Page 28 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
Laying my head down on my pillow, I blow out a puff of air making a stray hair that’s fallen over my face dance in the air. I can’t believe that he called me. Was it a butt dial, or did he actually want to talk to me? I should have answered it. Then I would know. But what if he just wanted to officially say we’re over? What if…
So many scenarios play though my mind. My poor pregnancy brain can’t handle this right now. We’ve got family coming over this evening for games and snacks, so I’m going to set an alarm and take a nap.
The voice of my favorite country artist, Lainey Wilson croons to me as I slowly wake up. And it’s my song, “Watermelon Moonshine”. Okay, not really. But my timeline matches the song. It’s not an exact match, it wasn’t quite right before the end of summer like the song said, but it was after senior year. And how ironic that we’d ended up with moonshine mixed with watermelon lemonade. Hidden in the back of the fridge.
It wasn’t planned. It just happened. Well, neither of us stopped it. I close my eyes, trying to stop the tears that always come with these waves of guilt that constantly bombard me.
Picking up my phone, I stare at the missed call from Austin. Before I think about it I tap the button to call him back. Biting my lip, I put the phone up to my ear. My other hand settles on my bump. As I rub a circle on my belly, Baby Bean kicks me, or maybe it’s a high five. “Hi baby girl,” I whisper to her. It’samazing to think that even with how tiny she is, she can hear me. She knows my voice. And the sound of my heartbeat is the most comforting sound she knows.
After the fourth ring, a female voice filters through the speaker on my phone. “Aus’in’s phone.” The Oin phone is drawn out, almost as if the person is intoxicated.
“Hello?” I ask.
“Ooh, are you Aus’in’s girlfriend’?” The nasally female voice draws out nearly every vowel.
I’m almost at a loss for words. “Is Austin there?” I finally ask.
“No.” A maniacal laugh pierces my ear. “He’s busy. He’s a big famous ball playa now, so butt off, –” I wince as she finishes the sentence with a curse word.
“Well, um.” I clear my throat.Put on your big girl panties, Raegan, stand up for yourself.“Could you tell him that Raegan called, please?” I probably should’ve made it more of a command than a request.
The girl laughs at me again. “Yeah, no. Not happening.” She pauses and gasps a large breath. “He’s moved on. He’s wi’ someone else now.” I swear I can hear her roll her eyes. An ache begins in the pit of my stomach, and my chest feels tight. “Look, honey,” She sayshoneywith this disgusting sweetness. “I would jus’ move on. He’s not coming ba’ to hicksville. Sowwy.” She talks to me like I’m a child, and then she just hangs up.
The phone falls to the floor with a clatter as I drop my hand to my side. It’s not possible. It’s just not. But he didn’t grow up like I did. Maybe his come-to-Christ moment wasn’t genuine. Maybe it was all a lie. He played me, and once he got what he wanted…
He couldn’t have moved on. We loved each other. I was certain he was the one. “She has to be lying.” I say the words aloud, hoping that somehow I’ll believe them. Austin didn’t pushme to have sex, we chose together. So it’s just not possible. Right? But that little voice of doubt starts yelling at me.
My chin trembles, and I let the tears fall. Wilting to the side, I lay at an awkward angle on my bed. I don’t even try to stop the sobs. They’re loud, and my whole body shakes.
“Stupid boys,” I say. “I wish I hadn’t called you.” Ignoranceisbliss.
Someone knocks at my door, before slowly pushing it open. “Hadn’t called who?” Chrissy asks.
I sit up and push my hair out of my face. I must be quite the sight as some of it sticks to the tear tracks on my cheeks.
Chrissy doesn’t ask any other questions. Doesn’t say anything. Just sits down next to me, wrapping her arms around me.
I hiccup and sob into her shoulder as she rubs my back.
Hours later I’m finally out of tears. It was probably just ten minutes, but it felt like hours. Is that my closure? Some drunk girl telling me he’s moved on? Do I need to just get over him and move on with my life?
Chrissy hands me a tissue and I wipe my cheeks and blow my nose.
“All I do these days is cry.” I mutter around the tissue.
“Well, you are pregnant.” Chrissy raises her eyebrows in a sympathetic look. “And these past few months haven’t been the easiest for you.” I’m amazed that she hasn’t asked more about my phone call yet. She loves drama, thrives on it. Her level of restraint right now surprises me.
“So… I called Austin.”
Chrissy nods. “I kind of figured that much.” She bites her lip. “And his response wasn’t what you wanted to hear?” Her dark brows form a tent over her perfect, small nose.
“No.” Uh oh, here comes the tears again. I press a tissue just under one eye. “He didn’t even answer. Some girl did.” I hiccup-sob again. I hope all of this doesn’t hurt Baby Bean. That’s the last thing I want to deal with. “She told me to forget him. That he’s moved on.” My lungs are struggling to get enough oxygen.
“Breathe, Rae. Breathe.” Chrissy wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
I suck in a lungful of air. “It can’t be over, Chrissy. It just can’t. Some,” I flail an arm toward her as I wipe my cheek with my other hand. “Some other girl can’t just tell me to stay out of his life. I’m having his baby for Pete’s sake.”
Chrissy smooths a hand over my hair. For once she has no words for me.
