Page 53 of One Timer With A Wingman

“Darling, I don’t know if I’m capable. Honesty is the best option right now, so I’m giving it to you straight. I will probably text you and ask you if you ate, and I’ll probably take care of your car as long as you have it, and I will probably send you Ubers when you don’t. It’s who I am, so it’s best if you don’t fight me on this. I’m not a fan of conflict.”

I realize I laid a lot out there for her and I wait for a reaction.

She swallows hard and then gives me a bashful smile. “I knew I was in trouble with you from day one. Now close that door because I’m exhausted and need to get home.”

“Have a good night, Briar.”

“You too.”

I close the car door and she drives off.

When I get inside, I pull up the Uber Eats app and order her a small pizza with a side salad and garlic bread. Then I head up to my room and take a shower.

When I get out, I see a message from Briar on my phone.

Briar:Thank you

I don’t know how she knew it was me who sent the food, but I’m happy she accepted it.

Me:What are you talking about?

Briar:Dinner, it really hit the spot.

Me:I’m glad. Good night, beautiful.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Briar

My first instinct is to call Annie as I make the drive toward Ann Arbor. I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before. Well, Aaron isn’t my boyfriend, and this is way more serious because he’s probably going to introduce me as his baby mama. I really hope his parents take the news well. I figure they must be good people if they raised such a chivalrous son. I can’t believe Aaron came back to Black Jack’s to clean snow off my car or that he sent me food with Uber Eats after my shift. It was exactly what I needed to have a good night’s sleep. Although, I still puked this morning. Now, after a day of classes and arguing with the person who works at the financial office, I’m exhausted. The pregnancy is wearing me out, even though it’s only the beginning. I got a call this morning from the hospital to confirm my ultrasound on Tuesday morning. I sent Aaron a text with the details, and he said he will be there. I want to believe him, but I also don’t want to get my hopes up. He’s being over-the-top with worrying about me eating and taking care of myself. I’ve been on my own since high school. When Mom got remarried, I moved in with a friend and her family. They were a bit dysfunctional with the father having an alcohol problem and the brother selling drugs from their home, but it was a roof over my head. Aaron is being extra with worrying about me. I’m not used to it. I’m a lone wolf. I’ve learned to survive; his attention is unnerving.

If I call Annie, it would mean I tell her about the pregnancy, and it’s all so new. Besides, I told Aaron to keep it a secret, so it’s only fair I do the same.

Mom calls as I’m driving.

I pick up. “Hi, Mom.”

“I need to come down to you on Sunday. I hope that works,” she says.

This is how our conversations go. She tells me what she needs and gets right to the point. No, “Hi, how are you?”

“Okay.”

“Good. So what’s going on?” she asks.

“Just going to watch a friend play hockey in Ann Arbor,” I tell her.

“Isn’t that expensive on gas?” she chides. It is, but it’s kind of important I go to this game. At least it seemed that way when Aaron invited me.

“It’s not too bad. I didn’t have to pay for the ticket. I have a friend on the team,” I say.

I don’t know why I can’t bring myself to tell her I’m pregnant. Maybe I’ll do it on Sunday, face-to-face.

“Is that a boyfriend?” she asks.

“Just a friend,” I reply.

One of the kids screams something in the background. “I gotta go. See you Sunday,” she says, and she ends the call.

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