Wanting to remove any remaining gel from the ultrasound appointment, I head into my apartment and undress, heading towards my bathroom. In the midst of my shower, a wave of nausea hits hard and I find myself soaking wet and mourning as I heave the very delicious dinner I had with Tate into my toilet. Once my stomach settles, I take Sin’s advice, drinking some water and munching on a few saltines before I lie down to sleep hoping that tonight I get some rest.
Chapter4
Coke Icees Make Everything Better
Tatum || 9 weeks pregnant, August
“She is still in a deep sleep,” Sin states, exiting the hallway. “I don’t think Darcy got much sleep, based on the way her bathroom reeks and the amount of half-drank liquids she has on her nightstand. Let's get started and I’ll wake her closer to us heading to your place.”
Sinclair had let herself into Darcy’s apartment after our initial knocks were ignored—we have everybody coming over to help Darcy move into my place today.
“You don’t think we will wake her with all the movement?”
“No, she’s down for the count and needs the rest.” We start working in silence until the others arrive.
True to her word, by the time Darcy awakens from her slumber, the only boxes we have left to put in the U Haul are the few in her room.
“Morning, Sunshine.” Kodi greets her groggy friend, wrapping her in a hug.
“You missed the gun show.” Dom winks at her as he flexes his biceps, earning a small smile from Darcy, and a glare from me. Luckily, I don’t think anyone notices.
“Alright, let's load these last couple boxes and get over to my place for pizza,” I say to the room, Darcy begins to move back towards her room. “Absolutely not!” Sin and I both direct towards her at the same time.
“Gee thanksMomandDad.I just need to toss everything I needed last night into my duffel, and pull the sheets off my bed,” she deadpans, and I swear I can feel her roll her eyes at us as she heads down the hallway.
“Leave the bag with the boxes!” I yell at her back which earns me a pointed glare before she turns back towards her room.
Maverick, Nik, and Dom hop in the Uhaul and the girls pile into Sin's car, while Collins rides over with me. I expect the car ride with Collins to be quiet but once we are on the road he quickly blurts out, “Tatum, I need your advice. There’s this girl I want to take out, and I don’t think she is picking up on it.”
“Well… have you asked her out?” I sputter, I wasn’t ready for Collins, of all people, to confess anything like this to me, but I’m almost one hundred percent sure that he is referring to Harley. They’ve been hanging out a lot outside of the group and I’ve overheard the girls talking about how she has this douche of a guy she won’t stop going back to. Maybe Collins could be the one to help her move on.
“No, dude, but I take her to dinner, we get coffee, I ask her how her day went. I’m curious if she’s picking up on any of this, but I just can’t seem to get a read on things.” He inhales then exhales. “And I keep all of her favorite snacks and drinks stocked at my house because she’s over so often.”
“I mean honestly, Collins, it sounds like you are putting in some effort. You should probably just talk to her, ask her out, right?”
“Well, it doesn’t feel so easy. Technically, she has a boyfriend, but he treats her like shit.”
The ride to my place is quick, so as we park the car I give him one last piece of advice, ”Well man just keep showing her what you can provide. Keep being your best self, and maybe she’ll realize how much of a catch you are.”
The motivation of pizza and beer, sans Darcy, has everyone moving at top speed to get the boxes up to Darcy’s new room.
By the time we get everything up and everyone is fed it’s just shy of 8 PM. Bella is passed out on the couch, the guys are watching a hockey game, and the girls are gossiping, but I notice Darcy isn’t in the living room with everyone else. I head to her room, finding it empty, when I see that her bathroom door is closed.
I approach and knock gently, wanting to make sure she can find everything she needs. “D?”
“You can come in.”
She sounds defeated. I hate that she’s having such a hard time adjusting to being pregnant. Knowing there isn’t much I can do but willing to try whatever I can to help. Opening the door slowly, I find her sitting on the floor, a wet towel pressed to her forehead.
“Do you need anything?” I ask, gently.
“For your one-night-stand souvenir to let me enjoy food without revolting.” She laughs but it's dry and humorless. She’s clearly exhausted. While we had plans to let everyone hangout, Darcy’s needs are more important, and at this moment I want nothing more than for her to have a quiet home—and some much-needed sleep.
“I’m going to kick everyone out, and then I’ll be back to help you get settled. I’ll bring you water with a hydration packet and some saltines on my way back.”
“How did you know that's what I needed?” She asks, sullenly staring at her lap.
“Asked Sin what I should stock up on before we got you moved in. The list was exhaustive, but it gives me peace of mind to have it all on hand. I want you to be comfortable here, for this condo to be a refuge for you… and the baby.” She finally looks up at me, and I can’t help but smile down into her coffee eyes. “Be right back.”
