Page 169 of Staying Selfless

“Nephew,” I correct.

“Wait.” Marc grabs my arm, stopping us in our tracks. “It’s a boy?”

“I have no idea. It’s way too early, but I need it to be a boy. I don’t know how to raise a girl.”

“You’ll be great regardless, Logan.” Marc swings his arm over my shoulders as we continue our chilly walk to class. “Were you able to study today?”

“Not really, but I studied earlier in the week.”

“You feel ready?”

“I guess,” I say with a shrug. Or maybe it’s a shiver. I’m not too sure. It’s cold as hell outside right now, and even this winter parka isn’t keeping me warm. I’m also walking incredibly slowly. The sidewalks and streets are iced over, and now that I’m carrying precious cargo, I’m a lot more conscious of the slippery cement.

“Honestly, I don’t know why I’m even taking this test,” I confess. “If I’m not going to be here next year, why am I worried about midterms? I should’ve bailed on this exam and hopped on a plane to Massachusetts so I could see Eli’s game tomorrow.”

“Maybe you didn’t do that because you’re secretly hoping there’s a way you could finish and get your degree.”

“Maybe. But that’s kind of impossible right now. I’ll have a newborn come October and Eli will be traveling non-stop for hockey. Maybe one day down the road I’ll be able to finish my second year of grad school online.”

“What the hell am I going to do without you and EJ next year?”

“You should move to Dallas,” I suggest with wide eyes and an expectant smile. “Your two favorite people will be there.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Marc laughs. “But I can’t do that. Even if EJ signs there, who knows how long his contract will be. I can’t lay down roots in a place that he might not even stay.”

“I can’t do this without you, Marc.” I slide my arm around his back and lean my head on his shoulder, continuing to walk to class.

“You won’t be without me. I’ll fly out as much as I can.”

I’m hit with warm air as soon as we enter the Business building. The halls are dead quiet, only a small group of students waiting outside of our classroom. It’s not so surprising that this part of campus is nearly deserted. It’s Friday night, the day before spring break begins.

“Be right back,” Marc tells me as he cuts down the hall in the opposite direction of our class, headed towards the bathroom.

I say hello to a few of my fellow students as we mingle in the hall, patiently waiting for our professor to open the classroom.

“Who the hell schedules a midterm on a Friday night before spring break?” a voice behind me calls out as they barge through the building’s doors.

Ali’s little body huffs and puffs down the hall, her winter jacket almost engulfing her tiny frame.

“That would be me, Ms. Bertoli,” our professor says, popping out of nowhere.

“Ah, fuck,” Ali sighs with resignation.

“Nice entrance.” I hug my little New Yorker.

“I do what I can. Double G tonight? I’m going to need a drink after this test.”

Shit. I promised Ali I would hang with her tonight, but I can’t drink.

“Um...” I hesitate. “I think I’m going to lay low tonight.”

“What? No. I’m leaving on Sunday for spring break. I won’t see you all week. You said we could hang tonight.”

“We can. I just don’t feel like drinking. Why don’t we watch a movie in my room?”

“Logan, I love you, but no. It’s Friday night. I’m going out. Tomorrow?”

“Eli’s game is tomorrow. I’m watching it with Marc. Join us?”

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