Like a little baby oasis.
I’m confused when Preston sits down on the floor.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re gonna order some burgers.” He grabs the large box containing the crib. “While I build this crib.” Taking parts out of the box, he gives me a look that makes my heart skip not one, not two, but three beats before tumbling over itself. “And then I’m gonna go back to rehab, because you both deserve the best version of me.”
And the tears are back again.
“I love you.”
His lips curve. “I love you, too. But don’t do any more in here until I get back. I don’t want to miss anything else.”
I don’t want him to miss anything, either.
Chapter 72
Kit
“I’m telling you, Juan. Preston made the baby move. There were fluttering butterflies and everything.”
“I know you think so, but that’s not possible.” He slams the maternity book shut and places it on the nightstand next to my bed. “Twenty weeks. That’s when you’ll feel fluttering butterflies.”
Little does he know I’ve been feeling them long before I got knocked up.
It’s been three days since Preston went back to rehab and I miss him so much it hurts. Fortunately, family day is only five days away, so I’ll get to see him then.
Asher has some time between games, so he’ll be flying in, too. I asked Breslin and Landon to join us as well because I want Preston to be surrounded by all the people who love him.
“Whatever. I know what I felt.” I rub my belly, because now I’m feeling famished. “I’m hungry.”
Groaning, Juan swings his legs over the bed. “What do you want? And dear God, please let me go pick it up.”
I’m craving the usual, but I want to be considerate. “What would you like to eat?”
“Burritos,” he deadpans.
I hiss and he laughs.
“Just kidding. I was thinking Chinese.”
Meh. But I’ll deal. “Chinese sounds good to me.”
“Me, too,” he says while scrolling through his phone. I assume he’s looking up a number for a restaurant, but then I see that he’s on a dating website.
“I thought you wanted Chinese food?”
Not bothering to look up, he says, “Honey, you were talking about the food. I was talking about men.” He holds up his phone, showing me a picture of a very attractive Asian man. “He’s gonna be my future baby daddy. I just know it.”
As much as I want him to find the man of his dreams, the lovebug in my belly really wants her uncle to find food first.
So, I break out the big guns.
“Your future niece or nephew is hungry.”
That gets him to put down the phone. “Okay. I’m going.”
I pat my belly and grin. Works every time.
“Also, I already told you. You’re definitely having a boy. Trust me on this.” Lowering his head, he cups a hand over his mouth, talking to the baby. “Uncle Juan is always right.”
“Uncle Juan might be right, but he’s also letting you starve.”
“Lies.” He jumps to his feet. “I’ll be back in fifteen.”
I look down at my stomach after he leaves. “It will be at least a half hour. Better get comfy.”
I’m getting comfy when I hear the sound of a phone ringing. Since it’s not mine, I’m assuming it’s Juan’s…only it’s nowhere to be found.
However, the ringing continues. Driving me crazy.
I follow the sound. It’s coming from the nightstand drawer on Preston’s side of the bed.
Sure enough, when I open it, I find his secret phone.
By the time I take it out of the drawer, there are three missed calls from someone named C.
I’m not sure who C is…unless it stands for Cunt. Otherwise known as Becca.
I’d rather give myself a root canal than deal with Becca, but I also want to make sure Jameson’s okay.
I made Preston give me his new passcode after we got back from Hawaii, so I punch it in.
At the same time the phone starts ringing again.
I bring it to my ear. “Hello?”
I prepare myself for Becca’s voice…but some woman with a French accent speaks instead.
It suddenly occurs to me that after I found out he wasn’t talking to his mom…I never asked him who the French woman was on the phone.
“Hi, can I please speak to Preston?” she says frantically. “It’s an emergency.”
That much is clear by the hysterical tone of her voice.
“Preston isn’t here right now, but this is his wife. Are you okay? Do you need help?”
“I just found out that my dad got into a horrible car accident. I need to go back to Louisiana right away so I can see him, but I have Jameson.”
Oh, shit. This must be the babysitter.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Where are you now?”
“I’m at my apartment with Jameson. I’m sorry for calling, but I didn’t know what else to do. Becca’s been gone for two days and she won’t pick up her phone—”
“Take a deep breath and give me the address.” I snatch my purse and run out of the bedroom. “I’m on my way.”
Chapter 73
Kit
I finish cutting Jameson’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich into fours and hand it to him. “Here, sweet pea.”
He promptly takes the plate and runs over to the couch.
I quickly make one for myself and join him.
If someone would have told me that I’d be staying at Becca’s apartment for the next consecutive five days, I would have told them to save me the shit they were smoking until after I gave birth.
For the first two days…I was in shock.
The third day… I was sad.
And by the fourth day…I was pissed.
Jameson doesn’t deserve this. He’s an amazing kid.
I thought about taking him back to my house—where it’s not only cleaner, there’s a lot more food—but I wouldn’t put it past Becca to try and press kidnapping charges on me.
Provided she ever walks through that door again, that is.
Either way, I’m going to stay right here with Jameson until she does.
He lays against me as we continue watching some show about an animated pig. I’m not really sure what it’s about, but Jameson is obsessed with it.
“Want to know something cool?”
Tilting his head to look at me, he nods.
I take his little hand and place it on my belly. “There’s a baby in here.”
As strange as it sounds, I’m pretty sure Jameson might have already known because he’s randomly rubbed my belly a handful of times since I’ve been here.
Figured it might be a good idea to let him know there’s something baking in it.
He grins, his whole face lighting up like a Christmas tree before he lays his head on my belly.
And that’s how we stay for the rest of the morning.
“I’m not the best cook, but I can try to make you some pancakes if you want.”