Page 106 of The Misfit

Ely: [smiley face emoji] Regardless, he’s being overly overly protective at this point. I just want to get an iced coffee by myself. You also haven’t met the baby yet.

The baby.Fuck. I scrub my hand clutching the bottle up my face and bop myself in the cheek with it. I’m the worst fucking friend on the planet. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own shit I didn’t even check on Ely since the day after the birth.

Me:Do you want me to bring you an iced coffee?

It would be an expensive as fuck rideshare app trip, but I’d do it for her.

Ely:NO! I want five minutes when I’m not a mom. When I’m Ely. I want to get coffee alone. Completely alone.

I consider the screen and nod but then remember she can’t see me.

Me:On the way.

It only takes a few minutes for a rideshare app to show up, and then I direct it to Seb and Ely’s house. They are still living in Seb’s family estate, so it’s not too far. Once in the back seat, I bring the bottle to my lips and take a swig.

“Hey!” the driver snaps. “You can’t have that in here. I could go to jail!”

I scoff. “No, you won’t; you’re not even drinking. How much would it cost to say … have you forget you saw it?”

He shakes his head. “Whatever, but …” He narrows his gaze at me in the rearview mirror. “You’re not going to puke or anything, are you?”

I just take another swig and stare out the window.

“Fine. I want a five-star review and a hundred-dollar tip.” He keeps watching me like I’m going to balk.

“Whatever, man. Just get me there, and it’s all good.”

My phone vibrates again, and my heart rockets into my esophagus. Fuck me.Not Salem.

Sebastian:Don’t be a fuckface. She’s feeling self-conscious still, so don’t fucking say anything about her appearance. Or the baby puke. Or any-fucking-thing that will upset her.

Excuse me.Who the fuck does he think I am?I’d never hurt Ely like that. Or would I? Look what I’ve done, all the pain I caused. It doesn’t matter; saying and actually doing are two different things. I didn’t want to hurt Salem and look at us now. She won’t even talk to me.

I swallow more of the Jack and sink into the plush leather seats, staring out the window until we finally arrive at Seb’s estate.

The gate opens as I step out of the car, the driver calling after me, “Don’t forget our deal!”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him goodbye with the bottle in my hand and walk up the driveway, opening the rideshare app so I can complete my end of the deal. I hit send on the tip and give him five stars. By the time I reach the front doors, they’re already opening. I’m given no warning as Ely rushes toward me. She knocks the air out of my lungs as she wraps her arms around me, pulling me tight to her chest.Well, hello to you, too.

After a moment, I pull away and greet her with a smile. “Shit, you must be dying to get out.”

She tucks me against her and leads me inside, which is good because the ground is rolling under my feet. Sebastian stands in the foyer, perfectly dressed as always, with the exception of a baby towel thrown over his shoulder and one tiny bundle tucked tight into one arm.

She’s a little bigger than a football, and I step closer to peer down at her pudgy little face.Shit.I don’t even want kids, yet I can’t help but think she’s adorable. She has Seb’s golden-blond hair.

Ely moves the blanket down a little so I can get a better look. “What did you guys end up naming her?”

Sebastian smiles. “Calliope.”

That’s sweet. The thought of being responsible for another human, let alone naming them, gives me hives.Good thing I don’t plan on having any tiny, pudgy footballs.

I raise the bottle in my hand and take a swig while I admire the little one’s face.

“What the fuck?”

I jolt and look around at the sharp edge in Sebastian’s voice. “What? What’s going on?”

Sebastian hands the baby over to Ely, who takes her, eyeing me with a mix of … what even is that look?Pity, disgust?Whatever it is, I don’t like it.

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