Page 35 of Entirely Yours
Heaving a sigh, I fall back onto the couch across from her and cross my ankle over my knee. “You and I both know if you were actually concerned about my wellbeing, you would have come to check on me before family dinner tonight.”
Mom takes a sip of her wine, eyeing me over the rim. “People might have seen you and a certain young woman out and about and let me know that you didn’t look sick at all.”
I look over at Ben and Gabe, but they both shrug, holding their hands up to convey innocence. Innocence I’m not entirely convinced is genuine.
“Looks like everything is going well with… what was her name again?”
“Thea,” Gabe answers.
“She knows her name, Gabriel. Mom is trying to get me to talk, which I was actually planning on doing anyway if you would stop being so weird about it.” I aim the last part at Mom who looks completely nonplussed.
Again, I’m doubting the authenticity of this reaction.
“Where’s Dad?” I redirect.
“In here!” he calls from the kitchen. “Dinner is ready—everyone come sit down.”
It’s only my brothers here this week, as it has been most Sunday nights since Bex moved. I know Mom and Dad would love for the dining table to be busting at the seams, we just… aren’t there yet.
We eat dinner and make the usual small talk. Dad asks about progress with the coffee shop—non-existent as we wait for quotes from contractors—and Mom tells us all about her current group of students, updating us on some of the grad students she’s grown attached to. The entire time I feel like a ticking timebomb. At any moment I might explode, yelling, “Thea’s pregnant!” at the top of my lungs.
When we reach the end of the meal, Ben suggests we give Bex a call to check in on her family. Which means I need to find a way to calm myself down so I can reveal my life-changing news. Bex picks up on the third ring, a bowl resting on her belly and Elodie climbing across the couch pillows behind her. I rub my sweaty palms up and down my jeans as everyone waves to Bex and El.
“I’m still pregnant,” is the first thing she says when she answers.
“And you’re doing great, mon chou,” Mom calls.
Ben, who is sitting directly next to Mom, winces and covers his ear. “You don’t have to yell, Mom. She can hear you.”
Even though it’s hard to see Bex on the tiny screen, I know her well enough to know that there’s a wicked glint in her eye. “Acutally, can you speak louder? It is pretty hard to hear you.”
“Of course, darling!” Mom continues, her voice a notch louder than it was before. “Where’s my favorite son?”
“Rude,” Gabe mutters at the same time Anders’ voice comes through with, “I’m right here, Elaine!”
Anders’ face pops onto the screen. “Don’t be jealous, Gabey Wabey!”
I reach back, untying my hair and running my fingers through it a few times trying to figure out the best time to interject.
“Hey!” Bex cuts in over Anders and Gabe bickering. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Me?” Gabe replies. “I didn’t?—”
“Not you!” she replies. “JuJu. Why are you messing with your hair? What’s wrong?”
Tying my hair back up as quickly as possible, I reply, “I’m fine. What are you talking about?”
Her eyes narrow, seeing straight into my soul even through the phone screen. “Bullshit.”
A sigh rushes out. Of course Bex knows my tells. I scrub my hands down my face, leaving them there so I don’t have to see anyone’s reaction. “Thea’s pregnant.”
Anders is the first to respond. “Oh shit.”
Bex follows right behind him with, “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“Thea is pregnant,” I repeat.
“Didn’t you two just meet?” she asks, disbelief in her voice.
