Page 70 of Huge Games

"She says only after it’s born because of the risk to the pregnancy."

"So you’ll know when?"

"Five months."

"Jesus. That’s a long time to wait around in a foreign country. Do you even have money? And what about a visa?"

"Money is tight. I just put a big deposit on the apartment, and I have to find the rent for that while I’m away. Visa is still in force."

"So, where are you going to stay?"

"She says I can stay with her."

"Holy fuck. You’re not going to move in with her?"

"What choice do I have?"

He’s right. The dude is out of options. He’s going to leave his life behind, his family and friends, and everything that he’s been working to establish since his return, all for a one percent chance there might be a baby that’s his in five months. It’s fucked up. "Listen, whatever happens, we’re on your side, okay?" I run my hand through my hair and focus on the point where the wall meets the ceiling. Fuck. I’m not good at this kind of thing. Not good at all.

Focusing back on Travis, I want to say something thatwill help. He needs it. "I know this situation between us all hasn’t exactly been normal, but we’re buddies now, right?" The label sounds stupid but I don’t know how else to describe it.

He nods, a twitch of a smile pulling just one side of his previously grim mouth. "Buddies."

"So, call us. Especially Celine. She’s really sad about this. She’s going to miss you."

He nods, but the way his eyes widen makes me realize he didn’t know.

"I’ll call when I can."

"Okay, buddy."

We both laugh uncomfortably as I stand.

I decide not to tell Travis about the video because he has enough on his plate. If he finds out, maybe he’ll feel like he should stay. He’ll feel torn, and the guy doesn’t need that. Me and Dornan are more than capable of handling shit with Eddie and supporting Celine through it all. It’s what we’ve been doing from the start.

I shift on my feet and drift to the door, but Travis says my name. "Elias. Take these." He holds out a set of keys. "Someone might as well get some use from the place."

I nod solemnly, as though he’s trusted me with his castle rather than a half-empty apartment he never even got the chance to move into.

Maybe we can set the place up for his return. Make it feel lived in. I believe he’s coming back. The alternative just wouldn’t be fair, and Travis deserves a good life.

"I’ll see you in five months." I reach out to shake his hand. We both grip firmly, and he clasps his free hand over mine.

"Maybe."

When I get to the bottom of the stairs, Travis’s mom comes breezing out. "Dinner’s ready. Will you stay, Elias?"

"I shouldn’t," I say, even though I’m so hungry, it feels like I’m digesting my own stomach. Right on time, my belly growls like an angry bear in an echoey cave.

She looks down at my sock again. "You absolutely should."

Bustling away, she leaves no room for me to object. Travis laughs softly, as though this is the usual situation in his house. He claps me on the shoulder, and I follow him into the kitchen, my eyes bugging out at the table that is overflowing with food. It’s like a medieval banquet. "You eat like this every day?"

"Sure."

The guy is so blasé. He has no idea how lucky he is to have the normal things every child should grow up with. Travis indicates where I should sit, and he takes the place opposite. His mom gestures for us to serve ourselves, so I start by spooning small portions onto my plate. She tuts and takes over, doubling the portion of everything. "You’re big," she says. "You need to eat."

"Mom!" Travis shakes his head. "You can’t go around telling people they’re big."

---