Driving away from campus every day makes my heart ache.
Thanksgiving is coming up in a few days, and I am dreading the fall break. I'd much rather be at university than stuck at the house.
We pull up to the gate and Missi types in the code. She still hasn't shared it with me. She said she will after the wedding, but I'm not holding my breath.
“So, who is coming for dinner?” I ask while driving up the driveway. I really don't want a house full of people, but I don't get to have anything that I want lately, so why would that change.
“Just Daddy, maybe his new girlfriend, me, you, and your dad. Why?” Missi yawns, glancing at me, and I shake my head.
“Just curious. Why don't you go in and take a nap? I'll have Chelle make you a snack.” She gives me a big smile and I feel sick.
I'm really trying for our little girl, but every time I show Missi even a little affection, I feel like the biggest scum on the planet.
I keep thinking about when Donny said that he knows I'll be back, but I just don't see any possible way for that to happen.
Missi gets out of the car and I wait until she's inside before parking in the garage. My dad's truck isn't here, and I take a deep breath.
Small mercies, I guess. He has been on my case to start up football training again, now that I'm off the cheer team.
I'd rather walk on nails than become a mirror image of him. I'm hoping once the baby comes that I can convince Missi that being a footballer isn't the right career for me.
She seems to have my father wrapped around her finger, and he listens to her. More than my mother or I could ever get him to.
I climb out of the car and go inside. Chelle is singing softly while stirring something on the stove. It smells amazing, and makes me excited for dinner.
I haven't had much of an appetite lately. “Can you make Missi a low sodium snack for when she wakes up, please? I'm going to go workout in the pool.”
“Yes, Mr. Crane,” she replies, and I roll my eyes. Dumping my bag on the counter for later, I walk outside to the pool house and change into some swimming trunks.
The weather is cooler now, but the water is heated. This is the only time of day I can shut my brain off and find some peace.
“Lenny!” Missi screams and I groan. I guess I spoke too soon. I take the towel she's holding out for me.
I ignore the way she looks at my naked chest, and the heat in her eyes. My dick has been soft since the moment I learned that I slept with her.
“What's wrong?” I ask when her lip begins to tremble and tears run down her cheeks.
“Oh, Lenny, it's so awful,” she sobs, leaning against me, crying.
I pat her back awkwardly and move us back inside, placing her on the kitchen bench in front of the table. Chelle gives me a look as she places a snack in front of Missi, like she's trying not to laugh, then she shakes her head.
“Okay, now tell me what's going on?”
She looks up at me and the tears start again. “I've gained forty pounds and I have stretch marks… on my ass,” she wails, and my eyes widen. I quickly look away from her and bite my lip. I can’t laugh right now. If I do, she will kick my ass.
I take a few deep breaths, then look at her. She really does look upset over this. “It will be fine, Mis. After the baby comes, you can work out as much as you want.”
She huffs and crosses her arms. “Fuck that, I am scheduling an appointment with Doctor Freidle. I am getting the full mommy package done.” She grabs a tissue from the box Chelle hands her and then points to the refrigerator.
“Throw out all of the junk food, and let the chef know we won’t be having a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I want healthy, non-carb options. For the rest of this pregnancy, we will eat healthily. I refuse to gain another pound because of this.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
I can’t be hereanother minute. I need to get the hell out. Not only has dinner sucked, but my dad and Missi won't stop talking about the wedding. I don’t care about color schemes, or whether we have chicken or fish.
“Where are you going?” Missi asks, glaring at me. I look toward the kitchen and point.
“I need a drink. I’ll be back.” She rolls her eyes and waves her hand, then turns toward her dad to talk.
