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“Good,” Angela says, “all right, we’ll call it a day now. Try to get some rest, Catie, and I know it’s an easy thing for me to say, but try not to stress. Taking a bath is a good way to relax.”
I think of the tiny shower in my apartment and just nod because I can’t bring myself to explain. She’s talked a lot about the things I might need for the babies. Even if I let Saxon pay for them, I don’t know where I’m going to put them all.
I’m having two babies. The full realization hits me, making me feel like Wile E. Coyote when he’s hit with a wrecking ball. It’s just going to be me and them most of the time in the apartment. Me trying to breastfeed both, to give them baths, somehow, and what about when they’re starting to walk?
Like an automaton I get up, say goodbye, and follow Kennedy outside. “I’ve got an idea,” she says cheerfully, “let’s pop to the supermarket and get you some groceries. It’ll stop Saxon moaning at us both.”
She retrieves the buggy from her car and straps Eddie in, and I let her lead me along the road to the supermarket. I just want to go home by this point, but Kennedy grabs items from the shelves with her prosthetic hand, filling the trolley. At first she asks me what I’d like, but eventually she just chooses herself, and before long she’s heading to the checkout.
I pack while she pays with Saxon’s card. The bill comes to nearly a hundred and fifty dollars. I’m so shocked that I don’t react, just follow her out to her car, and help her lift the bags in the back.
It’s nearly five by now, so when Kennedy says, “I’ll take you home,” I don’t argue.
We don’t say much on the short journey. When we get there, she says, “I’ll give you a hand with the bags.”
“No, I’m okay,” I say, but she still gets out, retrieves Eddie, and carries him with her right arm, then picks up two shopping bags with her left.
I turn toward the steps, my hands full, then stop. Just down the road is the silver saloon with the PHP246 number plate. The guy inside is watching me, although he lowers his gaze to his phone as he sees me looking at him.
A prickle of unease runs down my spine.
“What’s the matter?” Kennedy asks.
“I keep seeing that car,” I murmur. “It’s like he’s following me.” Then I shake my head. Who the hell would want to follow me? I’m hardly high profile!
Kennedy doesn’t reply, although she gives the car a hard stare. She follows me up the steps and into the building, and we cross the lobby to the stairs.
“The elevators don’t work?” she asks.
I shake my head, and we trudge up two flights of stairs to my floor.
As we walk along the corridor, I spot Reggie leaning against the wall outside his door, smoking weed.
“Ooh, got yourself a friend, have you?” he says, leering.
I slip past him, keeping my eyes down. Kennedy hefts Eddie in her arm and does the same.
Reggie reaches out to touch Eddie’s cheek and says, “Hello, little one.”
“Keep your hands to yourself please,” Kennedy replies in a sharp voice, and he draws his hand back.
“I was only going to say hello,” he complains, but he doesn’t follow us.
I let myself into the apartment with a shaking hand. Next door is playing loud music, and it reverberates through the wall. Upstairs, there’s a huge crash, and then the sound of someone screaming.
Kennedy slowly puts down her bags. “Catie…”
I pin a bright smile on my face. “Thank you for coming with me today.”
“Sweetie,” she says, “come with me. I’ve got several spare bedrooms. Jackson would love to have you.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
She fixes me with a steely gaze. “Saxon wouldn’t want you to be alone here.”
“It’s none of Saxon’s business,” I snap.
She looks around, then gives me a pained expression. “Please…”
