Suddenly, a fast whirring sound fills the room, and I turn toward the doctor.
“That’s your baby.” After a moment, though, her smile morphs into a frown, and then she has the technician tweak something on the monitor. They whisper to each other, and I start to freak out.
Olly stands next to me, leans down, and whispers, “Everything’s okay. I’m right here.”
“Actually,” Dr. Perkins says slowly, “here is your other baby. Congrats! You’re having twins.”
And that’s when Michael Oliver, an elite athlete and my baby daddy, whispers, “Holy shit,” and passes out cold.
25
OLLY
Popping open a beer, I collapse back on the couch.
At least I didn’t get a concussion or hurt my knee when I passed out yesterday. I guess there’s a first for everything.
“So yeah,” I tell Johnny as I rub the bump on the back of my head, “we’re, uh, having twins.”
He stares at me and busts out laughing. “Shut the fuck up. That’s a good one! You had me going there for a second. I mean, what would you do with twins next year while you’re trying to play football? We barely have time during the season to scratch our balls, much less date anyone. Plus, you gotta watch your knee. Throw being a father into the mix and it’s pure insanity. I don’t know how Rider and Ben survived that shit.”
When he says it like that, I wanna puke.
I’ve already passed the fuck out. What’s a little vomit?
He gets up and starts searching the room. “Are you filming? Is this a going-away prank?”
“Dude. I’m serious.”
He must read it in my expression because his eyes bug out. “No shit?”
“Swear to God.” I hold up my hand. “Maggie’s pregnant with twins.”
She and I agreed we could tell Johnny, Ben, and Sienna. They’re our closest friends, and they’re all moving away, so who would they tell? Johnny collapses on the couch. “Talk about a blitz, man. The hits keep coming for you, huh?”
I think about what he says. “I’m not gonna pretend I’m not overwhelmed, because I am. But my mom always says babies are a blessing. Will I freak the fuck out before they arrive? Probably. Will I stress out over how the hell I’ll afford everything? Absolutely. Will I worry that Maggie and I can handle the stress? Most likely. But I’m gonna try my hardest to be the man I need to be for her and the twins.”
“That’s beautiful, man.” He pounds his chest. “I felt that right here.”
“Shut up.”
He laughs. “I’m serious. You’re gonna be a great dad. If anyone can handle fucking twins, it’s you. You babysat for Rider all the time, and Poppy was still a baby. Lily was older, so Ben had it easier, but not by much.”
Johnny tosses a ball into the air as I drink my beer and wonder if I can pull off what I need to come August.
“So are y’all gonna move in together?” he asks.
“We agreed to take things slow. Focus on our friendship.” And deal with practical issues like money. Maggie has some crappy student health insurance, which barely covers anything beyond co-pays for doctor appointments. All I can do is pray I get drafted so I can afford those maternity bills.
“Don’t ya think the train already left the station on that? Your super-sperm flew right up the mothership, docked, and spawned. You should move in with her, and y’all should fuck the shit out of each other while you can. ’Cause everyone knows once the babies arrive, you ain’t getting laid again.” He taps his temple. “That’s some solid Johnny Johnson advice right there.”
I’m slightly terrified he’s right, but that’s not something I plan to discuss with him.
I motion across the street. “Let’s go to Ben’s. I can’t believe they’re leaving tonight.” It’s going to be strange to not have him and Sienna around anymore.
When Johnny and I get there, Ben answers the door. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
He slaps me on the back, and we do the bro-hug thing. Over his shoulder, I spot Maggie talking to Sienna, both of them in tears.
