Now what?
Chapter 23 Alli
“We aresogoing out tonight.” Emalyn says as she applies mascara in the mirror. “You’re such a good mom, and it’s been a while since you’ve let loose. Had a few drinks.”
“We have wine at nearly every book club meeting.”
“You know what, that sentence right there only proves me right.” She points the mascara wand at me through the mirror.
I roll my eyes. I take another bite of the cheeseburger.
“Besides, you can’t tell me that there isn’t a certain neighbor on this trip that you wouldn’t mind spending some time with.”
I blush furiously. With her away on other bookings, I hadn’t really updated her on Tate. Her eyes pop wide open at my sudden quietness.
“Girl.Tell meeverything!”She squeals, jumping on the bed next to me. Fries go flying. I tell her all about the past few days with Tate and especially about the supply closet.
“Then we’ve just texted since then.” I shrug.
“So tonight… I totally need to go hang out with Dakota in her med staff rooms then, don’t I?” She grins and bounces her brows in that way only she does.
“Stop.” I swat her arm. I brush my hair behind my ear. “Maybe... I’m not sure. He hasn’t really said anything.”
I show her the last of the texts we had sent. Nothing too exciting and it’s been quiet since.
“I’m sure it’s no big deal. We will see them all at the team breakfast tomorrow.” She lifts a shoulder with a supportive smile.
I take a deep breath.
“There’s something else…” I fold my hands in my lap and then unfold them. I shift on the bed. Emalyn’s expression melts immediately and she falls onto the bed next to me.
"What is it?" Her hand immediately starts to rub circles on my back.
"I feel like such an idiot.” I bury my face in my hands. She pulls me into her as I explain what happened at the after party at Tates. The years of lying exposed. "And I know you kept telling me over and over to go in and see the specialist. I should've listened to you."
"It's ok, you were just scared." Emalyn speaks in a soothing tone as tears pour down my cheeks.
"And now, it's stupid but I'm relieved, God, I'm so relieved I didn't have any more children with that man." I sit up and wipe my tears on the back of my hands. “Sorry, I'm being insensitive right now aren't I? I'm crying because what I thought was wrong was never even a problem."
Emalyn dabs at a few of her own tears.
"Don't be sorry. We are here for each other always. Even if its hard for me to hear we aren't the barren sisters that we thought we were." We share a shaky laugh. " I'm so happy for you, really. But I will actually pussy slap you if you don’t put that revived uterus to work making beautiful babies with that man. He is seriously smitten."
"Okay, slow down, we are hardly at that stage." I hold my hands up. We giggle.
"Seriously though, I will get all the worst shots of TJ. People don't realise the power the photographer wields." Emalyn threatens with a finger in the air before she’s interrupted by her phone ringing. She rolls her eyes as she shows me the screen. Ronan. She answers and puts it on speaker.
"Babe. You won't believe it."Ronan nearly squeals in excitement. We instantly start giggling. "Tell Alli her man is the fucking goaaat. He got Fitz and Coach to have their poker game here in the hotel and guess what? I'm invited. I'm so excited. I never thought this day would come. Do you think he’ll let me call him Ra-"
"Slow down there, killer. You gotta play it cool or they won't invite you back." Emalyn says. I swear she's the only one who could ever talk any sense into my little brother once he gets on a roll.
"I know. That's why I need you there with me, Em." He says in a no-nonsense tone. "Please say you’ll come, Poker Queen."
She rolls her eyes. We both know that Emalyn isn't that great at poker. She'll win all day at bullshit though.
"You said Tate made it happen?"
"Yeah, the man is a master craft instigator. Now there's a wager between Fitz and Coach. It's a whole thing. "
