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“Would be awesome if it were that easy,” he said. A low undercurrent of resentment coated his voice, and I wasn’t sure if it was aimed at me or not.
“Don’t.” Del snaps me back into the moment. “You were the kick in the ass he needed. He’s a functioning human now. Cleaned up. Nice girlfriend.” All things that Tabitha told me as well.
I’m what the internet calls an influencer, but this is ridiculous. What did I do to this guy? Maybe I was the movement he needed to get unstuck. But then I come back and drag him into the muck all over. This is what I do, though. My mere existence is a burden to those who get close to me.
“That’s where he is right now,” I say, awkwardness slowly leaking through me. “With his girlfriend.”
“Ooof,” she says. “That’s weird.”
I swear she’s about to ask me why when Zeke barges through the door, very out of breath.
“Del,” he says. “Hey. Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
“You can tell me what’s going on right here,” Del demands, and Zeke growls deep in his chest. “Why are you off with your girlfriend while your fling is staying in our house?”
Zeke’s cheeks flare to life. Even beneath the scruff of his beard, it’s obvious how embarrassed he is.
“Jess isn’t my girlfriend anymore,” he says with a tight defensive tone, and both Del and I gasp in unison. “She dumped me.”
“Because of me?” Guilt consumes me, and I hug my arms around my belly.
“Because of me,” he says. “She thinks it’s for the best. I need to put my focus elsewhere for the time being.” His gaze burns into mine with unspoken truths.
He means he needs to focus on me. On this baby.
“Wait, someone catch me up here,” Del says, putting her hands up in a hushing gesture.
“Do you want me to?” I ask. My unsettled nerves zip the message through my body that this may potentially be a situation where a shutdown might be necessary. My toes are numb, and my hands clench to fists.
Zeke nods, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and middle finger. My gut sinks because I was secretly hoping he’d say it. He barged in here all ready to take her aside, and now he looks pale and slightly green.
“Um—” I almost choke on the words. “I’m pregnant.”
Del blinks those big eyes, and for the first time since meeting her, she favours Zeke in appearance. They have the same mouth shape; it’s obvious when they’re dumbstruck.
“Like with a baby?” Del asks.
Zeke throws his arms out in exasperation. “No, a fucking turtle, Del. Of course, a baby,” he says, slumping against the wall.
“Don’t yell at me,” Del snaps. “You said you were safe.”
Zeke groans, sliding down the wall in slow motion until he’s a heap on the floor. Figgy scurries from the couch and zips along the wall to the bedroom. I wish I could go with him, but instead, I stay rooted to my spot, holding the counter for support.
Zeke scrubs his face. “I should have gotten you all together in the same damn room. Hosted a fucking TED talk on condoms and how sometimes they break. What do you want me to say? I still have to tell Pris and Tabby. And Mom. Ah, fuck.”
Del picks up her phone, taps out a few things, then tucks it back in her pocket. “I texted Tab and Pris. They’ll be down in a minute. You’re on your own with Mom.”
This is pure chaos, but surprisingly, I feel calm. Life with Mom is constant noise: people fussing about, fluttering assistants, yelling men in suits, famous musicians demanding or pleading or agreeing. This has the same energy, and it’s a space I am okay being in, as long as no one is looking at me.
“Oh, God.” Zeke tips slowly from a sitting position to lying on his side on the hardwood floor. He covers his head with his arms, and I am starting to understand what Jet meant about their sisters.
A door off the kitchen opens, and two women enter the apartment. One is tall and naturally beautiful, with minimal makeup, wavy brown hair, and delicate features. Her lips are pinched, her eyebrows set in a scowl. She’s wearing simple green khakis and a brown t-shirt. I’m assuming she’s Pris.
The other is Tabitha, bright and vibrant, like she was at the store. No more uniform, just a layering of colourful fabric over black leggings. Patterned dress and solid hot pink sweater. Her blue hair tops it off, making her look a little like cotton candy. When she sees me, she stops abruptly, her eyes amused behind big glasses.
“Nova?” Tabitha exclaims with a wild gesture.
“What did you—” Pris starts before her gaze drifts to Zeke, and she curls her lip. “Why are you lying on the floor like that?”
