Big Daddy

“What if he isn’t happy about it?” “Nonsense. He’s a good guy, Dream. If you’re having his baby, he will be over the moon. For Christ sake girl, he almost killed a man for you.” “I know, you’re right. Seriously, I think Nick fucked me up worse than I realized. I can’t even let a nice guy in. I’ll go get a test soon.”

“Don’t wait too long. If you are pregnant, it’s important to get to the doctor as early as possible, and especially since you’ve already lost one.”

“What am I going to do? I didn’t go back to the diner because he said I didn’t have to, but if I’m pregnant, I need to start worrying about how I’m going to support myself if he flips out on me again.”

“Stop worrying. And as for a job, if you’re worried about making your own way, I haven’t replaced you at the diner yet. The job is still your if you want it. You can start tomorrow if you want.”

“No shit? If I’m feeling better, I will. There’s still a chance this is the flu, in which case I don’t need to be serving up flapjacks with a side of influenza.”

Liza cackled. “I don’t think so, honey. Trust me on this one.” I knew she was right, and I was in a serious state of denial.

We ended our call, and I finished my bath and wrapped myself in my robe as I looked in the mirror. My tummy didn’t stick out or anything, but it had grown harder and my breasts we much perkier, and my nipples were tight from the cool air.

I went to my room and pulled on some comfortable pajamas and then headed to the living room where Chance and Star were snuggled up on the couch watching a cartoon. The little girl’s head rested against his chest.

“I’ turning in early tonight. If I’m feeling up to it, I’m going to work in the morning.” I turned and headed back toward my room.

“Work?” Chance shot up off the couch and came after me, leaving Star to curl up in his spot, her eyes still glued to the TV.

“Yes, I’m going to work. I don’t see why I shouldn’t. I’m not in danger anymore and I can’t just stay holed up in this house all the time.”

“I told you I could take care of you. You don’t have to work while you’re here. Or do you not plan on sticking around.”

“It’s not that; it’s just that—dammit, Chance! Do you want me here or not? Do you still want to be with me? Because I thought that’s what we were doing.” I searched his eyes.

“I thought so too. But you’re the one who can’t seem to wait to earn a way out of here.”

“That’s not true.” I let out a growl of frustration. “You’re just picking a fight. Your whole attitude has been shitty lately. I can’t even understand you.”

“Then it’s not going to work out, I guess.”

“Chance. What the hell is happening? I thought you cared about me?”

“If you have to ask that, then I guess this whole thing we’ve been trying to do is hopeless.” He turned and stormed back into the living room, and I knew better than to follow him in there with Star’s little ears too close.

I turned and went to my room and shut myself inside. Come morning I’d go to work, and I’d ask Liza if she still had room for me at her place. Whatever was going on with me and Chance, it was only getting worse. How in the fuck would adding a baby to this disaster be any better?

CHAPTER 27 – CHANCE

I couldn’t believe how lonely I felt once Dream had left for work. Even though she’d only been gone for half an hour, the entire home felt like someone had sucked all the air out of it.

Knowing she was choosing to work when I’d told her she didn’t have to, solidified the fact that she was secretly planning to run off. She’d run from Nick so many times before, that I guess it was just part of who she was, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was me she was running from. And I knew that I was practically pushing her out the door. What the fuck was wrong with me?

I lay in the warmth of my bed sulking and wondering what I was going to do.

Dream was obviously feeling better from the stomach bug she’d had, and she’d left just as I was waking up. I wanted to stop her, but it wasn’t my place. I couldn’t just tell a headstrong woman that if she wanted to be with me, she’d have to quit her job.

The real rub was that I worked at home, and I wanted her there with me. With all the shit Nick had put us both through, I still wasn’t comfortable letting her out of my sight. But how could I tell her that without sounding pathetic or controlling?