Page 67 of Please Save Me

I knew Sophia did yoga with Mason, but it was hard to imagine someone her size actually working out.

She grabbed a bottle of blue sports drink and offered it to me. Condensation beaded on the sides, and I knew it was more refreshing than I could possibly imagine. But I also knew it was full of artificial dyes, sugars, and God knows what else. So, instead of accepting her kindness, I waved her off and reached for my reusable bottle.

Although the coconut water mixture I had in there didn’t taste good, it was better than puttingwhateverSophia offered me in my body.

“I–I had no idea y-you came here.” My words were nestled between my gasps for air.

Having Sophia here to witness my vulnerability left me feeling awkward and exposed.

Her laugh came easily as she waved me off. “I’m here a lot; I’m just normally doing cardio or in one of the yoga classes.”

Oh, so she didn’t actually work out.

“Well, thank you for checking on me, but as you can see–” I gestured to myself. “I’m fine.”

Her smile remained kind as she flicked her platinum ponytail over her shoulder. It wasn’t that Sophia wasn’t beautiful—in fact, she’d haunted many a wet dream of mine—but she just wasn’t my type.

I liked people who took care of themselves, and while Sophia kept herself well-manicured, I deserved someone who cared for their body like I did. Someone like Mason.

“Why don’t you take five?” she offered, placing her hand on my arm. “You’re still really red. If you want to keep going after your break, you can.”

I hesitated, torn between my pride and the exhaustion looming over me. I hated appearing weak; that was the biggest thing that separated me from the insecure teenager I used to be and the man I am now. But… I also knew pushing myself too hard would do more harm than good.

“Uh, yeah, a break sounds good,” I meekly explained as I rose to my feet.

As I stood tall, I could feel eyes still lingering on me, and I hated it. Part of me was tempted just to grab my duffle bag and go. But, before I could run, Sophia had twined her arm in mine and was leading me toward a metal bench near the water fountain.

I sank onto the hard seat with a sigh, my muscles still trembling even as I tried to relax. Sophia sat beside me, her thigh brushing against mine. I moved away just a hair so she’d have more space.

I closed my eyes and tried to steadymy breathing.

“So, how do you feel about the baby coming in just a few weeks?” she chirped.

My heart sank at Sophia’s question, not because I wasn’t eager to actually hold the child that destroyed my girlfriend’s body, but because of my conversation with Cameron this morning. I didn’t trust him not to make something up just to see if it would anger me. But I trusted Sophia.

Still, I couldn’t just ask her. That would have highlighted the cracks forming in the foundation of our relationship. Instead, I just mumbled.

“Rosemary.” My tone came out much more defeated than I meant for it to.

“Isn’t it such a pretty name?” Sophia continued, confirming my worst suspicions.

But maybe there was a reason Mason lied to me. If she had just told me she wanted to rename our baby, I would have been fine. Still, the revelation that Cameron was right left my chest feeling empty.

Rosemary.

“It’s fine, I guess,” I conceded. “It’s just sinking in how much is about to change.”

Or how much had already changed. I needed to not only apologize but right my wrong of rejecting Mason’s suggestion that we get married.

“Change isn’t always a bad thing.” Sophia smiled, placing her hand on my thigh.

… Was she hitting on me or just being nice?

That’s when a thought dawned on me: Was Sophia allowed to hit on me? Sure, Cameron kissed me this morning, but I wasn’t sure what his intentions were. I ran my tongue across my lips as I considered the possibility of going further with Sophia.

That’s when I realized Thanksgiving was going to be awkward enough with me dating Mason. I didn’t need to make it worse by being polyamorous. But I could also just skip it this year. Which would probably be helpful, considering Rosemary comes the Monday after.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it… it was kind of a cute name. Baby Rosie. I tipped my head to the side as I thought a little further.

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