I woke up in the morning, blinking slowly. It was dark in the dorms since the windows were small, but I saw all his boxes stacked around. He was leaving today. College was over, and we were going to be adults. I was just starting it having a baby on my own.
He woke up and kissed my hair as he pulled me closer to him.
“I don’t want to leave,” Sterling murmured as I smiled weakly.
“It’s okay. We’re staying another two weeks, so we can get things shipped off. The apartment won’t be ready until then.”
“This is fucking absurd.” Sterling told me as I laughed without humor. “I never wanted to walk away from you.”
“It’s over, Sterling. It’s better this way. We’ll work the rest out.”
We parted ways in an hour. He needed to start loading his car, and I knew that Violet would be filled with questions. I saw the pain in his eyes as he hugged me goodbye and I walked away. That was when I cried all the way to my room and then in Violet’s arms.
She was sad that I had to tell him but understood. Sterling and I had a bond from being friends for so long and involved for a short while. I was having his baby, and he’d be a wonderful father.
CHAPTER THIRTY: Sterling
I felt empty as I loaded my last box and walked back to the dorm to look around. It was empty, ready for another student to live in for their time at this school. The room still smelled like Rosie and sex and I felt tears in my eyes. I had to talk her into staying sometime over the next couple of weeks.
I loved her. It took me all this time to understand that and now she was having my baby. I might have been able to let her go, but I needed to raise my child. I needed to be with both. I smiled and walked out, handing in my key to the desk and signing the paper that freed me from the dorms. I twisted my keys in my hand as I hopped into my car, parked at the curb. A few students were also leaving, and I watched the activity with a wistful expression. I was going to miss this place and the times I had here.
I glanced over at Rosie’s building as I started the engine. Two more weeks.
I made the drive to the condo, parking and looking for my parents. They had the keys and waved at me as I parked. I imagined the conversation about Rosie and the baby, triggering memories of times when Dad disapproved something that I’d done. I blinked and pushed it to the back of my mind as I got out and approached the unit. The building was beautiful, made of brick and cream wood. Every unit was three stories tall with the laundry being on the first level. The living area was on the second and three large bedrooms on the third. It was beautiful, and I approved it through the pictures. Technology was great that way,
Mom juggled the keys in her hand and I took them to unlock the door. Everything felt different now, and I looked around the foyer with a large laundry room slowly. We climbed the stairs, and I looked over the open living area with several windows, faking my excitement. I kept picturing Rosie here with a small child and walked over to the window. I pretended to admire the view of the water as I regained my composure. Mom was babbling about couches and tables as I turned to look at her, picturing her as a grandma. I felt that she’d understand but Dad wouldn’t.
We made our way upstairs and looked at the master first. It was huge with a spacious bathroom that offered a bathtub and shower. The other bedrooms were good sized, and I chose the one across from mine to be the nursery in my mind.
“I like it. I need to fill it with some furniture and make it home but it’s gorgeous. Thank you.” I told them both as I smiled at them. Dad’s phone rang, and he excused himself to take it as Mom stepped closer to me.
“Is everything all right?” She asked me as she took in my face.
“I think it’s just the changes, Mom. I walked away from my college dorm today and I’ll never go back. It’s weird for me.” I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.
“That’s it?” She asked with a frown on her face. “It looks so much more serious.”
“It’s not. I’m just overwhelmed.” I glanced into the master bedroom where there was a king-sized bed set up for me, already made. Mom wanted me to be comfortable the first night, and I hugged her.