"There will be days like those, I guess."
"I suppose. But I can honestly say I feel I'm finally taking baby steps forward instead of standing still. So there's that, at least. It feels good."
"An inch is an inch, April. As long as it's forward it's movement in the right direction."
"I feel like this lifelong shell Jon has around me is finally cracking. And the more cracks I get, the more room for Jordan I seem to have. He's seeping in, little by little." In the way a husband already should have, I don't add.
I look over to catch Jordan watching me. He's intense. Almost as if he knows what we're talking about. I want to reach up and rub the ache in my chest. I don't, though. I let my lips turn up reassuringly. Jordan does the same.
"I'm glad," MaryLou says.
"Me, too," I mumble to her, meaning it with every fiber in me.
Our conversation shifts to the bakery menu as the guys return with a drink in each hand. They set them down and I notice that MaryLou's looks clear. And not bubbly like a 7 and 7 would. Then I notice she's found something extremely fascinating with the tabletop.
"Hey," I prod as Jordan slides into the booth beside me and throws an arm around my shoulder. I lean into the possessive kiss he plants on my cheek. "Hey," I say again, a little louder this time. MaryLou doesn't look up so I kick her under the table.
"Ouch." She reaches down to rub her shin. Angry eyes find mine. Good. At least I have her attention.
"What's that?" I point to her glass.
"What's what?"
I reach for it, but she's faster. She grabs the cup and yanks her arm back, spilling liquid in the process. She thinks she has the upper hand on me now. I see it in her smug grin. She should know me better.
I dip my finger through the liquid now on the table and stick it in my mouth. It's gross. I know. I'm not sure how well these tables are cleaned and there's some unsavory stuff that can happen in this more secluded corner of the bar. But hey...I've had worse things in my mouth.
"You're sick," she chastises. "Do you have any idea whose ass germs you may have just shoved into your mouth? I heard Andrew Bolger was banging Holly Brummer on this exact table last weekend. She came all over it and everything."
Both Jordan and Larry chuckle. I ignore her diversion. If that were true, she would have picked another spot. Still, I plan to use the complimentary mouthwash in the bathroom in a minute.
"And you're drinking water. Why?"
It's not that I care she's drinking water. I'm not about to get rip-roaring drunk tonight, even if a two-day hangover would be a good excuse to get out of Sunday's family brunch. So I don't need a drinking buddy. But MaryLou can drink any man here under the table. And the girl like's her Seagram's, so the fact she's drinking water is highly suspicious.
"Are you pregnant?" I ask. I'm dumbfounded. That's the only reason she would be drinking water. Why would she not tell me she's pregnant? I notice Larry glance away. That stabs me.
"No," she responds fast. "But we're trying again." Reaching across the table she links our fingers. I let her, even if I do want to pull away just to hurt her the way I'm now hurting. That my best friend kept something this big from me stings more than I can articulate.
Wow.
First Sam. Now MaryLou.
I've felt as if I've been left behind my entire life. With men. With love. Now with babies. Everyone's happiness crowds around me until I feel smothered.
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The Knight Brothers
FanfictionI've loved him as long as I can remember. The gangly boy with big brown eyes and unruly hair who grew up into an intoxicating man. He wears scruff like he invented it and ambles with a swagger that makes panties drop. Jon Knight. We grew up togethe...
