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“Because…”
Uncle Bob blinks. “You know the because.”
But I’m not sure I’ll believe it until he says it.
“Because he might like you back,” he says.
My heart thumps, and I’m pretty sure Uncle Bob hears it.
“But Meredith. Keep him on his toes. Don’t forgive him too quickly.”
25
Levi
“Where’d you run off to?” Coco asks—I think she was waiting next to the window, watching for me. That, or my sister has tiger-like pouncing skills I’ve yet to learn about.
I grind my teeth, not in the mood for this.
“Levi,” she says, softer and less playful this time, one hand on my arm.
“Well, she’s mad at me now. Are you happy?”
“Meredith? Why?”
“Because—” Maybe Iamin the mood for this. Because this feels like an easy fight. “Because you made me all crazy and then I told her that you were trying to set her up with Owen—”
“Wait—what?” Owen says from across the room.
“And the only thing I could think of was to tell her that Owen was serious and he needed someone mature, which she took as me calling her immature. So, great job, Coco.”
“Hey!” she balks. “You’re blaming me? You’re the idiot who likes her, but won’t admit that you like her. You forced me to try and drag that realization out of you—”
“That’s what you were doing? Trying to make me jealous?”
“Ah-duh! And it worked like a charm.”
“Was I a pawn today?” Owen says to Miles.
“It didnotwork,” I bark.
“It did! You’re acting like a jealous ninny this very minute! Just admit you like the girl, Levi!” Red fills her cheeks and her breathing has gone haggard.
I’m ready to yell right back. But then, something changes.
Her eyes alter from slits to stupefied spheres in her head, the wrinkles on her forehead smooth out, and her angry arched brows pop up like a jack-in-the-box. She clears her throat, a hand absentmindedly finding the arch of her belly. Then, her mouth drops slightly and she peers down at herself.
“Cora?” I say, forgetting what I’d just been yelling at her about.
“My—” she hums, a shake in her voice. “I think my water broke.”
And while there’s isn’t a gushing or a puddle on the ground, her pants are suddenly wet—growing more so by the minute.
“Mom!” Owen calls.
“Sit down,” I tell her.
But she swats at my arm. “I can’t sit. I need to go to the hospital.Jude. Get Jude. He’s out back with Alice.”
