“You know I want that, too. But whenever I have downtime, you’re with Tabitha.”
“Not today,” Kai declares. “Tabby’s around now, but I don’t need to see her for the whole day. I’ll take her home after breakfast and I’ll be totally free when you get off work. Let’s hang out at the skatepark. Just you and me.”
“What about the other guys?”
“What about them?” Kai says as sincerity twinkles in his eyes. “I just care about chilling with my best bud. I know it’s weird that I have a girlfriend now, but it doesn’t make you any less of a priority in my life.”
I fold my arms, slightly turning away. “Well, it sure has felt like that the past few days.”
“It’s just new,” Kai replies. “I’m working out the balance. I’ll make it right. I promise.”
I drop my arms to my sides. “Okay. I believe you.”
“So, you’ll take a break from the books?” Kai asks with hope. When I nod yes, he adds, “Awesome. I’ll pick you up from here with your blades in the trunk of my car. We can hang out as long as you want.”
I grin and pat his shoulder. “Sounds perfect. Thanks, bro.”
Kai walks back to the table and a wealth of good vibes bubble inside me. There’s pep in my step as I refill coffees in my section. I’m broken out of the bubble when my ears prick to Gandalf’s cry. I know that bottle cries the best, and I move back to the counter.
I pull his bottle out of the bag and press the nip to his mouth. He suckles away happily and I let out a content sigh.
“Is this the baby?” a soft voice asks behind me.
I turn around and jolt backward. Tabitha stands before me, craning her neck to sneak a peek at Gandalf.
“Yeah,” I say, turning the carrier. “Coach Anders will be in soon to pick him up.”
“And it’s actually been like having a real baby?”
I nod. “Complete with crying, nappy changing, and burping.”
“Eww.” She giggles behind a cupped hand. “I hope I never have to do this assignment. I couldn’t imagine doing it for real. Kai said your mom was our age when she had you.”
I stiffen and my stomach wobbles. “Yes.”
She curls her hands into her hair, looking off to the side in wonder. “I couldn’t imagine. Did she cope, or is that why she left? She’s a missing person, right?”
“She didn’t leave,” I blurt, raising my voice enough it engages the two closest tables. “My mom loved me.”
Tabitha’s eyes grow circular as her mouth falls open. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t mean anything…” She slaps her forehead. “Geez, I’m such an idiot. I’m sorry.”
I look her up and down and find her genuine enough. “It’s fine,” I mutter.
“Look, that picture that Cammy found,” Tabitha rushes her words, “I didn’t have anything to do with…”
“Don’t!” I cut her off, holding up my hands like stop signs. My eyes water and I use all my strength to not let my voice quiver. “I can’t hear it right now. This is where I work and my coach will walk in any minute now.”
Her bottom lip quirks as she pouts. Her eyes droop as she backs away. “I’m sorry,” she mouths, moving back over to Kai.
I watch her sit by Kai, who’s in deep conversation with his dad and grandma. When he notices Tabitha, he double-takes. His hand rests on her shoulder and his head dips low. I can tell he’s whispering, “Are you okay?”
I stretch my back, feeling every knot cause more tension. I look across the Nelson table and almost lose balance when I land on Milo, whose eyes lock with mine. Was he watching the entire time Tabitha was over here?
He scoots his chair back and moves my way. I press my shaking hands into my churning stomach. He stops short of the counter, taking me in.
When he says nothing, I blurt, “Yeah?”
He lifts his palms up. “Everything okay? It looked intense over here.”
