Chapter 12 Nova
nova
“I cannot believe I’m going to be an aunt-ma,” Aunt Mae screeched through the phone, her excitement so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
I smiled, settling into our sofa. “I know, isn’t it the last thing you thought I’d?”
I figured it was about time I told her. At nearly seventeen weeks, and with my appointment to find out the sex of the pomegranate—yes, we were pomegranate size—I couldn’t keep it a secret much longer.
What I didn’t want to admit to Mae, though, was how tight things were getting.
Luna and I had splurged on this flat, excited to finally have our own rooms and an office, but the rent was a stretch.
The team gratefully helped me figure out options and encouraged me to go with this one.
With me taking on more of the expenses soon with the baby, things were going to be even tighter.
I tried not to think about it as Mae’s voice pulled me back.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
I could picture her sitting there, probably in her vintage kitchen, her much-younger boyfriend helping her with the video call setup.
She was still living in the house that she and Mami had, but had written and told me that her boyfriend was moving in.
I guess they’d met while playing bingo. She still wrote me letters the old-school way, and the thought of worrying her had kept me silent for far too long.
“I—” I hesitated, biting my lip. I didn’t want to panic Mae; I didn’t want her to feel like she had to do anything, especially when she’d already done so much just by being there for me. “I didn’t want to bother you,” I finally said, the excuse feeling thin even to me.
“Bother me? Sweetheart.” She sighed, and I could already hear her about to launch into one of her speeches. “You don’t ‘bother’ family with news like this.”
I didn’t want to admit it, even to myself, but I was struggling.
Depression was a quiet, relentless thing, creeping in at the edges of my life, and I didn’t want to talk about it.
I didn’t even want to recognize it. It was easier to focus on figuring out how I was going to parent the pomegranate, on work, on anything else.
Acknowledging it was like opening the door to a flood I couldn’t control, so I kept the door shut. Tight.
Mae’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Is it Austin’s?”
I nodded, watching her expression shift to one of concern.
“I actually plan on calling him about it today. Right after you,” I said quickly, trying to move the conversation along.
Mae nodded slowly, clearly wanting to say more but holding back. “How are you doing otherwise?”
I launched into a practiced speech, one I’d been perfecting for anyone who asked. “I really like my job. We’re seeing an increase in fan attendance, and merchandise numbers are up exponentially, even if the seats are still a slow climb.”
What I didn’t mention was how I was still hopelessly hung up on my assistant coach and avoided him like he carried the bubonic plague.
Mae started rambling about her life, her boyfriend, and how unbearably cold it had been in Chicago lately. Her chatter was comforting, familiar, even as my attention started to wander.
My phone buzzed, pulling me back. I glanced at the screen and saw a text from Luna.
I quickly cut Mae off with a promise to call her back soon and checked the message.
Luna: Don’t hate me, but Baby Daddy can’t come to the appointment today. Headquarters wants me to talk to them (!!!)
Me: Holy shit, Lune! Congrats!
My lips twitched into a small smile despite the disappointment of her not being able to be there. If anyone deserved something amazing, it was Luna.
Luna: Are you mad at me?
Me: Not in the slightest. I’ll see you after work.
Luna: Have them put the gender in an envelope. We’ll open it then. Together.
I sighed and grabbed my bag, tossing in an extra outfit. Pregnancy had taught me the hard way that one wrong sneeze or a too-long cab ride could turn into an emergency wardrobe change. Better safe than waddling around in shame. I ran outside to catch a cab, not wanting to deal with the tube.
“All right, Ms. Hart,” the doctor said, and I cringed at the last name.
I really need to get that changed soon.
“Everything looks really good with your anatomy scan, and we were able to see the sex. I’ll have the nurse put the result in a sealed envelope as you requested.”
“Thank you.”
I leaned forward in the chair. My gaze flicked downward, and there it was—pomegranate was starting to make its appearance, my belly undeniably rounding.
“I’ve also included all the paperwork you’ll need for your maternity leave,” the doctor continued. “You’ll want to get that settled sooner rather than later.”
No. It was way too soon to even think about that.
“You’ll be granted six months of ordinary maternity leave, with the option of an additional six months if you’d like to extend it,” she explained. “Many mums return around nine months after birth, but you’ll need to work that out with your employer.”
She handed me a folder thick with forms and pamphlets. “There are nursery care programs you’ll need to pay for afterward, and I’ve included information about some of the local programs that our patients have had great experiences with.”
It was far more information than I was ready to process. Overwhelming, yes, but also deeply appreciated. She’d thought of everything, and a small weight lifted knowing the resources were all in one place.
“Thank you.” I clutched the folder like a lifeline.
I got dressed quickly, slipping into my oversized sweater and jeans, the ones that barely fit anymore thanks to my swelling belly. I shoved the folder of papers into my purse, trying not to think too hard about the weight of what the doctor had said.
Outside, the crisp air bit at my cheeks as I walked to the coffee shop around the corner. The smell of roasted beans and warm pastries greeted me, momentarily lifting my mood. I ordered a latte and cradled it in my hands as I left the shop, the heat seeping into my fingers.
Walking toward the training grounds, I wasn’t paying attention, my mind spinning as I stuffed the papers deeper into my purse. Then I hit something—hard.
Coffee flew everywhere, splattering across the sidewalk as I shot my hands out to steady myself.
“Fuck,” I mumbled, stumbling back a step.
I looked up, already annoyed. And then I saw who it was, and my annoyance leveled up to fully-fledged rage.
“Oh, fucking great,” I muttered.
Of course.
I’d run into him. Ollie. The one person I wasn’t ready to see. Because of course, it would be him. Who else could it possibly be?
Ollie stood there, his hair styled neatly to the side, every strand seemingly in place. He was wearing a tan overcoat that framed his wide shoulders perfectly, black jeans that clung to his muscular legs, and scuffed brown combat boots.
Before I could react, his hand reached out instinctively, steadying mine, his fingers wrapping gently around my wrist. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the world narrowed to the two of us.
“Nova,” he whispered.
I hadn’t seen him in a month. The last time was when he dropped me back off, and everything about this moment brought it all rushing back. My heart raced, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the shock of running into him or the way his hand lingered, warm against my skin.
Ollie cleared his throat and pulled his hand back, hovering it near mine. “My car’s around the corner. If you have extra clothes, you can change there instead of dealing with the changing rooms at the training grounds.”
I hesitated, wanting to snap back that I didn’t need his help, but the sticky coffee soaking through my sweater made the argument pointless.
Begrudgingly, I nodded, clutching my purse. “Fine.”
As we walked to his car, the silence between us was tense. I tried not to notice how his hand brushed mine once or twice, as though he wanted to reach out but thought better of it.
When we reached his car, he unlocked it and gestured to the passenger side. I pulled open the door, grabbed the extra outfit I kept in my purse, and slung it over my arm.
“How are you?” he asked, his voice soft, almost careful.
“Fine.” I bit the word off before it could linger. I wasn’t ready for this conversation. Not with him.
His brow furrowed as he leaned against the car. He didn’t press me, though, just nodded slightly, giving me space to say more if I wanted to.
I didn’t.
Ollie reached into the back seat, pulling out a towel, and with practiced ease, he draped it over the open car door, shielding me.
“Change here.”
I hesitated, glancing around. The street was quiet, no one in sight. Just me and Ollie. Alone.
Resigned, I nodded, swallowing hard. “Okay.”
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, bracing myself, and then quickly pulled off my coffee-soaked shirt. The cool air hit my skin, making me shiver as I fumbled for the fresh one in my bag.
He wasn’t saying anything, wasn’t pushing. He was there.