“I heard what you said in the room. He didn’t cheat on you.”
Damn, Iwasloud and wondered how many people heard. “How do you know that?”
“Because he told me about your friend when he first realized she was your roommate. Called me, trying to figure out how to tell you. I asked him if he was still messing around with her or anyone else, and if he was, that he needed to leave you alone. I could tell you were crazy about him, and I didn’t want to see you hurt. I’ve always raised my boys not to use women. He told me he wasn’t. He always wanted to be honest with you and a better man than his father.” She looked at me, pride warming her tone. “And he’s the best man.”
“What if he’s not the best man for me?” I countered.
She smiled with a slight nod of understanding. “Then figure that out, but not out of anger or fear that you can’t trust him. Woman to woman, I would rather he be single and focus on football and his degree. Love can be a distraction, and he’s still young. But as a mother, it makes me smile to hear the happiness in his voice when he calls me. The happiness you bring him.” She hugged me to her. “If he’s determined to settle down now, I’d rather it be with a woman like you, who seems to love him for him. I hope this isn’t the last time I see you.”
I embraced her tightly, inhaling her lilac-and-rose scent. Carter and Chase were lucky to have her as a mother. Only time would tell if I would get to know her better. “Thank you for telling me what he told you, and know that you’ve raised good men. I do love Carter, and he has treated me right. It’s just a lot to work through right now. More than likely, you will see me again.”Especially in about eight months if this baby is his.Hope she’s still this nice to me when she finds out.
When we settled into my sister’s car, Danielle asked, “What’s going on between you and Carter? I assumed we would be at the hospital for a while. I told the family to go home because they wanted to meet up at my place.”
“Honestly, I don’t have the energy to get into it. Just take me home.” I’d already decided that I would spend the night at Carter’s. He wouldn’t return home until tomorrow. I wasn’t ready to see Chelsea and didn’t want to stay with my sister because I wasn’t ready to talk. I’d already been in a tornado, and with the bomb, Carter just dropped about Grey, I’d been swept up in a hurricane of drama.
One good trait my sister had that my mother didn’t have was her ability to give me space and not demand answers. She didn’t say a word as we headed back to the condos. Thirty-two minutes later, she pulled into the parking lot and kept the car idling. “Let me know about your doctor’s appointment so I can go with you.”
“Okay.” I leaned over and hugged her. “Thank you. Tell the parents I’ll call later. I want to go inside and sleep. It’s been a long day.”
She kissed my cheek. “Oh, Dar, I’m sorry.”
I pulled back. “For what?”
“It doesn’t matter if you want this baby. This isn’t an ideal situation, and there will be some rough days ahead. I’ll be there for you, and so will the family. Just wish it didn’t happen like this.”
Thinking of the turmoil I felt instead of the hope and joy I’d always expected whenever I did create a new life, I humbly and sadly agreed, “Yeah, me too.”
I closed the car door and stared up at the luxury condominium complex that started full of fun and laughter at the end of the summer. Now, I felt dread, disappointment, and so much betrayal as the cold months lay ahead. Grateful I didn’t see Chelsea or Grey’s car this time, I trudged up the stairs to cry and figure out my next steps alone.
FRESH AIR ALWAYS CALMEDme. I plopped down on the cushioned chair on the balcony and stared into the blackness. I’ve always been fascinated with bodies of water at night. How the water would appear pitch black with only the light of the moon and the white waves hitting the shore, reminding me it’s water and not the abyss. I needed this quiet moment. Today felt like the longest day of my life. I didn’t even know or care if we won the game.
I looked down at the beach and saw a lone figure running in long shorts and a hoodie. My stomach fluttered, peace shattered as I rose from the chair and stood near the railing. If he noticed me, we would talk. If he didn’t, that was my sign to wait until another day. A few seconds later, he slowed down, pulled off his hood, and looked up at me. His hazel eyes glinted even in the night.
