A few steps closer to the bed, my head cocks to the side as I study her. There is no way I’m waking her up. She’s probably as exhausted as me. However, I can’t help it. I silently lean down and glide the back of my hand gingerly along her cheek, careful not to wake this beautiful creature.
Maybe, I’ll wake her after I shower. I need to shave, too.Leaving Esme to rest, I walk to the master bathroom. I land right in front of the mirror. I look like hell, clearly exhausted, with short stubble to match. Grabbing my toothbrush from the holder next to the sink, I continue to look ahead.
As if it is a photo on the wall, my eyes pick up the speck of something in the corner, and my eyes drift down next to the sink.
Placing the toothbrush back into the holder, I stare dazed at the box.
In what feels like slow motion, I pick it up to bring the box in better view. Yep, I’m reading that right. My pulse begins to soar, and my chest feels as though it might burst. Swallowing, I notice the box is a little light.
Immediately, I begin to search, and it takes only two seconds.
Holy fuck.
Dropping the box, I grab the stick, and my eyes squeeze as they remain fixed on the test to have a better view.
I take a long moment standing frozen, while inside, I’m suddenly swarmed with emotions in a new way. Or I might be having a heart attack.
Which is why I drop the pregnancy test, not taking notice where it lands.
Instead, I rush out of the bathroom, only to pause and take one glance of Esme still asleep and oblivious to the fact that I’m here.
Maybe I’m being a coward, but my body is acting in shock and adrenaline.
Which is why I walk away and leave.
22
KEATS
Staring aimlessly at the stuffed monkey in my nephew’s chubby little hand, I’m not sure if this is the right idea to collect my thoughts.
Summer shifts Bo on her lap as she sits next to me on the sofa at Foxy Rox, getting settled after just arriving.
“Why the sudden need to see Bo? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to pencil you in on his busy social calendar, but you just sounded insistent on the phone,” my sister prods.
My eyes drop to my coffee mug in my hand, as I’ve been waiting a few minutes. “You said when I called that you were in the car not far from here,” I explain, as though I’m not that crazy.
“Meh, true. I needed to hit the superstore off the highway for our monthly diaper stock-up.” She makes funny faces at her son and coos to him. “Uncle Keats seems a little moody, no?”
Rolling my eyes, I get to the point and reach for my nephew. “Gimme.”
Now my sister just seems perplexed as she hands over thegoods. “Uh, why am I handing over Bo? It’s always a win to give my arms a rest, but you’re actingreallystrange.” Does it matter? She seems relieved to be able to reach for her drink on the coffee table without a struggle.
My nephew is drooling on my forearm, but it doesn’t matter. He’s supposed to bring me clarity. Help me break down these feelings swirling inside me and through my bones.
“It’s just been a long week, and maybe I’m struggling to burn off the exhaustion. Thought it would be good to see a familiar face or two.”
My sister studies me. “Okay, what happened?”
I roll my lips into my mouth to avoid telling her my predicament. “Nothing,” I lie.
“Work?”
“Fine.”
“Esme?”
“Under the weather with a cold.”
