Chapter Thirty-Three
Brooklyn
I pull on my Christmas sweater and matching leggings and look in the mirror.
I’m starting to show just a tiny bit, and this is perfect.
The oversized sweater falls to the middle of my thighs, and the pants are super stretchy.
I pull up my sweater and turn to the side so I can see my stomach.
I don’t look pregnant. I look like I just ate a huge meal, but all my pants are fitting tighter around the waist, and I’ve had to go up a bra size twice already.
I sigh. No one knows but Will and Declan. I’m debating telling everyone over Christmas. On one hand, everyone will be here - all together. On the other hand, I’m just not sure if I’m ready to share, so for now I’m keeping this under wraps.
I pull on a Santa hat and head downstairs.
I came to the cabin with Elizabeth and James.
Traveling with them is the best because you get to fly on Airforce One.
No waiting in the airport or in long security lines.
Will and Olivia are arriving any minute.
Zadie and Ethan came yesterday, and the other three arrived earlier today with Elizabeth’s sisters, Celeste and Maggie.
I hear a car pull up, and I make my way downstairs to greet them. I can’t wait to see Ansley again. I’ve spent all morning holding Micah. He’s grown so much already. I pull on my coat and hat. It’s snowing outside, the freezing wind whipping flurries everywhere.
MarryMe about knocks me over as she bounds toward the door. Elizabeth opens it, and MarryMe jumps out into the snow. I follow James, Elizabeth, and Vivi outside.
I smile and wave as I see Olivia get out of the car.
“Merry Christmas!” I call.
My smile fades as I see what I never thought I’d see. I gasp, and Elizabeth turns back and looks at me with a frown.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
I haven’t taken my eyes off him. She follows my gaze until she sees him.
“Oh.” She looks back at me. “You didn’t know Kip was coming?”
I shake my head. “Did you?”
“Yes. Will told me you knew he was coming.”
“I didn’t.” I march down the stairs. I’m completely ignoring Kip, and I instead make a beeline for Will. When I reach him, I grab his arm.
“Hey Will, can I speak with you?” I jerk his arm. “Privately.”
I pull him over to the side of the house.
“Did you tell him?” I whisper-hiss.
“No, you asked me not to,” he whispers back.
“But you invited him here instead? What the hell, Will?”
He just shrugs. “You need to tell him.”
“You’re such a dick. You know...”
I shut my mouth quickly as James walks up.
“You didn’t know?” he asks.
“No. I didn’t.” I’m glaring at Will.
James’ eyes flash over to Will. “You told me she knew.”
“I lied.”
James takes a big breath in through his nose and then says, “Well, we aren’t kicking him out.”
I throw my hands up. “What?”
“I’m not kicking him out. It’s Christmas. Where’s he going to go?”
“It’s not literally Christmas Day. He could find a flight home.”
James just looks at me with displeasure. “I’m not kicking him out. That’s mean.”
“Well this is mean to me,” I grump and then storm back into the house. Kip is still standing outside the car just looking around confused.
Well, I’ll just ignore him. Jokes on them, I’m really good at ignoring people.
I take off my coat and hat and hang them up. Everyone else comes inside. I follow them into the kitchen. Zadie and Ethan are cooking. Ethan is wearing Micah in a baby carrier strapped to his chest as he minces garlic.
“Oh, my god,” I say, covering my mouth. I throw up a little in my mouth as soon as the smell of cooking meat hits my nostrils. Everyone stops what they are doing to look at me.
“What are you cooking?” I’m really struggling not to throw up.
“Meatballs. We always have them on Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve Eve depending on the year.” Zadie is wiping her hands on her apron and looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. I gag a little when she says meatballs. Declan catches my eyes and says, “Brooklyn is vegetarian now.”
I just nod. I’m afraid if I open my mouth I’ll barf.
“What?” Zadie throws up her hands. “Since when?”
“Around Thanksgiving,” I croak out.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me? I don’t have vegetarian substitutions. If you’d let me known, I could have...”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’ll just eat around it.”
“I’ll pull out some tomato sauce before I put in the meatballs and then...”
As soon as she says meatballs again, my eyes start to water. Oh god, there’s no stopping this. I wave my hand in the air and say, “That’s fine” as I rush out of the room.
I barely make it to the bathroom in time.
As soon as I reach the toilet, I throw up four times in a row.
When I’m finished, I rest my forehead on the toilet seat and groan.
My hands are shaking as I wash them and wash off my face.
I’ve thrown up every day for the past two months, but it’s not getting any easier.
When I open the door, Kip is standing right outside. I clutch my chest and jump. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? What are you doing?”
“Are you sick?” His face is full of worry.
“No.”
“It sounded like you were throwing up.” Shit.
“Why are you listening outside the bathroom? That’s weird and creepy.” I’m trying to slip past him. So much for ignoring him.
“I thought you were sick. I wanted to check on you.” He blocks my path.
“Well, I’m not.” I put my hands on my hips. “Why are you here, Kip?”
He runs his hands through his hair. “Will told me you wanted me here.”
“I don’t.” I scowl at him.
“I see that.” He looks hurt. There’s a tiny part of me that feels bad, but then I remember what a dick he was last time I saw him, and the feeling evaporates.
Neither of us speaks. I’m so mad at him. I’m so mad at Will. I keep playing all the horrible things Kip said to me last time we saw each other on a loop in my head, and I’m growing more and more irate.
“Can we talk?” His voice is barely a whisper.
“No.” I take a big step around him. He grabs my wrist.
“We need to talk,” he growls.
“There’s nothing that you’re going to say that I want to hear.” I try to jerk my arm away from him, but he doesn’t let go.
“Please,” he pleads.
“Are you wanting an update on Craig?” I spit out.
He flinches.
I lean into him. “Do you want to know if I bent over in the shower for him?”
Kip’s grip tightens. “Brooklyn...please.”
“Did I take him in my mouth in the kitchen?”
He’s shaking his head.
“Did I scream out his name when he buried his face between my thighs?”
“Brooklyn...”
“Is he bigger than you?”
All the color has drained from his face.
“I’ll answer the last one. Yes, he is. He’s a lot bigger.” That was unnecessary, but he deserves it. It’s hit a nerve too. He looks like he might throw up. Good. I’d love for him to feel as bad as I do. I jerk my arm one more time. He lets it go.
“Anything else you want to know?” I say sweetly.
I swear he’s turned green. Well, join the club, it’s been my permanent hue for about 10 weeks.
I storm past him and call over my shoulder, “Don’t follow me.”