Page 8 of Unexpectedly Falling
And then there was Nessa, professional soccer player for the Tennessee Tornadoes and currently en route from Nashville with Remi. I’d watched more than a few clips of Nessa on the soccer field, seen her give some interviews, and pushed the wave of jealousy as far down as it would go at the number of men on her arm.
Lust and possession raged inside my veins, a dangerous combination, and one entirely ludicrous given my nonexistent relationship with the woman.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I stop my pacing to pull it out and glance at the screen.
BODHI: It’s going to be fine
MASON: More than fine
ARCHER: Bea has like ten freezer meals waiting to bring over
JENSEN: What?
ARCHER: Apparently it’s what you do for new parents
ARCHER: So you don’t have to think about what to make
ARCHER: Seriously man, I’m just the messenger
I chuckleand it helps ease some of the tension in my shoulders.
JENSEN: I appreciate it
MONTANA: Can’t wait to meet your daughter—you’re gonna be the best dad
MONTANA: I mean look at all the practice you’ve had with us!
ARCHER: Don’t make it weird
MASON: He’s totally got daddy vibes
ARCHER: And it’s weird
BODHI: Never again
MASON: Come on—he DOES
MONTANA: Hard to argue with that
BODHI: Anyway…
ARCHER: Right
ARCHER: Enjoy today and we’ll hold the girls off as long as we can
JENSEN: Thanks guys
I’m just aboutto put my phone away when another message comes in, and this time it’s not in the group chat.
BODHI: Put the guilt aside and focus on the joy today. Your daughter deserves that and so do you.
I typeout and erase message after message as I try to swallow down the emotion his words evoke. They’re deafening in the silence, and I let my eyelids flutter closed as I breathe in and out, my heart hammering in my chest.
The sound of a vehicle pulling down the drive brings me back to the present, and I allow myself one more moment before opening my eyes and sending a reply.
JENSEN: I’ll try
The car comesto a stop in front of my house, and a feeling of calm washes over me like everything is going to be all right.
