Page 156 of Even Exchange

i bet she’ll let you ride her motorcycle

SAGE

fine i’ll come

SOPHIA

YAY. Charlie? You and Noah coming?

ME

You sure you don’t mind the preggo girl ruining your fun?

SAGE

someone has to be the designated sober friend. I designate you

ME

awh so kind

but Noah has a late practice

SAGE

So? He’s not your keeper

Let him meet you there

Don’t stay home all sad and boring while we’re having FUNNNNN

ME

Fine, see you guys in a bit!

SOPHIA

DOUBLE YAY

The front door opens, Sage and Abbs strolling in.

It’s not Noah.

Since I can’t fall into his arms, I guess I’ll fall into these cushions. Groaning, I throw myself on the corner of the couch, sinking in, and it accepts me like a warm hug. It’s no comparison to Noah’s, but I guess it'll do for now.

Great, I’m resorting to objectophilia.

It’s been a week since we found out about the paternity, and while I’m grateful Noah is accepting me—us—I still never want to be a burden or a distraction. This baby isn’t even his, after all… and as much as he’s shown he cares, it’s still hard for me to believe a man would want to raise a baby that’s not his own. That’s a hell of an ask.

I want to believe his pretty words. But after having my heart ripped out and stomped on by someone I fully relied on, I can’t ignore that tiny little carry-on of trust issues screaming at me to watch out for the next plane crash.

It also doesn’t help that Noah’s been having late nights this week preparing for their first preseason game, and we’ve barely seen each other. Imisshim.

“That was sick,” Sage tells Abbs, a motorcycle helmet hanging from her fingertips.

“Anytime you wanna ride,” Abbs says, fingers unknotting her dirty blonde helmet hair, “just let me know.”

“I really wish you’d get a different mode of transportation,” Elijah says, brows raised.

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