39. Six-Pack Apology
THIRTY-NINE
SIX-PACK APOLOGY
Lach
The past two months has been much of the same. Jake avoiding me. Eve avoiding Jake. Even the vibe at Porter’s has been off. Everyone is tiptoeing around each other, or maybe it’s me. Sure, I have the most amazing woman by my side now, but at the expense of my best friend. It fucking sucks. When I picked up the keys from the property manager, I was shocked when she mentioned my employer had given her one of the best references she ever received. I was tempted to ask her if she had called the right number, but I only provided one number, and it would be odd if a stranger gave me such a positive reference. Eve mentioned she had a friendly chat with Jake, but I wonder how friendly it was. She stood up to Goliath, and she did it for me. I’m keeping her.
To say I was excited about leaving Rylee’s couch is an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, Abby’s adorable, but I won’t miss waking up to her inches from my face. It was really sweet the one time she brought me a glass of orange juice though.
Moving my belongings in was a breeze. All I had were my clothes, a computer, a few boxes, a TV, and a stack of artwork. Eve was a different story. She has a bed, two dressers, a loveseat, recliner, and a small pub table at Jake’s. All the other miscellaneous items we need have been ordered, and we’re waiting for them to arrive. All the baby furniture was delivered in record time, even though the baby hasn’t arrived yet. Eve brought over a suitcase full of clothes that will tide her over until we can get everything else.
I slide the scissors through the tape on the top of the box, breaking the seal. With a flick of my wrist, I open the flaps and pull out all the wood pieces along with two plastic baggies. One holds a variety of nuts and bolts. The other includes an Allen wrench and several metal brackets. In the palm of my hand, I hold everything that will keep this crib together. I’m somewhat skeptical all this will hold anything over five pounds. Among the foam padding, I find the instructions. The thick paper feels sturdier than the crib. I scan the diagram of pictures and then all the parts. Seems easy enough. I toss the paper to the side, it floats to the floor, and I unwrap all the wood pieces.
A knock on the door echoes through the townhouse and to the second floor. I climb to my feet and jog down the stairs to the front door. Since we don’t have curtains yet, I peek out the wide-open window. My chest tightens, and my brows pinch together. He’s the last person I’d expect to see standing on my doorstep, especially after avoiding me for the past month. Unless he’s back to finish what he started. At the door, I twist the knob and pull it open.
“What are you doing here?”
Jake’s gaze lifts to mine. “Eve yelled at me.”
I rest a hand on the doorjamb. “So you came here to tell me Eve yelled at you?”
He squares his shoulders, but his scowl diminishes a fraction. “Not entirely. But she made me realize I really shouldn’t be mad. In fact, I should be happy. Not only is she with a guy who makes her happy, but also someone I know is a good guy who won’t treat her like her ex.”
A part of me questions if Eve wrote a script for him to recite. But I know coming here saying what he said, even if it’s scripted, was genuine. He wouldn’t have done it otherwise. “Thanks. I appreciate it. I know sneaking around behind your back wasn’t the right decision. I’m sorry for that.”
Jake nods. “Also, I brought this.” He holds out a gift bag with cartoon giraffes, elephants, and tigers printed on it with white tissue paper spilling out the top.
I lift an eyebrow. It’s too pretty to be something Jake put together himself. “What’s this?”
“A gift for the nursery. Nora helped me wrap it.”
I nod. “That explains the presentation. Thanks.”
“And this is for you.” He passes me a six-pack of my favorite beer that can only be bought in Wisconsin.
The fact he drove across state lines to bring me a peace offering is telling. Granted, it’s only a twenty-minute drive, but it’s the thought that counts. “Thanks. Do you want to come in?” I fully open the door and step out of the way. Jake passes through, and I close the door behind him. He toes off his shoes on the mat next to the door.
“This is a nice place you got here.” He glances around the bare walls and stacks of boxes.
“Thanks. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s an upgrade from my previous apartment. Plus, I wanted Eve and the baby to have a nice place to call home.”
Jake crosses his arms over his chest, his gaze settling on me. “You know you don’t have to do this, right? You don’t have to take care of her.”
I freeze. My blood is on the brink of boiling. I thought he came here to make amends. Not this. I square my shoulders, preparing for another fight. “Look, if you’ve come to hassle me about my relationship with Eve, you can leave now.” I point to the door. “But know this, I’m doing this just as much for me as I am for her and the baby. I want to be with her. I need to be with her. I love her.”
The words have always been on the tip of my tongue, but I was hoping she’d hear them before her brother. Fuck it. Here are my cards. “I love your sister. She makes me want to be a better man for her, but also for myself. She’s my every breath. I want to take care of her. I want to give her the entire fucking world. If you can’t see that, then go.”
He holds his hands up in defense. “I just wanted to see where your head was at.”
“I don’t need any of your big-brother tests.”
He nods. “So you love her?”
“More than anything.”
“Got it.” A few seconds of silence pass between us before he says, “I always wished Eve would grow up and have a strong head on her shoulders, but I didn’t anticipate her being as fierce as she is. Good luck, and you have my blessing.”
I laugh. “After you punched me in the face, you do realize I was going to do it whether or not I had your blessing.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
I pull one bottle from the cardboard carrier and set the rest on the counter. Twisting off the cap, I take a long pull. “You want a water or something?”
Jake shakes his head. “No. I’m good.” He inspects a box with parts for the crib. “Working on something?”
I take a drink, enjoying the slightly fruity ale. “You ever put a baby crib together?”
“Can’t say I have.”
“Great! Then you can help me.” I grab the other five beers and stroll through the living room to the stairs that lead to the second floor. Jake follows close behind.
Two and a half hours and two extra screws later, the crib is assembled. Both of us stand in front of the crib and admire our handiwork.
“Do you think we’re supposed to have leftovers?” I hold out my palm with the two screws resting in the middle.
He shrugs. “Don’t they usually provide extras, just in case?”
“Sure. Seems reasonable.” I grip the railing of the crib and give it a firm shake. It feels fairly sturdy. I walk around to the other side and do the same. This could hold a baby. “Climb in and see if it holds you.” I nod at the crib.
Jake bends down and picks up the directions. “I read somewhere that the max capacity is like fifty pounds. I’m just a few pounds over that.”
I rub my chin. “That’s not going to work.”
The plush carpet rubs against my arm. The tiny light from the drill is the only thing helping me see under the crib as I screw in the last two-by-four to the legs.
“Oh, don’t you two look cute assembling a crib together?”
I jerk and smack my head on the wood. A loud thud echoes through the small room and wince. Twisting to my side, Eve stands in the doorway with a wide grin on her face. I roll out from under the crib and rise to my feet. “What do you think?” I motion to the crib.
“Looks good. You two assembled this by yourselves?”
“We’re more than just good looks. We’re carpenters now.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and press a kiss to the top of her head without a second thought. When I pull away, I glance at Jake. The corner of his mouth twitches. It’s the closest thing to a smile anyone will see from him.
Eve wraps her arms around my waist. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“You need to be our tester, though,” I say.
Eve freezes. “Your tester?”
“Yeah. Get in the crib.” I lift my chin, nodding at the crib.
She giggles. “Why?”
“If it’ll hold your weight, it’ll surely hold the weight of a ten-pound baby.”
“Ten pounds?” Eve screeches.
“Could be twelve pounds,” Jake adds.
“Wait! Why is the number going up?” Her wide-eyed gaze flits between me and Jake.
“When you were born, you were a pretty big baby,” Jake says.
She presses a hand to her chest. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll have a big baby.”
“Genetics play a role in it,” I add. “So we need you to get in the crib.” I drop my arm and hold out my hand for Eve.
“Are cribs meant to hold the weight of adults?”
“No. But we’ve made a few…” I glance at Jake and shrug, “modifications.”
Eve’s lips press into a thin line. “If this collapses to the floor… I don’t know what I’ll do, but you’ll owe me. Owe me big. Both of you.” She points a finger between me and Jake. “I’m thinking a full spa day.” She turns to me. “And dinner. Like the best dinner anyone has ever eaten.”
I laugh. “Anything you want.”
Jake removes the side railing and rests it against the wall. With Eve’s hand resting in mine, she steps up into the crib and sits down in the middle, cross-legged.
A few seconds pass, and she blows out a breath. “I think we’re good.”
“Maybe we should leave you there all night just in case,” I tease.
“Oh, hell no! I’m not sleeping in the crib.” She uncrosses her legs, and I help her to her feet.
“Alright. I think my job here is done,” Jake says.
Eve wraps her arms around him in a hug. Jake reluctantly hooks his arm around her waist. “Thank you.” I don’t know if it’s for helping with the crib or coming here to mend our friendship. Maybe both.
After they release each other, he clasps my shoulder. “Take care of her. If you don’t, I know where you live.”
I smile at him. “Got it.”
Eve walks Jake to the front door. After it clicks shut, her feet pad up the stairs and meet me in the nursery. She wraps her arms around my waist. “So everything is back to normal?”
I brush a strand of hair off her forehead. “Is it the way it was? No. But it’s a new normal. It might take time.”
“Good, because I really didn’t want to have to make a choice between my brother and my boyfriend.”
“We’re a title now?”
“Boyfriend seems easier than ‘guy I slept with, who didn’t get me pregnant, but now I’m currently sharing a townhouse with.’ ‘Boyfriend’ has a better ring to it.”
“And I finally get to sleep next to my girlfriend with no interruptions or sneaking out early in the morning.” I spin her in my arms so she’s facing me. My thumbs brush over her cheeks, and I drop my forehead against hers. She lifts her chin, pressing her soft lips to mine.
She pulls away slightly. “I have a twenty-five-week ultrasound next week. It was pushed back a few times due to scheduling conflicts, but since I’ve been feeling fine, Sofia said it was okay. Anyway, it’s routine. To make sure the baby is healthy. If you want to?—”
“Yes.”
She laughs. “I didn’t even finish.”
“If you’re asking me if I’ll go with you, the answer is yes. I would want nothing more than to be there with you.”
This baby may not biologically be mine, but it feels like it is. I’ll be there for both of them as if it is.
Later that night while Eve’s asleep, I slide down the bed until my head is next to her belly. “Hey, you. I guess I don’t know if you’re a boy or a girl yet. Doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I know I'm not your biological father. But I will love you as if I am. See, I grew up without parents, and I never want you to go through what I did. I will do everything to take care of you and your mom because I love you both more than anything. I can’t wait to meet you.” I lightly rest my hand on her belly above the blanket. This is exactly where I’m meant to be.