“No, not okay, but yeah. I’ll see you in the morning?”
“Yup. I’ll meet ya at the shop.”
“Cool, I love you,” he says, hugging me tightly before kissing my nose.
“I love you too.” I kiss his lips while my fingers tangle in his shirt. I put everything into the kiss. I can still hear his outburst from earlier, his fears and concerns rattling my soul. I never want him to feel like that. I never want him to worry about that again. It’s in the past. We have future so bright, he shouldn’t even be thinking about it. I know I don’t. I can’t.
When we part, I kiss his chin before reaching for my bag and putting it on my shoulder. “Go to sleep early? Please?”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“Thank you. Love you.” He smiles as I wave and open the door.
“Love you,” he calls as I shut it behind me and climb up the stairs. When I get into the frigid air, I suck in a deep breath. Well, tonight was a clusterfuck. Shaking my head, I walk toward my car, hopeful my plan will work because I can’t let Jace hold this in, not when his brother can help. I may be stepping out of line, but he’s my husband. So I’m allowed to, I think? Getting into my car, I lock the doors and start the engine before searching for my phone.
When I find it, it’s blinking with a text.
Jace: I miss you, don’t leave.
I smile.
Me: Dork. I can’t stay and you know it.
Jace: Then I’ll come stay with you.
Me: And sleep in my mini bed? No, we both need sleep.
Jace: God, this fucking blows. Maybe we should just get an apartment?
Me: Just relax, we can talk more tomorrow.
Jace: Okay, be careful going home.
Me: I’ll text you in a bit.
Scrolling up, I find where I sent Jude’s number and tap it to call. As I wait for him to answer, I check the time. It’s late. He shouldn’t be at a game, but then, what do I know? I pull out of the parking spot just as he answers.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jude. It’s Avery.”
He pauses. “Avery, is everything okay?”
“Well, yeah…but no.”
“Okay?”
“Are you busy?”
“Not for you. What’s up?
“It’s Jace.”
“What’s wrong?”
Biting into my lip, I turn to go toward my building. “Well, as you know, we are married and pregnant.”
“Yeah, I know,” he says with a laugh and I smile.