“What about for something else?”
Gabby looked up at the ceiling, as though she was straining to think. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. “You know what! I do have beef.”
“Uh-oh.” Noel held her coffee cup in front of her for protection. “I’m skerred.”
“You should be. How could you bring me coffee when I’ve already had my allotted amount for the day.”
“Allotted amount? What are you talking about?”
Gabby got up and grabbed her phone from the counter. She tapped the screen silently and slid it over.
Noel stared at the picture of a positive pregnancy test. Her gaze jerked up and she caught the sly smile on Gabby’s face.
“What? WHAT?!”
“Yep!”
Noel jumped up and hugged her, squealing. Noel didn’t make the noise often, but she was so surprised, it escaped on its own.
“When did you find out?”
“Sunday, at the hospital when they checked me out. I took a home pregnancy test yesterday just for the picture. I felt like absolute crap yesterday, which is why I didn’t come to the door.”
“What did Drew say? Were you trying?”
“He’s excited to be a dad. We talked about it a few weeks before he proposed. We thought it would take a while, so I stopped my birth control right after Halloween.”
“Are you happy about it?”
“Yes, I’m so happy. We are going to wait until after the wedding to tell our families. But that’s why we wanted the wedding this year. We knew there was a chance it could happen and I didn’t want to be walking down the aisle with a huge belly if we waited.”
“Awww, I am so excited for you.” Noel bent down, talking to Gabby’s tummy. “Hi pumpkin! It’s Auntie Noel! I can’t wait to meet you!”
“Stop talking to my uterus, weirdo. They can’t hear you.”
“Get used to it, because that baby is going to know my voice.” They sat back at the table, and Noel shook her head. “Did you tell Amber?”
“No, I was going to wait. I wasn’t sure how you were going to react, but I know she will have something to say.”
“What, you didn’t think I would be happy for you?”
“I know you have your hang-ups on kids and marriage.”
“Whoa, time out, those have to do with me and whether I want those things. My own uncertainty doesn’t stop me from being happy for others and I am so elated that you’re getting everything you ever wanted.” Tucking a stray hair behind her ear, she added, “Besides, I have to admit, lately I’ve been thinking that maybe I was too hasty, writing off love, marriage, and kids.”
Gabby took her hands with a squeal. “Really?”
“Don’t get too excited! It’s got me thinking is all. We will see what the future holds. What I do know is I love you and I’m going to be the best auntie to all your babies!”
“Whoa now, let’s just start with one. Don’t throw that out into the universe or I’ll end up with triplets.”
Noel took Gabby’s hand and squeezed. “I think you should tell Amber. I truly believe she loves you and would be happy for you?”
“Wait, did you just say something nice about Amber? Who are you?”
“Someone who is really trying to grow up.”
NICK
Nick knocked on Pike’s front door, Anthony at his back. The duplex needed a new coat of paint, but Pike only bought it a few months ago. They’d made plans to have a guy’s game night, complete with beer, nacho fixings, and Nick brought his PS4 since Pike had an Xbox One.
Several moments ticked by with no answer.
Nick knocked again. “You think he forgot?”
“How could he forget about us? We are his broskis.”
“I’ll call him.” Nick put the box he carried down and slipped his phone out of his pocket. He found Pike in his contacts, but it just rang. “Weird. No answer.”
Anthony set the grocery sacks down. “I’ve got him on my GPS app. Let’s see where he’s at.” Anthony pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped away. Anthony’s brow furrowed.
“What’s up?”
“Where does this look like to you?”
Nick squinted at the screen. “Grey Wolf Lane. Brews and Chews? That’s the only thing out there.”
“Yeah, but they’re closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesdays.”
“So why is he there?”
“Why are you asking me? Let’s get in the damn truck and ask him,” Anthony griped.