Page 36 of Jeremy
“Naked.”He gets to his feet and runs both hands through his hair.
“Yes.You were so eager to get rid of me the next morning, I didn’t realize youdidn’t remember.”
Pacing,he says, “I’m not going to be a father.” It’s like he just needs to hear thewords aloud to believe them.
“No,you’re not. I really do appreciate everything you’ve done around here, but ifI’d known that was why you were doing it, I would’ve told you. I wasn’t tryingto take advantage.”
Asnort of disbelief leaps from him. “You’ve fought me every step of the way. Youobviously weren’t taking advantage.”
“Anyway,I set Agnes straight, so she won’t be bothering you anymore. I’m going tocontact a service tomorrow to get help for the next few months until the babycomes. Then probably a nanny service for the first few weeks after he’s born,so you’re off the hook. We’ll be fine.”
“He?”His gaze burns into mine. “It’s a boy?”
“Yes.When I started cramping and bleeding, they did an ultrasound. He wasn’t shyabout flashing us.” I smile, remembering the joy I felt. Who knew a tiny peniscould make a person so happy?
Hedoesn’t come off as particularly relieved, but I guess he’s overwhelmed. Anyonewould be. After a moment, he picks my phone up from the coffee table, addshimself as a contact, then sets it back down.
Hedoesn’t look at me as he says, “I’m still your neighbor. Call me if you needanything.”
Withthat, he stalks out the door.
Whatthe hell am I supposed to make of that?
#
Thesound of the door opening wakes me, and I look around, confused for a moment.Exhaustion took over after Jeremy left, and I fell asleep on the couch. Imust’ve slept the whole night through.
Jeremystands in front of me, frowning. “Your door was unlocked.”
“Isee that.” My back gives a satisfying crack when I stretch and get to my feet.
“Whatare you doing?”
“Goingto pee. I’ll be right back.”
Ifeel a dull pain in my stomach when I stand up, but it fades by the time I getto the bathroom. After relieving my screaming bladder, I brush my teeth, putsome deodorant on, tie up my hair, and change into clean clothes. I feel alittle more like a person when I return to the living room.
Jeremysits in the recliner, and I spot a box of donuts on the coffee table. “Thedoctors want you to gain weight, right?” he says, nodding toward the box.
“Yeah,I swear I eat like a pig, but it just doesn’t stick.” I grab an iced donut andtake a big bite. Mmm, he’s my favorite person at the moment.
Hegoes into the kitchen and returns with two glasses of orange juice. “You doremember our conversation from yesterday?” I ask as he hands me one.
Asmirk lifts his lips, and he sits back down. “Yeah, I remember. I haven’t gottendrunk since that night.”
“Thanksfor this, but…I’m kind of confused about what’s going on here.”
Heleans back in the chair, propping his foot on his knee. “You’re alone and Idon’t like it.”
Iwait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t. Okay then.
“AndI figured you’d like some donuts.”
Munchingon my unexpected breakfast, I chuckle. “But you don’t like me.”
“You’renot too bad.” There’s a twinkle in his eye I haven’t noticed before. He’steasing me.
“I’mgoing to take that as a compliment. And you’re surprisingly thoughtful for anasshole.”
