The Senior (College Years 4)

Wow.

Still in a little shock over the whole thing.

Pretty sure I know when it happened—the night we went back to his place after his mom was in the car wreck. When he woke me in the middle of the night and we ended up having sex. It had been downright magical.

Magical enough to make a baby? Maybe.

A shiver steals through me at the thought.

When we walk into the apartment, of course Caleb is there kicking it on the couch playing video games, and he sits up straight when he spots me, his blue eyes wide as he hits pause on the controller before greeting me. “Ava. Long time, no see.”

“Hey, Caleb.” I wave at him, feeling awkward.

His gaze goes from Eli to me, and then back to Eli again, a little frown on his face. “You two good now?”

“We’re fucking great.” Eli snags my hand and I send him a look.

One that says, don’t you dare open your mouth further.

He goes silent, his lips curled in a mysterious smile.

Caleb frowns. A silent Eli isn’t normal, and he knows it.

“That’s great,” Caleb finally says, his gaze settling on me. “Gracie will be glad to hear this.”

“Uh huh.” My response is noncommittal because I don’t know what’s going to happen after this discussion, and I can only imagine what Caleb will tell Gracie.

Honestly? I refuse to get my hopes up. Every time I think we’re good, Eli goes and does something to prove we are absolutely not good at all. I’m tired of it. I need stability, now more than ever. I need confirmation that he’ll love me no matter what. I need him to be responsible, to support me and our unborn baby.

More than anything, I need to know he’s going to step up and be a good father. A solid boyfriend. A man who’s going to stand by my side and not be so damn selfish all the time.

He’s got it in him. I know he does. He just needs to grow up a little more first. Maybe having a baby will help make that happen.

“Come on,” he says, pulling me out of my thoughts. I wave at Caleb and follow Eli into his room, settling on the chair at his desk as he shuts and locks the door.

“Don’t want him to just barge in,” Eli says as he turns to face me. “Caleb’s been known to do that.”

Right. “I’m not having sex with you, Eli.”

“What? I don’t expect you to have sex with me.” He almost looks offended. “I know you want to talk.”

“I do.”

“Let’s talk then.” He settles on the corner of his bed, facing me. His legs spread wide, feet planted firmly on the floor, his chest and shoulders looking extra broad in that black hoodie he’s wearing. He looks good.

When does he not?

I exhale loudly and settle my hands on my knees. “Okay. By my calculations, I think the baby is due in early July. Though I need confirmation from a doctor, I guess.”

He grins. “A 4th of July baby?”

I wish he wouldn’t smile. It’s so distracting.

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m thinking I could probably go to school for the spring semester and then take a leave of absence. Once I’m moved in, I’ll find a doctor down in San Diego, though I plan on having the baby here. I’ll come home when school’s done, and deliver the baby in the summer. It’ll work out perfect.” Eli is shaking his head, his expression full of annoyance. “What?”

“I don’t want you going to San Diego for the spring semester.”

He says it with such finality I can feel my irritation rising. “Why not? I need to go to school, and I’ll be out by May. At least six weeks before the baby is due. Then I come home and have the baby here. The timing is perfect.”