More than Friends
“His birthday is next week,” I joke, even though it’s the truth. Dean will be twenty-three next Tuesday. “I don’t think Dean would be too thrilled about my surprise.”
“Isn’t Dean’s birthday around Halloween?”
“It’s on Halloween. Don’t you remember all the parties he threw at his house to celebrate?”
She chuckles. “That was how Dirty Dean was born. I miss those parties already. Real life sucks.”
“Tell me about it. What I wouldn’t give to turn back the clock and go back to college for another month.”
“I can’t believe Dean is the father.” She leans forward and puts her elbows on the table, holding me with her gaze.
I look away from her, ashamed.
She lowers her voice to a whisper. “Cheer up, Kat. Dean Crawford is your baby daddy. You sure know how to pick them.”
I hold my finger up to my mouth, turning in her direction. “Shh…”
“What? It’s not like I would tell anyone.”
“We work for a sports magazine. No one can know about this, okay?”
“So, that’s why you’ve been so tight-lipped about the situation.”
“Yes. I don’t want my personal life to interfere with this internship.”
“Someone will find out eventually, don’t you think? A baby is not an easy secret to keep. Once he’s born, people will start asking more questions.”
“Well, that’s the benefit of not having a massive belly and living in a city that’s cold. I can get away with a lot of bulky sweaters and oversized clothes.”
“I still can’t believe your dad hasn’t noticed. You live in the same house.”
“He’s only home once a week, and when we hang out, he’s not staring at my stomach. Even if he noticed my weight gain, he would never say a word.”
“But you are on his insurance plan. Doesn’t he see the bills from the doctor?”
“No, they go to his accountant for him to pay.”
“Still, I think you should tell him. And Dean.” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe Dean is the father. After all those years of you two being just friends, he gets you pregnant. That baby is going to be a looker. I’m sure he’ll turn heads just like his daddy.”
I smile at the thought of Dean and his handsome face. “I miss him,” I choke out, doing my best to hold back my tears. “I should have told Dean when he was here this summer. I was too afraid of losing him, even though he was the one who wanted more.”
“I would have given him whatever he wanted,” Becca says with laughter in her voice. “Dean is one hunky hockey player.”
“Tell me about it.” The corners of my mouth turn up slightly. “I miss having him in my life. It’s been hard without him.”
“Why don’t you go see him?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Well, then uncomplicate it. If you want to be with Dean and you want him to have a role in your baby’s life, then you need to make the next move.”
“First, I need to tell my dad and brothers about the baby. I want to see how they react before I tell Dean. Maybe I’ll fly out to Philly and surprise him for his birthday.”
“This time, you have to tell him. Don’t worry about how he will react. If you have to write it inside his birthday card, then do that. It would be better than not telling him at all.”
“Thanks, Bec. I guess all I needed was a kick in the ass.”
She flashes a wicked grin at me. “I will gladly kick you in the ass. Bend over and assume the position.”