35
Olivia
“Okay, don’t be mad at me but I couldn't resist.” Sasha says, barging through the door to Josh's apartment. She comes into the living area where I’m watching Friends. I take my eyes off the screen and my jaw instantly hits the floor.
“Jesus, Sash.” I shake my head at her. She’s carrying four large shopping bags that are filled to the top. “How the hell did you carry all that here?”
“Babe, when it comes to shopping, I can do the impossible.” She throws all the bags on the floor before flopping on the couch beside me. “Check out how cute these are.” She begins pulling items out of the bags. Lots and lots of baby bits.
“Are these all for the baby?”
“Duh.” She exclaims. “I know you like your colors so I got every color of outfit I could find.” She pulls out pyjamas and tiny outfits, all different colors and shades.
At this rate I won't have to buy anything for the baby. Sasha seems to have it all figured out. “There’s socks, onesies, blankets, bibs. I wasn’t sure what else to get but I’m sure I’ll pick up more as I go along. ”
“Sasha, this is too much.” She gives me a pointed look. “Seriously, you’ve done enough for me. You don’t need to do any more.”
“Yes I do. You are growing my niece in your belly. If I want to do shit for you and for her, then I will.” She says, giving me a quick side hug. “Oh!” She shoots off the sofa, rushing to grab another bag, “Look at this one. I think it’s my favourite."
“And I think I just wet myself.” I tell her, my hand resting over my racing heartbeat.
Sash rolls her eyes.“Ever the drama queen.” she mutters under her breath but I can hear every word. She throws a onesie onto my lap before sinking down onto the couch again.
I lift it and try to stop the burst of laughter that bubbles to the surface. “This is brilliant. Josh will never let her wear it.” The giant lettering that covers the whole front of the onesie, says, ‘I love my Auntie Sash more than my Daddy.’ Josh will hate this.
“One more thing,” Sasha says, reaching behind her for the small gift bag she’s been hiding. “I was hoping to give this to you and Josh at the same time but I know they have an extra practice today and I can’t wait.”
I eye her carefully, “How do you know they have extra practice?”
Her expression shifts to something like panic but before I can dissect it more, it’s gone. “Well, he’s not here so I just assumed.” I don’t believe her. A part of me thinks she’s still seeing Conor but she hasn’t admitted anything to me yet so I haven't mentioned it. It’s none of my business.
I take the gift bag out of her outstretched hands, taking the red crinkly paper off the top. I pull out the tiny sleeper and my eyes instantly well with tears. “Oh my God, Sasha.”
“I thought she could wear it to her first game.” Sasha shrugs as if this is nothing but it’s everything. A small sleeper, in the colours of the Flames jerseys with ‘Baby Woods 1’ written on the front and back.
“Josh will frame this. I can bet anything on that.” I pull Sasha into a warm hug, thanking her again. “I love you, girl.”
“I love you too, Liv.” She pulls away, placing her hands on my growing tummy and leans down, “And I love you too, baby girl.” She says in a baby voice, causing me to laugh.
“I wish I could stay longer but I gotta head over to the stadium. We have our meeting with Katherine today.” I cringe, “I am fully prepared to be left with no job after this.”
“You’ll be fine, babe.” Sasha reassures me but it does nothing to dissipate the nerves flowing through me. “Was Katherine not confused when you scheduled a meeting with her and Josh?”
“She doesn't know Josh will be there.”
“Shit.”
“I know.” I sigh, “I’m so nervous. She can’t just fire me on the spot, can she?”
“I don’t know. It depends.” I give her an expectant look, urging her to continue. “Like, if this is a breach of contract then I think that could be grounds for immediate termination. Was there anything in the contract that states relationships between the team and staff are forbidden?”
“I,” Shit, see this is why you have to actually read contracts before you sign them. “I don’t know. I just assumed.”
“You didn't read it?” I shake my head, slightly embarrassed. “Olivia,” She groans, “Have I taught you nothing? Always read the fine print.” She emphasizes each word with a clap of her hands. You know the look your mum gives you when she says, ‘I’m not angry. I’m just disappointed’, that’s the way Sasha is looking at me right now.
“So why did you and Josh hide your relationship to start with?”
“Well Katherine warned all the guys before I even started to stay away from me. She said she doesn't need another scandal like the last one.”
“But did she explicitly say you can’t date someone from the team?” I try to think back but my head is a mess.
“I honestly don't know.” I check the time on my phone. “Shit. I really need to go. I shouldn’t be long if you want to stay here?”
“Yeah, I’ll wait here for you.” She says, flopping back down onto the couch, pulling my blanket around her.
“You know, it would be so funny if you and Josh hid your whole relationship for no reason.” She laughs, “Imagine that. You two sneaking around for months and then ending your relationship all because of nothing.” She cackles as I leave the apartment.
That would not be funny. At all.
I’m waiting anxiously outside Katherine’s office. My hands instinctively rest against my protruding stomach. It’s so weird that once you find out you’re pregnant, that’s where the new resting spot is for your hands. It’s almost like a protective thing. Making sure your baby is doing okay in there.
Josh still isn’t here and the thought of doing this alone is making my hands sweat. I don't even know what I'm going to say to her. I was hoping that Josh would do all the talking and I would just sit there with puppy dog eyes, pleading with her not to fire me.
Katherine’s door swings open and her fiery red hair is the first thing I see. “Olivia, come in.”
Here we go.
I enter her office, closing the door softly behind me.
“Please take a seat.” She gestures to one of two chairs that sits opposite her seat at her desk.
“I was quite surprised to hear you wanted an official meeting. I hope you’re not planning on leaving us?
” She says it like a statement but it was more of a question.
“Well, I uh.” Just say it, Olivia! “I won’t be leaving you right now but soon…” I don’t continue the sentence but rest my palm against my stomach again.
Katherine looks down, her eyes widening in surprise. “Congratulations!” She beams and the smile on my face actually hurts. She gets up from her spot opposite me and comes around to give me a massive hug.
Once settled again she asks me questions about the pregnancy so far, what I plan to do when I’m close to my due date and after the baby is born.
I tell her I’d like to work for as long as I can but I’m not sure about after the baby is born.
Of course I’d love to come back to work here after, but I’m not sure when.
She reassures me that my job here will always be waiting for me but that leads me to think about Josh and the main reason I’m here.
I just need to tell her. I need to rip off the band-aid and deal with the consequences.
Clearing my throat, I take a deep breath. “Actually, there was another reason why I wanted to speak with you today.”
“Okay.” She nods, urging me to continue.
“Well, I wanted to tell you-” At that moment the door swings open and Josh’s big frame fills the doorway.
“I am so sorry I’m late.” He says, shutting the door and coming to my side.
Katherine looks confused and I’m inwardly cringing.
“Coach wouldn't let us leave.” He plants a quick kiss against my head before sitting in the seat beside mine. “So, where were we?” We all sit in silence for a dragging moment, Josh’s gaze flitting between mine and Katherine’s.
He finally takes in the tense atmosphere of the room.
He looks between my reddened face and Katherine’s wide eyes before lowering his head. “Aw, shit.”