Page 33 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“Okay.” She rolls her to her left side away from me. “Oh.” She gives a jolt. “That was a strong kick. Give me your hand.” She takes my hand, placing it on the lower part of her stomach. “Just wait and see if they kick again.”

Her skin is warm beneath my palm even through the cotton of her top. I hold my breath, waiting and hoping, but I feel nothing.

“Come on,” she coaxes. “Kick again.”

She groans in frustration a minute later.

“It’s okay,” I assure her. I want to kiss the crook of her neck in comfort, because I don’t like seeing her upset. “The baby isn’t ready for me to be a part of this yet.”

She doesn’t say anything in response, just wiggles around to get comfortable. I realize then that my hand is still on her stomach. Before I can pull it away though, she settles her hand over top of mine.

“Goodnight, Luke,” she murmurs, voice already heavy with sleep threatening to pull her under.

“Night, B.”

CHAPTER 12

BERTIE

Graduation passes in a blur. I expected it to drag on with how large the graduating class was, but it didn’t. I know Luke’s seated not far from me, so I look around for his large imposing form. The guy really is built like a wall. I spot him easily enough, towering over most people and hurry over to him.

He smiles as I get closer, his eyes crinkling at the corners with happiness.

I know it probably shouldn’t be that surprising to me, but it always shocks me how genuinely happy he is to see me. I’m not sure in the years I was with Tommy that he ever smiled at me like that and the sad thing is Luke’s not even my boyfriend. How did I put up with someone who never really cared about me for so long? I was an accessory, not a partner.

“We should go find Rosie and Daire,” I tell him.

“They’ve gotta be this way.” His warm palm lands on the small of my back and he helps me navigate through the crowd of people.

Daire and Rosie must’ve had the same idea because we spot them headed our way. I grin over the fact that Daire is carrying her piggyback style.

When they’re close, Rosie hops down and runs to me, throwing her arms around my shoulders. I rock back from the force of her.

“We did it!” she screams, trying to take out my ear drum, I’m sure of it.

“Yeah, we did,” I say softer. I’m still not sure how I feel about graduating. It’s not like I had a plan before, but regardless things are going to be loads different now than I thought.

“Are you coming over tonight?” Rosie asks.

Her family is getting together for a dinner tonight and they extended an invite. I glance at Luke, not sure how to respond.

“We might stop by,” I finally respond when he shrugs, putting the ball in my court.

Rosie wiggles her shoulders and grins at me. “We?”

I swat my elbow against Luke’s ribs. “Only because he won’t leave my side.”

And he won’t. I would’ve thought his constant worrying and hovering would be overbearing, but I find it sweet.

“Okay, I’ll see you later, then.” Rosie beams like we’ve already agreed to be there. Frankly, I think I might be people’d out, but I also know she’ll be bummed if I don’t show. “We need to go save Sammy from our families.”

Daire crouches down again and she hops on his back. I laugh as they run off.

“They’re good together,” Luke remarks.

“Yeah, they are.”

“Should we go find my mom?” he asks, his hand pressed against my hip. I’m not sure he realizes he’s touching me.