Page 68 of Stick Move

“I…well…I don’t live with him. We’re each in separate wings.” Two sets of eyes stare at me and I realize how pompous that sounds. “I mean, the house is broken up, so there are two apartments.” Jeez, from the way they’re staring I’m not sure I’m making the situation any better.

Gemma takes a big drink of her wine, and a little grin tugs at the corners of her mouth. I put my wine to my lips just when she asks. “Have you seen him naked?”

I choke, the wine nearly coming out my nose. “Ohmigod,” Julie says and hands me a tissue. “You have seen him naked, haven’t you?”

My mind runs a million miles an hour. What the heck? Who asks questions like that. “I…what…just…”

“You’re sleeping with him,” Gemma announces. “Can you believe it,” she says to Julie who just shakes her head in disgust. “Going a little far with it, huh?”

I open my mouth about to ask what she’s talking about, although I’m not one hundred percent certain I want to hear the answer. Before I can ask, and I’m still coughing on the wine, Becky comes running in from the backyard.

“Mommy, can we have our snacks now?”

Julie tucks a strand of Becky’s hair behind her ear. “Of course, you can. Gemma, can you grab the tray of drinks?” Julie pulls open the fridge and pulls out a plate of veggies and fruit.

“What can I do?” I ask.

Julie nods to the bottle of wine. “Have some more wine. We want details, my friend.”

I gulp. God, I didn’t know this afternoon was going to be an interrogation, and I’ll be damned if I kiss and tell. What happens between Noah and me is private. Just like our engagement. My stomach cramps as his whispered words bounce around inside my brain.

Let’s keep this to ourselves for now.

Why the heck didn’t he want to tell his friends and their wives or girlfriends? We all get along, tell stories and laugh, and I’m certain they would have all been happy for us. Unless they’re only being nice to me because Noah asked them too. Maybe they don’t want him with someone like me. A nanny. Maybe they don’t think I’m good enough for an NHL superstar.

Wow, what is it about being here with Noah’s old friends that has me questioning everything? I work to push down my insecurities, and follow the women out to the backyard. The girls all come running to get snacks and I’m grateful for their presence. Surely the conversation won’t jump back to my sleeping arrangements with little ears listening.

As the little ones munch, Julie starts talking about a PTA meeting that she’d just been to and since I’m not involved, I listen quietly. Camryn, however, has other ideas.

“What’s a PTA meeting?” she asks, and takes a sip of her lemonade.

“Oh, it’s when parents and teachers meet to discuss fundraising events and things to help the students.” She taps Camryn’s nose. “Like you.”

Camryn giggles, and glances at me as she picks up a carrot stick. “Ms. Brighton, when you’re my mommy are you going to go to the meetings?”

God, her words and the way she looks at me, so damn sweet and innocent, it’s all I want for her, but now I’m beginning to question everything, including my engagement. Is it real? What if it’s not? What does that mean for Camryn, for me? But wait, no. Noah protects his daughter. He wouldn’t do anything to upset her. Not on purpose. We just assumed when this was all over, she’d forget about me being her mommy and I’d still be in her life as a friend. But now we’re engaged and I’m questioning its validity.

“Oh.” Julie arches her brow, but behind the curiosity in her eyes…what exactly is that…envy…smugness? What is going on?

“Mommy,” Becky pipes in. “I thought Camryn’s daddy was going to be my daddy.”

Oh God.

“I don’t think he can be your daddy now,” Camryn says nonchalantly. Becky nods, completely accepting that, and continues to chew on her celery stick.

Needing something to do with my hands as the two women stare at me, looking for answers, I grab my wine glass. With my left hand. That’s when two gasps come at me from across the table. Julie reaches out and grabs my hand, tearing it away from my wine, which just about spills.

“You’re engaged!” she practically shrieks.

I turn to Gemma, and find her mouth agape. “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

Julie and Gemma exchange a knowing look and when she lets my hand go, I tuck it under the table. This is why I didn’t want them to see the ring. Dammit, I should have taken it off.

“Girls, why don’t you go play and I’ll call you when the hot dogs are ready.”

They all leave their seats and I feel like a bug under a microscope as both women move closer.

“Brighton.” Gemma’s voice is full of sympathy, even though she hates me, which leads me to believe whatever it is she’s about to say, is going to be bad. “Not even you deserve this.”

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