37
Olivia
“Please, Olliepop. I am begging you here.” Conor drones on. I’m so close to smacking him across the head. “I just want to feel it.”
“For the last time,” I spin to face him, giving him a hard glare, “no.”
“Just once. That is all I’m asking.”
I roll my eyes, “If I let you feel it, you must never ask me again.”
“I pinky promise.” His eyes are wide and pleading. I never got the fascination of feeling someone else’s stomach when they’re pregnant. I always found it kind of weird. But the amount of times people ask to feel mine or don’t even ask at all and just do it is mind boggling.
“Fine.” I moan and waddle across the room to him. I’m wearing a sports bra because the heat is killing me. Being nine months pregnant in the middle of a heatwave is just torture. Conor’s cold hands rest against my tummy and I sigh in relief. Fuck that feels like heaven.
“You like my hands on you baby?” He asks with a wicked smirk.
I swat him over the head, “Shut up.” This is how our relationship works now. He flirts and I act like it bugs me. It’s our thing. I know a lot of people would find it weird, my boyfriend's best friend flirting with me but that’s just how Conor is. Sometimes I think he does it just to piss Josh off.
Conor lowers onto his knees in front of me but before I can ask what he’s doing, he rests his cheek against my bare stomach too. This is so fucking weird. I would love to see the look on Josh’s face if he came in here right now.
“I said you can touch my bump, not glue yourself to it.” I start to move away but Conor’s whine brings me back to the spot.
“It’s just so warm and soft.”
“And you’re just so strange.”
“Oh my God!” He shouts, scaring the shit out of me.
Clearly not scaring me enough though because I am still not in labour.
I’ve been trying for weeks to get this child out of me.
I am so done with being pregnant. I’ve been walking, eating spicy foods, having lots of amazing sex and nothing is working.
I had even resorted to watching a marathon of every scary movie available to see if I could scare her out.
“Did she kick? I think she kicked.” He gets to his feet, jumping around the room like an idiot.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I tell him, keeping my voice as serious as possible. “That just means she doesn't like you.”
Conor spins on his heel to stare at me. “Are you serious?” He genuinely looks wounded and now I feel a little bad.
“I’m kidding. It actually means she loves you.” Clearly that was the wrong thing to say because he practically tackles me to the ground. I have to grab onto the kitchen counter to steady myself and that’s not an easy feat when there’s a bowling ball attached to you.
Conor hugs my stomach again, “I love you too, Connie.” He insists we name our baby girl after him and I know it’s an argument I will never win with him so for now, I’ll let him have his moment.
The front door swings open and Josh stops dead when he takes in the scene before him. He looks momentarily confused before a wicked smile lights up his face. “You finally caved.”
“I couldn't help it!” I whine in response. “He had those giant, innocent looking, puppy dog eyes and I crumbled.”
Josh just laughs, setting the last few boxes of my things down on the floor.
I’m officially moving in here. I know it's been a long time coming but I wanted to have a normal relationship with Josh before our baby arrived.
We went on dates. Real dates where he kissed me goodnight at my door before going back to his own place.
We took it slow, in a way. Not in the sex way though.
I don't think I would have survived any longer without the electrifying orgasms that Josh pulls out of me.
I was deeply deprived in those months that we weren't together and once I got the taste of what they felt like again, I was like a woman possessed. I was thoroughly dick-notized.
I grab Conor by his prince charming styled hair and pull his head off my stomach. “Conor, I love you, I really do. But if you keep squeezing me this hard I’m gonna pee myself.”
“Personally, I’ve never had a golden shower but I wouldn't say no if it was offered. You don't know if you don't try.” He’s so smug in his response and I flick his head, laughing softly.
“Get off me.” I gently push him off me, making my escape to the bathroom before he pounces on me again.
I’m almost at the bathroom door when I hear him call behind me, “I love you too, Olliepop.”
When I first met Conor, I never would have imagined the friendship that we have now.
He’s like a brother to me. He may come off as a sleazy fuckboy, but when you get to know him, you realize that he has the kindest soul.
I wouldn’t have wanted a better uncle for my baby girl. She’s so loved already.
I’m meeting Josh’s sister, Charlie, at the cafe in about twenty minutes. I’m running behind after falling asleep on the couch, which has become a regular occurrence lately. This pregnancy is kicking my ass. I feel like all I do is sleep, eat and pee.
I step into the elevator, pressing the button to take me down to the lobby. I’m tapping a message out to Charlotte, letting her know that I’ll be a little late when the elevator dings and the doors open. I don’t glance up at the person who’s just entered, just moving to the side so we can both fit.
I’m reading Charlotte’s reply when the man speaks. “Liv?” He asks, incredulously.
I throw a quick glare in Ryan’s direction before turning my attention back onto my phone screen. I haven’t seen him since he threatened and blackmailed me all those months ago. I forgot how much of a privilege that was.
He doesn't speak again but I feel his lingering stare on me.
Well, on my pregnant tummy. The air is thick around us.
The tension is palpable and the longer we're stuck in here together, the worse it gets.
I look over at him with an expectant look, just waiting for the inevitable.
He looks momentarily shocked before fixing his mask over his face, the calm and collected Ryan looking directly into my eyes.
“That Josh’s baby?” Of course that’s what he’s decided to say. I shouldn't have thought anything different.
“Yes.” I say, trying to appear confident but I don't think it came out that way.
Ryan lets out a disbelieving laugh. “Do you not remember what I said to you? Are you seriously that fucking dumb?”
“Excuse me?” I ask, incredulously. “How fucking dare you speak to me like that. I have let you control me before. I let you dictate every aspect of my life but I am done, Ryan. You hold no power over me anymore. You’re just pathetic.” I spit the words at him, full of venom.
The doors of the elevator open and we’re in the lobby. Thank God. I can’t get out of there fast enough, going as quick as my heavy legs will carry me. I hear Ryan’s heavy footfalls behind me, not backing down.
“I will ruin him. Do you hear me, Olivia? I will fucking ruin him.”
I spin on my heel, almost colliding with Ryan. “For what? What was the point in all of this?” I ask him, fury lacing my tone.
“Because he took what’s mine.” He shouts in my face, drawing the attention of everyone in the busy lobby. I glance around, my cheeks heating in embarrassment.
I keep my voice low and controlled, “You don’t own me. I’m not yours anymore and I haven't been for a long time.” I turn to leave but Ryan snatches my wrist, spinning me back to him. “Don’t you fucking touch me.” I grit out, ripping my arm from his grasp and rubbing the tender flesh.
He looks around, seeming to remember we’re not alone and that’s when I notice that not one person has come over to see if I’m okay.
I’m heavily pregnant and this man screams in my face and puts his hands on me and not one person could spare a single second.
That realization has my anger spiking to levels I didn't know it could reach.
“Liv, I'm sorry. I-”
“I don't want to hear it, Ryan. Leave me and Josh alone.” I say, straightening my shoulders, prepared to walk away.
Is this ever gonna stop? Is Ryan gonna stop at nothing until he gets what he wants?
Josh and I are stronger than we ever have been so this sad, desperate man won't be able to break us a second time.
But I don't have the energy to keep this up.
I have far more important things going on in my life than playing this stupid little mind game that Ryan insists on playing.
“If you threaten me again, no actually, if you ever speak to me again, I will report you for harassment. I’m sure it won't be hard to get video footage of this little incident.” I warn, “Don’t test me, Ryan. I'm done.”
I walk towards the door leading out onto the street, a satisfied smile stretching across my face. I finally did it. I finally stood up for myself against that asshole and it feels… empowering.
Using this new sense of power, I turn back around to face him. “Ryan,” I call out, getting his attention again, “Fuck. You.” I flip him two middle fingers before striding out onto the street with the chorus of Boss Bitch by Doja Cat playing in my head.