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“You’re the whole package too,” he replies and my heart just bursts. We’ve only been sleeping together a couple of weeks and it feels like things are moving so fast.
“I’ll see you later at my parents’,” I confirm.
I know he may have expected us to drive together, but it’s better we don’t. Enough guys live in the building, I don’t want to be seen leaving with Evan.
“See you later. Say hi to our baby,” he says.
Our baby. I let those words sink in.
“Will do. Bye.”
I head over to Brooklyn to meet the girls. I’m running late, so when I arrive, they are all sitting around a table chatting and drinking what looks like sangria. Outside of Ellie, I’m still not ready to share the pregnancy. I don’t want it getting out, even though I trust the girls. There could still be an accidental slip I can’t afford.
I’m wearing my vegan leather leggings with a black sweater with peekaboo shoulders. The sweater is on the loser side, so it hides things generously while still looking fashionable. I also have my hair blown out in soft beach waves.
“Hey,” I greet happily as I walk over to the table. I hug each of my friends one by one starting with Rosie, Willow, Eden, Ellie, and Amelia.
“I swear it feels like we haven’t seen you in forever,” Eden says.
“I know.” I frown. “My job is so demanding.”
“But you love it, right?” Willow asks.
I tilt my head from side to side, trying not to look Ellie in the eyes since she is the only one who knows about the baby. “I enjoy working for the team, it’s just a lot more demanding than I realized it would be. I don’t see myself wanting to be on the road with them long term. It was fun, but I may be moving on soon.”
“Wow. That’s huge,” Rosie says. “Any idea what will be next?”
“You remember my friend, Rebel?” I ask and most of the girls nod. “I think I will go work in her clinic, but things are up in the air right now.” My gaze passes on Ellie and the fact she knows what is really going on makes her give me a deeper look, but I don’t linger on her gaze.
“Whatever makes you happy. You’ve been working your ass off. You don’t have a life,” Willow snickers.
“That is the truth,” I admit. “It isn’t easy working with a team. All the travelling is tiring me out. It’s been a fun ride and the guys are doing really good this season. I’m hoping they win the Stanley Cup.”
“The Stanley what?” Eden asks.
“It’s the name of the cup that the champions of the season win,” I explain.
“Cool,” Rosie adds.
We fall into our regular banter of the girls updating me on their lives.
“I don’t know what to do, guys,” Ellie begins, and she looks distressed. “I feel like my life is falling apart. I can’t afford my apartment on my measly salary anymore, and I’m sick of living with rodents and my granny isn’t well,” she sniffles.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear,” Willow says, and we all agree. Willow rubs her back. Ellie has always been super close with her grandmother. Not so much with her parents. They are big business tycoons owning all kinds of businesses from telecommunications to the New Jersey Rockets, an NHL team, they were hoping Ellie would eventually lead as the President of Hockey Operations, but Ellie has no interest in anything but her art. Because of that they’ve cut her off and she’s been living paycheck to paycheck. Everyone here has offered her a place to stay, but she wants to be independent and find her own path. She’s been working retail ever since her parents cut her off. It’s a riches to rags story but Ellie would rather have her freedom than being told what to do.
“I’m sorry, Ells, you know you have a place with me always,” I say, even though I know she won’t take me up on it. The other girls chime in with the same offer.
“Thanks,” she says and her lips quiver.
“What is it, Ells?” I ask, calling her by her nickname. I feel like there is more she isn’t saying.
“Grams wants to see me married before she dies. My brothers have no interest in settling down and they aren’t really close with her. I’m her only granddaughter and it’s breaking her heart not to see me settled down. The doctors don’t know exactly how much time she has, but they predict between six months and a year. How am I supposed to find someone to fall in love with on such a short timeline?” She looks flustered and upset as she fidgets with a napkin and shreds it on the table.
“Shit. I mean, it’s possible. If you find the right person,” I theorize.
Five sets of eyes focus on me with facial expressions to match their confusion.
“This coming from the woman who never plans on settling down?” Eden says, probably voicing everyone’s thoughts.
