Page 39 of The Game Plan
I offer her a tight-lipped smile, knowing what she’s implying. I’ve gained quite a bit of weight during my pregnancy. It was a hard adjustment at first; I think because of social media and the skinny mom influencers, but once I got over the initial shock, I became proud of my body. “It does.”
She eyes the onesie still in my hands. “Getting the little one their own CTU gear…that’s cute. Do you know what you’re having?”
I nod, forcing a lightness into my tone. “A girl.”
“Aw,” she coos. To anyone else, it would be sweet, but her tone grates on my nerves. “Well, that’s…good for you. Lots of pink. I thought you dropped out last semester?”
“I deferred.” I look at the onesie in my hand, debating whether to put it back, but what the hell? My little girl is going to need something to wear while we watch football games. “Once I finish this semester, I’ll graduate.”
She purses her lips. “Juggling classes and a newborn? That’s…wow…that’s brave of you. You’re going to be exhausted.”
“It’s worth it.” I grit my teeth and try to be as polite as possible.
There’s a beat of silence, and I’m just about to think she’s ending the conversation when she blurts, “So…who’s the dad?”
Of course, she asks.
“Is it Grant’s?” She rushes the question out before I can respond, gripping my forearm and leaning close. Excitement laces her voice.
I level her with a look. “It’s someone who isn’t in the picture. Grant is letting me stay with him temporarily.”
Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline, and instantly, I want to put my foot in my mouth. What the hell have I done? I told the biggest gossip that I’m living with Grant Campbell. Grant Campbell, who is acoachat the university where I am astudent. I have no idea what his code of ethics says about fraternizing with students. Shit. Shit. Shit.
She hums, like she’s storing that away for later. “You two were always so…close.”
“We’re friends,” I snap.
Tierney’s face morphs into a slow, knowing smile. “Riiiight. Well, good luck with”—she waves her hand in my direction—“everything. Really. I hope it all works out for you.”
And just like that, she’s gone. Her shoes squeak across the linoleum floor toward the registers, like I didn’t give her ammunition that can rock my world.
I exhale slowly, rubbing my baby bump. With the onesie in tow, I join the line and wait for my turn.
By the time I sit on the edge of the couch and bend to lace my sneakers, the sun has dipped behind a low curtain of clouds. It’s still sweltering out, but it’s bearable for the first time all day. The air is thick, sticky, suffocating, but without the direct glare, I can breathe. I’ll take it. I’ve got to get my steps in and keep moving my body. I’m officially in labor preparations.
I tighten the knot on my left shoe, thumb tapping my screen as I fire off a text to Chloe. Chloe Mariano is the bookworm in our friend group. She’s a hopeless romantic at heart.
Got any audiobook recs? Need something for all my walks. Preferably something distracting enough that I forget I’m hauling around a watermelon.
Her reply comes through seconds later.
Chloe: Dark romance? Spicy? Emotional? What’re you in the mood for, Mama?
I snort, grabbing my headphones. I didn’t realize she’d have such a follow-up.
Considering I’m already wound as tight as they come…surprise me.
Chloe: Spicy, it is. Get you all hot and bothered, then have that smokeshow roommate take care of that itch you can’t scratch.
Why do I feel like that’s already a plot of a romance novel?
Chloe: It obviously is lol Hmmm…how about a morally grey man who worships the ground you walk on?
Sign me up!
Chloe: Check out the Alliance series by S.J. Tilly! Those men are delicious!
I let out a huff of laughter, shaking my head as I scroll through my audiobook app and download the first book in the series. A dark mafia romance, with an age gap and touch-her-and-die vibes, hell yeah!
