Page 44 of Justus
Daregrunts as he enters the room. “Something like dropping out.”
Sheshoots daggers at him. “I’m not dropping out! I’m…finding myself.”
“You’regoing to find yourself unemployed. Do you want to flip burgers your wholelife?”
“Well,which one is it? Am I going to be unemployed or flip burgers?” she shoots back.
“Dare,now isn’t the time,” Ayda warns while Zoe, Frannie, and I watch silently.
Noddinghis agreement, he leaves the room to join the other guys in his basement mancave. “Sorry,” Leah says, handing me a glass of wine. “I just told him I’m notgoing to continue pursuing a doctorate after all. And I have to point out I havea degree in social work, so I will not be flipping burgers.”
Laughing,I tap my glass to hers. “Do what you got to do, girl. Here is to not lettingmen fuck with our lives.”
Zoeeyes Ayda with a knowing smile, and Ayda beams back.
I’mjust about to ask what that’s about when Frannie pipes up. “Okay, what did wemiss? You bitches are hiding something.” I don’t know Frannie very well. She’sZoe’s best friend, and she and Jeremy have an on again off again relationship.
Agrin remains plastered to Ayda’s face while she takes a bottle of water fromthe fridge. “I’m pregnant.”
Itake a step back and my eyes drop to her flat belly. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes,”she replies laughing.
“Youbitch! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” I throw my arms around her and hugher tight.
“Ijust found out today. Zoe went with me.”
“I’mgoing to be an aunt!” Leah squeals.
“Whatdid Dare say?” I ask.
“Hedoesn’t know yet. I—
“Idon’t know what?” Dare asks, stepping in and blocking out half the light in theroom. The man is humongous.
Ayda’seyes widen and she swallows hard. I know she’s worried about his reaction, butwith the way Dare dotes on her, she has nothing to worry about.
“I-Iwent to the doctor today.”
Hisdark brows furrow. “Are you okay? What kind of doctor?”
“Mygyno. I’m fine, but I’m just…I’m a little…pregnant.”
Thewords take a few moments to register, but the second they do, Ayda is swept upin his arms, her laughter filling the kitchen. Dare kisses every inch of herface.
“I’mthe happiest man on the fucking planet right now, darlin’. And you’re okay? Thebaby’s okay? How far along are you?”
Giggling,she brushes back his hair. “We’re both fine. And I’m not sure exactly how faralong yet. Probably six weeks or so. I have another appointment next week.”
Placingher back on her feet, he gives her a passionate kiss, then bounds down thebasement stairs. “Hey, assholes! I’m going to be a dad!”
Weall break into laughter at his response, but a lump forms in my throat, and Iexcuse myself, hurrying to the bathroom before anyone can see the tears in myeyes. I’m so incredibly happy for Ayda. She’s been through hell, and shedeserves to be happy.
Iam happy for her, but it also triggers something in me. For the last two weeksI’ve been trying to tell myself that I don’t care that Justus stopped calling.I’ve been trying to pretend that it doesn’t hurt that the first man I’veactually fallen in love with, didn’t even think I was worth a goodbye text.I’ve repeated the mantra I’ve always sworn by. I don’t need a man to be happy.
It’strue that I don’t need a man, but I need him. I love him. I didn’t know whatreal heartbreak felt like until now. And it royally sucks. Swallowing back therest of my tears, I promise myself that I can cry all night when I get home ifthat’s what I need, but right now, I need to smile and put on a happy face formy friend.
Wespend the next few hours laughing and drinking too much—except for Ayda, ofcourse. “Nine months without alcohol,” she groans.
