“Look,” I say, “I know this is a huge shock. And trust me, I still haven’t wrapped my head around it either. But I lo—care about Sabrina.” I correct myself before the L-word leaves my mouth. No way am I saying it to my friends before I say it to her. “Dean is all wrong about her. She’s driven, yeah, but she’s not cold or judgmental. She’s got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She’s…pretty fucking amazing.”
A lump obstructs my throat. Damn it. I wish Sabrina could see herself through my eyes. She thinks she’s dragging me down into the gutter with her, but she’s wrong. She’s giving me the one thing I’ve always wanted—a family. Sure, it’s happening earlier than I planned, but life doesn’t always follow a schedule.
“So you’re really doing this, huh?” Garrett sounds a bit awed.
“Yup.”
“Do I get to be the godfather?”
“Fuck that!” Logan objects. “He’s picking me. Obvs.”
“Bullshit. I’m clearly the better choice.”
“You’re clearly the bigger egomaniac, that’s what you are.”
I snicker. “Keep this up and I’m picking neither of you. But it’s good to know you’re both eager for the job. I think I’ll come up with some kind of competition, make you two battle it out.”
“I’ll win,” Garrett says immediately.
“Fuck that!”
They’re still arguing about it as I duck out of the kitchen. Dean might’ve been a jackass about my big news, but it’s a relief to know that at least I have G and Logan’s support.
I’m sure as hell going to need it.
*
I’m here. Where u at?
Fitzy’s text pops up as I park in the lot in front of Malone’s. I drove here straight from the house, because telling my roommates about the baby isn’t the only item on tonight’s agenda. I still need to find a place to live, and I’m really hoping Fitz can help me with that.
I quickly type a response.
Me: Just got here. Walking in now.
Him: Corner booth in the back.
Putting away my phone, I lock the truck and head into the bar. Fitzy is sipping a beer when I slide onto the booth seat across from him. He’s ordered one for me too, which I gratefully accept.
“Hey. Thanks for meeting up.”
He shrugs. “No prob. I was getting stir crazy anyway. My apartment is too fucking small.”
Huh. I didn’t expect an opening this early in the conversation, but damned if I’m going to pass it up. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Fitzy arches a brow. “My small apartment?”
“Sort of.” I trace my finger over the label of my beer. “You said your lease is ending in May, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You given any thought to what you’re doing about that? Are you signing another lease? Moving somewhere else?”
A grin tugs on the corners of his mouth. “What’s with the Twenty Questions?”
“Just trying to figure out where your head is at.” I take another sip. “I’m not going back to Texas after graduation.”
He peers at me over the neck of his bottle. “Since when?”
“Since I’m having a kid in August.”
Loud choking noises break out from his side of the booth. I probably shouldn’t have sprung that on him while he was mid-sip. I feel bad as I watch him cough wildly.
“Y-you—” He coughs again. Clears his throat. “You’re having a kid?”
“Yeah. Sabrina’s pregnant.”
“Oh.” One tattooed arm lifts so he can rub his temple. “Shit. Well. Congrats, I guess?”
An unwitting smile touches my lips. “Thanks.”
He studies me carefully. “You seem cool about this.”
“That’s because I am,” I say simply. “But yeah, I definitely need to find a place in Boston. And I remember you mentioned you wouldn’t be against living in the city, so…” I shrug. “Figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you’re in the market for a roommate.”
“Ah.” Regret flickers in his expression. “I decided not to do that. I thought I’d be cool with the commute, but I talked it through with Hollis and he reminded me what a bitch it is to drive from Boston to Hastings in the winter, so I’m going to stick around here for my senior year.”
I swallow my disappointment. “Oh, okay. That makes sense.”