“Mmhmm. That’s an innuendo if I’ve ever heard one.”
I laugh as I stuff my freshly sanitized scissors back in their case. “This time, it’s really not. We ordered a bunch of furniture for his house last week, and he got a big shipment of it today. We’re going to order pizza and put it all together.”
“And thennnnn get to the good stuff, right?” Her eyes are sparkling, and her eyebrows are wagging. “Right? I’m right, aren’t I? What bra are you wearing?” She’s reaching for my shirt like she’s going to take a peek.
I swat her hand away and jump back. “Stop that! You’re so nosey.”
“I’m living vicariously.”
“Well, knock it off, you creepy preggo.”
She shrugs her shoulders and rolls her eyes.
I sling my purse over my shoulder and pull out my phone, refreshing my messages again like THAT will change anything. Are phone glitches still a thing?
“Still no word from Drew?”
I pull my lips to the side and shake my head. “Nope.”
Unfortunately, he has not come around to the idea of me and Cooper yet. In fact, he’s been straight-up avoiding me. We live in the same house, but I barely ever see him. He’s been working like a maniac, picking up extra shifts so he doesn’t have to face me. I’d almost swear he moved out because, despite me staying up late and waking up early, I never see him. The only evidence I’ve found of him living with me is when I almost dunked myself in the toilet two nights ago because he never puts the seat back down.
“What a big baby,” she says, shaking her head with disgust marking her mouth. If there’s one thing that’s certain in this world, it’s that Jessie hates my brother. It’s awkward, and I try to avoid the conversation as much as possible because her pregnancy hormones scare me sometimes.
“I know, he is acting like one.”
“I think my child will come out more mature than your brother.”
“Most likely.”
“I should buy him a big diaper for Christmas.”
“Yep! Sounds good!”
“You’re doing that thing where you’re backing away from me while I talk.”
“Nooooo. Not me.” My back bumps into the glass door, and Jessie crosses her arms and flattens her smile. I flash her all of my pearly whites and blow her a kiss. “Love you! I promise I’ll let you rant about my brother who you’ve never officially met tomorrow!”
“Have fun tonight.” She rubs her belly dramatically. “And remember to always be safe!”
I’m still laughing about Jessie’s comment as I make my way to my car and get in. I drive all the way to Cooper’s house with a cheesy smile, feeling the need to sing Christmas tunes even though it’s nowhere near Christmas. Christmas tunes make me happy, so I do it anyway.
When I arrive, my phone rings. “Hey, Mom! I just made it to Cooper’s house and should be at your place in about two—”
“Honey.” Something about the way my mom’s voice sounds as she cuts me off has an immediate panic shooting through my veins. “I need you to meet us at the hospital.”
I don’t even know what’s wrong yet and tears are welling in my eyes. “What happened? Is it Levi?”
At that moment, I see Cooper step outsid
e, still wearing his nice work clothes: a button-down dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. The bright smile stretching across his face does not fit the words that are coming out of my mother’s mouth.
“I’m sure everything is going to be okay, but Levi is having really bad lower abdomen pain, and he just started throwing up. We’re on our way to the ER now to have him assessed.”
Cooper opens my car door, and I can’t even look at him. My mind is frantically running to dark and scary places. “Have you called his pediatrician yet?”
The shake in my voice has Cooper crouching down beside me and putting his hand on my leg. “Yes, about an hour ago. I thought it was just a stomachache, so I didn’t want to worry you, but Dr. Daren said to take him in if it progressed, so that’s what we’re doing.” My mom’s voice sounds calm, and I know if Levi had to be with anyone during something like this, my parents are the perfect people. Still, I’m terrified.
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”