He frowns. “Why would they keep this from you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t been home much lately because Dad’s been busy with the playoffs. My mom went to Florida for a few days to see her aunt. Deke didn’t come home for Christmas, but I didn’t think anything about it because my parents said we’d do gifts over spring break so Dad could focus on the team.”
Everything about our family revolves around my dad’s coaching. I’ve never resented it before, but I’m starting to now. How difficult would it have been to pick up the damn phone and let me know? Or text me?
Seeing how I won’t be on the field cheering anymore, at least Dad will have his mini-me to keep him company during games.
Billy waves a finger around my head. “There’s steam coming out of your ears.”
“I love my little brother, and he’ll be a great addition to the team. It’s just…” Being the last to know hurts my feelings.
“I get it.”
I’m starting to sweat, so I shove off my coat. “Deke is only ten months younger than me and twice my size. I can’t exactlycall him my little brother anymore. Do you get along with your brothers?”
“We have nothing in common. One’s a lawyer at my dad’s firm, and the other one is about to graduate from law school.”
“You didn’t want to join the family business?”
“You’re thinking I’m the last person who should be shaping young minds, and I agree. I picked education because I like history, not because I want to sit in a classroom all day. But I’d rather wax my balls than work for my father.”
I bark out a laugh. I can always count on Billy to make me smile.
After the waitress drops off our drinks and takes our order, I decide to get down to business. Enough with this pussyfooting around. It’s really not my style, but pregnancy has messed with my head. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you after I drove to Ezra’s. I had a lot to think about.”
“Understandable.”
This part is embarrassing. I fiddle with my napkin. “Did you hear he got engaged?”
He nods. “Coach told everyone today.”
“I basically crashed his engagement party. His parents were like, ‘It’s so nice you could come! Ezra said none of his friends could make it!’” I snort. “They’re so nice. They have no idea they spawned a monster.”
I look down, but I can feel Billy studying me. “Are you doing okay? How did he take your news?”
Hot shame spreads through my chest. “I didn’t tell him. His fiancée was right there, and she’s so sweet. Get this—Ezra wouldn’t let her visit him here. Gee, I wonder why.”
“Because he didn’t want her ruining his fuck fest on campus.” I flinch, hating that I contributed to that. Billy winces. “Sorry, Rox. I don’t mean anything by that.”
“I am nowwell awareI wasn’t the only girl.” Lowering my voice, I make sure no one is close enough to hear me. “I’m over Ezra Thomas.”
“When do you plan to tell him about the baby?”
I fold in my lips. “This might sound evil, but I got his fiancée’s phone number. I made sure to do it right in his face and invited her to come stay with me. I think I want to start dropping hints to him just before I hang out with Abigail.”
Billy chuckles. “Savage.”
“Short of breaking both his legs, I don’t really know how else to make him suffer. The part that sucks is I don’t want to hurt Abigail. She seems like a sweet girl.”
“Think of it this way. You’re doing her a favor by showing her what Ezra’s all about. This way she won’t waste twenty years of her life and wake up one morning with a raging STD because her hubby banged the wrong side piece.”
I take a quick breath. “That could’ve been me. I feel like I dodged a bullet. And thank God, I got a clear bill of health from the clinic last month.”
“Why don’t you tell your dad? Coach would rip off Ezra’s balls and shove them down his throat.”
“And land himself in a maximum-security prison.”
“Just make sure you tell him at home so he has time to calm down. Your dad is smart. Give him some credit. He loves you. Let him take care of this for you.”
