88 ~ March
Sitting in the window seat of the apartment I stare out at the bustling city below, watching the flurries of crowds rushing to get where they need to go.
Becky is out, having decided as soon as she woke up that it was gym day. Sounds commendable, right? Becky's 'gym day' is any day that she fancies having a gym body. And by gym body I mean a man's gym body. She'll be back in three hours, having done the deed in the gym changing rooms, feeling perfectly happy with herself.
I've done nothing but work and eat since mine and Brett's argument last week. I spent the weekend with Elle, Alex and Danny, only returning early Monday morning and heading straight into work. Becky and I had a movie night on the Wednesday, an obvious attempt from her to cheer me up. I'm not sure why, I'm totally fine.
What happened between Brett and I is for the best. We started getting closer again, started acting like nothing ever went wrong between us, when everything about us was always damaged. We can't forget the absolute disaster that we bring to each other's life every time we try to be friends.
There's only so many times that the good can overshadow the bad.
Reaching for my phone I unlock it and click onto the News, having already exhausted social media for the day. Nothing catches my eye, the ridiculous clickbait headlines that the press come up with, consistently leading to me avoiding them all. My finger barely leaves the screen as I keep scrolling, further and further down, the subject's becoming less and less relevant.
A sudden flash of familiarity makes me stop, shooting upright in my seat as my eyes widen at the picture of Brett, his arm around a recognizable brunette. Clicking on the photo I open the article, sucking in a breath at the headline.
WINTERS IS TAKEN: Retired football millionaire and cheerleader sweetheart reunite at Charity Gala.
Lacey Turner. The girl who dominated the majority of news articles about Brett last year, constantly giving interviews about their future, their love, the gifts he'd buy her, the way his family loved her. It was hard for me then, it's hard for me now.
I guess he really did mean it when he said he was done.
A sudden knock from the front door makes me jump, my phone dropping onto the seat with a clatter, my eyes having been glued to the image of Brett's arms resting on Lacey's back. Quickly exiting the News I lock my phone before making my way over to the door.
Running my hand through my hair I grimace at the sight of the tracksuit clad girl in the mirror before grabbing onto the handle and yanking it open.
My mouth nearly drops open at the sight of the well polished brunette on the other side, her bright blue eyes sparkling, her hands clutching numerous shopping bags.
"Alice!"
"Congratulations girl!" She grins.
"What?"
"Brett told me." She shrugs, walking past and entering my messy apartment.
"Oh!"
"He found out I was coming here and I'm supposed to tell you that all of this is from me." She snorts, dumping the bags onto the kitchen counter. "But he gave it to me to bring." Alice reveals and I raise an eyebrow, glancing inside the first bag. I lift the first pot out, staring at it in curiosity.
"Frozen yoghurt?"
"Something about it being an ice cream substitute?" Alice explains, somewhat confused.
"Oh!" I exclaim, my eyes widening in realization. I can't deny how thoughtful this is.
"Care to explain why the two of you aren't talking? And why my brother is walking around with a face like a slapped ass?" She mutters, slouching down onto the stool beside the counter.
"We had an argument." I reply, slowly pulling out a pot of antenatal vitamins, followed by a tray of three cupcakes.
"About?" She pries and I shrug.
"Nothing. Everything."
"You don't want to get back together?" She concludes.
"No." I admit, looking back up at her.
"Why not?"
"Alice, there are too many things..."
"I know that there are no excuses for what he did." She cuts me off, "But he drank one cup of punch and one low alcohol beer before he got in that car and drove." She reveals, "He still shouldn't have done it and I promise you that when he told me what he had done I made him sorry he was ever born." She smirks, "Although he was already beating himself up way more than I could ever." She admits, her face falling. "What he did wasn't illegal, he wasn't the drink driver you thought he was."
"Alice, there have been too many problems between us." I reply, shaking my head.
"I have never seen him happier than when he was with you." She counters, "And telling me you were pregnant three weeks ago? He was bursting with joy."
"Has he told your parents?"
"God no!" She giggles, "Does he have a death wish?"
"He can be happy without me." I say, "He took Lacey to that Gala last night."
"Because Dad told him he had to have a date for it. He was going to ask you." Alice retorts, "Lacey was his last minute back up option."
"He was?"
"The boy still has all the photos from when you were together, tucked in the back of his underwear drawer Sav." She exclaims, "It's just something to think about."
"Thanks Alice."
"So, this yoghurt?" She smirks, picking it up and grimacing at the look of it, "Should we try it?"
"Yeah!" I grin, digging out two spoons from the drawer beside me and sliding one across to her as she wrenches the lid off. She takes a heaped spoonful, shoving it into her mouth before sliding the tub across to me.
"That's horrible!" She exclaims, her face furrowing in disgust as I pile my own spoonful into my mouth. The perfumed, strong, artificial taste of fruit fills my mouth and I cringe. Gross.
"I agree!" I grimace and she laughs.
"Good try Brett!" She smirks. Nothing can replace ice cream, but I appreciate his attempts to cheer me up.
*~*~*
"I'll have the cobb salad please." Zara grins up at the waiter as he takes the last of our food orders. "So, why the impromptu get together?"
"Is there something wrong with seeing us three times in two months?" I retort with a smile.
"Of course not!" Zara objects, "If anything we need to do this more often!"
"Was Missy busy?" Becky asks.
"She's working the day shifts this week."
"I do not envy her!" Elena moans, slouching down onto the table. "I couldn't do shift work!"
"Anyway, why are we here? Sav?" Zara asks, clearly curious as to why we are meeting again a mere week and a half after my birthday. Does there have to be a reason?
"I have something to tell you." I admit, fiddling with the sleeve of my blue top.
"You do?" Zara asks, eyes widening.
"She's pregnant!" Elena exclaims.
"What?" Becky's eyes nearly fall out of her head at the words. Oh hell! How does she know?
"I'm joking!" Elena giggles, "Can you imagine..." She laughs before her eyes widen as soon as her gaze falls on my face, "Oh!"
"I'm pregnant." I confirm, nodding as I place my arms on the table, still playing with the fabric of my top.
"Congratulations!" Zara squeals, clapping her hands.
"Oh my god!" Elena grins, "That's amazing!"
"Thanks!"
"Who's is it?" Elena asks and I grit my teeth, looking down at my legs. Great. The question I was dreading.
"Brett." I reply simply, watching as both of their eyes widen slightly, Elena's mouth dropping open.
"Oh."
"That's why he was at your birthday party!" Elena breathes out.
"Yeah." I admit, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you then..."
"Sav, you have nothing to apologize for!" Zara shakes her head, "It's all good!" She smiles, reaching over and pulling my hand away from my sleeve, squeezing it gently.
"When?" Elena asks and I wrinkle my nose up at the question.
"You know... the cabin..."
"Christmas!" Elena squeals in realization.
"Yeah."
"So are you two getting back together?" Elena asks and I roll my eyes.
"Why does everyone always assume that?"
"Because you two have a history of getting together." Becky snorts. I suppose I can't deny that.
"Not this time." I declare, shaking my head.
"I can't wait for a little Becky to be running around!" Becky grins, clapping her hands together. A what?
"What if it's a boy?" Zara retorts.
"Beckett."
"Beckett?" I grimace, "No!"
"You gave up all naming rights when you chose me as your best friend." Becky smirks, sitting back and crossing her arms as I laugh.
"I wouldn't say I ever chose you!"
"Hey!"
"From what I heard, you did just invade their group!" Elena pipes up, giggling.
"And made them all the better for it!" Becky smirks.
Before long we descend into natural conversation, my announcement not causing as much alarm as I expected it to. I always knew my friends would be supportive, but they didn't even appear to judge my decisions one bit, and for that, I am glad.
It makes you truly appreciative of the friends you have at times like these. They could have lectured me for hours on end, they could have berated me for putting myself in this situation. Instead they spend half hour arguing with Becky against calling a child Beckett, fifteen minutes making sure I'm feeling okay, half hour discussing my symptoms and how I found out. They're genuinely interested and here for me every step of the way. I'm lucky.
Three hours pass, food has come and gone, the afternoon spent drinking cocktails, the non alcoholic alternatives a little depressing but enjoyable nonetheless. Elena and Zara plead with me to message them whenever I feel like it, congratulating me and hugging me before heading off.
"Well, I have to go meet my brother." Becky groans, "You sure you don't want to come?"
"No, that's okay." I assure her, slight amusement on my face. I really don't think it's a good idea for me to see Haydon, having avoided him for the last year since we slept together.
"Damn. I really wanted to see his face when you told him you were pregnant." Becky pouts.
"You can tell him yourself Bec." I laugh and she smirks.
"It's not the same." She shrugs. "See you later!" She smiles, grabbing hold of her bag from the floor and throwing it over her shoulder.
"Bye!" I call after her as she turns, making her way swiftly out of the restaurant.
Sighing I reach down and grab hold of my own bag, lifting it up. What should I do for the remainder of the afternoon? Go for a run? Absolutely not, who am I kidding! I guess I could walk back to the apartment, instead of getting a cab? That will give me a bit of exercise, something to keep my legs moving.
Sliding out of the booth I make my way to the stairs to go down into the bar area and exit out the other side of the building, making it easier to get back. I hold onto the handrail as I go down, my mind still trying to decide what to do once I get home.
I mean let's be honest, I'll probably just throw on some comfortable clothes and lie in front of the TV. Maybe I'll devour some chocolate eclairs, stop in the bakery on the way home. Sounds like an amazing plan to me.
Reaching the bottom step I glance around, looking for the exit. My eyes immediately zone in on the tall, familiar looking head of brunette hair that stands across the room, his back to me as he talks with his friends. I can recognize from here that Ryan Webber stands beside him, one of the football players who was up in Alaska with him at Christmas.
Brett is laughing as he picks up a glass of whiskey from the bar beside him as another jock that I recognize lightly slaps him on the back. Brett turns to face him and I inhale sharply at the sight of his chiseled jawline as he grins at his mate before downing his drink.
Should I go over and say hi? I should, shouldn't I? We are supposed to be friends, supposed to be civil to each other. Ignoring him is not something you'd do to your other friends.
But then if he hasn't told any of his friends about us, and then I go over, that'll open up a whole can of worms for him. Wait, why should I care? He should have told them! I'm no dirty secret! I shouldn't be anyway...
Making up my mind I take a step towards him, reaching up and throwing my hair behind my shoulders, attempting to smooth it down. I'll say a quick hi, ask how he is, and then get out of here. Nothing is going to stop me from getting my chocolate eclairs.
My eyes are fixed on his back when a small hand suddenly sweeps in from the side causing me to falter. Following the length of the arm that now rests across his entire back I take in the long brunette hair of the woman, Lacey smiling as she also laughs with his friends.
An uncomfortable feeling floods through me, my heart thumping slightly in my chest, my jaw tensing at the sight. What is this? Am I jealous? Hell no!
I'm unable to tear my eyes away, watching as her hand slowly moves lower and lower, before stopping and resting on his ass. The tense feeling inside me only grows at the sight and my breath gets slightly louder as I swallow. How dare she touch him like that? Why isn't he moving away from her? I thought he didn't like her?
I need to get out of here.
Taking a couple of steps backwards I fall into someone, quickly turning to face them.
"I'm so sorry!" I exclaim as the man grabs hold of me, steadying me on my feet.
"That's okay!" He assures, letting go. At the sound of the commotion I see Brett turn out of the corner of my eye and immediately move my head to meet his gaze. His eyes widen slightly in surprise at the sight of me and I can't help but move my gaze back down to his hips, where Lacey's hand still rests as she continues to talk with the others. Brett shows no reaction to where my gaze is lying.
Swallowing the lump in my throat I look back into his now stone cold eyes, void of any emotion as they look at me.
Turning around I hastily fly to the exit, slamming the door open and falling out onto the street, immediately walking away from the bar.
No-one runs after me, no-one calls my name. No-one asks if I'm okay. No-one grabs onto my shoulders to reassure me that Lacey means nothing.
He's over me.
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Who needs Becky's version of a gym day?!
Savannah did it to herself... am I right?
Let's be real for a quick second... this is the first book I've ever written. And I decided in my infinite wisdom, to put it out here on the big wide web and share it with the world. The grammar isn't flawless, in fact, I cringe going back and reading my early chapters.
Additionally, I'm English. Why I decided to write a book based in the US is beyond me... maybe it was because I never thought it would take off! But here we are, with all sorts of wrongly spelt words, incorrect phrases and all round small errors from my British brain not knowing all US customs. What can ya do?
I hope you all still love it, despite it's English heritage!! 💙
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