I chuckle lightly. “It’s not that…”
“It’s that something’s wrong,” she finishes for me. “Your sister told me you’ve been sulking since you left. You’re freezing her and Jordan out, keeping to yourself. What’s happened, Easton?”
“Sophia and I got into an…argument, I guess. She doesn’t want anyone to know she’s connected to me. She wants her life to remain private.”
Mom is quiet for a moment before she says, “Are you sure the baby is yours?”
I can see where she would make that assumption. If the baby wasn’t mine, Sophia wouldn’t want to announce it to the world and later look stupid, but…
“The baby is mine. I got the results back a few days ago.” I never doubted it, but now we know officially.
“So, she’s just uncomfortable?”
“That’s what she says. She’s also going to school and working full-time, and taking care of her daughter, and of course, she won’t let me help in any way.”
“Sounds to me like she’s an independent woman. I knew I liked her.” I can hear the smile in my mom’s voice.
“Mom,” I groan.
“I know, I get it. You’re feeling helpless. But you have to understand this is a huge change for her. Your lifestyle, your money, the spotlight. You grew up with it, but for someone who’s never been around it, I imagine it’s a bit overwhelming.”
I get what she’s saying, which is why I’m trying to give Sophia some space, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it or be happy about it. And I sure as hell don’t have to agree with it. “I just wish she’d let me in instead of pushing me away.”
“What if I talk to her?” Mom offers.
“You don’t think it’ll make it worse?” I don’t want Sophia to think we’re ganging up on her.
“I’ll just call her to see how she’s doing and go from there.”
“All right, cool. Thanks, Mom.”
We talk for a few more minutes, and once we hang up, I text her Sophia’s number. I’m hoping this doesn’t make it worse, but at this point, I don’t have much to lose, and I’m not sure if it could even get any worse.
I pull up my schedule, even though for the first time I pretty much have it memorized, and start trying to figure out how I’m going to make it from Utah to New York for the appointment and then to Washington the following night for a show. It’s going to be hard, and everything will have to line up perfectly, but I’m determined to make it happen.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SOPHIA
I put the phone down and close my eyes, needing a moment. I miss Easton so damn much. Every day, I miss him. His smiles, his laughter, his touch. I miss him. And if I’m honest, between school and work and Kendall, I don’t have time to miss him. But it doesn’t stop me from doing so.
I thought if we didn’t talk, the ache in my heart would go away quicker. But then he had to go and text me every morning and night, reminding me what I’m missing. What I’m giving up. When he FaceTimes Kendall and they talk, I listen, my heart clenching in my chest, wishing I could talk to him. Lean on him. Depend on him. Seek comfort in him. I shouldn’t miss someone as much as I miss him, especially since our relationship had only just begun before I tore the rug out from under us, but I can’t stop how I feel.
I pull myself up, and my head spins slightly, my surroundings blurring. I grab onto the nightstand to steady myself and thankfully, everything comes into focus. I’ve only been back to school and work for a week, but it’s a lot. And then add the fact that Naomi moved out, and Kendall and I have to be out by the end of next month, and I’m a ball of stress. I know this is just a small moment, and I will get it all figured out, but right now, it feels like everything is piling up on my shoulders.
“Kendall, it’s time to take a bath,” I tell her, stepping into the doorway of her room. She’s coloring a picture at her table.
“Already?” She pouts.
“It’s almost bedtime. You have school in the morning.” I walk over and kiss her forehead. “How about I pour some pink bubbles and we’ll make it a bubble bath?”
She cheers and jumps up excitedly.
While she takes her bath, I go through some stuff for school. It’s going to be a busy semester and with me trying to work more hours to save money, I’m going to have to stay on top of it.
I’m reading through some notes when my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but it’s a New York area code, so I answer. “Hello.”
“Hello, Sophia, it’s Alicia, Easton’s mom. How are you?”