“Oh, I, okay...”
Her hesitation has me concerned. “Something wrong?”
“No, it’s just…” Her sigh gusts over the line. “There was an incident with my ex that you uncle helped me out with.”
“Okay.” Sounds like him.
“Since then I might have used him to get out of a situation in a way that isn’t right.”
I shake my head. “Brooke, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“My ex cornered me again yesterday. I told him the guy who ran him off last time was my boyfriend,” she blurts out.
“Oh. Well, did it work?”
“For now.”
“You think he’ll pester you again?”
“I do. But it’s okay. I can deal with him.”
“I’m sure you can, but it’s always nice to have back up.”
“It is.”
“Then come to dinner and we’ll figure out how you can continue to use Uncle Granger to keep your ex away.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
“You can. I’m sure he’d be more than willing to help you.”
“I. No. It’s fine.” Someone calls her name. “Listen, I gotta go. I’ll grab that thing and see you later. Still live in the same place, right?”
“Yes. Same as high school.”
“Okay, see you later.”
“Bye.”
After I hang up, I keep thinking about what Brooke told me. I don’t know who her ex is, but I do know my uncle would be the first to jump in and help her. Which he’s already done. And themore I think about it, the more I think it’s a good idea that she continues to tell her ex that Uncle Granger is her boyfriend.
I’m sure he’ll be willing to offer his help any way he can.
And it’s not like my uncle has a girlfriend to challenge Brooke’s claim. I don’t remember him ever having one. I know nothing about his love life and now that I have one of my own, I’m curious.
Hours later I still haven’t been able to get Brooke’s situation out of my head. I’m slowly setting out plates and utensils for dinner when Riley bursts into the cabin like a whirlwind. Slamming the door behind her, she gasps and bends over, hands on her knees.
“What the…” Rushing over as fast as I can, I grab her shoulders, pull her upright. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“No. No. I...” Her breath saws in and out of her chest. “Ran home.”
“You ran? What the hell for? You could have tripped or fallen down that section where the mountain drops?—”
“Didn’t. Doesn’t matter.Felix!” Her fingers curl into the front of my shirt. “I’m pregnant!”
I can’t tell if she’s horrified or shocked or confused. Smiling, I move my hands to her face and cradle it in my palms. “I thought you might be.”
“What? How? What?”
