Page 80 of Lone Star Longing
“Babies moving.” Then she remembered she hadn’t told anyone besides Poppy that she was having twins. “The baby’s moving.”
Something shifted in his expression, something she didn't recognize, something she didn't want to spend the time trying to decipher when this miracle was happening inside her.
“What’s it like?” Ginny asked.
“Like—little wings inside me. I wonder what they’re—what he’s doing.”
“Maybe reacting to all that ranch dressing,” Poppy teased.
“I told you he’d like it.”
She tuned out of the conversation, going inside herself, trying to picture her babies, jostling for position. It was a feathery-light sensation now, but as they got bigger, she imagined the movement would be a little more violent. Two babies. Two.
She’d almost gotten used to the idea.
She tuned back into the conversation, not wanting to go down that road again.
“Hey, are we still on for Fort Clark Springs?” Beck asked.
“Fort Clark Springs? When are you going there? I haven't been there since we were in high school,” Britt said.
“We had a trip planned for this week,” Beck said. “Pack a lunch, hang out in the water. Are we still on?”
“I’m in,” Poppy said.
“I have to work,” Ginny said with a sigh. “Janine needs me.” She looked at Javi. “What about you? Have you decided to go?”
“I’ll, ah, maybe.”
“We should probably figure out who’s bringing what, so we don't have so much food.” Beck blinked and nodded. “I heard it.”
“You shouldn’t use your pregnancy for overeating,” Britt chimed in. “You’ll have a hard time losing the weight afterwards. I see it happen over and over.”
Lacey gave her a look, but said nothing.
“Don't you think it’s weird that Lacey’s the first one of us to have a baby?” Poppy said. “I always thought it would be Britt.”
Britt’s eyes snapped wide, but then she laughed, kind of awkwardly. “No, no, no, not for a long time for me.”
“Why? You’re almost thirty. Aren’t you guys almost thirty? You don't want to wait too long, or you won’t have the energy you need to keep up with the kids.”
“Well, I might just want one. And I want to plan it.”
Again, Lacey gave her a look. She didn't want to call Britt out on her insensitive remarks, but she was starting to see why Sofia didn't like her. If she had been even a little like this in high school, well, she could see why she didn't have many friends that were girls.
Sofia, however, had no reticence when it came to confronting her.
“I can’t believe you just said that to Lacey. You know she didn't plan hers, but you’re here judging her, and calling her fat, and damn, Britt. No wonder Con didn't want to come. You’re a bitch. The surprise is, Con stayed with you as long as he did.”
Lacey put her hand on Sofia’s arm. She appreciated Sofia standing up for her, but she didn't want a fight because of her. And just because Britt was a bitch didn't mean Sofia had to be.
Britt looked at Beck, like she expected him to stand up for her.
He took a sip of his beer. “Come on guys, we’re here to have a good time. It’s been a long time since we were all together.”
“Only we’ve never been all together. You left just as soon as you could.”
“I did.” Britt met Sofia eye-to-eye. “I did. I couldn't stay here. It was too sad. Everything was too sad. I needed to go where I could breathe.”
