Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
LAYA
“ Y ou need to get out. Get some fresh air.” I cast my gaze over to Ava, then my eyes track down to her swollen stomach. Her future.
Jealousy grips me, and my hands tighten on my mug as I reply in the same monotone voice I’ve had for the past few days since Owen’s sobs filled the house before Tate and Mase finally encouraged him to give me space.
“Not today.”
She strokes over her bump, and I turn away.
“Laya, come on. I’m sure Romeo would love to go for a walk. Right, buddy.” My son gurgles back in her direction and, as always, I react with a smile. His hair is spiky, adorably cute as he blows out a bubble toward Ava. “See. Romeo wants to go to the park, don’t you, little man?” She pulls on his socks, and he blows a stream of bubbles back at her, making her laugh.
“Not the park,” I clip back, knowing the memories it holds there for us.
My phone beeps beside me, and I glance at it, knowing it’s more than likely Owen, and I contemplate turning it off completely, but when I see Brynn’s name flash on the screen, I unlock the phone.
Brynn: I’m in your town this weekend. Wanna catch up?
I grimace, knowing what a shitty friend I’ve been.
“Is that him?” Ava wafts her hand toward the phone.
“No.” I clear my throat. “It’s actually my friend Brynn. We went to college together and I haven’t seen her since the night I met Carlos.”
Ava’s eyes widen. “Oh, shit.”
I nod, knowing how much has happened since I last saw her. “She wants to meet up.”
“You should go,” she encourages with a smile.
“I’m not leaving Romeo.”
She shrugs. “Then take him with you.”
“I will if you come with me.” I raise an eyebrow with a smile tugging at my lips, the thought of leaving the house now exciting me a little.
My gaze goes over her shoulder to the guard standing on the patio. Ever since she was kidnapped, Tate insists on him tailing her. “Ignore him. He can blend in.” She waves her hand nonchalantly, and I scoff a laugh.
“What do you say, Romeo? Drinks and cake?” Then she walks toward my son and lifts his hand against hers, giving one another a high-five, and just like that, the poor mood I was in dissipates.
“ W ow. I can’t believe you have a baby.” Brynn flicks her hair over her shoulder. “He’s…” She winces. “Sweet, I guess.”
“He’s gorgeous,” Ava snaps.
We’ve spent the last hour listening to Brynn tell us how amazing her new business venture is going to be, thanks to a windfall she’s received by her own handsome stranger. I don’t like to judge my friend, but that’s probably code for she’s fucking a rich guy for cash.
I love my friend, really, I do, but sitting here today, I realize how far we’ve grown apart, or were we never really close to begin with?
“So, you’re expecting too.” She points toward Ava’s stomach. “Jeez, I swear I would die if someone told me I was pregnant. I can’t imagine having to push something so big out of my vajayjay.”
Ava chokes on her mocktail, then grimaces, something she’s been doing on and off all day. She’s six months pregnant, so it’s way too early for the baby, but when she touches her stomach, I know she’s concerned.
“Everything okay?”
“Probably gas.” She frowns.
“Well, I plan on taking my bestie and her boy shopping.” Brynn takes my hands in hers, and her eyes light up in excitement.
“Maybe another time. I want to get Ava home.”
Brynn’s face falls.
“Oh, no you don’t. You’ve been cooped up for too long. I’m going to get a lift home, and you’re going to enjoy your day.” Her eyes implore mine, and I know she’s referring to the security that will take her home.
I bite into my lip. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Then she pushes back in her chair and takes a hold of her purse. “I’ll be waiting for you at your place, okay?”
Getting to my feet, I round the table and give her a hug. “Thank you.”
Brynn pushes out of her chair and claps her hands. “Oh goody, now we can really shop. Seriously, Laya, your style has gone down the drain. The Laya I know would not be seen dead in mom clothes.” I roll my eyes and want to tell her I am a mom, a proud one at that, but instead I glance toward Ava, who fights back a laugh before she walks toward the door with a smirk and a backward wave.
I turn and face Brynn while she continues to eye me up and down with a sneer on her lips.
“We’ve got some serious work to do, and you’ve no idea how long I’ve waited to do it.”
Her words seem a little cryptic, but I ignore them and plaster on the fake smile I learned to perfect around Carlos, only now realizing I haven’t worn it in months because the only smile I’ve had has been a genuine one.
Until he destroyed everything.