“What’s going on?” I ask, while helping myself to a beer.
“Why’s there got to be anything going on? I just thought I’d come home to surprise you.”
“And I am surprised.” I tease, tapping my beer bottle againsthis and lifting it for a sip. “I’m also grateful. But it’s late, kid. What’s really on your mind?”
His surprise is amazing because my time at his graduation last weekend was too short. He plans to remain in Morgantown before heading to Memphis in August for his first real job, where he’ll be even farther away from me.
“I didn’t take you for having sleepovers.” He nods toward the hallway leading to my bedroom.
I could argue that I don’t. Or defend that Vale isn’t just a one-and-done. Taking in a deep breath, I exhale and announce, “Vale is my girlfriend.”
Josh’s brows lift again. “Since when?”
“Since . . . April.” Because from the moment Vale and I started this thing, there was no one else. And while I get that the younger generation wants relationship statuses to be a formal asking, Vale is mine and I’m hers.
“You haven’t mentioned her,” Josh reminds me.
“It’s . . . complicated.” I sigh, leaning against the island counter on my forearms and cupping my beer bottle in my hands.
“I imagine it is.” Josh chuckles, like he’s put two and two together with the Sylver last name.
“As much as I’d love to talk about it, let’s get down to the real issue. You. Here. Talk to me, Josh.”
I’m thrilled that he’s home, but showing up like this still isn’t like my son.
With a heavy sigh, he lowers his gaze to the beer bottle in front of him and stares at the rim a second.
“I got someone pregnant.”
Holy shit. That is not what I expected him to say at all.
“I didn’t knowyouhad a girlfriend,” I reply first, feeling as stunned as he might have felt finding Vale here.
Josh has always been a bit tight-lipped about any women inhis life, and I don’t push, because, well, we’re men, and we aren’t always the best at talking about our feelings. But I’ve tried to remind him often he can come to me with anything . . . although this surpassesanything.
“I don’t. We’re more like friends with benefits and—” Josh cups his forehead, shaking his head against his palm. “I’d like to say I don’t know how this happened, because I mean, I know how it happened, but I mean, just what the fuck, Dad?”
“Sounds like that’s what happened.” I chuckle softly before taking another sip of my beer.
“Now isn’t time for jokes,” Josh adds, with no spite in his voice.
“You’re right.” I pause a beat. “Do you love her?”
Josh shrugs but then shakes his head. “We’re friends. She’s fun, but I just graduated, and I’m starting my first real job in August. She’s got plans to move to Alabama.” Josh exhales. “It’s her body, her rights. I don’t want her to give up her life or feel trapped by a kid.”
Fear fills Josh’s eyes as he looks at me, knowing that’s how his mother felt. That’s what she said tohim.
“But I also . . . I don’t know . . . Is it wrong ifIwant the baby? I want my son.” He swallows thickly. “Or daughter.”
Tears fill my son’s eyes. He’s so young, and looking at him, I’m reminded of myself at that age. This is everything I didn’t want to happen to him. He has his future ahead of him, but perhaps his future includes a child. Now.
“Do you think you want to ask her to have the baby, and then you keep him or her?”Holy shit. A baby boy or girl. I’d be a— I can’t even think the word. I’m too young.
Josh sighs heavily again. “Fuck, I don’t know, but I think I’d like the option.” He glances up at me, confusion cluttering eyes that match the color of mine.
“How will that work?” His new job. Him in Memphis.
“I don’t know.” His breath is heavy. “How did you make it work?”
