9. Aspen Webb
Two weeks later . . .
Life was different for Aspen, and she was unsure of how to embrace it. She needed to be doing things like studying for nursing school, planning the twin’s baby shower, and looking for a home to call her own. Instead, she’d been at Lavender’s, withering away in her sorrow.
The day she and Lance broke up, everyone left the island except for Lance.
For the first time in forever, he kept true to his word and had movers packing up Aspen’s things when she made it to the home they once shared.
Seeing years of stuff she’d collected being taken away caused her to break down. She couldn’t believe it was truly over.
A part of her heart ached while the other part felt relieved.
The weight of her relationship had held her down for so long.
Aspen finally felt like she could breathe again until one of the twins kicked, reminding her that her ties to Lance hadn’t completely been severed.
They were tied for life, and it frustrated her more than ever.
When Aspen called and told Savannah and Denver what happened, Savannah insisted she move back home with her.
She even offered for her to live with her up until the girls were one so she could have help.
The offer was tempting, but Aspen didn’t want to rely on her mother in such a way.
She blamed herself for the situation she was in.
If only she had listened to everyone who warned her about Lance, she wouldn’t have been in the predicament.
Instead of moving with her mother, Aspen temporarily moved in with Lavender.
The spare bedroom in Lavender’s apartment had been the perfect place for Aspen to rot in her emotions.
If it wasn’t for being pregnant, Aspen wouldn’t have taken care of herself in the way she needed.
She knew she had to eat and stay clean for them, but it had been one of the most trying tasks for her.
One thing she couldn’t deny was that she missed Lance.
While Aspen thought it was crazy to miss someone who was never there, she missed the times they had together. Word traveled fast of their breakup. Lance had deleted all their pictures off his FameVsYou profile, which wasn’t many, and posted a new picture with the caption ‘Single.’
For him to immediately announce it to the world hurt Aspen. He hadn’t even called or texted to see how she was doing. Aspen didn’t care that he wasn’t asking about her, but the least he could do was show interest in the two lives he’d help create.
Lavender busting in the room and going straight to open the blinds caused Aspen to release an aggravated groan. She threw the covers on top of her head, only for Lavender to pull them completely off the bed.
“Get up, Aspen,” Lavender demanded, gently tugging on Aspen’s arm.
“Just let me lie here, please. I don’t have the energy to do anything today.”
“Well, you better find it because you have a doctor’s appointment in an hour and a half, remember?”
Aspen’s eyes shot open. Sitting up in bed, she searched around for her phone to check the date.
Sure enough, she had one. The thought of being able to see the twin’s sweet faces put a little pep in Aspen’s step.
Lavender helped her off the bed and followed her into the bathroom, watching her every move.
“Dang, Lavender. Am I on suicide watch or something?”
“No, but we need to talk. You’ve been cooped up in this room since you got here. It’s time you pick up your life and start living, Aspen.”
“It’s not that easy for me.”
“Nothing in life is easy, especially not a breakup. I can only imagine how hard it’s hitting you with you being pregnant, but I’m not about to let you dwell in it. I know you loved Lance, but I need you to hear me when I say this.”
With her toothbrush in her mouth, Aspen looked at Lavender and nodded for her to continue.
“Fuck. Lance.”
The toothbrush hit the mirror along with toothpaste splattering all over it.
For the first time in weeks, Aspen released a genuine laugh, one that tightened her stomach.
She assumed Lavender was about to give her a lecture about why the breakup was best for her and how she needed to move on.
Cussing Lance out wasn’t what she expected but appreciated.
Throwing her dry face towel at Lavender, Aspen joked. “I can’t stand you. You had me really thinking you were about to say something meaningful.”
“What?” Lavender’s brows curved and dipped. “That was the most meaningful thing I had to say about his ass. Have you seen how he’s been acting on social media? I’ve been wanting to jump through the screen and choke his ass.”
“Trust me, I’ve seen it. I had to turn off the notifications for his posts and stories.”
“You need to unfollow him.”
Aspen agreed. “I do. Sitting back and watching him live while I try to pick up my life has been one of the things keeping me bound to the bed. I mean, this man really put me out hours after the breakup. He wasn’t even considerate enough to give me time to find a place to stay.”
“Exactly. That goes to show he’s never cared like he put on.” Lavender inched closer to Aspen and placed her hand on her stomach. “You’re free from him, Aspen. You can live your life as you please. Don’t think because y’all will share two beautiful babies that you can’t fully move on. You can.”
It was crazy how well Lavender knew Aspen. Aspen didn’t have to say a word for Lavender to read her mind. What Lavender said was true. There was no need in Aspen allowing Lance to hold any power over her life in any way.
“Honestly, I’m scared, Lavender. I mean, I’ve lived by myself before, but being alone with the girls worries me,” Aspen revealed and sighed. “I want to be everything they need and much more, but what if I can’t do it?”
“That’s what villages are for. Just because you’re their mother doesn’t mean you must carry all the weight yourself.
You’re human. Where you fall, you have family and friends to pick you up, whether Lance is present or not.
As long as you have me, Mahari, your parents, and Denver, you’ll never be alone in this world.
We got you.” Lavender leaned down and kissed Aspen’s belly. “We got y’all.”
On cue, the twins started moving like crazy, causing ripples to form in Aspen’s stomach. She and Lavender shared a laugh, watching the entertainment until the girls calmed down. With one arm out, Aspen embraced her best friend.
“I love you, Lavender. Thank you.”
“I love you too, baby mama. Now, finish getting ready. It takes a little longer to get to your doctor from here, so we gotta leave soon.”
Once Lavender left, Aspen picked up where she left off on getting ready. Talks with Lavender always made her feel better. There was still a little weight resting on Aspen’s shoulders, but it didn’t feel as heavy as before.
After she showered and moisturized her body, Aspen sat on the bed and went to all her social media apps where she unfollowed Lance.
She was taking some of her power back, and it felt good.
Sending a quick text to her family group chat, Aspen got dressed and carried her shoes out front for Lavender to help her put on.
The wonderful aroma of breakfast greeted Aspen the second she opened her bedroom door, but there was a scent that overpowered it.
His scent overpowered it.
Aspen would recognize those earthy notes from anywhere. She picked up her pace and rounded the corner to see Mahari sitting at Lavender’s dining room table.
Instantly, peace overcame her. All the problems and emotions she’d been navigating seemed to find a clear path as Mahari’s captivating eyes locked in with hers, and he flashed her that panty-wetting smile of his.
He stood up and walked over to Aspen before kissing her forehead and holding his hand out for her shoes.
Happily, she gave them to him and went to sit down.
“When did you get back in town?” Aspen asked as she placed her foot on Mahari’s exposed thigh. The basketball shorts he wore rose, and she had to look away when naughty thoughts entered her mind.
“This morning. You should’ve known I wasn’t about to miss your appointment, Bunny. They needed me to stay one more day, but I told them we could finish up over a video call.
“Mahari,” Aspen whined, “you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I couldn’t let you down. Plus, we were basically finished. They laid the law down on all the tracks, so it was an easy job.”
Leaning over in her seat, Lavender whispered in Aspen’s ear, “Wrong cousin.”
Aspen playfully slapped Lavender’s arm. She couldn’t count how many times Lavender said that to her over the years.
“Well, I appreciate you for doing that. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Mahari replied, and Aspen didn’t miss the glimmer in his eyes.
Before she could get lost in them, Aspen focused on her plate on the table.
Lavender had hooked her up with French toast, cheesy, scrambled eggs, smoked sausage, and potatoes.
Aspen said a quick prayer and dug in. Everything was good and fresh.
The little dance she did in her seat was one of approval.
Mahari sat at the table, and Lavender fixed him a plate as well. Once they were all finished eating, it was time for them to go to her appointment. Since Lavender had to go to work afterward, she decided to drive, while Aspen rode with Mahari.
Five minutes into the ride, Aspen questioned, “Have you talked to Lance?”
“I talked to him on the way to Lavender’s house. I gotta meet him at the studio later to get a few things finalized for his upcoming album.” Mahari glanced over at her. “Have you?”
“Pfft. No. He hasn’t reached out to me, and I damn sure won’t go out my way to reach out to him. Did he at least ask about the girls?”
Mahari’s silence was all the answer Aspen needed. She folded and tugged her lip, peering out the window as she willed herself not to cry. The hurt and anger she felt for their relationship ending was turning to pure rage.