Chapter 36
thirty-six
Amelia Joseph and Evie Lynx, two Sigma Lambda Psi sisters, sip coffee in silence. For once.
Amelia and I have been friends since childhood, along with Olivia. But she always marched to the beat of her own drum. Like Evie. So she chose Sigma, even though we thought she’d join Omega with us.
I feel more distant from her. But she’s the one who chose not to be close anymore. We haven’t been these last several months. I don’t like it, but I need her here today. Olivia couldn’t make it.
“Are you okay? Is it bad news?” Amelia asks, fixing the one wayward strand of blonde hair. “It seemed serious, and you’ve got me nervous.”
“You nervous? Hell, I’m nervous, and I never get nervous, Miss Scouts-a-lot. You have ruined my smooth mood this morning.”
“You weren’t smooth this morning. You told me you—”
“Ta-ta-ta…” Evie snaps, shoving a finger over Amelia’s mouth. I almost ask what their secret is, but Evie just nods at me. “Let Scout tell us before we drag her into some unnecessary nonsense.”
Amelia’s cheeks grow pink. I don’t know if it’s from anger or embarrassment. “Sorry for interrupting. Continue, Scout.”
“Everything was fine at the hospital. I’m healed up.” I hold up my arm to show off my new stitches, but clear my throat. Loudly, or as loudly as I can without drawing too much attention, I explain why I invited them. “I called you here for something else… I’m pregnant.”
Amelia’s blue eyes brighten.
And Evie’s grow wide with horror.
Amelia squeals in delight, screams, drops her mug until tea seeps into the rug, then rushes to me with a giant hug. “Congratulations! Although, dare I admit that I’m super jealous. Pregnant. Ugh…” Her hand grazes my belly. “What is it? Boy? Girl?”
“Human,” I sneer.
Evie snorts a laugh. “Whelp. Le sigh. Your life is now over. Wait… Unless you planned to trap that beast of a man you’re with.
Is it the piercing? Because lots of guys have piercings, and you don’t have to get knocked up for them.
” She seems to reconsider something deep, tapping a long, black-painted fingernail against her chin.
“Though…if you wanted to trap him to be faithful. Oh. Scoutie? This may be the most brilliant idea you’ve had yet.
” Smirking, she points at my face. “I like you.”
“I’m not trapping him. We’re married.”
“Pfft! That means nothing in this society. Just a piece of paper, Scoutie. Not devotion.” Evie’s not wrong. But I purse my lips to protest. To tell them both how honest and good and loyal Apollo has been.
Amelia grabs my hand and leads us all to the living room to perch on the sofa, getting more comfortable. “Can I plan everything? Shower, nursery, names— Oh my god, Scout—”
Baby-obsessed Amelia… That was one reason that she stopped hanging out with me. All she’d talk about was becoming a mother. To the point, I thought she may be already secretly pregnant. Or appointed. But she hasn’t confessed anything openly to me.
Evie still beams like I’ve pulled a fast one on the male species. And is taking notes.
“I wanted this. And I love him.”
“Ugh. Mistake. You shouldn’t fall for your husband,” Evie snaps, but then she re-thinks something. “Unless you force him to be true and do what you say. Then, I think it’s just fine. Who can resist when they finally submit to licking your feet?”
I grimace with disgust just as Amelia recoils. “Ew. Gross.”
“Second that,” I agree.
Evie shrugs. “When are you due?”
“In nine months. It’s still early. Just found out the other night.”
Amelia and Evie both draw back as if I’ve just sprouted a second head.
“Th-that’s soon. Did you two, you know… Had you been together before your wedding?” Amelia asks.
“Oooh, little devilish Scout being naughty!” Evie nods slowly, as if encouraging the activity, but there’s something behind her eyes. Like she doesn’t believe me.
“It’s soon, yeah, I know. But I’m worried about Apollo.”
“Why?” they both ask, on the edge of their seats.
“Because when I told him, he said that he’s worried about my mental state. And what the pregnancy may do to me.”
Both blink as confusion sets in on their faces. “But…you’re the least mental person I know,” Amelia says, her hand squeezing my thigh. “And I’ve known you forever.”
Evie shakes her head rapidly. “I’m not a good judge of who has a poor mental state, I don’t think. But I also would put you into the category of sound mind. Which is one reason we’re friends.”
I want to protest. Say I’m not exactly sure Evie and I are in the same sound mind category she’s placed us in, but she continues.
“So if he’s saying that, there’s something wrong with him.”
Taking a deep inhale, I keep my voice steady. “Do you think so? When he said it, it felt like he stepped back from me. Like I was something fragile. Or worse… Wrong. Just when I thought we were growing closer.”
The memory of Ellis comes to my mind. How I wish she were here to tell all these things to. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so alone, even when surrounded by my friends. Old and new.
Amelia pulls me in for a hug. She’s a hugger. Always has been. And it irritates the fuck out of me, but I don’t pull away.
“I’m so sorry. Maybe just communicate better.”
I sniff and shake my head. “I’m not sure he’ll listen. And the worst part?” I sit up and announce to both of them, “I think he may be right.”
“No, no! Don’t say that!” Amelia begs.
“What did your parents say?” Evie asks, which is weird. Because I wouldn’t expect that question from her. Though I never know what I’ll get.
“Mom’s not happy. Dad’s quiet, just waiting, like usual.”
“What about your brothers?”
“I haven’t told them yet.”
Evie nods solemnly in reply.
“Anyway, I—”
I halt my words as my husband opens the front door, wiping off his boots on the mat. He smiles when he sees me—wide, real—then it vanishes. Replaced with that carved, perfect calm. Once he hangs his wool pea coat, he lumbers to the sofa and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Hey, tulip.”
“Hi.” I’m breathless. Butterflies flutter in my belly.
“You three having a good time?”
“Yeah, I told them.”
“Oh…” He sounds disappointed. Scared, even.
“Congratulations!” Amelia says with a broad smile.
Evie narrows one eye and smirks. “Well done, big guy.”
“I’m going to tell everyone at the Omega party tonight,” I say with assurance.
Apollo furrows his brow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“What do you mean? That’s a great idea!” Amelia slaps his arm gently. “Go for it, Scout!”
“Yes,” I snap with a hint of challenge in my voice. “What are you going to do? Stop me?”
He reaches down to grab my hand and lets his thumb stroke the back of it. “No, baby. Not at all. But I’m definitely coming with you. It isn’t safe for you to be by yourself. Not while… It’s just not safe.”
Softening, I smile. “Okay.”
I’m actually looking forward to his first Omega party. It’s the pre-Valentine’s one and our last sorority event before Feral Friday in a few weeks. Showing up with the Delta president as my husband? It’ll feel like winning.
And having his love…
I think I already have.