Page 15 of Van

“That’s really sweet of him,” I say softly when his arm comes around my shoulder. He squeezes it before going on and talking about sports with his dad.

I carry on a conversation with his sisters while Van talks to his dad, but he never leaves my side the whole time. He stays right next to me.

“How did you two meet?” April asks.

“Through a friend. I’m staying at the clubhouse to save a little money before the baby is born,” I tell her.

“Really? I’m actually shocked they let anyone stay there,” Julia says.

“Why is that?”

“They’re just always so secretive about things. I’ve only ever been there once, and I’m his sister,” she tells me.

“I guess I got lucky. My friend works there and she kind of helped me get in.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you have a place to go.”

We talk a little more about babies and kids and what to expect. I’m not completely in the dark, but I also haven’t been around anyone who has kids in a long time. I’ve never been around a newborn baby, so hearing what they have to say is nice.

When Van is ready, he asks me if I’m ready to go, and I nod my head. He stands and then offers his hand to help me off the couch, and I gladly accept it. He pulls me to my feet before we tell everyone goodbye. His mom makes me promise to come back another day and stay longer, and I happily agree.

We walk back out and climb in the truck before he sighs.

“It’s nice seein’ them,” he says.

“Then why did you leave?”

“I didn’t want you to be overwhelmed.”

“I wasn’t. It was nice. Thank you for taking me with you,” I tell him. He nods his head and starts up the truck.

“You can always come back. My sisters said to give you their phone numbers in case you need anything,” he tells me, and my heart swells. I don’t have many friends aside from Nicole, so it’ll be nice to have someone to ask questions.

“Thank you,” I tell him as we pull out and onto the road.

“You hungry?”

“A little.”

“Little man needs some food before we get back. Where you wanna go?”

“Doesn’t matter to me,” I tell him. He nods and drives, pulling over at a small diner before we both climb out and head inside. That’s when I see him, and my stomach lurches.

“I … I can’t go in there.”

“What? Why not? You got something against Glenda’s?” he asks, naming the diner.

“No. It’s just … my ex is right there.” Now I see Van tense and try to compose himself. He looks around and spots him, nodding toward him.

“That one?”

“Please don’t make a scene,” I almost beg him. I can see the look in his eyes. He’s pissed. His nostrils flare as he looks at Derrick like he wants to kill him.

“I won’t, but we’re eatin’. Act like you don’t see him,” Van tells me, grabbing my hand in his and pulling me through the door. We walk to the back and slide into a booth when Derrick sees me. I try not to look at him, but it’s hard. He walks over, and I glance up at him.

“You moved out. Where the hell did you go?” he snaps at me. Van cracks his neck from side to side before sliding back out of the booth and standing in front of him.

“Keep your voice down, brother. Don’t want to cause a scene,” he tells him. He eyes Van up and down, reading his cut before looking him in the eye.

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