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“No.” I pick my phone up from the low table. “Did you want to go for a coffee? We can chat. To be honest, I want to get out of the apartment for a couple of hours.”
And to be totally honest, I haven’t left in case Lily’s nearby. I’m certain she wouldn’t approach if I’m with Bryn.
“You sure?”
“You need a friend to talk to, I think. Come on.”
There’s a place located in the apartment complex, open to the public, but not popular, which is why I often visit with my books when I want to escape. Mid-afternoon, mid-week, few people sit at tables in the bright and airy cafe. I choose one and shift uncomfortably on the metal chair, a drawback of this place, and not great for pregnant women.
Bryn returns from the counter with a couple of large coffees and nods at my stomach before he lowers his large frame into the opposite seat. “Baby Phoenixes all round.”
I blink. “Oh. Is that what’s happening? Is Avery pregnant?”
“Fuck, no. Worse.”
“Did you guys split?”
Dylan and me haven’t been sociable recently, none of the band have. I like Avery. She’s a humorous girl, and watching her and Bryn play off each other can be hilarious. They are perfectly suited in a “never would’ve thought” it way. Always friendly too, unlike Ruby who I still can’t warm to. Will becoming new mothers around the same time make a difference to our relationship?
“No. Even worse.” I grapple for other options, but he continues talking. “I have a kid.”
I’m unsure whether to laugh at, congratulate, or sympathise with him, his eyes unreadable beneath his fringe. I push the hair away so I can see him. “A kid? You kept that quiet.”
“I didn’t bloody know until a couple of months ago.” He pulls his head away from my hand.
“Wow.”
“Hmm.”
I listen in increasing disbelief as Bryn tells me the story of Hannah, him, and Connor, his eight-year-old son. My heart aches for all of them, including poor Avery. I need to call her as soon as I leave. This touches on a raw spot we all share—me, Avery, and Cerys—one resurrected for me yesterday. Secret kids. Although in Bryn’s case, the situation is different. I don’t dare ask what his plans are. I don’t want to know if he’s ending things with Avery. I’ll be furious with him for hurting her if he does, but this is not my business, and I can see Bryn’s struggle.
“Why did you only tell Dylan?” I ask.
He shrugs, Bryn style. “Wasn’t gonna tell anyone, but everybody’s about to find out. Not like anything’s secret for long. Told Dylan because I saw him before the other guys, I guess”
“Right.” I play with an empty sugar sachet and gaze around the half-empty cafe. What the hell do I say?
“So what shit has Lily been up to?”
I look back to him. “It’s not so much what she’s done, more Dylan not telling me she was back. She tried to contact me, and he hid the letters.”
“Bad move, Dylan,” he says with a laugh. “Don’t cross a pregnant woman.”
“I wish people wouldn’t blame my reaction on my hormones,” I snap.
Bryn hold both hands up, palms out. “Hey, sorry. I forget you’re normally difficult.” I grit my teeth, but he grins. “Kidding!”
“And Lily told Dylan she had his baby.”
Bryn splutters his coffee and wipes his mouth with the back of a hand. Weirdly, I need to see his reaction, to gauge how somebody close to Dylan and has known him longer reacts. “Sure she did. Fuck, the girl is mental. I mean, seriously needs help.”
“I know, but—”
“Sky, seriously? Where is it then? This mythical kid? Ignore her. Please. Don’t stress yourself about all this. You know her aim is to come between you and Dylan.”
I chew a nail. “But I’m worried, Bryn. She was... calm like she actually believes we’re friends.”
“Someone will sort it. Don’t worry. Talk to Dylan.”
