Page 20 of Van

“Yeah. He said everything looks fine, and the baby is growing like it’s supposed to be,” I tell him.

“That’s good. Real good. Listen, I’ve been thinkin’ about the other night, and I want to know somethin’.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you really like me? Enough that you’d want to try this with me?”

“I do like you, Van. I’m just worried things won’t work out, and then it’ll be awkward for us.”

“I get that, but I still want to try,” he says, shocking the shit out of me. I didn’t really expect him to say that. I didn’t expect him to think about it this quickly either, but here we are.

“You do? You didn’t want kids, Van.”

“I’m not sayin’ I can take on the role of dad, Chy. I don’t know if I can.”

“I get that. I’m not asking you to either.”

“But you wanna try this?” I nod my head slowly at first before I see him smile. That smile could melt hearts just like the man himself.

“You sure about this?” I ask him once more before he reaches for me, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling my lips to his. As he kisses me gently, I hear someone clear their throat. We pull apart, and I glance over to see Mask standing there.

“I won’t tell you two what to do, but I have a bad feelin’ about this,” he says, looking between the two of us. I let my eyes drop to the floor in front of me as he continued to talk, mostly to Van. He reminds him he didn’t want kids, and now he’s getting involved with a woman who’s pregnant. I understand what he’s saying, and it makes sense. Maybe this is wrong. Maybe it doesn’t even make sense for me to entertain the idea of having a relationship with Van. I mean, really, what’s the point if he doesn’t want kids and I’m having one?

“You get why I have an issue with this?” he asks as I raise my eyes and meet his. I nod my head.

“I get it, and I told him the same thing,” I say.

“And you? You get it?” he asks Van.

“I know what I’m doin’, Mask.”

“Do you? Because I think you’re thinkin’ with your cock right now,” he snaps at him. Van balls his hands into fists at his side as he looks at his friend.

“You think that? I haven’t fuckin’ touched her like that,” he growls low in his throat.

“Then what is this? What’s this all about?”

“I like her, Mask. I like her as a person.” Mask looks a little shocked at his words but doesn’t say anything else. He just nods his head and turns to walk off. Van turns to me, and I can see there’s something on his mind.

“This isn’t just about sex for me, Chy.”

“I know. It’s not about that for me either,” I tell him. He nods his head as Nicole walks back into the room. I smile as I walk over and pull her into a hug.

“What’s that for?”

“I love you, Nicole. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I love you too. How was the doctor?” When I pull back, Van strolls over and holds out the envelope.

“This will tell you,” he says with a grin on his face. Nicole snatches the paper and holds it in her hands, just staring at it.

“This is it, Chy. Boy or girl,” she says excitedly as her hands shake slightly.

“You ready to see if you’re having a niece or nephew?” I ask her. I’m nervous myself. I don’t know what to expect from this. Van just stands there smiling like a fool, and I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Wait. You already know?” Nicole snaps as she looks at Van.

“I didn’t tell him,” I tell her.

---