Hearing Rox cry at dinner with her parents broke my fucking heart. But then seeing how relieved she was afterward? That weighs on me. I don’t want to take that peace away from her. Honestly, what’s the big deal? I’ll help her out when she needs it, maybe babysit her bean sometimes, and Roxy and I can fuck thisout of our systems until we graduate. Plus, I’ll get to spend time with one of my favorite people. That doesn’t sound like such a hardship.
Jake nods slowly. “Then wait a few weeks. Maybe a month. Let Coach calm down. Give him time to come to terms with this pregnancy.”
I’m guessing this charade might go a little longer than a month—just my gut instinct—but I nod, because there’s no reason to get my friends riled up when they’re nervous Nellies about the whole thing. “That’s what I was thinking. It just means I have to move in with Roxy in the meanwhile.”
“Chingao, Babcock. You really know how to get yourself in some deep shit.”
I look at Jake, then Cam, and chuckle. “You guys think I’m fucked, don’t you?”
When neither of them say anything, I shrug and grab another slice.
“Since you’ll be living together, does this mean you’re officially dating now?” Cam asks.
“Define ‘official.’”
That’s the only rub. Roxy won’t date me.
The food gets lodged in my throat, and I cough. I’m definitely not telling my friends about Roxy’s offer to help me clean up my rep. When Klein hears I’m dating the coach’s daughter, who’s knocked up, presumably by me, he’ll blast my number from his contacts.
Well, it’s too late now.
Rox is right about us keeping things casual. We both have a lot on the line. Keeping things uncomplicated is probably the best thing to do. It’s not like we’re gonna run off and buy a house with a white picket fence after college and actually be together once she comes to her senses and ends our agreement.
What I don’t mention to my friends is how much I like the idea of living with this girl.
Chill, man. You and Roxy will have some fun, her parents will get on board with this baby, and then you and Rox will go your separate ways.
She even told you she’s not the falling-in-love type.
I’m not sure why that bothers me, but it does.
It makes me wonder what it would take for a girl like her to fall for a guy like me.
Probably the biggest Hail Mary of my life.
I haven’t thrown one of those in a while and likely won’t get another chance to anytime soon.
20
ROXY
“Do you need another blanket?”Billy asks from the hallway.
“No. The last one you brought me is enough.” I’m curled up on the couch in the living room of our new apartment. On one side of the living room are two side-by-side bedrooms and on the other is a galley kitchen. Thinking about how supportive my parents are being chokes me up, so I don’t let myself think about it. Not after that spotting scare the other day.
Billy says I need to relax. That we’ll figure out how to tell my dad the truth about the baby’s paternity once my health isn’t a concern.
We spent the last two days moving in, and when I say we, I mean Billy, his friends, and my dad because they wouldn’t let me do anything to help. It was funny watching Dad and Billy try to be nice to each other for my sake. Even though this situation is bonkers, I’m hoping Billy uses this as a chance to get to know my father. I think if they gave each other a chance, they’d really like each other. And while that’s not officially listed on our agreement, if I can get Coach to see Billy for the great guy he is, I won’t feel like I’m getting the better end of this deal.
“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” I call out. “I can make you dinner.”
“The doctor said you’re supposed to stay off your feet as much as possible.” He pops his head around the corner. “Why don’t I grab us some takeout?”
“How about we gooutfor dinner? It’s my treat for all of your hard work and… well, inconvenience.”
So much damn inconvenience. Now that I’ve calmed down, I can appreciate how utterly insane this whole situation is. Can I blame this on pregnancy hormones?
“Oryou let me carry you to my truck, and we’ll do drive-thru.”
