Page 100 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“I am, but I can pump and dump.” She narrows her eyes. “But, why are we drinking on a Monday night?”

“Just sit.”

The apartment door opens, and Ryder walks through.Oh, Jeez. Ryder.I wasn’t even thinking. Almost immediately I surmise this must be some sort of divine intervention, because honestly, do I want to have to do this twice?

Ryder sees Maddie and Ava on the couch. “Hey, guys.” They wave as my brother slips by me and reaches for a beer. “I’ll just take this to my room and give you some girl time.”

“No, don’t. Join us.”

“Okay.” He pops the top on his drink and plops down in the chair across from them.

I pour two glasses of wine and tuck a bottle of water under my arm and cross the room. Three pairs of eyes stare at me. It’s Ava’s I’m focused on. Because I know what I’m about to say might be a nail in her coffin. Trevor was on leave the entire month of September. They were practically like newlyweds. And it was just ten days ago when she discovered all their efforts once again were for naught.

Will she hate me?My eyes flicker to Ryder.Will he hate Lucas?

Will all of them call me a fool?

I hand Maddie and Ava the wine. Maddie tilts her head as she takes it from me. “You’re not drinking?”

I shake my head and sit.

Ava’s hand flies to her mouth. “Oh my god! You’re pregnant.”

~ ~ ~

Joey curls up next to me on the couch.

“It wasn’t that bad,” I tell him. “Ava still loves me. And Ryder didn’t even seem pissed at Lucas. Although he did leave right after, so who knows, he could be over at the penthouse giving Lucas a piece of his mind.”

Joey stares up into my eyes.

“Okay, okay. So they all called me—us—crazy. And so I may have left out one minor detail about my ridiculous feelings for Lucas. But I just wasn’t up for an ‘I told you so’ from Maddie.” I tug him close. “You’re excited, right? I mean, you and me andLucas may be the only ones who are.” I pat his head. “They’ll all come around sooner or later. Even if they think we’re going about this the wrong way, they’re still being supportive. And Rose was right. I did need to talk to friends. I do feel better.”

My phone buzzes.

It’s a text from Lucas.

Cue the tingles.

Lucas: A little heads-up would have been nice.

Me: I’m sorry. Was it bad?

Lucas: We’re all good. He may have threatened me within an inch of my life if I ever hurt you or his nephew though.

Me: He’s harmless.

Lucas: After I nearly shit myself, we ended up having a drink. He’s still a good guy and I realized how much I missed having him around.

Me: Yeah, me too. We’ve become a lot closer. I think he’ll be a good uncle.

Lucas: Were you planning on coming over?

The momentary butterflies dancing in my stomach have me thinking I just felt M&M move, but sadly, no, it’s just my irrational, unreasonable, ludicrous crush.

Me: Not tonight.

Or ever.

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