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Adrianlaughs. “DidIget tickets yet—who do you thinkIam, bro?Got’em the second they were available.”
Robbiegrins. “Hellyeah, dude.Same.”Hepoints to me. “Yougoin’ with him or what?”
Myeyes widen, and my mouth opens and closes, unsure of what the hell to say.
“’Courseshe is,”Adriananswers.Hishand slips beneath the table and gives my thigh a squeeze. “What’sshe gonna do, go seeTool?”
Theysnicker asIglance around the table.Whatthe fuck is going on?
Brandy’ssneer catches my attention, soItry to break the ice. “How’swork going,Brandy?”
“Fine.”
Thetable falls awkwardly silent.I’mespecially aware ofAdrian’shand on my thigh.
Momclears her throat. “Ibet you're excited to go on tour withTaintedMemories, huh?”
Themiffed look finally drops fromBrandy’sface, replaced with a sheepish one. “Well, it looks like my plans have changed.”
“What, why?”Dadasks, concerned. “You’vebeen planning for it for months.Iknow they’re excited to have you on tour.”
Abig, excited beam lights up her face asRobbiegrabs her hand. “We’repregnant!”
Myjaw drops the same time asMom’s. “What?”
Robbie, beaming with happiness so strong thatIcan feel it from across the table, holds up a black and white photo—an ultrasound picture with the tiniest little bean in the center. “She’sdueMarchseventeenth.”
MomslapsDad’sarm excitedly, screaming, “That’sthe best birthday present you’re ever gonna get,Grandpa!”
Dadgroans. “We’regonna have to come up with something cooler than ‘grandpa.’”
Iclap my hands together excitedly. “We’regonna throw you the cutest baby shower!”
Brandy’sbeam turns into a smolder on me, putting a damper on my excitement. “Themother’s best friend hosts the baby shower, and that would beNorma.”
Thesmile on my face disappears.Myheart skips a beat before dropping entirely. “O-okay,”Isay quietly. “Ican still help—”
“You’renot invited,” she interrupts.Then, her attention turns toDad. “Whatabout ‘pop-pop’ or something silly?”
Dadsputters, obviously thrown off.Buthis nonsensical ramblings go quiet, leaving the dining room in an unbearable silence.
Thetension forces me away from the table and out the front door.
Iget her having a new best friend.Iget not wanting me to be the one to throw her a baby shower.
Idon’t know whyI’mbothering staying whenI’mbeing cut out of or forced into everything.
Myfeet barely hit the bottom of the front porch steps when the door swings open behind me.
“Steph, where’re you goin’?”
Thetremor in my voice is noticeable despite the keys jingling in hand. “Away.”
I’mhalfway to my car before he grabs me and spins me around.
“No, you’re not,”Robbiesays firmly.Hesqueezes my shoulders. “Maybey’all ain’t friends anymore, but you’re still my sister, and you’re gonna be a part of my kid’s life.”
Mybottom lip trembles asIsniffle. “Promise?”
