Page 43 of Imperfections Forbidden
Ava puts her arms around me, and I lay my head on her shoulder and let the tears flow freely.“I’m pretty sure the man I love is the father of my sister’s child.My mother and my sister can’t stand me, and I’m homeless and unemployed.Monday morning reality—I knew it was coming, but I didn’t know it was going to mow me down like a tractor trailer and drag me through the streets at a hundred miles an hour.”
“I can’t help you with your sister and mother, but I know you are not going to be homeless.You’re officially my new roommate.I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Thank you.”
“What was I going to let you do, roam the harsh cold streets of New York?I’m sure Nick would take you in, but I know you’re not going to go there.”
I raise my head and wipe the tears away.“I have to tell Nick.”
Ava nods her head at me.Her hair is tied back in a neat ponytail, and she looks fresh and fabulous with hardly any makeup on.“Yes, but don’t tell him about your mother hitting you, and for God’s sake, please don’t let him see it.”
“Does it look that bad?”
“You thought you had trouble today?If he sees your face like that he’s going to go ballistic.He’s not going to care if it was your mother who hit you.If you want to keep this thing quiet so no one else finds out, don’t let him come over here.”
She’s right.I don’t want this situation getting worse.I don’t need my brothers or father finding out about us.Nick would go over there and knock the door off the hinges; he’s not going to care who knows what.The only reason he’s still pretending he’s engaged to Kate is because I asked him not to say anything yet.
“How am I going to stop him from coming over here?”
“I’ll help you, let me talk to him.”
“Okay.”Now all I have to do is tell Nick.
Nick
Itold Cat I wouldcall her, but the day was hectic.I could only manage to send her a text.I found myself thinking about her throughout the day.Spending the weekend with her and waking up with her has made me miss her more than I could imagine.I take out my phone and call her when I get home.She answers on the second ring.Her voice sounds groggy, like she was sleeping.She must be tired.It’s only seven thirty.
“Hey, babe, you sound tired, did I wake you?”
“No, I was thinking.”
“About what?”
“Us.”
Oh no, this doesn’t sound good.We made a lot of progress.I hope one day apart hasn’t changed her mind again.“What about us?”
“Kate and I had a huge fight over you this morning.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”I put my papers to the side and push my chair away from my desk.
“I knew you were busy.”
“You should have called me or left me a message.I would have found time to call you back.What happened?”
When she’s finished telling me what happened, I’m beyond mad.What the fuck was Kate thinking?
“I’m coming to see you.”
“No!Not tonight.”
“Why not?Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
“I just need some time by myself to think about everything that happened this weekend and today.I’m okay.I’m not pushing you away.”
“Then I’m coming over.”
“No!Look, I’m just tired.This is a lot for me to deal with.I think we should hold off on us and making any decisions until the paternity test comes back.”
