AllFreeNovel
Share Us
12
LUCY OLIVIA
Trick elbowed me in the arm and snickered. “I think you freaked out the baby uncle.”
I arched a confused eyebrow. “Baby uncle?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “It’s like a baby daddy. But an uncle.”
With a sigh, I sent him a dry glance for his strange term before clarifying, “Whatever, you’re the one who freaked him out. Geez. I can’t believe you just proposed to me.” Then I looked down at my Frosty and fries and scooped them back into my arms protectively. “I don’t have to give these back now that I said no, do I?”
“Nah.” He stole a fry and popped it into his mouth. “But you do have to share.”
“Bully,” I teased affectionately, even as I let him steal a handful more.
We wasted a minute, standing there hovering over the box and contentedly eating until it was empty.
Finally, Trick sighed and brushed his salty fingers off on his thighs. “Are you sure you can handle this all on your own, Luce?”
“No,” I told him honestly. “But I’m sure I don’t have to marry you to get help if I need it.”
He shrugged and reluctantly admitted, “True. But it’s going to be hard. I’ve seen Skylar and Dominic look dog-tired after a night with their newborn. The same with Julian and Nia. And both couples are attacking this parenting thing with a partner. There’s going to be some really sucky, hard shit you’re going to have to go through by yourself.”
“I know,” I said. I wasn’t even a week into this journey, and I was already feeling some of the sucky, hard shit right now. Then I smiled softly and glanced toward the hall that led to where my little girl was now. “But it’ll be worth it. We’re going to be okay.”
I’d do everything in my power to make sure of it.
“Yeah, I think you will,” Trick replied, nodding as he watched my face. Then he opened his arms. “Come here.”
I was still holding my half-finished shake, but I stepped into his arms anyway, and he gave me a warm, supportive hug. I closed my eyes and sank against him, letting him hold me for another couple of seconds before I stepped back.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling up at him. “I’ll take all the hugs I can handle today, especially after I just learned that Beau and Bentley lost a baby.”
“What?!” Mouth dropping open, he blurted, “Is Bent okay? Are they still at the hospital?”
“Months ago,” I belatedly added, glad to learn I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t known. “They lost it months ago, about the same time I learned I was pregnant with Ava. But they didn’t want to say anything because of what I was going through.”
Trick blinked once. “Are you shitting me?”
“I know.” I motioned to him, still feeling some of the same shock he was exhibiting now. “Can you believe they just kept it quiet like that? They should’ve been able to share it with whoever they wanted to. My issues should not have—”
“Hey.” He gripped my elbow softly to stop me. “Don’t take responsibility for their decisions. It was a tough call to make. I mean, life is weird. You never know if you’re supposed to suppress your happiness out of respect because someone you know is going through a shitty time or keep your problems to yourself when others are celebrating. It’s all a fucking mess, and you just do the best you can with what you got.”
“Wow,” I murmured, blinking at him. “You sounded so wise and grown-up right there.”
“Right?” He motioned toward me as if to say he was shocked by that revelation too. “I think my dad’s finally beginning to rub off on me. It’s all that Cress’s fault too. Ever since he rented a room from me to attend college, I’ve had to be responsible and shit, taking him under my wing and showing him the ropes, you know.” He swiped a harassed hand through his hair and blew out a hard breath. “I still can’t believe he’s already going to be graduating next year, too, and moving out again. It’s going to feel like my baby’s leaving the nest.”
I patted his arm dolefully, and said, “I’m sure you’ll manage to make it through. Somehow.”
He rolled his eyes, realizing I was placating and teasing him all at the same time. “Smart-ass,” he murmured and sniffed out an affectionate smile. Then he briefly ruffled my hair and took a deliberate step backward away from me. “Well, I’m going to take off before you really start heckling me. Besides, you’ve got other guests to host at the moment.”
When I straightened, remembering Vaughn was still here, Trick grinned mischievously and leaned close to quietly murmur, “Who knows; maybe you won’t tell him no when he proposes.”
My mouth immediately dropped open over such a preposterous statement. “What?” I hissed and promptly smacked his arm. “That isn’t even funny, Patrick Mason Ryan.”
“What?” he shot back and even laughed a little at my expense. “Are you telling me I was wrong in sensing some major vibes brewing between you two?”
“Oh my God.” Mortification rocked through me as I slapped my hand over his mouth and whispered, “Shh.” But seriously, I couldn’t believe he could tell how freaking attracted I was to Vaughn.
