Whereas there was nobody to kill Logan for a hangover. Nobody that really gave a damn. Not even Paris, with her overabundant energy. He could do what he wanted, when he wanted, and occasionally with who he wanted.
Most of the time he liked that. But right now, it would be nice for somebody to care just a little.
Cam walked to the bar and Logan pulled his phone out to check his messages. Like always, he pulled up her contact and looked at their chat.
I made it back to Boston. You doing okay? - L
Thanks for taking care of me yesterday. And for being so understanding. I guess this is goodbye, right?- C
She’d sent it the morning he left. And it still felt like a bucket of water across the face.
Yeah, he’d typed. I guess it is.- L
But then he’d deleted it and closed the chat. Because he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
He was about to close it down again when he saw three little dots appear. What the hell? He stared at the screen for a moment, his chest tight. And then a message appeared, making his breath catch in his throat.
Sorry to contact you after all this time, but I was wondering if you’d be visiting home soon? I need to talk to you about something. - C
He glanced up from the phone. Cam was still leaning on the counter, talking to the barman as he poured their drinks.
Just hearing from her after all these weeks made his stomach feel tight. Was there something wrong? Had that cop hurt her? And then that tiny piece of bittersweet hope.
Did she miss him?
I’ll be flying in next Friday. There until Sunday. - L
Cam was paying now, putting his card against the little terminal the barman was holding out.
Can we meet somewhere to talk?- C
You want me to come to yours? - L
He was both intrigued and slightly pissed at her reply.
No. Maybe we can meet at the bench by the creek. The one at the end of Church Road?- C
That was weirdly specific.
Sure. Does 7pm on Friday work?- L
7pm is great. Thanks. - C
There were no more dots. No kisses. No goodbyes. Just an odd sensation in his chest and a whole bunch of questions floating around his head.
He’d be seeing her next week. And wasn’t that a weird fucking thought?
“It’s done,” Courtney said, putting her phone on the battered coffee table in front of her. “We’re meeting next Friday at seven.”
Lainey reached for her hand and squeezed it tight. “How are you feeling about it?”
Courtney blew out a mouthful of air, but her lungs still felt tight. “Nervous, I guess. Scared, even. It’s real now.” She looked up, her lips pressed together. “What if he’s angry or thinks I’m trying to trap him?”
“Honey, he freely entered into sex with you. Half of the responsibility is his. And if he’s an asshole, then you’ll know. And you’ll have done the right thing by telling him.” Lainey gave her a tight smile. “I hate to say it, but you two are going to be connected by this baby forever. Somehow you’re going to have to get along. And I know you will. You’re good people, Court. Everybody loves you. You’re honest, open, and you care a damn lot. If he thinks you’re doing something underhanded then he can go to hell.”
Courtney bit down a smile at her friend’s vehemence. The word forever was bouncing around her brain. This was really happening. She was going to have a baby. A little person that would have a whole lot of relatives in Hartson’s Creek.
The wrong relatives.
She tried to push that thought away, but it refused to move. She hadn’t stopped thinking about Ellis and Mary – not to mention Carl – since she’d gotten home from taking the test. All she could think about was how shocked they’d be. How disappointed in her.
“Oh god. How the hell am I going to tell Ellis and Mary?” she asked Lainey.
“When were you thinking of telling them?” Lainey asked, her expression soft.
“I don’t know.” Courtney pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, trying to think it through. “Maybe I should wait until the first trimester is over. Isn’t that what people do?”
“That’s what some people do, yeah.” Lainey nodded. “I guess you’ll need to see a doctor, right?”
“I will. “ Courtney pulled up a page on her phone. “They run a prenatal clinic every week out of the medical building in town. They have a midwife as well as an obstetrician, which I like the sound of.”
“And if somebody sees you walking into the clinic, how long do you think it’ll take for word to get around?”
Courtney shifted uncomfortably. “About ten nano seconds.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh lord, they’re going to know before I even walk out of the building, aren’t they?”
“The downsides of small town living.” Lainey sighed. “If the gossip doesn’t kill you, waiting for it will.”
“Do you think I should go out of town to find a doctor?” Courtney frowned. “I don’t know what they have in Maple Cross.”
Lainey shrugged. “Do you want to be driving miles for every appointment? Don’t you have to go weekly toward the end of pregnancy? That’s gonna be a heck of a lot of driving when your stomach is as big as a bowling ball.” Her voice lowered. “Maybe you should just tell them before anybody else does.”
Courtney rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hand. “You’re right. I should tell them next weekend.” She gave Lainey a half-smile. “Right after I tell Logan Hartson he’s about to become a daddy.”
Lainey started to laugh, then put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, it’s just so crazy. Of all the people I know, you’re the last one I
