17. Spill the Tea
Chapter 17
Spill the Tea
Darcy || 20 weeks pregnant, October
I walk into The Brunch House with Sin, Harls, and Kodi in tow. This restaurant was practically made for girls like us, those who love breakfast food and mimosas. It’s covered in bright, funky decor, and serves the crispiest hash browns I have ever had in my life. My mouth waters thinking about them.
We managed to pull Harley away from Benji and her studies for the morning, which is good because we can check in with her. She’s been distant since Stu’s party and our phone call. I’ve got my date with Tatum next week and I want to have some time with all of my best friends before then. Sinclair approaches the host stand and then we are guided over to a small booth on the patio overlooking the ocean.
“D, are you ready for your date next week?” Kodi asks as we get settled into our seats and begin looking over the menu.
“I am.” I pause, already feeling my throat tighten, unwilling to admit I’m afraid of getting heartbroken.
“But?” Sin inserts for me.
“But I’m terrified that I’m going to get hurt. You guys know Tate doesn’t do relationships and that he never wanted kids. Is he just asking me out and being all caring and kind to be nice? What about me is so special that all of that changed?” Tears begin welling in my eyes as our waitress approaches. Sin orders champagne for the three of them—along with assorted juices and water for everyone. Harley pipes up ordering a raspberry, white chocolate iced coffee before the waitress gives us our space again.
“You know, someone wise once told me that whoever I choose to give my time to was lucky?” Kodi asks, placing a hand over mine on the table.
“And look where that got her.” Harley chimes in.
“Tatum knows that we will castrate him if he hurts you or that precious little boy in there.” Sin says as she gestures towards my stomach.
“Amen” and “Hallelujah” Ko and Harley call out simultaneously, leaving me unsure of who said what.
“You guys are the best, you know that?” I beam at my friends as they all nod in unison. “So what’s going on with everyone else? How’s Benji? Ready for your exam?”
“He’s great actually.” Her curled posture tells me the opposite but I learned after last time not to push her. I see Sin’s jaw tick at the response knowing that there’s probably more to the story. Harley adds, “I am ready I think and I might have a job lined up at the Right Place, Right Time Center, the one that works with troubled teens where I did one of my undergrad internships.”
“That’s great! I remember how much you loved learning there.” Kodi adds in as our waitress comes back, dropping off drinks and taking our orders. As if Kodi doesn’t eat enough pancakes with Bella, she orders strawberry pancakes with hash browns and a bowl of fruit. Harley orders a smoothie bowl with a fried egg while Sin orders a meat lover's omelet with a small berry parfait. I go with my usual which is a blueberry streusel waffle with a side of hash browns and fruit bowl.
“Alright, Kodi. Spill the tea, how is being married?” Sin asks, Kodi’s cheeks redden and I think she’s going to spill some sexy little secrets but instead, a choked sob escapes her. I move closer to my best friend, wrapping my arms around her before she has a chance to say anything.
“Oh my god, this is so stupid.” She sniffles.
“No, whatever is happening is not stupid. Talk to us.” I encourage her, still wrapped around her tightly.
“We had decided that when we got married we wanted to give Bella a sibling as soon as possible. It’s only been a few months but it’s not happening. It’s not to say it won't, which is why it feels stupid.”
“It’s not stupid at all, Ko. Something that you’ve always wanted is taking longer than you expected and being frustrated and upset is a normal response. This is something that so many people struggle with and it’s okay for you to be feeling this way.” Harley soothes.
“I’m trying to be so happy for you, D, but it’s been hard, I have to admit.” She sniffles again and this time I join her.
“I feel like a shit friend, I’ve been bothering you about baby stuff and sharing everything this whole time. You’ve been struggling and I was just rubbing it in your face.” The guilt of not being present for my best friend or giving her the support she needed weighs heavily on my shoulders.
“No, Darcy, that's not true at all. I didn’t tell you, and it’s my responsibility to do that. I should have told you. All of you—instead of keeping it to myself.” She hugs me back, tighter this time.
“How can we support you?” Sin asks her.
“I think just being you guys, letting me talk or cry if I need to. Celebrate with me when my body decides it’s time. Just don’t ask me all the time if I’m okay, I don’t think that question will be helpful to me.” She says.
We all murmur some sort of affirmation to her before our food is dropped off in front of us. We dig in, silence blanketing us for a moment. Sin is the first to break the silence, “Well I don’t have anything fun to share. Just fooling around when work isn’t kicking my ass.”
“Okay.” Kodi claps. “Let’s talk about the baby shower.”
“Drum roll please.” Harley and Sin begin gently tapping their fingers on the table to avoid causing a ruckus in the restaurant.
“The theme is…” I pause for dramatic effect causing my friends to roll their eyes at me. “Baby on Board! So think blues, sandy colors, shells, waves. Everything that encompasses Tate and I’s happy place. Tate said we could have it at the beach house!”
Sin mimes a gag, before asking, “I’m assuming you’ve shared the Pinterest board with all of us?” I give her two thumbs up eliciting another eye roll from her.
“Alright, then we will handle it from here.” Harley chimes in, giving the other two a devious grin that I know means they will be going all out for this and I honestly can’t wait.
“Are we inviting Lorraine?” Kodi’s curiosity piquing beside me.
“I told her she was welcome to attend and would be receiving an invite but if she causes any problems or shows up with people that weren’t invited or cameras she would have to leave.”
“Ooooo she’s setting boundaries.” Harley does a little happy dance across the table.
“I did, I won’t let her or anyone treat Hudson the way that she treated me.” I crinkle my nose in disgust before pulling my phone out and crossing another name off the list. “Dang it man, names are hard.”
“I think once you see him, you’ll know for sure what his name is.” Sin comments.
“Hmm, you’re probably right.” The rest of brunch goes by quickly and I head home to take a quick nap before my date with Tatum.
* * *
I’m unable to nap when I return to the condo, and Tatum isn’t back yet, so I sit at my desk and open my laptop. I open a few tabs including my plotting document, my WIP which I’ve barely put a dent into, my inspiration photos, my search engine page, and my soft, chill pop mix.
I quickly reread the first couple of chapters I’ve started, changing quite a few things as I go because it’s been almost a year since I’ve touched this manuscript. The story I’m planning to write follows a small-town girl, Reese, who moves to a big city and begins working for grumpy, millionaire Trent as his architecture assistant. We’ve got fake dating, a small-town girl and a big-city guy, and my personal favorite, grumpy and sunshine.
Two hours and two thousand words later, I hear the front door click and quickly move out to the living room hoping Tatum is up for some cuddles.
“Hi, Mama.” His face morphing from stoic to joy when he sees me lying on the couch.
“Hi, cuddles?”
“Please, just let me get changed.” Tatum places a quick kiss on my lips before heading to change.
Laying in his arms with his hand resting on my stomach feels as natural as breathing.
“What’s your favorite movie?” He asks, breaking the peaceful silence between us. His thumb moves slowly along my bump awaiting my answer.
“Hmmm, it depends on my mood. If I want a classic, 10 Things I Hate About You is a go-to. If I want something emotional, I’d probably go for A Walk to Remember. Something silly, probably Shrek-the movie of my childhood.” Tatum chuckles at that last one, his hot breath fanning my neck and sending tingles between my legs. “What about you?”
“Probably World War Z. I love a good zombie movie. Favorite color?”
“Aquamarine, you couldn’t tell?”
“Of course I could, I just wanted confirmation. I know your favorite food is lasagna and your favorite flower is a lily. My favorite color is green and my food is my mom's pot roast.”
“Her roast is to die for.” I laugh and turn to face him, letting my head rest along his bicep. “What do your tattoos mean?”
“Well, the rose is for mom. The chrysanthemum is dad's birth flower and daffodils are the twins.”
“I thought so, I just wanted confirmation.” I throw his words back at him before my stomach causes me to jolt. Tatum’s brows dip in concern. “I’m… I’m okay. I think the baby moved?” Whatever it was, it felt like popcorn popping.
“Are you serious?” Just as he asks, it happens again.
“Yeah, give me your hand.” His hand that was wrapped around my back moves towards my front. I guide him to where I felt the movement, pressing his hand in with my own. We stay there, eyes locked on one another, waiting. After a minute or two, it happens again and Tatum's eyes light up. Excitement now written across his features where concern previously was.
“That was so weird but also so fucking neat.” He smiles at me.
“It was, wasn’t it? I’m glad you got to experience it with me.” I lean up, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. At this moment, I’m genuinely thrilled that Tatum is here with me. Not just the baby moving but this whole pregnancy and what’s to come for us. He’s been nothing but attentive, kind, and caring with me. Making sure I’m fed, have a place to stay, and a way for me to do my dream job.
“Me too, I know that this isn’t exactly what we expected our lives to look like right now. But I am happy that these little milestones are ones that I’m getting to have with you.” He says, continuing to mindlessly rub circles on my stomach where the blob was moving around. The baby's movements seemed to slow with Tatum's touch, similar to how my heart calms in his presence.
“I can agree with that, I didn’t think I would be pregnant at this point in my life. Nor did I think I would have left my job, ever really.”
“I didn’t think I would’ve gotten somebody pregnant, but I have to tell you that I’m pleased it was you.”
“Honestly, I could say the same.”
This time, Tate is the one leaning down to kiss me. ”Want to watch some Gilmore Girls before dinner?”
“Yes please.” The rest of the night goes by in a flash, stealing kisses, talking theories about our show, and cuddling on the couch.