“I need to stock more sizes of diapers at the store!” Dale yelled.
“And I would’ve guessed she had an aversion to the smell of alcohol.” Mark shook his head. “No wonder she kept avoiding it.”
I paused. “You’re not gonna ostracize her for having a baby withmeof all people?”
There were some whispers, most of which I couldn’t tell who they were from.
Well, it’s not the best idea.
How do we know he’s actually gonna stay?
What if she gets hurt?
And that was when I saw it. The issue wasn’t with her. They all cared about her. Genuinely.
Iwas the issue.
It shouldn’t have annoyed me as much as it did. I could play the bad guy, and I would.
“All right, here’s what we’re gonna do. If you actually care about Grace’s well-being, then leave her the fuck alone about this. She needs space. Donotpester her.”
“But how will I know how far along she is?” Kerry whined.
“You don’t get to make that choice!” Tammy yelled.
“I’m saying for you all to pesterme. I’ll answer your questions.”
“But you just said you don’t owe us shit!”
“I don’t,” I said firmly. “I’m not telling you because I owe you. I’m telling you because you all seem to care about her. There’s a difference. If you wanna know how to help out, I’m your guy.”
“ThankGod!” Kerry exclaimed, and then she unleashed her barrage. “How far along is she? When did you find out?”
“Are you gonna stick around this time?” Markasked.
“He better not be an absent dad!” Tammy snapped. “If you do a breed ’em and leave ’em, Iswear?—”
“She’s eighteen weeks. We found out two weeks ago. I’m gonna stick around forher, and then we’ll figure out custody once the baby’s here. And for your information, Tammy, breeding wasnotthe intended goal, and I’m gonna do the right thing.”
She crossed her arms and I doubted she believed me.
I already regretted giving them permission to do this. I was so tense that I wondered if I’d be sore the next day.
“Oh, also?—”
“That’s enough questions for now. I need to get Grace home and make sure none of you bother her.”
“Just who do you think you are, talking to us like this?” Tammy asked.
“There’s only one thing you need to know about me. I don’t play when it comes to my woman. I don’t care if you hate me. She’s not getting hurt or stressed out by you.”
For once, the bar was shocked into silence.
“Hang on, hang on.” Hugh slowly stood. I saw him when we first got here, but I still couldn’t look him in the eye since I’d seen him naked. “So, does this mean I win my money?”
“Why are you winning money?” I asked.
“He bet you two would get together,” Dale muttered. “And he obviously won.”
