I dropped my hands on the table, dramatically. “I didn’t invite him, Momma.” Looking up at him with as much anger as I could, I said, “I have no idea what you’re trying to pull here, but you weren’t invited.”
He smiled like he really meant it. “I realize. But I saw you all in here, and I thought I’d come say hello. I haven’t seen your parents in quite some time.”
Being the gentleman that he was, Dodger took a few steps around the table and bent down to kiss my mother’s cheek, then turned to shake my father’s hand. I could tell my dad was a bit more confused by the interruption than my mother was picking up on.
“It’s definitely been some time. Why don’t you have a seat and join us, son. We were just wrapping up our lunch but maybe the waitress can bring you some coffee.”
“No, Daddy. Dodger isn’t staying,” I nearly growled directly at him. “He was just saying hello. Now he’s leaving.”
Grabbing a chair that was at the empty table beside me, Dodger swung it around and plopped down right next to me.
“Actually, coffee sounds great. Thank you, sir.”
Oh my god. Was this really happening? I looked around, then pinched my thigh. Nope, not sleeping. Was I in some sort of twilight zone. I was just about to make the announcement of the year to my parents, and of all the times and places, this piece of work had to show up? And apparently thinks it was okay to sit his ass down and disrupt my lunch. He knew exactly what he was doing. Oh man, when it’s just me and him, I’m going to make him wish he was never born.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been good. Working and taking in new patients.”
My dad nodded. “That’s right. You do physical therapy don’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you got plenty of patients?”
Dodger combed his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “Yes, actually. More than I realized I’d be taking on.”
“That’s great,” Daddy said.
“It is. I’m thinking of renting out the office space next to the gym and possibly expand.”
I had no clue it had been going that well for him. How could I have. I didn’t speak to him more than I necessarily had to.
Looking over at my mom, my dad said, “Maybe I should make an appointment with him. I’ve had a pinched nerve in the back of my neck that won’t go away.” He rubbed it like it was currently hurting him. “I’ve changed pillows and done some stretches, but nothing seems to be helping.”
Dodger said, “I’m there Monday through Friday. Just call the front desk of the gym and Dana can schedule you in.”
I growled. “I bet she can.”
Under the table I felt a hand go to my thigh and give a light squeeze. Instinctively I brushed it away. His hand attempted again, but this time I took a hold of a tiny amount of skin and pinched. He jerked away. The side of my mouth tilted up. Try it again and see if you don’t lose a finger, I thought to myself.
My parents were oblivious as to what was going on between Dodger and me at the moment. My mom was touching my dad’s neck, trying to comfort him.
“You need to go,” I grumbled to Dodger under my breath.
“I’ll think about it. But not until after my coffee.”
“Dodger,” I warned.
He piped up. “I have to say, it’s so good seeing you both.”
Mom looked at him. “Same, Dear. But I have to ask, what brought you here today? Macie hasn’t said anything about the two of you being back together.”
I scoffed. “That’s cause we’re not.”
“For now,” Dodger whispered to me.
“In your dreams,” I shot back.
I heard him chuckle. Yep, I was going to kill him when we walked out of here.
“Actually, Macie and I only just reconnected. I was just as surprised to see her when she showed up to speak to me a couple days ago.”
I shot a look at him. Was he fucking serious? He was practically throwing me under the bus.
“I had good reason.”
“Oh? And what reason was that?” my dad asked, nosily.
I closed my eyes and looked back at my parents. It was time. I wanted nothing more than to get this crap over with so I could go home, if I still had one, and soak in a tub. Too bad I couldn’t have a glass of wine to go with it.
“That’s actually why I asked you guys to meet me.”
The expectant looks on their faces almost broke my heart.
“Mom, Dad . . .” I bit my lip. “I’m pregnant.”
The way I barely squeaked that out, it was like I was a teenager still in high school telling them I’d made the mistake of the century and I was sixteen and pregnant or something. Where were the MTV cameras? My poor mother’s face went pale white. Dad, I couldn’t even read. He was blank.
As if shamed, I looked down. “I’m sorry.”
“Y-you’re pregnant?” Momma stuttered.
“Yes.”
“Please explain this to me, Macie.”
I brought my eyes up to hers, only to see that she was crying. “I made a mistake. It should have never have happened.”
“A mistake?” Dodger’s voice broke through my self-wallowing fog.
I swallowed down my anger, so I could deal with the situation at hand. “Not now.”
“I don’t think I’m understanding. How could you make a mistake like this?” she asked.
I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. “It just sort of happened. I don’t know what else to say besides, I’m pregnant. I’ve known for a month now. I don’t want you both to worry, though. I plan on moving out and getting my own place. It’s probably way past time for that anyway.”
“She will be moving in with me.”
Once again Dodger’s voice seemed to keep popping up when it wasn’t called on. He really had a death wish.
“No, I’m not.”
The way he was looking at me said he was serious and he was daring me to argue. Ha! You son of a bitch, did you forget who you were dealing with? I wasn’t Dana and just rolled over on my back and said “Oh yes, please fuck me over some more, Dodger. Just like that, you know how I like it.” He was barking up the wrong tree right now.
“Macie,” he warned.
“Dodger.” I brought my hand up and out came my middle finger.
He gaped at me, then narrowed his amazing blue eyes.
“It’s his, isn’t it?”
Both of us swung our heads to look at my dad. I knew instinctively that Dodger was gulping. My dad, as sweet and docile as I thought he was, I knew he was intimidating for others when they were in his presence. I had a healthy fear of him when I was younger, but I hadn’t felt that way in years. Now it was more about not disappointing him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dodger nod. All I could think was this was exactly why I wanted to do this alone. Daddy wouldn’t sling anger and maybe I could explain myself without finger pointing.
“Before you say anything, I want you both to know that I plan on taking care of Macie and this baby. We may not be together, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be present. I take full responsibility for this.”
I rolled my eyes. “Christ on a cracker, Dodger. Don’t go playing the martyr. Pretty sure I didn’t slip and fall on your dick and this is how we got here.”
Mom’s eyes got huge. “Macie.”