Page 6 of A Brilliant Spring

“You really think she’s been sleeping around? Dude, she was in fucking recovery. Grow a pair and own up to your fucking mistake. You were the stupid one who randomly hooked up with her without a rubber.” Rhys groans again, grumbling something under his breath that I can’t quite make out. “Stop being a pussy.”

“Well, I’m not doing anything without a paternity test.” My jaw hardens at Rhys’ inability to be a man and take responsibility. I knew my best friend could be a jerk and irresponsible sometimes, but I didn’t realize just how much of a jackass he really is. He’s the one worried about Riley sleeping around, as if he hasn’t been since they broke up?

“You’re pathetic, man. I think you’re just using a paternity test to hurt Riley. You’re fucking miserable without her, and you have been since you dumped her.”

He pushes himself up into a sitting position and plants his feet on the ground like he’s bracing for an attack.

“C’mon man, you expect me to think she hasn’t been sleeping around?” I stare at him. His face is blank and his eyes are vacant.

“You’re telling me that you weren’t sleeping around either? I find that hard to believe. Knowing you, you were burying your dick in some wet cunt the second you dumped her. We both know who you are.” Rhys’ face blanches, and he looks away from me, his jaw clenching so hard it makes his scalp shift. “Oh, and what about how far along she is? Doesn’t that line up with the fucking backslide you had with her?”

Rhys’ colour is bubbling under his skin until he finally bursts.

“I haven’t been with anyone since Riley, okay? No one. I still fucking love her, man. But I’m so unbelievably pissed at her still. And I can’t trust that it’s not my baby.” His shoulders drop as he slumps back into the couch, his head hitting the backrest. He shoves his hands through his messy black hair. We’re both basking in the silence for a moment when his eyes pop open, narrow, and he sits up straight, glaring at me. “How the fuck do you know all this? I didn’t mention how far along she was or about us hooking up at all.” His voice grows tense. I sigh, shrugging my shoulders.

“Elissa told me. We’re sort of…back together.”

His eyes widen, and his head drops down as he stares up at me under furrowed brows.

“When did this happen?” he grumbles. I look away, shrugging my shoulders again. “Brandt, when did this happen?” I heave a sigh.

“I guess around New Year’s.” I wait for the yelling or admonishment to come, but he says nothing. He stares at me with hard eyes and sighs.

“Well, good for you, man.” He’s silent and still for another moment before he propels himself off the couch and makes his way to the bathroom, then slams the door shut. Feeling the tense air only thicken more, I decide to leave, giving him time to cool down.

“I’ll leave now, man. Let me know if you wanna shoot some hoops later,” I shout at the closed door. Rhys makes a hmpf sound, and I hear the hot water screech on as I leave his apartment.

•••

I’m looking down at my phone as I walk into my building and I bump into something, or rather, someone. They land on the ground with a thud and a feminine cry. Startled, I look away from my phone and peer down to see the top of a familiar blonde head sitting in front of me. I extend my hand, holding it out to help her up. Her hand slides into mine, her black nail polish shiny in the lobby light. Her fingers grip as I tug on her, lifting her off the ground. Lexi’s blue eyes find mine and her gaze softens.

“Hey, you,” she coos.

“Hey,” I say, a little colder than I mean to.

“I saw her the other day. Glad you two worked it out.”

“Thanks…” We stand in awkward silence when my mouth opens. “Sorry for…well, about everything. I really didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know. And I appreciate the apology.” Her crimson-stained lips twist into a sad, soft smile. “Well, I better hurry up. I’m late for a date,” she says with a wink.

“Have a good night, Lexi. And good luck.”

“You too.”

•••

When I’m finally in my apartment, I kick off my shoes, toss my coat on the hook, and stalk to the kitchen, swinging the door to the fridge open to grab a beer. The top pops off, and I toss it across the counter; it skids across the cool stone until it clunks into the sink. I take my beer and head to the couch, dropping into the cushions and grabbing the remote off the coffee table, switching on the Raptors game. I lean back into the couch and rest my feet on the table. And for a moment, everything feels right in the world.

Chapter

Six

Elissa

I groan as my phone goes off, ringing directly into my ear because it’s shoved under my pillow. My hand curls around the phone and my thumb slides across the screen to accept the call.

“Mmello?” I mumble into the phone.

---