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Britney’s parents had been down in Florida for the past several months, taking care of Phil’s mother. While we’d kept in touch regularly over the phone, neither I nor Abby had told them anything about what had happened between the two of us. I hadn’t planned to hide it from them, but I would’ve appreciated them finding out any other way than this.
“You devil, you,” Phil said as he exited the driver’s side.
“Phil…” I swallowed before turning to his wife. “Kate…” My heart had never pounded so hard.
“It’s so good to see you,” Abby said, trying to remain casual, running a hand through her hair.
I wanted to laugh.Good to see you?I would’ve rather had a root canal.
Kate smiled hesitantly. “I guess there’s a lot to catch up on, huh?”
You could cut the awkwardness with a knife. I had a lot of explaining to do. Needless to say, any plans to disappear with Abby for car sex were off the table. “A lot to catch up on indeed,” I told them. “I didn’t realize you were back in the northeast.”
“We just got back after settling Marjorie in her new place down in Naples,” Kate explained. “We figured before we went home to Massachusetts, we’d stop here to check on Roland. We booked a hotel down the road for a few days so we could relieve Abby. We certainly didn’t know you were here, Sig.”
“I flew over on a whim yesterday.”
“It’s clear why.” Phil snickered.
My father-in-law looked for any opportunity to bust balls, and I couldn’t blame him for putting me through the wringer. I deserved every second of it. I was just glad they didn’t seem angry.
“Oh, stop, Phil.” Kate smacked him. “It’s none of our business.”
I looked over at Abby, who was quiet but noticeably blushing. I suspected I might also be red in the face—or maybe green, based on how my stomach felt.
Kate looked down at Abby’s baby bump and reached out. “May I?”
Abby rubbed her stomach and breathed out, likely relieved at the distraction. “Of course.”
“How are you feeling?” Kate asked as she settled her hand on the bump.
“Really good, actually.”
“Glad to see Sig’s taking care of you,” Phil cracked.
Kate stepped back and smacked her husband’s arm again. “I know this has been hard for you with everything going on with your father, Abby. We’ve felt terribly guilty being down in Florida tending to Marjorie, but things should be easier now that she’s in a good home. We’ll be able to help.”
“Were you headed out somewhere?” Phil asked.
Abby looked at me guiltily. “Just going to get donuts.”
Phil clapped his hands together. “I could go for a good cup of Dunkin’ coffee and a glazed donut. We haven’t had breakfast yet.”
“Why don’t the three of us go and bring back breakfast for Abby and Roland?” I suggested. “I’d like to talk to them alone, if you don’t mind,” I added softly.
“Of course.” Abby nodded.
It wasn’t like I had anything to say to my in-laws that Abby shouldn’t have heard, but I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable as I explained myself. I needed to do that in private. And I blamed myself for this entire predicament. Abby shouldn’t have to explain anything. It wasn’t good for her to be stressed in her condition.
Phil threw his keys into the air and caught them. “I’ll drive.”
I got into the backseat of their car, feeling almost like a child about to be punished—or at least one who deserved to be.
“Do you secretly want to wring my neck?” I asked as we drove away.
“Not at all.” Kate turned to face me from the passenger seat. “I’m a little shocked, maybe, but perhaps I shouldn’t be.”
Phil chimed in, “I’m not.”
