paying the price for that. For my rudeness and insensitivity.
Fuck. I didn’t even introduce them.
Honestly, I never wanted them to meet. Amber’s a bit judgmental about other women, jealous actually, and I just didn’t want to hear it. But now that she’s got a man of her own, there was no reason to worry about that shit.
Amber is over me just like I’m over her.
Colette blinks a bunch, then I know she realizes what that whole thing back there means when she says, “Oh.”
I nod. Because I don’t want to say anything else.
Hell, I don’t want to talk about it. Not even to her.
“I didn’t want anything, Dad. Just checking in.” Colette’s eyes are still on me. “Call you tomorrow?”
I hear Steve on the other end of the line. “Sure thing, puddin’.”
Puddin’? I’d laugh at that if I were in any mood for laughter.
I’m not.
When she hangs up, I take her hand in mine and lead her back to the truck. Opening the door, I help her up into the seat like I should have done before and shut her door. I’m around the truck with the engine purring in no time. Pulling out of the lot, I hold my breath waiting for the barrage of questions. When they don’t come, I sneak a peek at her. She’s got her hands in her lap and her eyes facing forward.
So I do what I should’ve done ten minutes ago. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugs. “I get it.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t believe she does. “What do you get?”
“You must not have known she was pregnant.”
I move my head left, then right. “No. I didn’t.”
“And you two broke up because she didn’t want kids. That’s got to sting.”
For some reason, Colette’s words feel callous. Hurtful. So I lie. “I’m fine. It doesn’t bother me.”
Colette looks at me finally. “You’re fine?”
“Yep. Good for her. She found someone she wants to be with.” Even though the guy looks like a total fuckwit.
