I say goodbye to the movers, walking them down the stairs, and make sure the security gate is shut behind them. It’s odd to know I’m here all by myself for the next ten days. Maybe I’ll go down and see Ruby at Peeper’s.
Going back up to the condo, I can still smell Foster when I walk back in, making me smile. When he left this morning, I figured out the reason he always has this minty smell—it’s his aftershave. Why is it so weird to think that a man like Foster Davis shaves and puts on aftershave? I should probably stop putting him in the box everyone else does. He clearly has some hang-ups.
My phone dings with a text, so I grab it off the kitchen counter.
Hayes: I heard you’re living with Foster. You okay?
I smile at my brother and how much our relationship has changed over the years.
Yeah, it’s temporary.
You’re always welcome at our place.
I knew I would be, and I have to call Leighton to tell her the news—although Hayes might have already, I don’t know. They have this little family they’ve created, and I’m not going to be the first crack in their perfect life. Plus, as weird as it is, I see Foster’s point. We need to figure out our relationship since we’re going to raise a child together.
I type my message as I make my way to my new bedroom.
I know, but he’s not even here. It’s like I’m living by myself.
True. I’m exhausted from the travel already. Let me know if you want me to go kick that landlord’s ass. I always told you there was something off about him.
He did, I’ll give him that. I just thought Jerry was a lonely and forgetful guy, not someone who broke into my apartment to wear my underwear.
It’s fine. I’m good. Just getting settled.
Okay, you let us know if you need anything. Love you.
Love you. Good luck on the road.
Talk to Leighton about a date when you can both join us out here.
And what am I going to do while the two of you fuck like bunnies?
You can spend time with Decker. ;)
If he only knew I’d recently made an agreement to never be alone with the man.
I want to inquire if he knows what’s up with the whole Foster and Decker thing, but I can’t seem too invested. Hayes will wonder why I care so much.
Bye…
I toss my phone onto my bed, staring at all the boxes I have to unpack. Just wanting to tear off the Band-Aid, I dial Leighton, unsure if it’s even her day off.
But she picks up right away. “It’s about time. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.” From the background music, I’d say she’s doing dishes.
“Me? You’re the one in a love bubble. I’m just surviving.”
She sighs, and I hear the music turn off. I keep her on speaker and explore the apartment rather than sitting in my room.
It’s surprisingly neat.
“So… baby is good?”
“Yeah, everything looks good. I’m about six weeks along.”
She screeches then coos. “I can’t wait to hold him or her. So the father is okay with it?” She leaves her question hanging.
“I have to tell you something, and it’s not who the father is. I promise I’ll tell you soon, but I want to get to three months before I say anything to Hayes and the world at large. I don’t know, maybe I’m stalling, but I feel superstitious about it.”
