Page 47 of Bronco

Ben

Maybe we can reschedule? I feel really bad about tonight

Me

It’s okay, just work on getting better. Rest. Chicken soup. That kinda thing

Ben

I’ll text you when I’m feeling better, we can make another time and place

I stare at his text,unsure what to say. I’ve seen photos of Ben from his sister, and he’s cute and normal looking, but I don’t know why I’m not as excited as I thought I’d be with the idea of rescheduling our date. I mean, I haven’t even given the guy a chance.

Me

Okay

Ben

Do you mean that?

I take a breath. Maybe I’m just feeling off? I don’t know what it is. Maybe I just repel men. The last time I tried a blind date, that didn’t go down so well either.

Me

Of course

Ben

Okay enjoy the weekend

Me

You too

He probably won’t be enjoying it if he’s laid up in bed sick. I also don’t have the heart to tell him I’m still using the tickets and taking Bronco. There’s no point wasting good tickets to the Pelicans. I love watching them live.

When I drop Olive off at Indigo and Harlem’s, they all jump up and down when Indi says she’s going to take them over to her bakery; NOLA Sweet Treats, so they can pick some cakes out for the sleepover. I’m glad Olive has found her new friends because it’s making the transition here, without her mom, a little easier.

Audrina is also there, heavily pregnant, and I give her a big hug. “How long do you have now?” I ask as she strokes her belly.

“Anytime now,” she says. “Another week, two at the most.”

“You must be so excited.” I try not to think back to my previous two miscarriages, and the shame that went with it from Vince and my sister wives. Not bringing a child into the world, under those circumstances, is a blessing.

“I’m just ready to meet her,” she says, smiling wistfully. “Though this pregnancy has been a breeze compared to the last time. Asher gave me hell. That was almost thirty years ago, so I could be a little rusty on the details.”

Asher is Nevada’s real name, but Audrina refuses to use biker names, preferring to call Hustler by his real name: West.

I laugh. “We’re talking about Nevada,” I remind her. “So, there’s every possible chance you have it correct.”

“Oh, he wouldn’t keep still. He couldn’t wait to come out into the world.”

“How is he feeling about having a little sister with such a big age gap?”

Audrina smiles. “He’s used to the idea now. Especially since having twins.”

“I think that’s so adorable.” I can be happy for other people that are having kids, that’s the thing. I’ve never felt a maternal instinct to have my own, and I don’t think that will change anytime soon even if I could have kids. I feel content being Aunty A.

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