Page 26 of Unexpectedly Falling
“No, just you.”
“Well, that’s something at least. Where’s the cousin now?”
“That’s the other thing…”
“No way.” She squeals into the phone and I drag my hand over the stubble on my jaw, the scratch against my palm unfamiliar on my almost always clean-shaven face.
“It’s not what you think.”
“You don’t know what I think,” she chides before gasping. “Is it the soccer star?”
“How the hell could you possibly know that?”
“I renew my subscription to the Blackstone Gazette every year, thank you very much.”
“Of course you do,” I say, half in disbelief and half amused.
“She’s gorgeous, Jensen. And she’s Remi’s cousin? Is she staying close?” I must be silent too long because she’s back to hissing as she asks, “Did you sleep with her?”
“What? No, of course not,” I say even though it’s already crossed my mind, “but she’s staying at the house.”
“She’s staying atyourhouse?” This question is practically a screech and I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
“Dogs in the next county can hear you.”
“With good reason. You have adaughterand her super-hot cousin is staying in your house!”
“Nessa is helping at the university with their soccer program, and she agreed to stay and help me with Remi until I can get coverage to take actual time off. That’s it.”
“You know Mama would help, right? She’d be over the moon.”
“I know,” I say quietly, “but I don’t know what I’m doin’ yet, and the last thing I want is for Mama to come in and save the day. She already raised us; it’s not her job to raise Remi too.”
I’d never said the words out loud, but they’d plagued me since the moment I’d been served. Could I be enough for my daughter? Could Idothis?
“There’s nothing you can’t do, big brother,” she states as if she can read my mind. “I know you’ll be a great dad.”
“Thanks.” Her words are makin’ me a little more than choked up. “Just don’t tell Mama yet, all right?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, but maybe give me the heads-up so I can enjoy the reaction over here.”
“I was hopin’ to wait until they got home.”
“Wouldn’t recommend it—you have a week tops before people stop respecting your privacy and start askin’ questions.Mama will be devastated if she finds out through the grapevine about her grandbaby.”
“How’d you get to be so smart?”
“Baby, I was born this way.”
I snicker but I can’t help my smile. “Don’t I know it.”
“You really are the best big brother.”
“I’m telling Sawyer.”
“He’d agree even if he is grumpy. Have you even heard from him? He hasn’t responded to my last two texts.”
“I can’t remember, honestly.” I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to think, guilt settling heavy in my gut. “I’ll text him.”
