Page 96 of Waiting Forever
“Thanks,” I murmur. “It’s still weird, though. I probably won’t—if I can help it.” I don’t curse around my parents, either. It’s silly. I doubt they’d care, but I never did when I was younger, and now it doesn’t feel right. Maybe one day.
“I understand.” She smiles and has another bite of her frozen yogurt. At her condo, she changed into sneakers, but she’s still wearing the business-style dress she arrived in. She and Uncle Colton got off the plane, drove to their condo, dropped off their luggage, did a quick tour, and then came to Nathan’s. If that isn’t suspicious, I don’t know what is.
“You’ve always been easy like that. Understanding of things, of Nathan,” I hedge.
“I try to be.”
“Has he said anything about his ex-girlfriend?” I cringe. What am I doing? Probing his mom for intel? I’m sick.
She stops walking. “Is something going on between them?”
“Not that I know of.” I shove a bite of yogurt into my mouth, just to have something to do. Sweet cotton candy flavor melts on my tongue.Mmm.Maybe I can eat.“He’s been a little distracted and she had something to tell him. I wasn’t sure if that’s where he was.”Shut up. Shut up.
“Oh, no.” Rachel’s shoulders drop. Her gaze falls to the side. “I worried this might happen. I prayed it wouldn’t, but I always worried.”
Oh my gosh. This is not what I wanted. My strong-willed, independent-business woman, Realtor extraordinaire aunt looking ready to cry.
I grab her free hand. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you think anything. I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
She gazes down at me. “It’s not your fault, Kensi. I warned him enough times to keep his pecker in his pants. I thought he was growing out of his wild ways, but it only takes one slip. One time and…” She releases a breath.
Is she implying what I think she is? That Harper is pregnant? My mind never once went in that direction. Why not? She’s right. It was only a matter of time before Nathan fathered a child or became the poster face for VD. Isn’t that what his dad was always saying to my dad when they thought I wasn’t listening?
Now I feel sick. I lower my head and inadvertently lower my hands. Yogurt plops from the cup onto the ground. Shit.I forgot I was holding it. Dammit.
“Oh, honey.” Rachel eyes the dessert on the paved walkway. “Now I’ve upset you, too.”
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything. Let me just get some napkins and clean this up.” I race back to the yogurt shop, grab a handful of napkins, and return to the spill. Once I’ve wiped up the blob of melting yogurt and toss the mess into the trash, I suggest we go back to Nathan’s condo.
He and I need to talk, but I don’t know if I’m ready to face him yet. He kept something big from me, which says a lot about our relationship. If it’s Harper and their baby, I’ll die. I can’t handle this right now. Not after experiencing how good things could be between us.
I need answers, but first I need a good cry and my mom. Only I can’t call her about this. I consider talking to Isa. We made up but I don’t know that we’ll ever be close again. Maybe I’ll call Azure. He’s the only honest person in my life right now. The only person I can trust.
Aunt Rachel and I enter the condo. Laughter sounds from the kitchen. Nathan and Uncle Colton sit at the breakfast bar, drinking beers and talking.
Guess they worked things out.
Nathan stands and eyes me with too much excitement. “You’re back.”
“And you two are no longer scowling at each other.” Rachel kisses her husband on the cheek. He slips his arm around her waist.
They’re an attractive couple: Rachel with her polished business appearance and Colton with his tattooed arm, scruff, and longer yet styled hair. Nathan gets his looks from both his parents, but mostly from his father.
I linger by the kitchen wall, planning an escape. “I spilled frozen yogurt all over myself.” I raise my hand. “I’m going to wash up and return a call from my mom.” That part is a lie. “It was really nice to see you both.” I give Colton and Rachel quick hugs. “Thanks for the girl time.” I smile at Rachel and make my exit before anyone can stop me.
“Nathan?” I hear Aunt Rachel say, her tone stern. “We need to talk.”
I consider lingering in the hallway and eavesdropping on their conversation, but I don’t. In my room, I text Azure as tears pool in my eyes.
Mind if I come to the Halloween party alone? I’d really like to go and meet your mom and date.
He calls me and I cry harder, explaining all that happened and repeating myself when my sobs keep him from understanding my words.
He’s more than happy for me to come alone, especially since his date canceled on him. The sadness in his tone gripped my heart. We’re both suffering.
“It’ll be a fun night,” I say, wanting to cheer him from his somber mood. “We’ll put our sorrows aside and get drunk on spiked apple cider.”
“I don’t know how that would taste.”
