Cas
Nate’s not here…he’s otherwise engaged *sniggering emoji*
Arch
*clutching pearls meme* GOSSIP NOW!!!!
I throw my phone to the side, no longer bothering with the chat. I have enough on my plate without worrying about what Nate has gotten himself into. Instead, I stand up, gather my things, and then set off.
**********
As I’m driving to Lacey’s house to pick her up, I decide to make a pit stop at the general store that we have in town. They have a machine that’s like a pick ‘n’ mix machine, but for drinks. Lacey’s favourite is mango and pineapple together. The machine swirls around as it churns the drink together before dispensing it into the cup. I must be lost in thought because I could have sworn I just heard my name. Looking around, it's then that I notice Gabby standing off to one side, already on the arm of someone else.Good riddance.
“Heard your best friend was pregnant. Wonder who the daddy is?” She spits the words at me, and it’s only now that I truly see how venomous she is.
“Not really anyone else's business, Gabby.” I turn back around, dismissing her. I don’t have the time for her amateur dramatics today.
She scoffs. “Of course you would stick up for her. You probably stuck your fucking dick in…” She stops short when I whirl on her and she sees my face, her new boytoy not moving. His eyes are bouncing between us, but I have a good three inches in height on him.
“I don’t give a shit what you think, Gabby. I don’t fucking cheat, but I have had it with your mouth and the utter crap that comes out of it. Do not utter another fucking word about Lacey, because Gabby, I will make you regret it. Do you understand?” I level her with a stare that I usually save for making business deals and getting what I want, but it works. She shrinks back and stumbles off.
I collect Lacey’s drink and a bag of her favourite pretzels before leaving the store. When I get back to my truck, I sit for just a moment. I don’t know where that came from, but for some reason, my best friend has me going out of my mind, because something inside of me cannot stand to hear the shit people are saying about her.
**********
Lacey waits outside for me, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She never could sit still, not even when we were kids. She used to tell me that her teacher would always reprimand her for moving too much, or the other kids would make fun of how much she would fidget.
I hop out of the truck and open the door for her, and her eyes light up when she sees the drink and bag of pretzels.
“Oh my god, are those for me?” She doesn’t even finish what she’s saying before she grabs the bag and tears it open.
“Now what would you have done if I had said no?” I raise my eyebrow.
“Pfft, as if you would.” So cocky.
I get back in the truck, and we make the drive over to the hospital. As I look over at her, I see her knee bouncing constantly. I reach out and put my hand on it.
“Hey, don’t worry. It’s going to be okay. This scan is to check the baby’s development and how far along you are. Think positive and make sure you drink up because they said you need a full bladder.”
She wrinkles her nose at me. “Cole, if I drink any more, I absolutely will not have a full bladder because said full bladder will be all over your seats.” She smiles sweetly at me, and I bark out a laugh.
“Toilet habits. Nice. Just the conversation starter I wanted.”
“Shut up, you love it.” She sticks her tongue out at me, and my eyes zero in on it. What I wouldn’t give for that tongue to besomewhere else right now, circling…FUCK. I shift in my seat to try to adjust myself. I don't need to think about my best friend that way. I do not need to think about my best friend's tongue. Nope. Not going there.
Just drive, Cole.Drive the fucking truck.
**********
Luckily, it doesn’t take us long to get to the hospital and check in. I look around the room at all the expectant mums. Their faces show a mixture of happiness and nerves.
Lacey’s leg has started bouncing again. She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t push her either. When she’s in her head like this, it’s best to let it play out, and when she’s ready, she will talk to me.
Instead, I look around the room; it’s inviting and relaxing. The ceiling is a baby blue, and someone has painted clouds on it. The walls are a mural of fields and wildflowers. I imagine myself painting a nursery just like this for the baby. I’d ask Nate to use his carving skills and make a crib, Archie could be in charge of the books for the baby, Rafe could get the baby its first play car, and Ethan could teach the baby how to use computers. CJ, he would dote on the baby and probably end up getting them a pet…
I’m shaken out of my daydream when I hear the nurse call Lacey’s name. She gets up but stops short, turning around, and she grabs my hand.
“Please come with me?”
