Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83070 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Look, if you could stop making me puke, I’d appreciate it.
Hi, sweet baby,
These last few weeks have been magical. Daddy and I haven’t told anyone about you yet. Uncle Tate can’t quite figure out why I haven’t been spending as much time with him, why I’ve been sick to my stomach for weeks, and why I never seem to be at my apartment. I don’t think he’s put things together yet, but the time is coming for us to tell everyone. We’re almost there and I can’t wait. They’re going to be so excited. We got to meet your cousin Emery last night. Auntie Bianca and Uncle Foxx brought her up to meet everyone. She looked at me like she knew I was hiding a secret.
Love,
Mommy
Today was a big day, Baby B! We know your gender. And we are so, so excited. I even have your little picture stuck to the refrigerator. I’m officially that mom.
And your dad is that dad.
I’m warning you—he’s going to be a helicopter parent. But it comes from a good place. The best place.
I’m also a crybaby now, so ignore the splashes of tears on this page. (And others.) I’m just so happy.
We’re telling everyone about you this weekend. I can’t wait to see their reactions!
Chapter Thirty-One
Carys
“He’s going to have a meltdown when he sees me here,” I say, giggling.
Gannon smirks.
“You’re enjoying this too much.”
He takes a drink of water. “He’s fucked with me since the day he was born. I haven’t bothered him as much because involvement in his games isn’t appealing. But this? This is going to be fun.”
It was impossible to get Gannon’s family together on the same day, let alone adding my mom into the mix. There are too many schedules, commitments, and appointments to manage. Gannon entertained the idea for about an hour but then said fuck it. It was starting to stress me out and that’s not acceptable.
God, I love this man.
I smile, thinking about the moment he declared that we’d do what was best for the baby and me—and that was telling his family by group text. I tried to protest because it feels impersonal. But it was getting stressful. And I can’t deny that having Gannon take the pressure off me and shouldering the responsibility himself was a relief.
Gannon moves the ultrasound picture, the one without the gender, to the middle of the refrigerator so Tate can’t miss it.
He’s having way too much fun with this. And seeing him have fun and enjoying small things is a blessing. It’s yet another new layer to him. My complicated, amazing man.
The doorbell rings, and Tate’s voice follows it.
“Hey, Gan! Are you home?” he calls out.
Gannon grins like a cat that ate the canary. “In the kitchen.”
I grip the edge of the island and brace myself for fireworks.
Tate strolls around the corner with his attention focused on his phone. “Tell me you have food because I’m starving. But you probably don’t because you suck. Think we could—what the fuck?”
His eyes grow wide and his jaw drops.
“Hey, Tate,” Gannon says, smiling. “What were you saying about food?”
Tate narrows his eyes at me. “What are you doing here?”
“We could get a pizza,” Gannon says. “Or burgers.”
“This isn’t happening.” Tate shakes his head as he fully absorbs the situation. Or thinks he does. “Oh, hell no.”
“I could go for a steak, though,” Gannon says as if Tate’s not talking. “How do you feel about steaks?”
Tate’s head whips to his brother. “Do you think this is funny?”
I cover my mouth so my friend can’t see my smile.
“This isn’t funny.” Tate tosses his phone on the island. “You two think this is a good idea?”
“Whatever do you mean, Tate?” Gannon asks, playing innocent.
“I’m in disbelief at your carelessness,” Tate says to me.
“Then just wait,” Gannon mutters.
I snort, trying so hard not to laugh. But this only drives Tate crazier.
“How am I the only logical one here?” Tate asks, his voice rising. “That should be a red flag. When I’m the logical one, there are problems, people! This is a problem!”
He throws his hands up and marches to the refrigerator. Gannon watches me out of the corner of his eye, amused. I bite my lip and wait for the impending outburst from my best friend. I make sure to keep my left hand away from his sight. For now. I’m still getting used to the three-carat sparkler on my ring finger as it is.
“This isn’t going to end well,” Tate says. “I hate both of you for this. You’re ruining my life.”
“Maybe it’s not about you,” Gannon says.
Tate stops and stares at him. “It’s always about me, Gan.” He whips around to me. “What are you thinking? You shouldn’t go there.”
“Already went there,” Gannon says, teasing him. “Many, many times.”
“He’s a dick,” Tate says, ignoring his brother. “And you’re … you.”