Page 156 of Sebastian's Baby

“Hi, Mamma,” I answer her call.

“Bello,” she says in a stern voice. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you since Sunday.”

“I’ve been busy,” I lie. “What’s up?”

“What is happening with you and Lita?”

I sigh, because I had a nasty feeling this was what she would want to talk about.

“Nothing, Mom. Lita and I are just friends who are having a baby together.” My heart throbs painfully at the lie. “We’re not anything more than that.”

“Well, you should be. She makes you happy, bello. Can you not see that?”

Ouch.

I think this might be worse than hearing it from Heather, to be honest. My mom, the one woman whose love for me has never been in question. The woman whose opinion probably means the most to me other than Lita, telling me I should do the thing I want to do but can’t.

“I love you, Mom, but it’s not quite that simple. Lita and I are good friends and are having a baby together. There’s no need to complicate it further than that.”

Like I did when I told her I was in love with her, and she told me to go fuck someone else.

I keep this thought to myself and manage to withhold a sigh, but only just.

“I know that this isn’t the lifestyle you enjoy, but you should settle down with her, bello. She’s having your baby, and if you don’t settle down with her, someone else will.”

Double ouch.

“Thanks, Mom. Lita and I are just friends, though, as I said. We’re happy just being co-parents to our baby.”

God, this fucking hurts.

“She is a good woman, Sebastian.” I cringe because Mom’s voice is stern, and she rarely ever uses my actual name. “You should do the right thing by her. You won’t find a woman better than Lita. She was very lovely at the wedding, and you were cruel with your speech.”

“I know, Mom.” I’m not sure which part of what she said I’m agreeing with. “But we really are just friends and not in a relationship. I’m at Hayden’s, so I have to go. I’ll come and see you next week. I love you.”

She sighs and says, “I love you, too, bello. I would love it if you came to see me.”

I end our call and rest my forehead against the wall. This is all so fucked up. I need more alcohol.

Blake comes to Hayden’s apartment after dinner, and I cringe when I see him. “Don’t tell me you’re coming out with us.”

“Yes. Myboyfriendinvited me to go to Club Delirium with him,” Blake says in a cool tone.

“Let’s just have a good night, guys,” Hayden says.

I shrug and pour myself another glass of Michter’s. I’m into a second bottle now and have had about three times as many drinks as Hayden. I know that I’ve been drinking all day, and I’m drunk, but everything still hurts.

My mom’s call from earlier is replaying in my brain, along with some of Lita’s best lines. A part of me wants to call Heather just to add to the pain, but even as drunk as I am, I know that’s not a good idea. Who knows what I’d fucking say.

We’re on the way to the club when Heather calls me, but I send her to my voicemail, and a few seconds later, I get a text from her.

Call me. It’s about Victor.

“Shit,” I say when the message shows up.

Hayden asks, “What?”

But I’m already on the phone to Heather, and she answers, “Did you see?”

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