“Sweet,” he says, and I can picture him smiling. “Did you give her your new number?”
“Oh, yeah,” I say. “And I wrote hers down on paper and put it in my wallet.”
“You going to call her?” he asks, and I close my eyes.
“Definitely going to call her,” I confirm, and then it’s like he knows I have more to say. “She’s pregnant.”
“IIIsssshhh,” he says. “Bad luck, dude.”
“It’s mine,” I say, and the call goes silent. Like you-can-hear-a-pin-drop silent.
“Excuse me, what?” he says, and then his dog barks. “Thunder!” he yells at his dog. “Quiet. Did you just tell me she’s pregnant with your child?”
“I did,” I admit, pressing the button of the elevator. The doors open right away, and I step in, pressing the button for my floor.
“Oh my God,” he says, gasping. “You aren’t kidding.”
“I’m not kidding,” I say, and the elevator door opens on my floor.
“Didn’t you wear a condom?” he shrieks. “It’s like Planned Parenthood 101.”
“We used protection,” I say. “But it’s only ninety-eight percent.”
“Did you go play the lottery?” he asks. “I would play the Powerball with that luck.”
“My parents are flying in tomorrow, and I’m going to tell them,” I inform him, taking a deep inhale and letting it out.
He laughs. Like full-on belly laughs. “You going to tape this conversation? Because I will pay you money to see Uncle Max’s face when you tell him.”
“Fuck off,” I say. “You can’t tell anyone.”
“What???” he shrieks. “You didn’t tell me it was a secret. You can’t just come at me, tell me this massive news, and expect me not to say anything.”
“You can’t tell anyone, not even Alex,” I say, and he groans.
“What fun is that?” he moans. “Fine, I won’t tell anyone, but you owe me.” I let myself into the condo, and I kick off my shoes. “You’re going to be a dad,” he says. “Holy shit.” His voice is still shocked. “That’s a big fucking deal.”
“You really have a knack for this pep talk shit,” I jest, rubbing my hands over my face. “Anyway, I had to tell someone, and you are that lucky person.”
“Wow, lucky me,” he says. “Are you okay, though?”
“I’m in shock a bit. I woke up this morning thinking my biggest problem was not bringing gloves with me. I’m going to be a father.”
“Crazy,” he responds. “Someone is at the door. I’ll call you back.” He hangs up, and I look around the living room.
The white leather couch I’m sitting on has to be the most uncomfortable couch of my life. The condo is so quiet it’s eerie. I pick the phone back up and call Cooper.
“Hey,” I greet when he answers. “How is Erika?”
“All good,” he says, and I can tell he’s relieved. “Thank you again for getting the girls.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I say, rubbing my hands down my jeans. “It was my pleasure.” I tap my finger on my thigh. “Listen, I wanted to ask you something.”
“This sounds serious,” he says, and I can hear him walking around on his end.
“How well do you know Miss Jillian?” I ask, thinking that it’s coming out casually.
“Are you insane?” His voice goes loud. “You can’t date her. Absolutely not. Plus, she’s pregnant. What kind of sick bastard are you to go after someone else’s woman? Did we teach you nothing?” I laugh. “I’m going to hang up the phone and pretend this conversation didn’t happen. You sick, sick freak. I should kick your ass myself for even thinking about doing what you are thinking about doing.” He doesn’t wait to answer. He just hangs up, and when I hear the two beeps, I look down at the phone and see he really hung up.
I’m about to call him back when a text comes through from him.
Cooper: Stay in your own lane.
I laugh, putting the phone down on the coffee table. Jillian’s face pops into my head. “Oh, I’m definitely in my lane.”
Chapter 16
Jillian
I hear the sound of ringing, and my eyes open slowly as I look around the room. The sun is trying to come in from the blinds, but my eyes are just so heavy, so I close them again and hope the ringing stops. I’m about to drift back to sleep when the ringing starts again. I reach out of the covers and grab the phone. “Hello.” I put it to my ear and close my eyes.
“Were you sleeping?” I hear his voice in a whisper.
“Yeah,” I say, snuggling deeper into my bed. “What time is it?”
“It’s nine,” he says. “Go back to bed and call me later.”
“No,” I mumble out. “I’m up.”
“Did I wake you?” he asks softly.
“No.” Rolling onto my back, I open my eyes and look at the ceiling. “The phone ringing one after another did.” My bladder lets me know it’s time to get out of bed. I throw the quilt off me and make my way to the bathroom.