Page 38 of Tell Me No
“Uh oh, trouble in paradise already?” She prods. She’s always been an expert at reading my emotions, even when I don’t want her to be.
“You’ve lived here a long time, right?” I change the subject, hoping she’ll drop it. I don’t want to talk about Jason right now. It’s a problem without a solution at the moment, and I don’t want the headache.
“My whole life, why?” She asks, scrolling through her playlist for a new song.
“Has there ever been a dance studio here?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“When I was a kid, yeah. But I think the lady who ran it died. She did good business, though, from what I remember. Why?” She peers up at me over her phone, eyebrow quirked in interest.
“Just wondering. I’ve always-” I’m cut off when the front door opens. Ember and Kelsea walk in, arms linked with huge smiles across their faces.
“Goooooood morning, Mrs. Negan!” Kelsea shouts, and I feel the heat of embarrassment flood through my veins. I hadn’t had the chance to tell Vanessa about my weekend yet, so when I turn to look at her, her mouth is hanging open in shock.
“You bitch! You married daddy and didn’t even say anything?!?” She screeches, reaching an octave I didn’t even know was possible for humans.
“Oh, shit. Was it a secret?” Kelsea says, slapping a hand over her mouth. Ember drops her head into her hand, obviously used to Kelsea’s antics.
“No, it wasn’t a secret. We were just busy when I got here, so I hadn’t had a chance to tell you!” I reply.
“Girl, you bagged the finest man I’ve ever seen grace this coffee shop, and you didn’t have time to tell me?” Vanessa quirks an eyebrow, not buying what I’m selling.
“I’m sorry. We don’t have time for you to get up to speed because I have news!” Kelsea squeals, bouncing up and down on her toes.
I’ve told Vanessa everything about the struggles Kelsea and Everett have faced getting pregnant, so at this point, we’re all emotionally invested. Crossing my fingers and holding my breath, I pray that’s the news she came here to share. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than those two.
“I’m-” she starts, but Ember cuts her off.
“SHE’S PREGNANT!” Ember screams, and Kelsea shoots her a look that could kill. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I just couldn’t hold it in anymore!” Ember’s hand flies up to cover her mouth and we all dissolve into a fit of laughter and tears, taking turns hugging each other.
“Kelsea, I’m so freaking excited for you! I knew something was up when you weren’t drinking this weekend,” I give her a wink, recalling our conversation on the club dance floor.
“Yeah, so we’re really gonna need you to get on daddy’s disco stick that way all these kids can grow up together,” Kelsea says, and I almost choke.
I pound my chest, coughing and sputtering as Ember smacks Kelsea's shoulder. Kelsea, on the other hand, has a look of pure satisfaction painted across her face. She lives to make me uncomfortable, I swear.
“Jesus Christ, Kelsea. At least give them a month or something before you start talking like that,” Ember laughs.
Sadness settles in my chest as I wonder if Jason and I will even be Jason and I in a month. I hate that feeling of insecurity, especially when I know we belong together. I cling tightly to my belief that he’s going to come to his senses. Sometimes we just need time and space to process trauma, and I will always be willing to give him that.
“But… speaking of babies, do you think you could do me a favor, Ror? I hate to ask after everything, but Eli and I could really use a break. What do I have to do to persuade you to spend an evening with your niece and nephew?” Ember bats her long eyelashes at me and I scoff.
“No convincing necessary. Just drop them off at Jason’s place whenever you’re ready. I’m off at 4,” I reply with a smile, curious to know how my husband will feel when he comes home to two tiny toddler tornadoes.
“You mean your place? It’s not just Jason’s anymore, ya know,” Vanessa interjects, and I plaster a fake smile on my face.
“Of course, what’s his is mine and all that bullshit,” I laugh, turning to busy myself with clearing tables and wiping down the coffee bar.
“Something is up with her,” I hear Kelsea whisper to Ember, but they don’t pry. I don’t have the energy to discuss this situation right now.
Hopefully, Jason will come home tonight and we can tag team the Harding duo. But if not, at least I’ll have my favorite twinsies to keep me distracted.
The nearly two-year-old twin terrors arrive only half an hour after I get home from work. I barely have time to order pizza before I’m chasing them through Jason’s house. I swear to god, Ember deserves a fucking Olympic medal for everything she does as a twin mom. Why I thought trying to do arts and crafts with them was a good idea, I’ll never know.
I’m pulling Scarlett off the kitchen table when I look over and see Silas dumping an entire bottle of white glitter onto his head. My jaw hits the floor at the sheer audacity of these feral children. At that very moment, Jason comes through the front door, freezing with his hand still on the doorknob when he sees Silas standing in the mess he just made.
“Oh shit, I’ll clean it up I swear,” I rush to tell him, knowing his house is always spotless. I put Scarlett on the couch and wrack my brain for the best way to solve the glitter bomb problem. Jason’s face is unreadable as he shuts the front door and sets a folder down on the bar. He doesn’t look mad, but his emotions are harder to read than hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt.
“Don’t let him move,” he says calmly, walking through the living room and out the door to the garage.
