Page 105 of Interference
The girls have been texting me nonstop, making sure I know that they are still here for me even if Brett and I are no longer together. They seem to always know when I start to spiral because I get a text when I need it most.
Then there’s Wyatt. He’s been showing up with food and my favorite tea. It’s like he’s made it his personal mission to make sure I stay fed and hydrated at this time. When I told him he didn’t have to and that I could take care of myself, he gave me a look. One that said I was being ridiculous.
“We’re family, Emery, and family takes care of one another. Now, are you doing okay?”
I smile at the thought. I want to turn him away, but I can’t. Every time he shows up, I take what he has for me and a few minutes of his time. Talking to him makes me feel closer to Brett.
Fuck, I miss him.
I miss the way he smiles and the way he would play with my hair. I miss the way he always knew what I needed before I did. I miss the way he laughs and how he would tease me. Most of all, I miss the way he would hold me tight and tell me he loved me.
I believed him. I really believed him, and then he had to go and ruin it all.
I rub my chest as my heart aches. Goddamn him for making me fall in love with him.
He said and did all the right things. He stepped up when I needed him. Brett Woods painted a pretty picture and made mebelieve that this could be it. That this could be our happily ever after. We made plans.
The baby kicks under my palm, and I look down at my stomach.
I watch as our baby rolls beneath my skin. The baby moves again, making me wince. I never realized how uncomfortable the end of pregnancy would be. Still, despite the discomfort, my child moving gives me some comfort. It grounds me knowing that at least one thing is real in my life.
I’m going to be a mother to a beautifully happy and hopefully healthy baby.
Name. We don’t even have a name picked out for our baby yet. We should be figuring that out right now, but instead, I’m ignoring their father. I tried to look on my own, but nothing felt right.
Because it was something else I was supposed to do with him. He was supposed to be helping me make all of these decisions, but he’s not.
Am I a horrible mother for not having a single name picked out so close to my due date? Seriously, am I setting myself up for failure?
The front door opens, but I don’t bother to turn to see who it is. I know it’s her.
“Oh, look, it’s little Miss Piggy. You know if you don’t stop binge eating and get your weight under control, you’ll never make it back on the ice,” Ashley sneers.
Closing my eyes, I ignore her.
How did I miss how horrible she is? I practiced with her for three years and lived with her for one. Still, I didn’t know.
“Oink. Oink. Are you listening to me?”
“I’m not fat, Ashley, I’m growing a baby. You know, a human. One that will grow up to be an adult.”
“Speaking of your spawn, I hope you know that you won’t be able to bring them back here.”
Slowly, I turn to face her. “Excuse me?”
“You won’t bring that child here,” she says slowly.
“And where do you think I should take my baby after I have it?”
She shrugs. “I don’t care, but not here.”
“I live here,” I point out.
“Which is why I’m telling you that you should move before you give birth. Your baby isn’t welcome here. I have a strict schedule since I’m Olympic-bound. I refuse to let your spawn ruin what I have going on.”
“My baby won’t bother you,” I grit out, trying to tamp down my anger.
Who does this bitch think she is?
