I snorted. “The only idea it gave me is that some people who left this town should never come back.”
My mama nodded slowly, that suspicious look in her eye returning. “Okay, then. What did you want to talk to me about?”
I took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m pregnant, Mama.”
She blinked several times. “Huh? But you haven’t even been dating someone.” She gasped and put a hand over her mouth. “Don’t tell me you went to some sort of sperm bank in Nashville. That kind of thing just isn’t right, Aspyn.”
I groaned and shook my head. “No. It was the night of the reunion. I…” My cheeks heated. “I hooked up with Alex Kline.”
She walked over to the couch and sat. She patted the spot beside me. I joined her.
“Does he know?” she said softly.
“He gave me his number, and we texted a bit, but after that, he stopped returning my calls and texts.” I shrugged. “And he’s changed his number. I guess he doesn’t want any part of me.”
I prided myself and not being one of those chicks who cries at the drop of the hat. Now I don’t know if it was the situation, pregnancy hormones, or frustration, but the next thing I knew, I was bawling like a little kid.
My mama took me in her arms and patted me on the back. “It’s okay, honey. It’s okay. I’m here for you, and I’ll give you any help you need. I’m a grandma now, and being a grandma means I have responsibilities.”
I stayed in her arms for a good while before finally pulling away, sniffling. I wiped my tears. “Thank you, Mama.”
She smiled at me. “And I think I know a thing or two about what it’s like to raise a child without a man around.”
I took another deep breath and let it out, some warmth returning to my heart. It didn’t matter that Alex had turned his back on me. I still had my mama, and I had my baby.
* * *
Perri, Joe, Carl, and I all sat around a table at the Wild Mustang. They were all eyeing me suspiciously. I knew why. They all had bottles of beer, and I had a Diet Pepsi. I couldn’t even remember the last time I hadn’t ordered a beer at the Mustang.
“You suddenly don’t like beer?” Carl said. “Or is this some sort of chick diet thing?”
“I don’t need to go on a diet,” I said, suddenly defensive. I’d gained a little weight because of the pregnancy, but I didn’t think it was that noticeable.
“Don’t listen to Carl, Aspyn. He’s just being dumb.” She glared at Carl.
He winced. “Sorry.”
“I’ve got something to tell y’all,” I said, swallowing. “Something very important.”
They all leaned in, their faces expectant. The thing is, living in a small town, gos
sip was one of our main forms of entertainment, all the excitement of a television drama but with the added benefit of being true.
“I’m pregnant,” I said, “and it’s Alex Kline’s baby.”
Perri let out a loud squeal and leaned over to give me a hug. Joe nodded once. Carl blinked several times, a look of complete shock on his face.
Once Perri was done hugging me, I cleared my throat.
“I’m not sure Alex even knows,” I added.
All three of them stared at me.
“What?” Perri said. “Why?”
“That bastard ghosted me after we slept together on the reunion night.” I shook my head. “Like the next day. He gave me a big speech about how he wanted it to not be a one-night stand and then complete silence. He recently changed his number. So, I’m not sure if he even got my recent messages about being pregnant.”
“He … well, sometimes he doesn’t even send me a message for months at a time,” Carl said. “That’s just the way he is.”