RIDGE
Can Lou come?
LYRIC
Who’s pregnant?
I scratch the back of my neck, irritation settling into my skin. My phone keeps buzzing over and over again. More messages. This is why I can’t stand group chats. Either way, my obligation is fulfilled. I can just ignore it now. Except I can’t because I want to know about the pregnant girl.
LYRIC
Of course Lou can come.
ME
Yeah, duh.
KILLIAN
My neighbor. I sort of have a thing for her. Or HAD, I guess. I think she’s with someone. And possibly pregnant.
ME
Why do you think she might be pregnant?
KILLIAN
She was eating saltines at eight in the morning.
RIDGE
Oh yeah. She’s definitely pregnant.
I feel for Killian. He’s not much of a talker, but he did tell me about her. I can’t remember her name. Started with a C, I think—Carmen or something? Anyway, for a guy who’s pretty stoic, he sure became animated when he mentioned her. It felt like a big deal. So yeah, I feel for him. It’s just another reason I’m not ready to fall in love.
I know that when I do, I’ll be hopelessly devoted. I’ll want to give them everything, and I will because they’ll deserve it. That’s the kind of love I want. Eventually. You do give up some freedoms for love. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. You gain something in return. But still, you do lose something. I’m not ready to give that up just yet.
The thing is, when I look at Killian, he looks like he’s ready to make that trade-off. I thought she might even be the one he did it for. But he didn’t make his move in time.
An image of Lyric pops into my mind. Her expression when she was sitting in the bathtub. The pain that had creased her features eased and her entire face softened.The relief she felt made me feel good. I didn’t like seeing her the way she was, in so much pain. I’m not a woman and I’m not going to pretend I know what that pain is like.
But Lyric also has a fair amount of tattoos, and anyone who gets stabbed repeatedly for fun probably has a high tolerance. So I believe her when she says it hurts. Hell, I’d believe her without that rationale. A woman’s pain should never need further explanation.
I turn my attention back to the group chat, which has been buzzing the entire time.
BANKS
Okay, I’m definitely bringing someone. She’s just a friend.
RIDGE
That means you like her, but she doesn’t like you.
BANKS
How does it mean that?
DARCY
