Page 73 of Refuel

“Then, you don’t really love him.”

“Maybe we can co-parent the baby?” I mumbled.

“Do you think he’ll go for that?” Essence asked.

I chuckled at her statement.

“This is what Kamden was talking about.”

“You’re right, but I think Kamden would surprise you,” Essence stated.

“When did you get on Kamden’s team?” I inquired.

“I think he’s perfect for you, of course. I didn’t think the way you two started out was practical. Kamden has helped you, too, with becoming softer,” Essence said.

“What about your dating life?” I asked, all about changing the subject.

Essence scratched behind her ear nervously, looking off toward the screen.

“Spill it,” I said.

“Nothing to tell. I’m having fun,” Essence said.

“I’m happy for you, but who are you having fun with?”

“I’d rather not say.”

I gasped in shock.

“I’m your best friend, and you can’t tell me?” I pouted, exaggerating.

“In time, I’ll tell you. I promise,” Essence mentioned, and loud voices caused most of the customers in the restaurant to look over at the front entrance.

I said I was prepared to be in the same room with him beyond the doctor’s office, but this was a place I didn’t want photographers catching us together and asking questions.

“Oh, look who’s here,” Essence said and waved Kamden and his friends over as they walked behind the hostess.

I groaned, covering my head with my phone, trying to ignore his hard stare.

23

Kamden

This was the second time eI’d seen her in almost two months, and she looked just as beautiful as the first time the doctor told her she was pregnant after her first checkup. Tennessee forced me to come out with him and the guys to have drinks and take my mind off the court case and my breakup with Ari. We barely spoke at the second doctor’s visit besides saying hi and bye. It was awkward and forceful, and my mom wanted her to come back over for dinner a few weeks back. I lied and said she wasn’t feeling well. Cicely even tried to get me to call and try to make things right with her, but my conscience ate at me about Josie and Ronald causing these problems. I never expected to get her caught up in my shit to the extent that she was almost killed. Maybe love wasn’t something I should be given if I ended up hurting the one I loved. One thing I promised her was that I would always be there for our child and not turn out like my father.

“Hey, ladies, what are you doing here?” Tennessee asked, standing at the end of the booth, staring at Essence.

“Ari was starving, and I wanted to get her out of the house,” Essence stated.

“Arianna, are you doing good?” Tennessee asked.

She smiled and nodded in answer.

“I’m fine, Tennessee, how about you?” she asked.

“Perfect, sorry about the charity race. I told Kamden earlier that day something was weird about Josie and Ronald, but I didn’t think it would be something that huge,” Tennessee confessed, and I grunted, not wanting her to know about them arguing at the racetrack earlier that day. Her eyes expanded wide in shock, and she glared at me.

“Let’s go to our table, Tennessee,” I said.

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