18. Bertie
BERTIE
When I told Rosie that we found out the baby was a boy she screamed for a solid minute and made me regret the fact that I called instead of texted her.
“We get to raise boys together!” She had cried once she settled somewhat. “And luckily, this doesn’t mess up my baby shower theming.” She had then launched into a long-winded spiel about everything she had planned from photo-ops, to games, to even the cake.
“Does this look okay?” I ask Luke as I waddle out to the living room.
Even though it’s June and the baby isn’t due until the middle of September, I’m already beginning to waddle.
If Luke’s noticed, he hasn’t commented on it.
I didn’t think I’d be walking like this until nearly the end, but once my belly popped it’s completely messed up my equilibrium—hence the waddle.
Since it’s a bear theme, I opted for a dark brown fitted dress. It hugs my bump and my boobs that I swear are getting bigger by the second.
Luke looks me over with eyes so blue they don’t seem real. His Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow, and his eyes make their way back up to meet my gaze.
“Yeah, you look great.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” He wears a pair of light-colored pants and a blue button down with the sleeves rolled up, showing off the tattoos on his left arm.
“Are you ready to go?” he asks and stands from the couch.
Even in the pair of heels—okay, so they’re kitten heels, but still—I wear, he towers above me.
I swear my hormones pant at the sight of him lately.
My nipples tighten and I pray he can’t see them through the cotton of my dress, but when his eyes drop and his brows go up, I know he can definitely see.
He clears his throat but says nothing. Smart man.
I grab my purse and follow him outside. “Can we take the truck?”
He eyes me like he thinks I might be partially crazy, but says, “Sure.”
“And,” I drawl the word. “Could we stop at McDonald’s on the way?” I bat my eyes. “I’m craving an emotional support Sprite.”
“Yep.” He opens the passenger door for me.
Before he closes the door, I decide to tease him, “And maybe on the way you can pull over, and I can give you head?”
His eyes threaten to pop out of his head. “I … huh … what did you say?”
I burst into laughter. “I’m kidding, Luke. I just wanted to see if you were listening. Good to know you are.” I give his chest a pat.
Shaking his head, he shuts my door.
“You’re insane, woman,” he says, getting in the truck.
“So, I take it that means no, then?” I joke.
He just shakes his head.
The baby shower is being held at Rosie and Daire’s townhouse.
I’m not quite sure what to expect. To be frank, I don’t have many friends.
I was more of a social butterfly in my freshman and sophomore year, but as my relationship with Tommy became more toxic, I pulled away from those friendships.
I’m sure the same would have happened with Rosie if she hadn’t been my roommate.
I think I’ll always regret that I let things get so bad with Tommy. I stupidly kept believing him when he said he’d change, but there was never any action on his part.
Now, there’s Luke—who I’m too terrified to tell him I have real feelings for him—who constantly shows me through action that he’s going to take care of me.
I kept wondering why I wasn’t running out of gas and when I mentioned it off-handedly to him he said, “Oh, I check it and when you start to get low, I take it down the street and fill it up.”
This man has been keeping my car filled with gas, not carrying that I didn’t even know he was doing it. He did it because he wanted to. Simple as that.
When we pull up to their townhouse, I’m surprised by the number of vehicles I see.
“Who all did Rosie invite?” I voice out loud, though I’m not actually expecting a response from Luke.
“Looks like the whole city,” he quips, pulling into the driveway where she’s sectioned off a spot just for us.
Seriously, there’s a sign and everything that reads; Parking for the Mom-to-Be ONLY.
I shake my head. She’s something else.
“You ready for this?” Luke asks me.
I smooth my hands over the skirt of my dress. It’s been months now and I still haven’t heard anything from my parents. I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed.
I flash Luke a smile. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
He taps his fingers on the steering wheel. “Do you want to sit here a minute?”
I should’ve known he’d be able to read me. “No.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I twist my lips. “There’s not much to say when I can’t understand my own feelings.”
“Try,” he coaxes.
I take a deep breath. “Obviously, I don’t expect my parents to be here or even want them here after how they acted, especially with no acknowledgment or apology, but I still feel let down for some reason.
I told Rosie not to invite them and I stand by that decision, but I just wish they’d reach out. ”
Luke leans over and cups my cheek. His palm is warm and rough. “It’s because you’re a good person, Bertie. You would never behave the way they did so you keep wanting to give them the benefit of doubt.”
“It’s so silly, though,” I mutter.
“No.” He shakes his head, steadfast. “It’s not silly to expect them to support you. I want you to know, though, that they don’t deserve you. You’re ten times the person they can ever be.”
I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. “I feel like I’m beating a dead horse every time I bring them up. You’re probably sick of it.”
“It bothers you, so I wish you’d bring it up more. I want you to feel comfortable enough to talk to me about these things.”
“It’s not that I feel uncomfortable, I just think my feelings are confusing enough without trying to figure out how to voice them out loud.”
“That’s understandable, but I want you to know that you can come to me to talk about it anytime. Okay?”
“Thank you.” I swear I feel like I could cry just from the simple fact that this man is so good to me, but I dam them back.
I’m not about to ruin my makeup before we even make it inside.
“We better head in. I’m sure Rosie knows we’re here.
It’s surprising she hasn’t popped out to drag me inside yet. ”
Luke hops out and comes around to offer me his hand. Once I’m standing on the driveway he leans in and grabs my drink. “Don’t forget your emotional support Sprite.”
I take a greedy sip. “I need it right now.”
We take the stairs to the front door and before we can knock, the door swings open and a guy I haven’t met before, but recognize, opens the door.
“Hey, hey, hey,” he chants. There’s a light brown knitted hat on his head with bear ears.
He notices me looking. “Oh, yeah, this.” He plucks it off and runs his fingers through his hair.
“I was learning how to knit a hat for your little bambino and made it too big, so now it’s mine.
” He fixes it back on his head. “A win is a win.”
“Hey, Teddy,” Luke says from my left.
I nearly break my neck turning to look at him. “You know Teddy?”
“We’ve met,” Luke explains. “We got dinner together.”
“It’s nice to see you,” Teddy says. “And we haven’t properly met but you already seem to know me?” He arches a brow in my direction.
“Oh, please, you know everyone on campus knows who you are. You only graduated a year ago.”
He presses a hand over his heart. “I’m honored to know my legacy is unforgettable.”
“Again, you only graduated a year ago.”
My path has crossed with Teddy’s a few times since I was at Aldridge whether we were at the same parties or in the dining hall at the same time.
To be honest, he’s a bit … exuberant, so I always kept my distance.
Apparently, I like quiet and shy guys like Luke.
Teddy McCallister is the most outgoing person I’ve ever encountered.
“Oh my God, Teddy, let them in,” Rosie says, appearing from the back of the townhouse.
She gives his form a shove. “Go play with Sammy. You’re practically the same age.
” Once he walks away, Rosie gives a soft sigh.
“I swear, having Teddy around is like having two toddlers. I’m so happy you’re here.
” She grabs me into a hug. “I really hope you’ll like everything.
” She bites her lip nervously. “We’re set up out back. ”
“Rosie, I know I’m going to love it. I’m honored you went to so much trouble when I know you have a lot on your plate.”
“It was no trouble at all,” she assures me. “I’m happy to do it. Anything for my little nephew.”
She has no idea what it means to me that her and Daire have so readily put themselves in the position of aunt and uncle.
Here I am feeling like I’m bringing nothing to the table with my lack of familial connections, but these two are constantly reminding me that the family you choose is often more important than the one you’re born into.
Rosie opens the back door onto the deck that then leads into the yard.
My jaw drops the moment I step outside. The backyard has been transformed with balloons galore including an arch that looks like it would’ve been a nightmare to put together.
There’s one table boasting a mountain of presents that has me choking on air and another with a gorgeous, three-tier cake in the center and food.
Everything is done in hues of browns, ivory, and a soft yellow.
The warmth of Luke’s hand is steady on my back, like he somehow senses that I need the support.
“Oh, Rosie,” I gasp, fighting back tears. “This is … incredible. I can’t believe you did all this for me. For us.”
She gives me a soft smile. “I love you, Bertie, you’re my best friend.
As cheesy as it sounds, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.
” When she sees the first tear fall onto my cheek, she gasps and pulls me into a hug as Luke’s hand falls away from my waist. “Please, don’t cry. Even if they’re happy tears.”
I quickly pull myself together. I didn’t spend all morning doing my hair and makeup to go and ruin it by crying.
“Come on,” Rosie says, taking my hand. “Let me show you everything and introduce you to everyone.”