Page 115 of Demo
“I love you, Emily.”
She smiles a megawatt smile next to me as she continues to stroke her belly. “I love you, too. Even though I may be cursing at you in a few hours.”
I disconnect the call and continue toward the hospital. A few snowflakes have started to fall, but there is no real precipitation, for which I’m thankful. The last thing I need is to be stuck in a snowstorm while Emily has a baby in my car.
Chapter 32
Three months ago …
LYZBETH
KnoxandIhadgone with Jenny and her then-boyfriend, Jake, to a club downtown to see a band play some cover music. It was about three months after the crash and our first time out together since it happened. We used to double-date all the time, sometimes with Monty and his wife, or Dee and her man of the hour, or even with Knox’s coworker, Gino.
We had been out with Jenny and Jake a few times, and it was my idea to go out that night. Knox had just been so introverted since the accident, and I knew he had been able to talk to Jenny about it, and I wanted him to feel comfortable with us all hanging out.
It was cold, and I wished I were wearing sweatpants instead of skinny jeans and a thin jacket. Knox was in jeans and a zip-up hoodie. However, it didn’t take long once we were inside the packed venue before I shrugged off my jacket and placed it over the back of a tall stool at a high table we were lucky enough to snag. The fluttering cap sleeves on my red silk shirt were enough to keep me warm.
Knox also took off his hoodie, wearing a plain black V-neck tee underneath. He draped his arm over the back of my stool, over my jacket, and brushed my shoulder with the tips of his fingers as we chatted and listened to the band. I don’t think he even realized he was doing it, which made the feeling even better.
Jenny looked freaking amazing, as usual. She was one of those bitches that looked better without makeup. And her hair was naturally blonde. It was hanging loosely in waves halfway down her back. I was also envious of her body. She wasn’t thin, but she was fit. She had a little bit of a booty, and broad shoulders—for a woman, but her waist dipped in nicely. She wore a skirt with army boots, like a total badass.
The band was good, considering it was just a group of local guys, and we laughed as we ate Buffalo wings and split a pitcher of beer, the sound of various rock genres providing background music for us. It was loud enough we had to raise our voices, but not so loud it was uncomfortable.
Knox seemed to really be enjoying himself. His laugh was genuine, and he and Jake were hitting it off more than they ever had.
To my surprise, Jenny and I began chatting it up, as well, touching on the latest celebrity gossip and local politics.
I noticed our pitcher of beer was empty, but I wasn’t about to suggest we refill it, because I didn’t want any of us to get too sloppy and ruin this perfect night. I did, however, feel like I could use some water.
“I’m gonna grab water at the bar. Anyone else want anything?” I stood from the stool, and Knox also rose from his seat.
“I can get it for you,” he said.
“I’m fine,” I said, placing my hand on his bicep. “Really, my ass is falling asleep anyway. I need to move.”
“Actually, I could use a water, too!” Jenny requested over Knox’s shoulder, and I gave her a nod.
It had gotten pretty packed in the venue. I had to slink between sweaty bodies and wait in a crowd of about three people deep before I finally got the attention of a bartender and asked for the water.
As I made my way back to the table I was cursing under my breath as the water sloshed and spilled all over me, thinking it would be a miracle if these small plastic cups had any liquid left in them by the time I got back to our seats, after being pushed around in the crowd.
I found Jake sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone.
“Where did they go?” I asked over the noise as I set the waters down.
“Bathroom.”
I nodded. “So,” I said, taking a seat next to Jake. “Things seem to be going well with you and Jenny?” It was a question and a statement in one.
He gave a lopsided smile. “Yeah … I guess.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You guess?”
Jake sighed. “She’s been a little distant lately.”
“Well, after the accident and everything, that’s understandable.”
He squinted at me. “No, see, after the crash, Jenny was super dependent on me. She never wanted to be alone. We practically lived at each other’s apartments. And I feel like a dick for saying this, but it was kinda nice. To be needed, you know? The past few weeks, though, it’s like she’s pulled away. I mean, I’m glad she’s getting back to life like it was before. I can tell her head is back in the game when she talks about work. But I don’t know, things feel a little off between us. Maybe I’m just being needy.”
