“You’re welcome to join us, babe,” Rem offers, getting up off the couch. She lifts a hand as if it’s a stop sign.
“No, no. I’m not feeling well, and I wouldn’t be very good company. You boys have fun and drink some beer for me.”
When she disappears down the hall, I turn to Rem, “Is she okay?”
Rem’s jaw clenches, his eyes fall closed for a minute, and he looks like he might be contemplating something.
“Yeah, she’s okay, she’s just…”
I stare at him, waiting for him to spill the beans.
“Well?” Lex says with the same level of impatience.
Rem leans in like he’s telling us a secret, “She’s pregnant.” Shock is the first thing I feel, followed by excitement, and then shock again.
“We don’t know when she’s due or anything yet. She’s just been really tired, and suffering from some pretty bad morning sickness.”
“Well, holy fuck, you’ve been chipping away at me looking for secrets when you’ve been holding one in all night.”
Rem shrugs, “You never asked, so I had no reason to tell you anything.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Lex laughs and throws his pizza crust at him. “Is Jules okay with you telling us?”
“I hope so, if not, then I guess I’m in trouble.” He shrugs. Holy shit, my little brother is going to be a dad. I never thought the day would come.
“How do you feel about becoming a dad?” I ask, seriously curious about what’s going through his head right now.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s hit me yet. It’s so surreal, I don’t really know what to think. I always thought you and Lex would have kids first. I always envisioned myself being the cool uncle for a few years before I had my own kids, but now… it’s just crazy to think I’ll have kids before you guys.” Rem shrugs, a grin growing on his face, “I guess it was meant to be this way. I’ve always been better at everything, even at making babies.”
I roll my eyes at his statement, what a typical Rem saying. “If you haven’t told Dad, then you need to do that asap.”
“Yeah, I know. I was gonna call him tonight but then you two idiots showed up.”
“That sounds like our cue to get out of here. Come on, Lex, we’ll leave Jules and her baby-daddy be,” I motion for Lex to get up before looking back at Rem, “You call Dad, and then go rub Jules’ feet or something.”
I get up, and Lex follows suit. We say our goodbyes and head out. The whole way home, I let the news sink in. Rem and Jules are going to have a baby. A freaking baby, a little human that Rem is going to be responsible for. Thank fuck he has Jules. I can’t imagine him raising a baby on his own.
Dropping Lex off at his place, I watch him stumble to his door and drop the key twice before finally opening his door. He must sense me laughing at him because right before disappearing inside, he holds up his middle finger, sending me into a fit of laughter. Driving home, I realize how happy I’ve become in the past few weeks.
Everything is going better than I ever thought possible with Lily. Rem and Jules are in a great place, and Lex seems to be adjusting a little better. Life is good, and there is nothing that could sour my mood today.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been looking at houses, somewhere that Lily and I can grow together when we’re ready to. A place for her to paint. That has enough room for all of her supplies. A place that is ours.
Pulling into the driveway, my phone starts to buzz in my pocket. I consider ignoring it, too eager to go inside and see Lily, but then I pull the thing out and look at it anyway. Instantly, my gut twists and bile burns up my throat.
Unknown Number: How much more are you willing to pay to keep your dirty relationship a secret?
That sick feeling that clings to my bones gives way to anger that boils just beneath the surface. I read every single word twice, and before I can really think it through, I’m typing out my response.
What secret? I have nothing to hide. Lily is an adult and not a student anymore. So fuck you.
Unwilling to deal with any more of this tonight, I hit the send button and power down the phone, hoping and praying that after what I’ve just said that will be the end of it.
Sighing, I realize I’m going to have to tell Lily. I don’t want to talk about this with her, not with how great everything has been lately, and not when all I want to do is tell her about the house I’m planning to put an offer in on, but I promised her I wouldn’t keep anything else from her and I’m not about to break her trust again.