Page 10 of Until Delilah

“If you’re sure.” He smirks before he takes a bite of his pizza.

I have a feeling Max likes the attention. While he’s nice and all, I get a playboy vibe from him as well. How could he not be after being in the MLB? After my comment earlier about being pregnant, I’m sure he’ll never be interested in me. Which is a good thing.

Kari tells me stories about all the moms at the other table and I get the feeling she loves to gossip. I’m sure by the game on Saturday everyone will know I’m pregnant and a single mother to boot. I’ll be the talk of the town.

“We should probably get going so the boys can get cleaned up before they go to bed,” Kari announces after she’s told me stories about every person in the room except Max. “I’ll give you a ride back to your car.”

“That’s alright, I can give them a ride,” Max announces, saving me from having to explain that I don’t have a car.

“It’s really no bother.” she tries to argue, but Max waves her offer away.

Max throws some bills down for a tip and heads over to the little arcade area all the boys are playing in.

Kari sidles up next to me as we wait for the boys. “Well, aren’t you lucky? First, he sits next to you while we eat, and now, he’s driving you to your car.”

I can only shrug as I wonder if I’ve already lost the only friend I thought I’d made here.

“I want to hear all the details at the game on Saturday, you lucky bitch.” Kari doesn’t say more once Trey comes to stand beside her, bouncing on the balls of his feet. The kid seems to have endless energy.

I spot Beckham waving to a few of the boys and I can see how tired he is from across the room. I know once he takes a shower, he’ll pass out for the night.

“If you want, we can wait until everyone leaves so we don’t give them something to talk about,” Max says from behind me, nearly giving me a heart attack.

I jump and turn to face him with my hand to my chest. “How are you so silent with how big you are?” Max only smirks down at me. “I don’t think we have anything to worry about on that front. I have a feeling Kari will be spreading far and wide what she learned tonight, and no one is going to believe you are interested in a single mom who’s pregnant with no man on the horizon.”

“Well, if they believe that, then they don’t really know me, do they? I don’t think Kari will say anything though. She likes you. ” Max waves Beckham over and then puts his hand to my lower back. The jolt of electricity that zings up my spine has me wanting to move away from his touch, but I don’t. My mind is still whirling from his comment and trying to make sense of it.

“Hey, buddy,” He ruffles Beckham’s hair, making it stick out in every direction. “I’m going to give you and your mom a ride home if that’s okay with you.”

Beck nods enthusiastically. I love how Max is with him. It’s how I wish Bradley had been, but sadly he never warmed up to my son in the four years I was with him. Again, that should have been a sign. What was I thinking staying with a man who didn’t like my child or who hadn’t proposed to me in four fucking years? Not that I would have said yes. At least I hope I wouldn’t have.

I let Max guide me out to his truck and watch as he stands to make sure Beckham gets inside. I hurriedly get inside, not wanting him to help me. He probably offered the ride out of pity for the poor pregnant woman without a car. What’s worse is I don’t want to feel the bolt of excitement that runs through my body every time he touches me. I need to keep my distance from him.

Max looks into his rearview mirror and then over to me before he states softly. “He’s tired.”

“He is. I don’t think he’s been sleeping the best these last few nights,” I admit. It’s probably because we’re sharing a tiny bed, and if either one of us moves, we wake up the other.

“Do you want me to talk to him? See if anything’s bothering him? I know sometimes kids don’t always tell their parents what’s going on with them, but will open up to someone outside the home.”

“It’s okay, but thanks. I’m sure he’ll sleep like the dead tonight. He’s exhausted. Putting him on the team is exactly what he needed to expel some of his energy. And thanks for giving us a ride. Kari’s nice and all, but—”

“You don’t want to have to explain your circumstances to her. I get it. This is part of living in a small town. While you may know everyone, they will know everything about you unless you make it a point to stay private.” Max turns to look at me for only a moment before he looks back to the road.

Little does he know I’ll do everything possible so no one learns the reason we moved to their little town.

Max pulls up to the same spot I had him drop us off the night before. It’s in front of an apartment building about a mile away from the shelter. If there had been any place closer, I would have had him drop us off there, but sadly, most of it is businesses, and that would only lead to questions I don’t want to answer.

“Do you need any help getting inside?” he asks.

“We’re good, but thank you. You’re too kind.” I lift up a hand and wave. Beckham tries to give an enthusiastic wave too but fails due to his exhaustion. “We’ll see you at the game on Saturday.”

Standing in the parking lot, we wait until Max’s truck is out of sight and then I hold my arms open, knowing I can’t ask my son to walk the mile it will take us to get to the shelter. He’s already dead on his feet and I have a feeling I’ll be the same once we get to the shelter.

After twenty very long minutes, I stand at the door to the women’s shelter and try the door one more time only for it not to budge. I read over the sign again, only I can’t see the words as I tear up, but I have the words burned into my mind.

Doors are locked promptly at nine o’clock sharp and will be opened again in the morning at eight a.m.

4

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