Page 86 of Pooh

“No, neither of you have to eat broccoli.”

“Do I have to eat anything that’s green?” Craig asks.

“Not tonight.”

“Do I have…” Craig starts to ask when I interrupt him.

“Do you want to go or not?”

“Want to go where?” asks Bailey as she walks up next to me.

“To a steakhouse for dinner,” I answer her.

“You still have that kid inside of you, Bailey?” asks Craig.

“Yeah, Craig, I do. At least for a few more months,” Bailey answers good-naturedly while rubbing her growing baby bump.

“Why do you want to carry it around inside of you? That’s kind of gross. Why not just buy a backpack and put it in there. Then you can set it down sometimes,” Craig reasons.

“That’s not the way it works, Craig. Maybe Pooh can explain all about that later,” I say. Pooh grins at my attempt to toss him under the bus.

“Axel said you’re eating for two, Bailey. He said that’s why he’s probably going to starve to death since you eat everything in sight. Want to go on a date with us so you can eat?” Craig declares and does so by tossing Axel under the bus to join Pooh.

“Where is Axel?” Pooh asks.

“He’s not at home so I’m guessing he’s at Ava’s. Anytime I can’t find him, I go over there. He’s usually cuddling on the couch with the twins or eating whatever leftovers they have. Or, just to annoy Gunner, he spends a lot of time trying to teach the twins how to say Axel before they learn to say daddy.”

“Who’s annoying Gunner?” asks Vex as he walks into the kitchen. “Damn. They got a lot of work done in here. Looks great!”

“Hello? Hungry boy right here! Are we going on a date or what?” Craig interrupts to say.

“Yes, we are. When will you be ready to go, babe?” I ask Pooh.

“Ready now. Who’s all going? Want to come Vex? Bailey?”

“Yeah, I could eat a steak,” answers Bailey.

“Okay, I’ll go too, but you’re buying Pooh,” Vex adds.

“I’m buying since I asked them on a date,” I tell him.

“You’re not paying for my meal, doll. But Pooh can.”

“Hello? Hungry pregnant chick right here! Let’s go.”

“We’ll stop at Ava’s to get Axel,” Pooh says.

“No, we won’t. He can actually starve since he thinks I eat all the damn food,” Bailey insists. The adults all grin knowing that Axel is in trouble.

As we are driving past Ava’s we see Axel walking down their driveway. Bailey opens her window and gives Axel a big smile and flips him the bird. The confusion is clear on his face.

We continue driving, the guys and Craig are laughing, when Pooh’s phone pings with a text. He hands it to me and I read it out loud.

Axel: What am I in trouble for? Roses, tulips? What’s this going to cost me?

“Tell him no flowers. Chocolate is his only saving grace this time,” Bailey instructs me.

I type that and hit send. I feel bad for the poor guy, so I also tell him where we’re going and to join us if he wants.

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