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She laughs. “Oh, god no. I mean, I think I found him in time before that happened. But no.”
I pretend to make a cross with my fingers, happy to get that image out of my head. Callaway is like a brother to me.
“Okay, so let me hear it. How can I be of service to you, my lady?” Kodi redirects.
“You better not be asking Kodi to be the godmother,” Navy calls from the kitchen, bringing a tray of snacks and wine to the coffee table. “Sorry, no wine for you, pretty mommy. Doctor’s orders.”
I flip her off, truly not caring at all about the wine. We’ve never been the kind of friends who go out and party for girls’ night. We’re the stay inside, embrace our roughest selves, and veg out on junk food kind of friends.
It’s perfectly imperfect.
“Navy, I’ll fight you for the godmother title,” Kodi threatens.
Navy barks out a laugh. “Oh, please. I can take you all day, angel,” she teases, drawing out the angel part. Callaway calls her that, and Navy thinks it’s hilarious to mess with her about it.
They’re sisters-in-law, so I guess that’s par for the course.
“Fuck you, terremoto,” Kodi bites back, using the name Bodhi calls Navy on her.
“Children. Calm down. We have an important matter at hand here,” I scold them.
“Right. Right.” Kodi collects herself. “You need a favor.”
I nod. “Yes. So, you know how August and I have been…having some fun?”
“That’s an understatement. You mean fucking like exotic animals?” Navy chuckles.
“Do exotic animals actually fuck?” Kodi sneers.
“Actually, we haven’t fucked yet, but thanks for noticing.” I send her a smile that has multiple meanings. “I mean, aside from this,” I say, gesturing to my stomach.
“Wow. I’m shook,” Kodi says. “Always thought August was a hit it and quit it kind of guy.”
I need to ignore her comment before I do something unusual like defend him.
“I’m not,” Navy admits. “Tenley has never admitted to wanting August. Why would she sleep with him again when she knows it’ll only solidify the feelings she already has for him?”
“I donothave feelings for August. I’m just really freaking horny and he’s helping with that.”
“Does he know that’s what’s happening? That you’re only sleeping with him to scratch an itch?” Kodi asks.
I nod. “Yes. In fact, it was his idea. That’s why I’ve been more involved than normal with his social media. He needs to keep his biggest endorsement, and I’m helping him do it.”
“Interesting…” Navy’s voice sounds a lot like she’s not buying it. “So, you help him and he helps you?”
Again, I nod.
“Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me,” Navy tells me, taking a sip of her wine.
“Navy,” Kodi warns her. “She didn’t ask you.”
Thankfully, I’m not offended. Navy and I have a very open friendship where we respond better to being called out by each other. Kodi is more of the peacemaker between us. I appreciate both dynamics.
“Why do you say that, Navy?” I ask, genuinely curious.
She sets her glass down and musters up the energy to speak. I feel a speech coming. “Because think about it…you and August got drunk at Joe’s and hooked up. One month later, you’re pregnant with his baby. A baby, Tenley. Something you’ve desperately wanted for so long. So much so, you vetted over fifty different men to find the perfect sperm to get pregnant on your own.”
Splintering emotions hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes, I have always wanted a child, and I did do that. I took my future into my own hands, something I never thought I’d have the guts to do to begin with.
