Page 27 of VIP

Summer was officially over—as if that wasn’t a metaphor for the direction my life was taking. The wind gusted in cold bursts, bringing with it a few stray snowflakes, but I hardly felt the sting on my cheeks as I walked from my car to the retirement center’s front doors. When I walked in, the warm air felt almost stifling, like it was choking me, but I forced myself to track down my gran.

When I walked into the multipurpose room, all conversation stopped. I kept my gaze on the floor as I dropped the box of donuts off on the table in the center of the room. Instead of the usual rush, though, the place remained silent. The mood was somber, and as much as I wanted to believe it wasn’t for me, I knew better. Did they all hate me now? Did they believe the rumors and think less of me?

Abe shuffled over with his walker and wrapped me up in a wordless hug, and I was so grateful that I dropped my head on his shoulder, squeezing my eyes shut to hold in my tears. He was only the first. One by one, the seniors came over and expressed their support. There was no judgment, only friendship. At last, a wheelchair rolled into view. Gran took my hand in hers, and I had no choice but to look into her eyes.

She smiled softly. “It’s okay. Whatever happened, we’ll get through it together.”

I swiped my sleeve across my wet cheeks. Deciding it was best to get this over with, I blurted, “Gran, I’m pregnant.”

Shock registered on her face, her mouth dropping open. “Oh,” she gasped. “I thought we were going to talk about your job, but this… this is good news!” The shock gave way to her new lopsided smile, and her eyes showed genuine joy.

“What did he say?” Betty yelled from across the room. “Speak up, Arlo!” I saw her reach up and turn up her hearing aid.

“He said he’s pregnant,” Gran shouted.

Just like that, the tension was broken, and excited chatter erupted from the seniors, everyone expressing their congratulations. For the first time, I allowed myself to feel excited about the baby. I’d been so worried about my gran’s reaction that I hadn’t let myself feel even an ounce of happiness. Now, the burden seemed to lift from my shoulders, and everything felt just a little bit brighter.

As someone finally opened the lid on the box of donuts and announced it was all jelly, chaos descended, and in the ensuing brawl, I wheeled Gran’s wheelchair back to her room so we could have some privacy.

Once I’d told her the whole story—about the bills, my choice to work at The Bar Cherry, the deal with Max—she sighed deeply. “I’m so sorry, Arlo. I never wanted to be a burden on you,” she said, massaging her left hand in her lap.

“You’re not a burden,” I said firmly, reaching forward to squeeze her hand. “You picked up extra shifts to take care of me when I was younger, and you put off retirement. Was I a burden?”

Her eyes softened. “No, of course not.” She drew in a deep breath, accepting the change of how things were. “Do you like your job at least? Do they treat you well?”

I shrugged, thinking about how I’d changed since I first started working at the club. I was no longer the shy, nervous wreck I’d been on that first shift. I was more confident in myself, fiercer. “You know, it’s not bad, actually. My boss is nice, and I love my coworkers. There’s good music, and the pay is more than fair.”

“And Max? How does he fit in?” she asked.

“He doesn’t. Not anymore.”

I could tell she had plenty of opinions on that, but she just nodded and kept them to herself. I would tell Max about the baby eventually, but right now, I had to make some decisions about my life on my own. I missed Max more than I thought possible, but I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet first, without leaning on anyone for support.

By the time I got home, I was emotionally drained. I’d hung out with Gran and her friends for most of the day. It was nice, being surrounded by a family of sorts, the kind of people who loved you unconditionally. Drew’s husband, the famous author Jordan Kepler, came in with their son, Kris, and at one point, I found myself with a sleeping toddler in my lap.

Smoothing my hand in a circle over his back, I breathed in his sweet scent. This is what it could feel like all the time, I told myself. Love and comfort and acceptance.

I finally left when it was time for Gran’s physio. The air felt sharper this time, and I told myself it was because I was no longer numb. I welcomed the sting.

While no decisions had been made, my head felt clearer than it had since Max ended things. I could do this. Tomorrow, I would ask Chance if he had some office work I could do for him once I got too pregnant to serve tables in booty shorts. If I was really careful with budgeting, I could make it work.

I climbed the stairs to the apartment I shared with Cass, and there was a paper delivery bag sitting in front of my door. I frowned at it, and when I got closer, I saw there was a note stuck to the top.

I know you said you didn’t want my money, but I was thinking about you, and I hoped you wouldn’t mind me buying you dinner.

I miss you.

Love, Max

Inside the bag were two hotdogs with ketchup and relish, just how I liked them. I sat down right there in the hallway, my back pressed up against my apartment door, and I sobbed. They were the best hotdogs I’d ever had—and now, of course, I was inexplicably horny.

18

Max

Every inch of me ached, sweat dripping down my face and neck, chest and back, and I’d never been so exhausted in my entire life. And yet, I continued to push myself.

“Again,” Stanley, my new trainer, demanded, holding the punching bag for me. He was a retired boxer and coach, and even though he was now well into his 60s, I wouldn’t want to take him on. The guy was still built like a brick wall. “Keep your guard up. You keep dropping your elbow.”