“I mean, if you don’t step up now, then don’t bother, because you’re only going to be an extra problem she doesn’t need.”
“I’m going to be a part of this baby’s life,” I say, my anger spiking from what he’s implying. Pacey knows about my family life, about my history. We dove deep into it one night during the off-season. It was a starry night in Banff at Taters’s cabin—where we spend a month during the off-season—we each had a beer in hand, and I told him about never having a dad and losing my mom when I was twelve. I told him that I had to move in with a distant relative. It was an emotional conversation, one where he got to understand me on a deeper level. “I’m not my father,” I say, my throat rough from the thought of actually being like that man.
“Then prove it to me. Pack your shit and move in with Penny.”
He’s serious.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this serious.
It seems I need to find some moving boxes.
Chapter Seven
PENNY
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pacey that angry,” I say to Blakely.
She came over after work when I texted her “911, my place now.” She knew I was telling the boys today, so I wasn’t surprised when she showed up with a gallon of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter cups, and fudge.
We didn’t say anything to each other when she arrived. Instead, we went straight to the kitchen, where we made ourselves giant sundaes. With stomachs full, we sat down on the couch, unfolded a large blanket, and curled under it while facing each other.
“He actually punched Hornsby?”
“Yeah, knocked him over. Hornsby wasn’t expecting it, and surprisingly, he didn’t react and punch Pacey back. I’ve seen Hornsby get angry during a game before. He doesn’t take shit from anyone.”
“Probably because he knew he was in the wrong,” Blakely says. “But it was a good thing Posey was there.”
“I feel bad that he was there. He was so uncomfortable. I should give him a fruit basket or something. Treat him to a bologna sandwich. Maybe create a love post about him so he can relish in all the comments.”
“All things he would appreciate.” Blakely brings the blanket over her shoulder. “So where did you guys leave it?”
“They were being obnoxious idiots, and the stress of it all was too much, so I left. Pacey was more concerned with how it happened than what actually happened and how I was feeling. He was adding to the stress.” I let out a huge sigh as tears well up in my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Blakely places her hand on my knee.
“I don’t want to do this alone. My parents live all the way across the country. Pacey is in and out. Winnie, well, I feel bad for asking her for help because even though I love her, I don’t think we’re in a place where I can talk to her about the troubles of pregnancy and what I’m going through.”
“You have me.”
“And I appreciate that. I truly do. But you have a life too. I don’t want to take away from anything between you and Perry. That would not be fair. You guys have lives. You don’t need a baby mama in it.”
“That’s not true. You know we’ll be there for you.”
“I know, but it’s not the same. No matter how much I like to believe I have you and Pacey, the truth is, I’m going to be doing this alone, and that’s incredibly scary.”
“You really don’t think Hornsby will be there for you?” Blakely asks. “He’s a player, but he’s a good guy. One of the nicest guys on the team.”
“He is. Winnie even said when she stumbled on the cabin, he was the first to greet her, welcome her in, and make sure she had everything she needed. But you should have seen the look on his face when I told him. It was as if he wanted to slowly melt away. Would it be great if he was a part of all of this? Yes, but I’m not going to force someone to do something they don’t want to do, nor do I want to create animosity, you know?”
“You are being far too kind.” Blakely sits up on the couch. “If it was me, I’d demand that he be at my beck and call. Hell, I’d make him move in.”
“That’s so weird. Pacey said the same thing.”
Blakely taps the side of her head. “That’s because we’re smart.”
“You’re delusional.”
I’ve played Hornsby’s words over in my head several times since I left the office, and I still don’t know what to make of them.