I smile and then I start to play my song for my baby. Mekena doesn’t know. No one does yet, but that doesn’t stop me from singing this song.
I hear your heartbeat inside me.
So strong.
So fast.
How can I love you?
When I haven’t even met you.
There are no words.
Just the sound
Of your heartbeat.
And I’m complete.
When my phone sounds, I stop playing and get up to get it out of my bag. Sitting back down, I hit the home button to see its Jace.
Jace: Thank you.
Jace: He told me you called him. I needed to talk to him.
Me: I know, you’re welcome.
Jace: Want to meet at the housing office after your first class?
Me: Yeah, 9:20?
Jace: Sounds good. I’ll come right from practice.
Me: Cool. Do you feel better?
Jace: Loads. I have a plan that will work.
Me: Good.
Jace: Have I told you I love you today?
Me: Yeah, but it doesn’t get old.
Jace: I love you, Avery. So much.
Me: I love you too.
I’m late and I totally blame Lucy.
My sister is an awesome designer, but crap, she is slow as hell. Rushing through traffic, the tarp that is covering the back passenger window flaps and I roll my eyes. Stupid car window wouldn’t roll up, but I wouldn’t have this car if it weren’t for Jude, so I’ll take what I can get because Avery and I need separate cars. That girl is busy going downtown for her internship, and I’m working more, along with killing myself on the ice.
But I have to.
Because I never want Avery to worry about anything ever again. I know she said she can handle it, and she probably can, but why should she? It’s been three weeks since my dad fucked me over and Jude called to help. As much as I didn’t want to ask for help, I hadn’t realized how much I needed it until he called. All because of Avery. That girl loves me, and man, I love her. So I have to make her proud. I have to give her everything she wants and needs. Once I sign my contract, and Ralph better hope it’s big, everything will fall into place.
But even right now, as I rush through traffic in a clunker of a car, I’m happy. Our right now is good. We are both working hard, we finally have a place, and now we shouldn’t have to worry about anything else. Well, her parents and douche brother are coming into town, but I have a good feeling about her dad. He’s been texting her, checking on her, and actually trying. Which has been nice. I don’t miss the smile that comes over her face when he texts, but I also don’t miss the way she yearns for her mother. She’s been calling mine a lot, and Lucy. Those women are three peas in a pod and I love it.
But I know she wants her mom.