“Repaying that money is the responsible thing to do. I’m not a bank. Roxanne has to learn how to manage her money and keep herself out of trouble. Between that and the money her grandmother left her, she should be able to get by until she graduates. One zero-interest loan from her father is better than most college kids are faring right now. I’m not asking for her firstborn, though if she wants to name her baby Richard, I won’t complain.”
Roxy grabs his hand. “Thanks, Dad. I promise I’ll repay you.”
“Before I forget, your mom and I found you a place. It’s a nice two-bedroom between here and campus. It has enough room for a nursery. We’ll cover the cost. That way you two can save for the baby. They’re expensive. And we’ll be close to lend a hand when you need it.”
Roxy’s eyes widen. “You got me an apartment?”
Coach waves his fork at me. “For both of you, yes.” Then his eyes drill into me. “Billy, you’re not planning to stay at the football house, are you? While your girlfriend raisesyourchild?”
How pissed would he be right now if I admit the bean isn’t mine?
Like water rushing on theTitanic, the reality of this situation sinks in. I may have offered to help Roxy with my last name, to maybe buy her some time with pencil dick, to help her save face with her dad, but her parents now expect me and Rox to move in together.
“Dad, Billy doesn’t have to do that.” Roxy’s eyes widen as she gives me a look. “I can manage on my own.”
“The hell you can.” That vein in Coach’s forehead pulses again as he aggressively saws at the food on his plate with his utensils. “If Babcock plans to play football next fall, he’ll move his crap into your new apartment by the end of next week. It’s non-negotiable.”
That delicious roast suddenly feels like a block of lead in my gut.
19
BILLY
Now that I’vehad some time to chill, I don’t think this move is such a big deal. I can always party at the football house if I want. Nothing really has to change.
“Thanks for helping me.” I toss the box of pizza in the middle of the coffee table, along with a stack of paper plates. I grab a piece and scarf it down while Jake and Cam eat.
They’re unusually quiet. We’re having lunch at the football house before we haul my shit to the new apartment.
“This is weird, dude,” Cam says. “You guys aren’t even dating, and you’re moving in together.”
I laugh. “It’s totally weird, I agree. But hey, gotta roll with it, right? I mean, what else am I supposed to do?”
“How aboutnotmove in with Roxy?” Jake says quietly. “Look, we all love her, and I know you’re watching out for her, but this is nutty, even for you.”
I shove another slice in my mouth. “How is this any different than the year Cam and I lived with Maggie?”
Cam laughs. “We rented rooms in her house. We didn’tsleep in her bed. Olly would’ve had a problem with that anyway.”
“He would’ve kicked our asses into the next county.” I chuckle, thinking of how protective our buddy was with his girlfriend. “Okay, I’ll admit this is a little extreme.”
Jake’s eyes bug out. “Then why are you doing this? Just tell Coach the truth. It’ll cause fewer problems for you and Roxy down the road.”
It sounds so simple.
I reach for a can of soda and pop it open. “After dinner at Coach’s house, I realized how serious this has gotten. When we got back to Roxy’s apartment, she said we should tell her father the truth. She said she knew this had gotten out of control and wanted to make things right between me and her dad.” I lower my voice so my other roommates upstairs don’t overhear me. “But later that night, she started spotting.”
“Oh, shit.” Cam pauses with a slice halfway to his mouth. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah, but I took her to the ER just to be safe. The doctor said she needs to relax. That high levels of stress are not healthy for her or the baby.” I look between my two best friends. “You heard Coach yell at her in his office. How flipped out do you think he’s gonna be if he finds out I’m not really the father and Ezra, who just got engaged to hishigh schoolsweetheart, is?”
They both hiss.
“Fuck.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.” I hold out my hands. “So tell me. What do I do? Do I risk Roxy’s health and maybe the health of her baby? Because that sounds kinda selfish.”
