While my mum and dad have their flaws, they’ve always put me first and taken care of me. Even now when I’m twenty-five, they still want me to gallivant with them on their global travels.
“You know I’d love to, but I have work and commitments here, Mum. I can’t just leave it all.”
She sighs. “Of course I understand. I’m so proud of you and all your accomplishments. I know this year has been less than ideal, but you’re coming out on top, just like you always do.”
At her words, a tightness climbs my throat. If only she knew just how much is going on, but like with the girls, I’m not ready to tell her and Dad. I’ve never been one to overly rely on others; I feel if I want something done, then I must do it myself. This situation is no different. Plus, I know my parents—they would take the first flight home and probably try to stay here until the baby comes, and that’s the last thing I need.
“Thanks, Mum. It hasn’t been the easiest year, but I’m lucky to have a home and great friends, so I can’t fully complain.”
“Oh, that reminds me. How is Stana doing?”
Mum is far too familiar with the situation between Stana and her parents.
“She’s really good. Moved in with Ali and has gone back to uni for a master’s.”
“Good.” I can practically hear her happiness through the phone. “I always knew it would work out for her. Things did get rocky there, but I think having you around is exactly what she needed.”
I smile. “I think we needed one another.”
Our call continues, Mum explaining her next dream destination, knowing her, I’m sure they will be going next year. I give her life updates, but the details all feel rather meaningless with the huge secret I’m keeping. And despite my mind screaming at me to be honest with her, I hold my tongue. Even though secrets can eat away at you, I’ll let this one take a small bit of me because I’m just not ready. Not yet, anyway.
The week drags on, work overtaking every aspect of my life, so I don’t even have time to see the girls. It’s been hard keeping this from them, but I know it’s what I need to do right now. I attempted to call Beck again, figuring he deserved one more shot, but it’s been over a month now since he found out and his tune hasn’t changed.
I haven’t seen Owen since I fell asleep during our movie, his work having become more intense than usual. I try to tell myself it doesn’t bother me, that I need to get used to being alone, but the pang is still there.
It’s nine p.m. when I decide to call it a night, after a day of doing nothing. I attempted to read a baby book but got distracted by my phone and here I am, a whole day later without accomplishing anything besides spilling dip on my top.
It doesn’t take me long to get to sleep, my stomach no longer rioting against anything I’ve fed it. I’m finally relaxed, my body relishing in the quiet, when a loud pop pulls me out of my slumber, accompanied by the sound of water.
I bolt out of bed like the devil leaving hell, my mind in a panic over what’s happened. Rushing out of my room, I shove my cold feet into my unicorn slippers, a gift from Stana for my birthday that she missed in June.
It doesn’t take me long to figure out the noise is none other than a burst pipe in my bathroom, water spraying absolutely everywhere, saturating my pale pink bathmat and spurting all across the walls.
“Fuck, shit, fuck,” I say, quickly jumping back from the mess. I may have scientific skills in life, but handy ones are out of the question. I have no fucking idea how to clean or fix this mess.
So, despite vowing I wouldn’t call, I pick up the phone and dial the number of the only person I can think of to help. Well, more like the only person I want to help.
Thirty minutes later, Owen’s standing in my bathroom, both of us looking at the mini pool residing on my floor. The liquid has seeped out of the bathroom and found its way into my bedroom, causing what I can only begin to imagine is a hellish list of problems if I don’t get this fixed right. Can’t mold grow this way? Or what if animals got in or bugs? My skin crawls at the thought of the long-term issues I’m going to have from five inches of water spilling out of the bathroom and into my home.
“Well, I’ve stopped the water from coming out, but it’s going to keep leaking. You can’t stay here tonight, Lottie. I can have a mate come fix this in the morning, but no one will be around for a reasonable price at this hour.”
I tighten my dressing robe around myself, looking up at Owen. He still looks pristine, so I know he hadn’t yet gone to bed, but I still manage to feel like shit for ruining his night.
“Fuck,” I say, pulling on the ends of my hair, taking in all the mess that is my home. Of fucking course this shit happens. And Lord knows I’m going to need all the money I can get with this baby coming along, so paying double for someone to fix this all tonight isn’t an option.
“I’ll call Stana,” I mumble, my feet doing a weird dance as I maneuver my way back
