AllFreeNovel
Share Us
PROLOGUE
ELEVEN YEARS AGO
“You know caffeine isn’t the best thing for the baby,” Uncle Frank points out as I maneuver my humongous self onto the stool, ready to order a caramel macchiato.
If looks could kill, he’d be on the floor, because his wife, Libby, just shot daggers at him. “Get out of here, Frank. Go water the flowers out front.”
He mumbles obediently before meandering out the door of the Second Chance Café. Libby fires up the espresso machine, the familiar sounds and scents soothing even though I’m absolutely miserable. Soft instrumental music plays in the background, and I glance around. The place used to be a retro diner, with booths lining the far wall and stools that spin around at the counter. Libby and Frank kept the same style when they turned it into a café.
“Don’t you listen to Frank. It’s worse if you drop it cold turkey,” she reassures me as she steams the milk. She moves around gracefully, her skirt billowing around her legs as if she’s dancing, and when she slides the cup to me and I wrap my hands around it, she covers my hands with hers. She peers deep into my eyes, a small smile pulling at her lips. “So does my boy have a name yet?”
“No,” I groan. “Greg and I can’t agree on anything. Everything I like, he thinks sounds awful. And he picks the ugliest names in the world! I just…” I wrinkle my nose before taking a slow sip of my drink. “This is heaven. Maybe we should name him Macchiato.”
“You’re never gonna find that on a keychain,” Libby jokes. “You’ll know when you hear the right name. It’ll just click.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” I shift my body. Judging by the way my baby’s jabbing me in the ribs with one of his limbs, he doesn’t like the way I’m sitting.
“I’m going to move to a regular chair. Someone’s not happy.” I slide off, taking my drink with me. As I’m settling into my seat, a sharp pain shoots across my abdomen. I grab my belly, wincing as the pain lingers. Once it subsides, I breathe easier, sighing with relief.
“You okay?” Libby drops the dishes into the rinse sink before hurrying over to me.
“I’m fine.” I take another drink, swallowing a huge gulp. “He’s just running out of—roo-aah!” I clench my teeth, fighting through the pain.
“I think it’s more than that, Phoebe.” Libby squeals. “It’s time to meet your son.”
ONE
I’VE TAKEN CARE OF PLENTY OF HUNGOVER PEOPLE
I’ve always been total shit at making amends, and for some reason, my sister isn’t taking my calls. While we’ve never been super close, we’ve always gotten along well.
As I get out of the Uber at her apartment complex, I thank the driver and close the door behind me. I hike my duffel bag up on my shoulder and head inside. The elevator takes forever, and by the time it finally arrives, I’ve nearly talked myself into leaving. But then it beeps and the doors slide open, so I take that as a sign that I’m meant to go up.
I haven’t been here in a few months, but Ava used to let me sleep on her couch if I was in between places. We have different moms but share a dad, and I think that’s part of why we aren’t as close.
When I knock on the door, it opens right away.
“It’s about time— Oh!” It’s Ava’s roommate, but I can’t remember her name. We only met in passing.
“Hey. I’m Isaac, Ava’s brother.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, I know who you are.” She rolls her eyes. Evidently, her memory is better than mine.
“Oh, okay. Is Ava here?”
The woman shakes her head. “No, she went into the office for a bit. I’m about to head over there, so this is great timing.” She yanks me into the apartment. “Phoebe is passed out in the spare bedroom.”
“Spare room?”
“Well, my old room. I moved out last month.”
Amber. I suddenly remember her name.
Amber’s still talking about Phoebe, though. “She’s probably got a migraine. She had too much to drink last night. But you just need to listen for her coughing, then you’ll know she’s gonna be sick.”
Oh my god. I’ve taken care of plenty of hungover people in my life. I don’t want to do it again. But Amber’s grabbing her keys before I can protest. “I’ll let Ava know you’re here.”
Oh, great. That’s even better, as she didn’t know I was coming.
