Josh left the house at around 8:30am, gave Evie a kiss goodbye and assured her that he'd be back home in the early afternoon since they weren't planning on practicing today. When the door clicked shut and his car left the driveway, it clicked with Evie that she hadn't really thought about what she was going to do today. The house wasn't the biggest house in the world but it was much larger than her apartment. None of her stuff was here, so she sat for the longest time in the bay window, just watching the traffic while eating her Starbucks. While she'd sworn that she'd only ordered a coffee, Josh had snuck in a spinach and feta wrap in there which was actually pretty tasty.
What am I going to do today? Evie wondered to herself. Before he'd left, Josh had given her the "what's mine is yours" spiel but she still felt weird touching his stuff. Still, she did want to listen to his band. A text from Kelsey breaks her concentration on the cars. "Good," she was replying to their previous conversation, "I'd have gotten in a fist fight if they showed up again. Sorry to get back to you so late. My parents are here packing things. I still can't believe this is all happening."
Evie couldn't hold back her scoff, "No kidding," she texted back, "Josh is gone for the afternoon and I'm stuck in his house until he comes back. I think I'm gonna play some of the records he has. Maybe check out the books on the shelf in the other room." The other room being second bedroom that Evie had hidden in when the rest of the band showed up out of nowhere the night they'd slept together. There was a little office inside along with the little bed that she'd learned was a futon that Josh had rolled out the night before Evie had come over in case she wanted to sleep there. Nice of him, but it definitely wasn't being used as intended. There was a desk, a very nice Mac PC and headphones. Lots of stuff hung on the walls, photos of the past of him and his band on stage, records and a few awards handed out to just him. It was a cute little office space. "I'm still so jealous," Kelsey's reply was quick this time, Did you find out if any of them were single?"
"They're unfortunately all dating someone," Evie texted back as she ascended the stairs to the bedroom, "Sorry Kels..." It was a leisure day, yes, but Evie still wanted to get dressed. Upstairs, she breaks into her duffle bag and gets out her most comfortable pair of pants and t-shirt. Getting undressed, Evie again pauses in front of the mirror to look at her figure and to her shock and surprise– she was sporting the smallest little bump. She almost couldn't believe it. It looked like she was kind of bloated. She was really, actually pregnant. Evie quickly snaps a photo of herself in the mirror to send to Kelsey. "I know it's not a whole lot but, I definitely have the tiniest little bump now," Evie texted her friend, "I'm still not over how real this is."
"Oh my gooooosh, Evie you're so cute!" She could hear Kelsey's squealy, gushing reply in her head and it only made her smile more, "What do you think it's gonna be? Boy? Girl?"
Evie ran her fingers gently over the tiny little bump. What did she want to have? "I wouldn't really care what it is, to tell you the truth. Both of them would be great. Wouldn't I sound terrible if I preferred one gender over the other?"
"Nahhh," Kelsey replies, "I'd love to be a boy mom. It's in my blood. I mean, I wouldn't be upset if I had a girl but I would so much rather have a boy." Evie puts her shirt on and smoothes it down over her belly once more. It was noticeable now, but only if she really made an effort to press the clothing against her body. She texts Kelsey again, "He's telling his brothers today, about me. And this predicament we got ourselves into. I'm so worried they're gonna hate me when they find out."
And then her phone rings. It was Kelsey. Of course. Evie rolls her eyes and answers the phone. "What makes you think they're gonna hate you?" Kelsey says, "Sorry, I just thought it might be too long to text out but like– why would they hate you? Maybe they might be excited to be uncles."
"I really doubt that," Evie scoffs, "They're in a band and they're working on a new album. A baby is going to just... mess up everything."
"Well, it wouldn't be just your fault I mean, you need two people to make a baby. Not just one," Kelsey said, "Besides, if any of them are mad at you, I'll come and make sure they get Covid or I'll beat them all up. Or both." Evie couldn't help but snort a little bit at her friend, "Yeah, okay Kelsey. I'm pretty sure you'd get super arrested if you beat up all the members of Greta van Fleet."
"I'd do anything for my favorite bitch, okay," Kelsey replied in a sing-songy voice. Evie's face softened. What would she do without Kelsey? "I miss you already, you know?" Evie admitted softly, "I can't believe you're going all the way back up to Michigan. Do you think you're going to come back?"
"I miss you too, but I have no idea," Kelsey sounded stressed in her response, "My parents have gotten most of everything packed. There's gonna be a U-Haul here tomorrow. We're gonna wait until you get your stuff to break the lease but after that– I have no idea. Maybe I'll go back to school finally."
"Nursing school, right?" Evie remembered she'd been taking classes once before she moved to Nashville, "I think you'd be a great nurse."
"Oh, you're just saying that," Kelsey clicked her tongue, "But yeah, if this pandemic thing is gonna go where it's going then I'll have plenty of time to just study. No more parties for this girl, literally won't be able to." They both share a laugh and Evie lays herself back on the bed, "Do you think I'll be a good mom Kels?" she asks quietly, "I'm so worried that I'm not gonna be able to break the cycle. What if I'm mean or if I just suck?"
"Evie, if there's anything I've learned about you from the stories you told me about your parents, you are nothing like them," Kelsey replied confidently, "You are so much better than they are and you'll always be better than they are. You are so kind and wonderful, and you also don't do meth, and you don't hoard things. So, I think you're already doing infinitely better than your parents." Evie couldn't help but giggle a little, "I guess you have a point, but... do you think maybe I should try to reconnect or something? At least with my siblings... maybe."
"Totally up to you Eves," she could hear the shrug in Kelsey's voice, "Your siblings, maybe. But your parents. That is a can of worms I would leave the seal on. Too nasty, too rotten. They're only gonna break your heart– shit.. Listen, I gotta go. We're gonna start moving the mattress downstairs. I'll talk to you later, okay? Love you bestie!"
"Love you too." With that, the line disconnected and Evie tossed her phone gently across Josh's bed with a sigh. Josh was here and it was nice but it wasn't her best friend. But it wasn't like she couldn't just get used to this. Josh was going to take care of her at the end of the day and though it felt weird and awkward now, Evie couldn't help but feel just a tad bit relieved. Maybe this really was going to turn out well. She gets up off the bed and heads back downstairs to the living room area where Josh's record player sat next to the bay window.
Below it in an antique looking chest was a bunch of records and not so surprisingly were the records for his band. The first one that caught her interest was an album called, From the Fires. It had a beautiful painting on the front of a bonfire in the middle of a forest. Surrounding the flames were several little figures. Witches maybe? Extracting it from the sleeve, Evie carefully placed it on the turntable and flicked a switch to get it started. It was an old record player and the stereo system crackled as it came to life. Evie positioned the needle over the correct spot and let the needle fall carefully into place. A few moments of silence followed before the speakers are filled with the sound of a very loud, bluesy guitar riff followed by the drums that hop in to set the rhythm. But what truly captivates Evie is the voice—the powerful, soulful voice that emerges, singing with a raw intensity that resonated deep within her. Was that really her boyfriend?
She takes a seat back on the seat of the bay window, unable to close her jaw. He was amazing. He was the one singing, wasn't he? It was a voice that she'd never expect out of him. Evie picks up her phone and sends yet another text out to Kelsey, "Why didn't you tell me they were this good??"
__________
By the time Josh had returned home that afternoon, Evie had gotten herself fully caught up on all the songs that his band had released and even had a chance to check out some of their performances on YouTube. When Josh walked in the door, Evie was midway through their performance in 2019. "I see you're catching up on some historical artifacts?" Josh takes a seat next to her on the couch, "That wasn't too long ago. I'm sure I've got that suit of mine stored around here somewhere."
"I figured maybe I should give your entire discography a listen since we're dating," Evie waved her hand, "You know, become your next big super fan." Josh snorts and places a kiss gentle on her cheek, "Super fan, eh? I guess you've already hit the jackpot since we're already together, haven't you?"
"I guess so," Evie chuckled, "So, I'm guessing they took the news well?" Josh nodded, a sheepish smile playing on his lips, "Oddly, it went way better than expected. I mean they did have their concerns obviously, but they're excited. They're going to stop by here later this evening, as long as that's okay with you. We all had our very first Covid tests today and we all came back negative so, they should be safe to come inside for a little bit."
Good, another chance to try and make a better impression on the boys. Her future in-laws, maybe. "I'd... love to have them over," Evie said, "Are we going to have dinner or something?"
"Something of the sorts," Josh shrugged, getting up from his seat, "We're... actually going to talk about picking up and moving back upstate until the pandemic calms down over dinner. It was something we touched on today with the managers but they wanted to discuss it a little more in depth alone." Moving? Evie felt her heart drop into her belly. "Back up state like– to Michigan?" Josh nodded his head rapidly, "Our manager today was very adamant that we're canceling shows and a lot of the studios are going to shutter for the time being. A city is not a place to be in with a virus running amok, so we're gonna talk about moving back home and bringing all of our gals with us."
"Where in Michigan?" Evie was kind of excited and it was coming out as she spoke, "Kelsey's moving up to Saginaw. Is it near where you live?"
"Oh hell yeah!" Josh had pulled his phone out now and was busily texting someone, "It's like 20 minutes out. I forgot your friend said she lived there. Well, this just works out really well then, doesn't it? Maybe you guys'll be able to see each other." That would make things so much better. Evie was sure that she might be able to navigate the whole pregnancy thing on her own. She'd done a lot of things on her own in the past. But, having her closest friend by her side during this whole thing would ease her stress immensely. "Where did you say you were from again?" Evie was giddy now.
"Little town called Frankenmuth," Josh mused, getting up from the couch, "It's like a little mini Germantown. We grew up 4 miles outside of the town. Had a huge woods to explore, and everyone's really friendly. My mom is going to smother the shit out of you so be prepared. But ah–" he points toward the kitchen, "You wanna come be my taste tester and help me whip up something quick to eat?" Evie clicks off the TV and springs to her feet, "Yes! Food sounds great, what are we eating?"
"Pasta," Josh answered simply, "Not to brag but, I can make a mean puttanesca." Evie raised a brow and took a seat at the bar that was just across from the stove top. "Jake and Sam are big fans," Josh continued, "I like to put a little bit of red wine in mine. Adds a nice kick. You want seltzer water or something? I've got some pretty good soda in here too." He was already rummaging around the fridge at this point, pulling out ingredients. "Soda actually sounds really good right now," Evie chuckled, watching the ingredients leave the fridge, "I mean I'd kill for a glass of wine but..." A can of something called 'Olipop' comes sliding down the granite counter down to Evie who picks it up to read the label curiously. "Where do you get this from?" Evie asked with a light chuckle. She'd never heard of a probiotic soda before. "Oh, I got that stuff shipped in. I shop mostly at Trader Joe's but Whole Foods is probably my favorite place."
"Damn, I didn't think you were that bougie," Evie snickered, popping the tab on the soda can, "I shopped at Dollar Tree and Walmart if I made a little extra in tips."
"Well, you won't have to worry about that anymore," Josh was already starting to chop vegetables, "I'm not making like... gobs and heaps of money but we'll be just fine. I'll make sure you and baby are pampered like you should be." Pampered. Was she really that lucky that she got to be taken care of by this guy? Evie pulls out her phone and carefully snaps a photo of Josh, who glances up at her with a grin as he pops a piece of tomato in his mouth. Her heart fluttered when she looked at him. When he looked at her. Was this love? And more importantly, was it too early to tell him that?