Page 44 of Bae

“Well, she asked,” he defended, rubbing at the spot.

After that, things started up again, and the tension drained away now that the offending couple had gone.

“Roman,” my mother said, coming forward. “Rimmel, how are you both doing?”

“We’re good, Mom,” I said.

“It’s good to see you again,” Rim replied politely.

“Get over here,” my dad said, holding his arms out to her. She smiled and stepped into his embrace. “Good to see my favorite girl,” he whispered loudly into her hair.

The sound of Rim’s light giggle eased a lot of the tension inside me.

“Tell us all about preseason,” Mom said, including Dad and Rim in the conversation. “Then tell us about the shelter, Rimmel.”

These days, my mom and Rim had a polite, bordering on friendly, relationship. Mom tried to make up for all the shit she pulled before Rim and I got married, but the wounds cut deep. I couldn’t blame Rim for being so cautious.

I never once tried to help my mother’s cause in rebuilding a relationship with my wife. As far as I was concerned, Mom made her bed and if/when Rimmel wanted more than a friendly understanding, that was up to her.

We talked for a few moments, mostly about football and the fact we had another dog, before Mom and Rim went to help Caroline and Ivy set out platters of food and set up a large crystal bowl of punch.

The afternoon passed in a flurry of family, food, and baby stuff. Nova got a shit ton of new presents, one of which was an electric, pink Barbie car Trent and Drew put together in the yard. We sang “Happy Birthday,” and Ivy helped her blow out the candles on her giant rainbow cake covered in sprinkles.

The top layer was reserved especially for Nova, so when Ivy set it in front of her, a giant mess was a given. I had to admit my niece looked pretty cute covered in icing.

After a while, the kid started getting fussy, tuckered out by all the activity. Ivy and B disappeared upstairs to clean her up and put her down for a nap while the rest of us hung around downstairs. It was awkward at times with Burke there. I felt the tension between him and his son and the anxiety Trent had about the entire situation.

Burke kept his trap shut and pretty much acted like Drew wasn’t even there. I wasn’t sure which was worse really—ignoring him or saying something that pissed us all off.

Even though I kept an eye on the situation, most of my attention centered around Rimmel. I watched her closely, making sure today didn’t become too much. I looked for any indication I might need to pull her out of the room, maybe give her a little extra space to breathe.

My girl did well, though. I only saw the worst of the shadows when everyone was singing and watching Nova blow out her candles. Rimmel didn’t let it hinder her day or take away from the fact her niece was turning one. She was just as hands on with the baby as always, and if she hugged her a little tighter than usual, I think it was only me who noticed.

A short while later, B sidled up to me, offering me a beer from the pair in his hand. I took it and watched my mom and Rim across the room. They were doing some dishes together, and I noted Mom talking quietly to her.

“How’s she doing?” B asked in his own low tone.

I took a sip of the beer (my first and only of the day—training, you know) before replying, “She’s tough.”

“There’s another article circulating online,” he said, turning so his back was to the room and he faced only me. “Saw it on Ivy’s phone when I was upstairs.”

“How bad is it?”

“It’s stupid shit,” B replied. “But it’s stupid shit that hurts women.”

I gave him a look.

He sighed. “It’s a long list of women who have offered to give you a baby.” He cleared his throat and leaned in. “They’re saying Rim can’t.”

It was like a punch in the gut. I didn’t want her seeing that. “Don’t these vultures have anything better to do? Like I’d want some ho’s baby,” I griped. “It ain’t true, you know. We haven’t even been trying.”

B nodded. “Dude, you ain’t gotta tell me, but yeah, I figured as much.”

“Don’t mention the headline to her,” I said. “She doesn’t need to know about it.”

“Already cleared off Ivy’s phone.”

I took a pull on my beer, enjoying the way it slid into my stomach and bloomed into my bloodstream. I glanced back at Rim, thinking ahead to my impending travel schedule. I wasn’t ready to leave. How was I supposed to be when the buzzards circled overhead, just waiting to swoop in?

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