Page 62 of Blurry Little Lines
“I’m not getting into this right now, Max.” He storms out of my room, and I call it an early night shortly after Lauren and Adam arrive.
Chapter 26
Max
“How did the appointment go? Am I getting a niece or nephew this time around?” Adam asks, entering the weight room. “Please don’t say I have to wait to go to one of those lame parties she threw in the past.”
“The answer is still in an envelope.” I clear my throat and ball my fists. “We didn’t find out from the doctor. Kelsie said diapers and clothing will cost the same regardless of gender.”She’s not wrong, but what the hell.
“Kelsie? No fucking way.” Adam laughs, shaking his head. “Don’t mess with me, bro. Kelsie should have her baby shower already booked and a wish list made.”
“I’m serious. I haven’t been able to bring myself to open the ultrasound alone.” I feel my heart sink with the thought of being the only parent who seems excited to welcome a new life. “I want us to have that moment together.”
“You look like hell, bro,” Adam says as we begin our workout.
“I care about Kelsie. I also feel like I’m losing my best friend when we should be growing closer.” I hate venting to Adam. Especially at the gym because guys don’t get sappy here. “She’s detached, Adam.”
“You have a lifetime of history. I know she cares about you.” Adam sets his weights down and sits on the bench. “A few months ago, she told me you’re going to be an amazing father.”
“That’s what’s killing me, man.” I sigh and take a seat on the floor, resting my arms on my knees. “I know she cares. That’s the entire reason she called off our…” I don’t dare speak out loud and admit I was fucking his sister, even though it’s obvious. “Our fun. A family unit with her two kids felt too real and she was falling for me. She got scared and ended things.”
“I know how much you care about her.” Adam lies under the barbell, contemplating his response as he brushes his hand back and forth over his jaw. “At first, I figured you treated her like your normal piece of ass.”
“Fuck off.” I load extra weights onto the bar in spite of his thoughts. “How do I get through to her that I’m not leaving? I can’t process how she wants me, but fights against having me.”
“Timing is everything?” Adam shares his half ass answer. “I remember not talking to Lauren for months when I was in Aspen. That was a special kind of torture, man.”
“Okay, but what if you couldn’t do anything about it? Imagine watching Lauren battle her demons and wanting to be with you every damn day.”
“You need to just keep being there for her. Benson completely fucked her over, and it’s difficult for her to turn a blind eye regarding your past views.” Adam finishes his rep of weights. “Kelsie knows your strengths, your faults, and fears. Maybe you need to get out of your comfort zone to prove your worth.”
“I want commitment.” I throw my hands up since no punching bag is within reach. “Tell me that isn’t out of comfort.”
“I’m useless help, Max. You two have a special bond. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He snaps his fingers as an idea forms. “Give Lauren the envelope and have her plan something.”
“That takes away from my initiative.”
“Take her to Aspen to relax?”
“Bro, you know I hate heights and flying.” We finish our workout in silence.
My brain filters through ideas as I round the corner of the gym to head to the lobby. I’m summoned just as I’m about to leave the building.
“Son!” my father calls out, quickening his steps as he walks my way. “Your mother is in town this weekend.” They’re both oblivious that they’ll soon be grandparents, but I’m still waiting for Kelsie to come around and give the okay to start sharing the baby joy with others. “Max, you’re zoning out.” While I don’t want any more stress put on Kelsie, she’s not going to be able to hide her pregnancy for much longer.
“I’ll do brunch on Sunday with you again. At your place.” Was my mother excited for me before I was born? “I’ll be nicer this time.” Things have been put into a different perspective since watching Kelsie with this pregnancy.
“I know that will mean a lot to her, son.” My father pats me on the back. “Is something bothering you? You’ve been quiet the last few weeks.” He smiles, but there is worry in his eyes. “Quieter than your normal self.”
“How did you win Mom's heart?” My father and I have never been on a personal level with these types of questions, so it throws me off guard as well.
My father’s eyes widen and his head jerks backward. I literally have taken him aback. Not a second later, he clears his throat as I watch a million questions filter through his face, making me regret coming to him with a question like this. I wait for him to ask a deeper question, but instead, he rubs a hand over his jaw and scrunches his forehead.
“I proposed on a sailboat.” He nods, still eyeing me with suspicion.
“You hate the water and get seasick.”
“She felt that if I could share my feelings during one of her favorite activities, I could conquer anything with her,” he gloats, and I watch his charming self take over again.