“The truth? Ava, I don’t know, okay? We aren’t the first couple to raise a child without being together. Let people judge. At the end of the day, what does it matter?”
“I guess,” she mutters. “You can turn around now.”
“Is this really about people or your family?”
Ava lowers her eyes, fidgeting with the ring on her index finger.
“One minute, I’m like, I can do this. I’m twenty-five and have my own money. It’s not like I have to live with my parents or anything.” Ava’s ramble causes her breath to hitch. “Then the next moment, I literally can’t breathe. A heartbeat? This baby is alive inside of me, and it’s only going to grow bigger.”
Placing my hand on hers, I try to calm her down. “The offer still stands if you want me to come.”
She shakes her head. “No, as I said, I think it will make it worse. But can I call you afterward?”
“Of course, you know you can call me anytime.”
“Even when it’s two in the morning, and I’m craving ice cream and pickles?”
“Chances are I’m on call. So, sure.”
Ava removes her hand but shifts her gaze back onto the floor. With the number of times she’s done that, you would think something interesting is on there.
“Did you tell Lane yet?”
“No,” I admit, slightly annoyed she brought it up. “I was going to tell her tonight.”
“Oh, okay,” Ava trails off, then takes her phone out of her purse to check the time. “Listen, I should go, or I’ll miss my flight.”
With her purse in hand, she remembers the photo on the table beside the bed. She retrieves it, falling into a deep stare. “I think it’s a girl.”
I chuckle softly. “Funny, me too.”
“Shut up, liar,” Ava blurts out with a grin. “You saw, didn’t you?”
I place my hand on my heart. “Swear, I didn’t.”
“You swear on that tattered Lakers jersey you always used to wear, which you swore you’d be buried with?”
“You remember that?” I tilt my head, surprised by her memory. “And yes, I still have it and swear on it.”
Ava lets out a heavy sigh, keeping her smile fixed. “Goodbye, Austin.”
“Ava, just breathe. Lex and Charlie love you no matter what. Just give Lex time to process.”
“And Millie?”
“It’ll work out. Everyone just needs time.”
Inside the small café, I sit across from Lane after asking her to meet me. There’s no point delaying the inevitable, and just like a band-aid—I need to rip it off now to clear my conscience.
“Lane, can we talk?”
“Sure,” she responds slowly, with a grimace. “Is everything okay?”
“There is no easy way to say this…”
“You’re breaking up with me?”
“Yes, but it’s more complicated than that,” I quickly inform her.