Page 76 of Chaos

A nursery, decked in pinks and purples, is filled with a new crib, a changing table, even a rocking chair.

This is too much.

“Oh, wow, this will be great when she stays with you.” I withdraw my hand and hug my belly.

“‘Stays with me’? Where do you think you’re going?” He lowers Maeve onto the crisp sheets of her bed and turns to me with dark eyes.

“I don’t think it’s right that I’m here. What if you meet someone else? You want your baby mom cramping your style?” I try to wave nonchalantly, but the emotions are getting too hard to hold back.

His palms wrap around my upper arms and he makes me face him. “Why the hell would I want to do that? And you’re not just my baby momma, you’re mine.”

“Am I really?” Searching his eyes, I can’t find any shred of doubt in them.

“Damn right. Mine, all fucking mine. I told you, I wasn’t letting you get away this time. I meant it.” His lips crash against me, silencing any argument I may have had.

It’s strange going back to my place, knowing I’m emptying it out.

Jax offered to come with me, but I thought it was better for me to go alone so I could talk to Anna.

“So, that’s it? He shows up and you just run to him?” She pushes her blonde hair behind her shoulder.

“You know it’s more complicated than that. He’s Maeve’s father. He needs a chance to get to know her.” The good thing about being broke, there isn’t much to pack. “Besides, I thought you’d be happy I’m leaving. You’ve been, well, distant lately.”

Anna leans her tall body against the counter and crosses her arms. “Well, I think you should take him for everything you can. Sue him for child support and run.”

It’s like I don’t even know her anymore. “Why would I do that?”

“Just think of everything you can do with his kind of cash? It’s the perfect situation. You don’t have to stay with him.” Her eyes widen and a smile spreads over her face. “Remember, we always talked about buying a villa outside of Cabo? We could do that now, with his money.”

I shake my head.

“It’s more important that Maeve gets to know her dad. For me, too.” Pushing the last of Maeve’s toys in my stretched duffel, I set it next to the door.

“You know, it was supposed to be my shift that night, Sof. If I had ended up with him, I would have made sure you were taken care of. I’ve supported you through your wedding disaster, your pregnancy, and now this?” Her hands land on the back of the couch as she lowers her face to be even with mine.

“He has a Lamborghini. He can afford whatever you ask of him.” As if to emphasize her word, she peels a torn corner of fabric from the upholstery to reveal a spring sticking out. “This is what you’re leaving me with?”

I shouldn’t have told her about his cars. But I had to when she asked about the new Land Rover I drove.

I’ll have to ask him to come over with me next time to pick my old car up.

It will be almost embarrassing parking it with his other expensive vehicles.

“Fine. Whatever. Just don’t forget your friends, Sof.” She holds out her hand, palm up.

“What? I don’t have any cash.” Does she think he just threw money at me?

“The key, Sof.” Her blue eyes narrow. “I have to find another roommate now.”

Shit.

I hadn’t thought of that.

“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure I cover my share through the end of the month.” My lip trembles.

Is this the end of our friendship? Over a guy?

“That’d be nice. You can just cash app.”