Page 78 of Built to Fall
“And that’s Dad,” Claire says, jerking her chin toward Mr. Vandenberg. “But everyone calls him Coach.”
Coach Vandenberg smiles toward me. “Nice to meet you, Lina. Sorry about the… unconventional welcome.”
“It’s fine,” I say, forcing a smile despite how utterly awkward this feels. “I mean, traumatic, but fine.”
I’ve never felt this uncomfortable for seemingly no reason before. I immediately assume it has to do with the fact that this is the first time I’ve been surrounded by a family since my mom died. It seems like a reasonable explanation.
Claire chokes on her coffee, laughing. Abby beams at me like I passed some secret sisterhood initiation test.
“You’re funny,” Abby says approvingly. “You can stay.”
“She doesn’t want to stay,” Grant mutters, but he’s smiling into his mug.
“You don’t know that,” Abby argues, tossing a blueberry at him.
Claire sets a plate in front of me stacked so high I’d almost think she’s suggesting I look malnourished.
“Eat,” she orders. “You’re part of this now.”
I glance at Grant. He gives a slight shrug, like there’s no point in denying his sisters—something he clearly knows all too well. And weirdly, I don’t mind it. Their chaotic energy is overwhelming, but it’s real. Messy and honest.
Something about it makes my chest ache. I chalk it up to my only child syndrome. Being around Grant’s siblings is a nicechange of pace now that I’m nearly over the awkwardness of it all.
Abby hops back onto the counter, cradling her mug between her hands. She grins wide, like she’s been holding in a secret too big to sit on anymore.
“Okay, so speaking of surprises,” she says, bouncing a little. “I have one.”
Grant groans. “God, no more.”
“Shut up,” Abby says gleefully. Then, in one breath: “I’m pregnant.”
The room freezes.
Claire smirks behind her mug. Clearly she’s been in the know. Coach Vandenberg’s eyebrows shoot up so high I think they might launch off his face.
“What?” Grant finally says, his voice cracking slightly.
“I’m pregnant!” Abby repeats, throwing her hands up. “You’re going to be an uncle!”
Grant stares at her, speechless. His mouth opens and closes. Classic system reboot.
I glance at Claire, who looks entirely unsurprised, then back to Abby, who’s positively glowing.
Something about being here during such an important family moment makes me feel even more out of place than I already had, but there’s not much I can do about it now.
“Wait,” Grant says slowly. “How? I mean”—he grimaces, realizing his mistake—“please don’t tell mehow—but when? Since when?”
“I’m eight weeks along,” Abby says proudly. “Found out last month. Claire’s known. We were waiting to tell you and Dad in person.”
Coach Vandenberg shakes his head, looking dazed but proud. “Well, damn. Guess we’ve got a lot to celebrate!”
Abby beams even brighter. She hops off the counter and practically tackles Coach in a hug.
Grant still looks like he’s short-circuiting. I reach under the table and nudge his knee with mine.
“You okay, Gigi?” I tease, keeping my voice low.
He shoots me a betrayed look as I grin into my pancake.
