4. Coke Icees Make Everything Better
Chapter 4
Coke Icees Make Everything Better
Tatum || 9 weeks pregnant, August
“S he is still in a deep sleep,” Sin states, exiting the hallway. “I don’t think Darcy got much sleep, based on the way her bathroom reeks and the amount of half-drank liquids she has on her nightstand. Let's get started and I’ll wake her closer to us heading to your place.”
Sinclair had let herself into Darcy’s apartment after our initial knocks were ignored—we have everybody coming over to help Darcy move into my place today.
“You don’t think we will wake her with all the movement?”
“No, she’s down for the count and needs the rest.” We start working in silence until the others arrive.
True to her word, by the time Darcy awakens from her slumber, the only boxes we have left to put in the U Haul are the few in her room.
“Morning, Sunshine.” Kodi greets her groggy friend, wrapping her in a hug.
“You missed the gun show.” Dom winks at her as he flexes his biceps, earning a small smile from Darcy, and a glare from me. Luckily, I don’t think anyone notices.
“Alright, let's load these last couple boxes and get over to my place for pizza,” I say to the room, Darcy begins to move back towards her room. “Absolutely not!” Sin and I both direct towards her at the same time.
“Gee thanks Mom and Dad. I just need to toss everything I needed last night into my duffel, and pull the sheets off my bed,” she deadpans, and I swear I can feel her roll her eyes at us as she heads down the hallway.
“Leave the bag with the boxes!” I yell at her back which earns me a pointed glare before she turns back towards her room.
Maverick, Nik, and Dom hop in the Uhaul and the girls pile into Sin's car, while Collins rides over with me. I expect the car ride with Collins to be quiet but once we are on the road he quickly blurts out, “Tatum, I need your advice. There’s this girl I want to take out, and I don’t think she is picking up on it.”
“Well… have you asked her out?” I sputter, I wasn’t ready for Collins, of all people, to confess anything like this to me, but I’m almost one hundred percent sure that he is referring to Harley. They’ve been hanging out a lot outside of the group and I’ve overheard the girls talking about how she has this douche of a guy she won’t stop going back to. Maybe Collins could be the one to help her move on.
“No, dude, but I take her to dinner, we get coffee, I ask her how her day went. I’m curious if she’s picking up on any of this, but I just can’t seem to get a read on things.” He inhales then exhales. “And I keep all of her favorite snacks and drinks stocked at my house because she’s over so often.”
“I mean honestly, Collins, it sounds like you are putting in some effort. You should probably just talk to her, ask her out, right?”
“Well, it doesn’t feel so easy. Technically, she has a boyfriend, but he treats her like shit.”
The ride to my place is quick, so as we park the car I give him one last piece of advice, ”Well man just keep showing her what you can provide. Keep being your best self, and maybe she’ll realize how much of a catch you are.”
The motivation of pizza and beer, sans Darcy, has everyone moving at top speed to get the boxes up to Darcy’s new room.
By the time we get everything up and everyone is fed it’s just shy of 8 PM. Bella is passed out on the couch, the guys are watching a hockey game, and the girls are gossiping, but I notice Darcy isn’t in the living room with everyone else. I head to her room, finding it empty, when I see that her bathroom door is closed.
I approach and knock gently, wanting to make sure she can find everything she needs. “D?”
“You can come in.”
She sounds defeated. I hate that she’s having such a hard time adjusting to being pregnant. Knowing there isn’t much I can do but willing to try whatever I can to help. Opening the door slowly, I find her sitting on the floor, a wet towel pressed to her forehead.
“Do you need anything?” I ask, gently.
“For your one-night-stand souvenir to let me enjoy food without revolting.” She laughs but it's dry and humorless. She’s clearly exhausted. While we had plans to let everyone hangout, Darcy’s needs are more important, and at this moment I want nothing more than for her to have a quiet home—and some much-needed sleep.
“I’m going to kick everyone out, and then I’ll be back to help you get settled. I’ll bring you water with a hydration packet and some saltines on my way back.”
“How did you know that's what I needed?” She asks, sullenly staring at her lap.
“Asked Sin what I should stock up on before we got you moved in. The list was exhaustive, but it gives me peace of mind to have it all on hand. I want you to be comfortable here, for this condo to be a refuge for you… and the baby.” She finally looks up at me, and I can’t help but smile down into her coffee eyes. “Be right back.”
Making my way into the living room, I work to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone, Mama needs rest and frankly so do I. Thank you for all your help today, take the leftover pizza with you please!”
After herding everyone out, I grab the crackers and drink for Darcy. Finding her in her room, searching through boxes, I notice she has a slight shake in her shoulders.
“Darcy,” I start, my voice calm and steady, “talk to me.” I approach and cautiously pull her into my arms.
“I don’t know where my freaking pajamas are and I’m just so tired, Tate.” She whimpers. “I don’t want to sleep in my day clothes but I also can’t sleep naked. I’m exhausted and my brain isn’t cooperating and I just don’t know what to do.”
“I have an idea, be right back.” Disappearing and then hurrying back with one of my t-shirts and a pair of sweats in hand. Darcy is now sitting on the edge of the bed, the shake of her shoulders is gone and the stream of tears has slowed down quite a bit.
“Here ya go, Mama.” Leaning down to hand the clothes over, I notice that her cheeks have flushed at this new nickname. “Do you need anything else?”
“Um, yeah, actually.”
“Well don’t be shy now, spit it out,” I tease lightly.
“I need a Coke Icee and McDonalds fries.” Glancing at my watch, it’s only 9 PM so this should be an easy enough task.
“I’m on it. Take a shower, get comfy, I’ll be back.”
“Thank you, Tate,” she replies, and turns towards the bathroom.
I exit the apartment, hopping into my Porsche and taking off towards the nearest McDonalds. Picking up the fries turned out to be the easy part, finding a Coke Icee at 9 PM was not as straightforward. McDonalds didn’t have their frozen cola up and running. I try a 7-11 next, only to find theirs isn’t ready yet either. Three gas stations later, I’m stepping back into the apartment with the goods.
I tap softly on the door to Darcy’s room, even though it’s open.
“Come in!”
Bringing the food in, I find Darcy snuggled in the bed, phone in hand, hair in a messy bun on top of her head, my t-shirt swallowing her small body. My pulse quickens as the sight of her, here and now, sears into my memory. She, the mother of my future child, is gorgeous.
“I’ll have you know I traveled to four different gas stations before I found a Coke Icee worthy of you.” I bring the bag and drink to the nightstand, setting them down.
“Thank you. Really? You’d think every store had them.”
“Nope, four different 7-11’s later and here we are.” I sit down at the foot of her bed sucking down my own sugary slush. “My mom got back to me, by the way. She's hoping we can come by next Sunday for dinner and then I guess we’ll share the news.”
“Well I guess sooner is better than later.” She continues to munch on her fries as she speaks.
“Have you talked to your parents?” For just the briefest moment, the smile she was wearing falters, but she shakes it off, plastering it back onto her face.
“Dearest old Mother invited me to brunch on Saturday with my new beau.” She speaks in a debutante, patronizing tone. “I told her we’d be there.”
“Sounds like we’ve got to wear our Sunday finest and lift our pinkies as we drink tea then.” She giggles at my horrible Southern accent trying to match the debutante vibes she gave off previously.
“Yes and do make sure your beau knows which fork to eat his salad with.” She lifts her nose in the air as she speaks.
“Wait… which one?” I ask, eliciting more giggles.
I’m enjoying the sound of her laugh as we mock her Mother. Which, admittedly, on one hand is not good considering it doesn't sound like she will be pleased to meet me. But, on the other hand, Darcy doesn’t seem to be offended by my little charade.
“Oh no, we’re doomed. She’ll never accept you now.” Her smile stretched across her face before her expression sombers. “I don’t know how to prepare you for my parents but they are uppity, Karen-esque and they will view my pregnancy as a scandal.”
“Well, Darcy, I will be there to support you no matter how the conversation goes. I meant what I said, I want to be there for you and our little blob.”
“Thanks, Tate. I just hope they don’t scare you off, I like having you around.” She looks mortified that she said the last part out loud, quickly adding, “Having someone to fetch my Coke Icee and all that.”
“At your service, ma’am, no need to tip your driver. Get some rest. Goodnight, Mama.” I can’t help but sneak the nickname in one more time, just to watch her blush.
“Goodnight, Tate.”