I’m not ready to talk to her about this yet. I need some time to decompress.
They always say things get better after a good night’s sleep.
In my case, it doesn’t.
62
MAGGIE
I know something is wrong from the moment I wake. Olly’s side of the bed hasn’t been slept in, and if he came home, he’s already left. It’s possible he mentioned staying at the football house, and I forgot. I won’t jump to any conclusions before we talk.
He’s leaving for Chicago later today because the Broncos play Northwestern tomorrow. I stayed up late last night so I could see him. Usually, before an away game, we make a point to touch base. Well, late for me, but when he wasn’t home by ten, I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer and crashed.
His bag is still at the foot of the bed, so he’ll have to stop by before he leaves. At least, I hope that’s the case.
Groaning, I try to hoist myself out of bed, but everything aches. My back has been hurting something fierce since yesterday. I probably slept funny. Being this pregnant means I can’t sleep on my back or belly, and I’m not crazy about sleeping on my side.
On the bright side, I’m officially thirty-six weeks today. Thick, hot relief floods me. I still hope to get to forty weeks because that’s best for the boys, but this is a huge milestone considering how difficult this pregnancy has been.
I wish my dad could meet my babies. I remember him rocking me in an old recliner, and I think he’d love to cradle my sons and rock them to sleep if he could.
After I drag myself to the shower and get dressed, I settle down to work on Amelia’s website. Her hauntingly beautiful face stares back at me. I can’t begrudge Olly for dating her. Any sane, red-blooded man would kill to date this girl. I have to admit, when she’s not making a special effort to be a twat, she’s funny. I count my blessings that she’s not sweet because then Olly would still be with her.
When I take a break, I text Olly. He should be at lunch right now. I’m finishing up Amelia’s project a few hours later when I realize he never responded.
A sense of foreboding settles over me again.
I rub my belly to make sure the boys are still moving. In answer, someone kicks my kidney, and if it didn’t hurt so damn much, I’d laugh.
My phone finally buzzes, and I fumble with it in a rush to answer.
Except it’s not Olly.
“Sebastian.”
“Hey. You answered.”
“Because I thought you were Michael.”
“Oh.” He sounds sad, and I feel bad for being bitchy.
“Sorry. That was rude. What’s up?”
He clears his throat. “I wasn’t expecting you to answer the phone, since you never answer anymore. But, uh, I wanted to know if I could bring you lunch tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you in Austin?”
“So? You’re less than an hour away. I can swing it. And if you’re not in the mood to talk, I can drop off the food and leave.”
My cold heart begins to thaw. “That’s a kind offer, Bash. You really don’t have to go through all that trouble.”
“It’s no trouble. I’d like to see you and check on those babies. How you feeling?”
“Like an enormous octopus has made its home in my uterus. But otherwise, I’m fine.”
“You and Olly doing okay?”
I think about how odd last night was and how Olly never came to bed. But there has to be a good explanation. I’m sure he’ll tell me what’s going on when he stops home to get his gym bag. “We’re… I guess we’re fine. It’s been a tough semester. He has a lot of commitments, but please don’t jump on his case. He’s doing his best.”
