Chapter 35

35

Abrielle

I take one step up the ladder, then pause and swallow hard.

In my mind I can hear Colver growling and telling me to get my ass down and never climb a ladder again while pregnant.

Music echoes around the gallery.

I've been working alone all day today.

There's something on my mind and it has nothing to do with paintings.

I know Colver saw my laptop last night.

It was for fun. Something silly to do while I was watching the hockey game.

Truthfully, watching the game made me anxious because all I could do was worry about Colver. Watching him on the ice, playing so big and tough. Now he didn't get into any fights… is that a good thing? I wasn't sure. But seeing him throw his body into other players and then have players hit him… it was stressful.

So I opened my laptop and started to look at places to live.

For the record, I do this kind of thing all the time.

I mean, who doesn't? Right?

I don't remember falling asleep. Pregnancy has a way of crashing like a large wave. One second having energy and then the next falling sound asleep.

I look up again and know I shouldn't climb the ladder.

I should go next door. Talk to Jess. Treat myself to something sweet.

It's for the baby too.

I lock up the gallery and travel all the way next door.

I laugh to myself but then remind myself that when I'm nine months pregnant, waddling next door to Jess's coffeeshop is going to be a chore.

Jess sits at a table next to the counter with a stack of papers in front of her.

When she looks up and sees me, she mouths the word help .

"Do I want to know what this is?" I ask her.

"The paperwork, Abrielle. I hate the paperwork. Everything is paperwork."

"You know you can hire someone to do that for you," I say.

"I'm super cheap." Jess smiles. "I don't even like having employees."

"I always appreciate your honesty."

"Forget the paperwork, what's on your mind? I can see it all over your face, Abrielle. You'd be a terrible poker player."

"Good thing I'm not playing poker," I snap.

Jess leans back.

It's the first time I've been a bitch to her. Ever.

"Sorry," I say.

"Don't be. What's up?"

"Colver caught me."

"Caught you…?"

"Last night… when he got home from the hockey game… I was on the couch…"

"Oh," Jess says. "So? Everyone masturbates, Abrielle. It's not a big deal at all. You were watching hockey and decided to play with yourself."

"What? No! I wasn't masturbating!"

I've said that loud enough to get the attention of the handful of people in the coffeeshop.

Great.

Now my face is red hot.

"What were you doing then?" Jess asks.

"Looking for a place to live," I say.

"Oh?"

"Jess, I don't know what we are. Colver and I. But I know that the current living situation isn't going to work for a baby."

"Got it," she says. "So you were maybe fantasizing a little. And then he came home and saw it. Freaked him out?"

"I don't know. He carried me to bed and-"

Jess groans. "Sorry, but that's so sexy. A big, strong hockey player carrying you to bed."

"Yes. I know. And then he tucked me in."

"Stop. I can't hear any more of this or else I will grow to resent you and hate you."

"Jess."

"I'm joking around," she says as she stands up. "You two are in an interesting position. I don't have any advice for you. My longest relationship is actually with my vibrator. And the one before that. Want to hear something pathetic?"

"Sure."

"When my last vibrator died, I actually got upset. I cried a little. I even had a little funeral for it. No kidding. I put it into a fancy little box. Lit candles."

"What…"

"You think I'm nuts. See? Dammit. I'm a weird person."

"Jess, you're fine. I'm not going to judge someone for having a funeral for their vibrator. It's… sweet."

"You think someone out there will love me one day for it?"

"Yes," I say.

"And just like that I've stolen your moment. Wow. I'm not a good friend."

"You have no advice. You just said so."

"But I can still listen. I don't know what to tell you. In a perfect world you and Colver would figure out your feelings and get a place together. Be a family."

"Want to know something I've never said before to anyone?"

"Yes," Jess says.

"I think I've been in love with Colver Caspian from the second I met him."

"That's heavy."

"Very. And I know when we first met, it was weird. His father. My mother. They were… married… for a month…"

"Taboo romance," Jess says. She bites her bottom lip. "Sexy."

I shake my head. "You know, I'm over here afraid to say these things and you're just so… awesome."

"Fate, right? I told you that. When I met you. But that doesn't solve your living situation."

"No. It doesn't. I mean, there's nothing wrong with each of us having a place. Right?"

"Of course not. Forget society and its bullshit rules. You and Colver are having a baby. As long as you two get along and you're there for that baby, you're amazing."

"Doesn't help if I feel…"

"What?"

"He's faithful to me. Right now. Because I'm pregnant."

"Oh. I get it. You think after the baby comes…"

"Yes. I'm foolishly in love with him and he's not in love with me."

"Wow, that's a lot to think about. A lot to process. And I'm stating the obvious here. Sorry about that, Abrielle."

"You're pregnant, Abrielle?"

The voice comes from behind me.

I turn, wondering who the hell is listening to my conversation with Jess.

I know it's not Colver because obviously he knows I'm pregnant. And because Jess's eyes would have lit up with lust seeing him.

Once I turn around, I place my hands to my stomach.

Simon is looking at me, shocked.

"Who is this guy?" Jess asks.

"A mistake," I say. "What are you doing here, Simon?"

"Getting coffee," he says. "Was driving around the area looking at buildings. Wanted a coffee and saw this place."

"I own this place and it's not for sale," Jess says. "I know your type. Greedy asshole, right?"

"Just looking for coffee," Simon says. "And maybe some info about the place next door."

"That's my place," I say. "My new gallery."

"Again, not for sale," Jess says. "I'll gladly get you some coffee, but that's about it."

Simon looks at my stomach. "You're pregnant? Seriously?"

"Doesn't concern you at all," I say.

"You sure?" Simon asks.

"You know what?" Jess cuts in. "I just remembered, we ran out of coffee ten seconds ago. Too bad. Better take your business elsewhere."

"Can't even get a muffin?" Simon asks.

"I'm asking you to leave," Jess says.

"You're actually telling me to leave…"

"Simon, just go," I say. "Don't be an idiot."

"I'm sorry? Did you not have some muscle guy show up and threaten me?"

"You got paid," I say.

"Did you pay him back?"

"That's not your business, Simon. Go."

"So this is who you've become, Abrielle? You had such potential. I remember meeting you. Your eyes were full of life and fire. Your paintings were amazing too. That's why I invested in you."

"You used me, you prick," I say. "You stole everything from me."

"I protected you. That's all."

"Dude, get the fuck out of here," Jess says. "Seriously."

"You know, Abrielle, there was always a whore-like side to you I enjoyed," Simon says. "Guess it caught up to you, huh?"

He starts to smile.

Behind Simon, the door to the coffeeshop opens and in walks… Colver.

I'm pretty sure right then and there Jess and I have the same thought.

Oh, fuck, this is going to be bad.