“We do. He’s a good guy.” The best. “If it means anything to you, he’s been on my case to tell you for a while.” I almost spill the beans and admit it’s Olly, but he wanted to be with me when we broke the news to my mom. Either I’m using that as an excuse, or I’m a chickenshit.
“At least someone has good sense.” She wipes at her eyes.
Ah, damn. I made her cry. “Why don’t we all meet up on Sunday, and we can all talk then?” That’s Olly’s day off. I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate to visit my family with me.
“Haven’t I always told you that you could come to me for anything? Haven’t I always been there for you? ¿Porque no me dijiste? No entiendo.” Why didn’t you tell me? I don’t understand.
My eyes sting, and I look down at my feet. “I was embarrassed, Mom. I was sure you’d be disappointed in me.”
“How could you disappoint me, Magnolia? You send me money to help with Frannie’s therapists. You’re the reason she can eat organic food. You help me pay the bills. It’s supposed to be the other way around, mija.”
My throat gets tight, and I sniffle, refusing to let myself cry. Frannie hugs me tight, and I decide to break the news. My mom loves Olly. Hearing he’s the father hopefully won’t send her into a tailspin like it might Sebastian.
“Mom, listen, you already know—”
“Knock, knock!” yells a female, who then bangs on the door, making me jump in my seat. I swear Amelia has the worst timing.
Lord, grant me strength today. When I open the door, she takes one look at me and her mouth drops open. “You’re not fat! You’re pregnant! Bitch, why didn’t you tell me? Holy shit, it’s Olly’s, isn’t it?” Jesus. I forgot what I was wearing. I tug at my tank top, but there’s no hiding the bulge under it. “No wonder he’s dating you.”
I grind my teeth together, hating that there might be a tiny bit of truth in her words.
Would Olly and I be together right now if I weren’t pregnant? I honestly don’t know.
Behind me, my mother is silent. Until she stomps to the door and stands in front of me. “The father is Michael Oliver?”
I blow out a breath. “Yeah.”
“Sebastian’s best friend, Michael Oliver? The boy you hate?”
“I wouldn’t say I hate him.” Why is everyone so hung up on that? “I mean, not anymore.”
“When did this happen?”
Is my mother really asking me when I had sex with Olly? “Mom, come on. You don’t really want the details, do you?”
Amelia cackles. “You used to hate Olly. And then he knocked you up. Hysterical. Guess payback’s a bitch, huh?”
This woman does not know when to shut up. “Olly’s not like that.”
“Sure. He’s perfect.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, listen, the assholes in the registrar’s office are making me take one more semester, and since your casita is cheaper than campus housing, my parents want to know if I can stay on through December.”
I really hate this girl, but knowing I’d have the casita booked for the fall would be a huge financial boon. Although I’m not sure I can stand being around her for several more months. “Let me think about it.”
“What’s this?” Frannie is waving the ultrasound in the air. I take it from her and remind her she promised to stay seated. She flops on the couch.
“This is the ultrasound.”
Amelia jumps in my face. “Please let me stay. All of my friends graduated, so I don’t have anyone to get an apartment with.” When I don’t answer right away, she pouts. “Why are the guys allowed to move in here, but I can’t stay in the casita?”
“What guys?” my mom asks as she takes the ultrasound from my hand.
Amelia has the biggest damn mouth on the planet. “Two football players who are paying me rent.”
“Not Michael?”
“No. Two of his friends, Cam and Billy. They’re nice guys.”
“Magnolia, I don’t understand. Why are his friends living here but not Michael? In a few months, you’ll barely be able to get up and down those stairs. You’re going to need him to be here.” She looks more carefully at the long strip of images in her hand. “And why is there a Baby A and Baby B in these photos?”
