“Yes, we.”
I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. “God, Dodger, can’t you just sneak the news in in the middle of conversation at a dinner or something? Why do I have to be there?”
He looked perplexed. “Why don’t you want to be?”
“Dodger, this wasn’t some marriage proposal for fuck’s sake! You knocked me up at your brother’s wedding. We aren’t even together. What would I even have to contribute to that conversation? ‘Sorry Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, I took advantage of your little boy. Congrats, your first grandchild is illegitimate.’ Uh, no. Doesn’t even sound remotely appealing. In fact, your mother is going to hate me.”
He chuckled. “You’re being dramatic. I mean don’t get me wrong, they’d love it if we were married and this happened. But it’s life. So what that it didn’t happen like we’re told it has too.”
“So what?”
“Macie, I don’t get what the big deal is here. Don’t you think the bigger deal is that there is a baby currently growing inside you? What could they possibly say besides being overjoyed? I know my mom. She’s been poking at my brother to give her a grandchild. I really don’t think it will matter how it happened. She loves you anyway.”
“It’ll certainly be a reason for her to dislike me now,” I grumbled.
He took a step toward me. I shot him a look that said “no.” He stepped back where he was, clearly frustrated. I didn’t feel bad. We weren’t a couple. I’d just got done making that clear.
“Could you at least think about it? I will obviously let them know regardless, but it would be nice if you were with me when I tell them.”
“You do realize you’re giving me puppy dog eyes, right?” Of course he knew. “Whatever.” I caved. It’s not like life could get much more unforgiving at the moment.
He grinned his beautiful crooked smile making my resolve falter. Dodger . . . the con artist. It was times like these I wish he didn’t know what made me weak.
I looked down. “Okay, Dodger-one, Macie-zero. You win this one, but I’m not going to be the one to actually tell them. I have my own parents that need to find out. And before you ask, no they don’t know a thing. I’m dreading what my dad will have to say.”
“I could come . . .”
“No!” I said curtly. “I’d rather break it to them in my own time and way. I don’t want it to be a planned thing. It’ll make me too nervous. Anyway, back to what I asked before. Now what?”
He pondered. “Well, to be honest I’m not sure. This wasn’t exactly the news I’d anticipated hearing this evening. I had planned on stopping at the new Mexican restaurant by my apartment and trying out their enchiladas and watching some episodes of Dexter.”
I sighed, turning to grab my bag and whined, “Enchiladas used to sound good.”
“Taste buds change?”
“No, not exactly. It’s the smell that I can’t stomach. In fact, I haven’t been able to stomach much of anything these days.”
He looked at me curiously. “Well, I was going to suggest you join me, but if you don’t want that, then maybe we could try something else? It’s not like I was set on Mexican tonight.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m tired. I think I should just head home.”
As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. I was only a couple feet away from it, so naturally I made the move to answer it. Swinging it open, I wish I would have known what was going to be on the other side so I could have schooled my face to not appear so shocked. Dana was here as if life had told her to play a joke on me. She stood with her hair flat ironed and make-up done to impress. She was wearing a skin tight black tank top, brown leather jacket, and black jeans. The outfit was adorable but I’d rather stab myself in the eye with scissors than confess that to her. At least she seemed just as shocked to see me as I was her.
I heard a small groan come out of the man behind me.
“Oh! Hi, Macie. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She chirped in her annoying fake sing song voice.
In true bitch form, I scowled back at her. “I bet you didn’t.”
She tilted her head at me, then glanced behind me. “I was just stopping in to see if you wanted to grab a bite to eat.”
She was making a show of purposefully not speaking to me, but to him.
“Thanks, but I was going to go home and go to bed,” Dodger replied to her. That’s not what he’d just said to me.
She smiled. “Come on, Dodge. I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet, and I want to tell you about this new bar they are opening in town.”
Dodge? Did she suddenly forget how to say her R’s? His little nickname made me want to puke in my mouth.
I could see him out of the corner of my eye shifting uncomfortably. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m pretty beat.”
Instead of disappointment, she said, “Okay, no problem. Maybe another night.”
“Actually, you two should go grab that bite. I’m going to head out. Don’t let my being here stop any plans.” I turned and glared at Dodger. He knew my feelings toward her.
“Macie, you don’t have to go.”
I slung my bag up on my shoulder. “Nah, you guys go have fun. I’ll see you later.”
Normally I would have done everything in my power to make her squirm and want to leave, but this to me was confirmation that maybe Dodger had gone out with her a few times. If she was this comfortable to stop by unannounced when she wasn’t on the clock to see if he wanted to hang out, there was a high likelihood I was correct. If I didn’t leave, I was going to flip my shit on him.
“Macie, why don’t you join us.” Dana asked, knowing I wouldn’t accept.
The bitch was good. “You two do this often, right? I’m sure I’ll catch you another time.”
I stepped around her not waiting for an answer. I briskly walked through the gym, not noticing if anybody was around. I had no clue how long I’d been here talking to him, but I could see it was dark outside. I was almost to the front door when I heard him. Dodger was hot on my heels.
“Macie.”
Keep moving.
“Macie, god damn it. Would you stop?”
No thanks.
“Macie.” His voice was booming and stern.
This time I halted. I knew if I took another step, he was close enough to reach out and grab me. I couldn’t go there. Not right now. I tried to steel myself for an onslaught of emotions. Twisting, I narrowed my eyes at him.
“What?” I shouted.
“Would you fucking stop.”
I held my arms out. “Do you see me moving?”
He came to stand right in front of me, only inches away. I could smell the mint of the gum he was chewing on his breath.
“Cut it out. Whatever you’re telling yourself right now, just stop.”
“I’m not telling myself anything.”
“Bullshit.”