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LUCAS
My relationship with Lauren has always been the love-hate kind. Today I’m leaning more toward the latter. Why does she always have to be so right? It’s infuriating.
“I feel like I hit a nerve,” she points out the obvious.
“Why would you tell me that my actions were selfish hit a nerve? Isn’t being selfish my thing?”
“It is, but this time you thought you were doing it for Aspen. You purposely keep Charlotte away from Aspen and tell yourself it’s to protect her.”
“I am.”
“Are you? Or are you scared that Charlotte will tell Aspen about your past? Maybe Aspen and Charlotte will have no trouble building a strong, meaningful relationship in no time, leaving you out.”
With each word coming from her mouth, my irritation grows. She is literally listing every one of my fears, and I’ve had enough. “Okay, I get it. You don’t have to rub it all in my face.”
“Sometimes, rubbing it in your face is what you need.”
“Is that what they taught you in school?”
“No, I learned that from knowing you for years. Now, get your shit together and let Aspen meet her mother.”
A part of me knows there is no way around this. I can’t keep them apart, and the longer I take, the worse it will be. “Can you be there, maybe mediate a little?”
“Sure. I have time now.” Lauren puts her notebook on the side table and runs her palms down the skirt like she is ready to go.
“Of course you do.” I guess the sooner we get this over with, the better.
Lauren locks up her office, and we make our way to my place. I text Aspen and Charlotte quickly, asking them to come to my room. When Lauren and I walk around the corner of the hall, Charlotte is already waiting in front of my door.
“You must be Charlotte,” Lauren greets her with her sing-song voice. “I’m Lauren. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Hi.” Charlotte gives her a nervous glance before giving me her full attention. “I thought Aspen was going to come.”
“She is. Lauren is here to support. Why don’t we go inside.”
Charlotte nods and forces a smile, but I don’t miss her fidgeting next to me while I unlock the door to my apartment. We all pile in, and I motion for them to sit on the couch.
To make matters even more awkward, I realize I’m in a room with two women I’ve slept with. At least Charlotte doesn’t know that, though I highly doubt she would care. I think all she cares about is meeting our daughter.
Our daughter.I still can’t wrap my mind around that.
“I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now, but it’s okay to be nervous and even scared,” Lauren soothes, taking a seat next to Charlotte. “You being alive is going to be a shock to Aspen, but she is a very smart and loving person. So even if today doesn’t go as you hope, I don’t want you to be disappointed. This is only the first step.”
“Thank you for saying that. How long have you known Aspen?”
“Since she got to Corium. I’m the head of the medical department. I take care of all the students. Both their physical and mental health.”
“Oh, that makes sense… I mean, why Lucas asked you to come. He isn’t great at this stuff.”
“You don’t say.” Lauren frowns while giving me a dirty look.
“Listen, Charlotte. I think it might be better if you let me explain everything first. Let me talk to Aspen before I introduce you.”
Before Charlotte can answer, a knock echoes through the room. “Coming,” I yell on my way to the door.
My hand wraps around the doorknob, making me realize how sweaty my palms are. I turn it and pull the door open, finding Aspen and Quinton on the other side.
“Isn’t it past your bedtime, old man?”
