Page 35 of Curve Ball
“What?” Andres stares at us. “At least I’ve actually been to one. My sister has three kids, remember? I can help put this together, no problem.”
This is gonna be a disaster. Hopefully, our women understand we have good intentions.
It’s stillin the afternoon when we get done with practice and I text Adriana to see if she’s still out with Isla.
Gael
You still out with Isla, Mama?
Adriana
Yeah, I’m going to stop by my apartment before I head over to grab some more things.
Gael
We should just bring everything over here.
Adriana
Are you asking me to officially move in with you, Papi?
This woman.
Gael
Our home is wherever we are. Together. We should be in the same place for our boys and each other. If you want us to live at your place, okay, we’ll do it. If you want to move here, great. If you want me to buy you a house, I will. I just want to be in the same space with you always.
Three dots appear, then disappear.
Adriana
You are my home, Gael. I just want to be where you are. We can get all my stuff this weekend.
Adriana
And seriously, buying a house right now is a terrible idea.
Gael
I’ve got the money, Mama. Don’t you worry.
17
ADRIANA
I’m probably wearing a hole in the area rug in my living room from pacing back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest from the nerves. I’ve been putting this off for too long, and I know I can’t keep it a secret any longer. Isla is my best friend, and she deserves to know the truth. I take a deep breath and dial her number, my hands shaking slightly.
“Hey, girl!” Isla answers. “What’s up?”
I swallow hard, trying to find the right words. “Hey, okay, so I... I have something I need to tell you.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can almost see her raising an eyebrow. “Okay, you’re scaring me a little. What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath and blurt it out. “I’m pregnant, Isla. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I was just so scared that everything would go wrong. And with Kai being Gael’s best friend, I didn’t want to cause any drama or mess.”
There’s a moment of silence before Isla lets out a squeal of excitement. “Gael? Oh my God, that’s why you freaked out at the game. This is why you’ve been so weird lately?”
“I’m sorry I kept it from you,” I say, my voice shaking. “I justdidn’t know how to tell you. I was keeping everything to myself and I was afraid Kai would tell Gael, and then I would have to deal with it. With him. But everything is different now. Now we’re together.” I pause and suck in a breath, feeling the tears fall. “I hope you can forgive me.”
