Page 105 of Good For Me

River

“So the fire was caused by bad wiring?” Eva asks, eyes wide.

“That’s what it’s looking like.” I take a pull of my soda, looking longingly at Everly’s beer, and resist the urge to pick up my phone for the millionth time. Jas is working a shift at June’s while I’m having a welcome-back-from-the-honeymoon dinner with my cousins at Will and Eva’s Malibu beach house. It’s the first time I’ve spent any time away from Jas since I brought her back to my house the day of the fire. I’m hoping she’ll text me on her break. To say I’m anxious to let her out of my sight is an understatement.

I’m also anxious because I’m planning on telling Fox, Everly, Alex, Will, Eva, and Wyatt about the baby tonight and I have no idea how they’re going to react.

I stopped by my parents’ house on the way here and broke the news to the twins—which means there’s no way this is staying a secret much longer. I know Violet is dying to tell the other Littles. She’s already texted me four times with suggestions for baby names.

Ash had seemed a little shell-shocked. He didn’t say much—typical for him. He’s always been a kid who needs to spend some time with his feelings before he talks about them. And he doesn’t react very well to change.

I push the worrying thoughts away. Ash is going to be fine. He just needs to adjust. And telling Fox and my cousins—my best friends—is going to be fine, too.

Besides, I don’t have much choice. My parents are planning to tell my aunts and uncles tonight, and they will most definitely tell their kids, so if I want to tell Fox and the others myself, it needs to be tonight.

“Is she going to stay with us?” Everly asks.

“I’d like her to,” I admit, looking between her, Fox, and Bodhi. I broached the subject with Jas the day after the fire, telling her she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted, but she hasn’t given me a firm answer yet—though I take comfort in the fact she’s slept in my bed ever since.

She mentioned maybe staying with Brie and her cousin for a while but it’s hard to make plans until they know more about the bar’s condition. If the damage was contained mostly to the kitchen, maybe they’ll be able to get back into their apartment sooner rather than later.

God, is it crazy that I’m hoping it’s later? The truth is, I don’t want her going back to the apartment, and I really don’t want her staying with Brie. Now that I’ve had her in my bed for more than just a few hours, the thought of her leaving it kills me.

I have to keep telling myself to be patient. We’re already farther along than I could have hoped. I woke up next to her this morning. What do I have to complain about?

I force my thoughts from her in my bed and address my family. “Do you guys mind if there’s another person at the house?”

“Not at all,” Bodhi says. “Jas is cool.”

Everly scoffs. “Seriously, River? Like I would mind—you actually having a girlfriend is like, the biggest news this family has had in ages.”

“We started dating like five months ago,” Wyatt says drily, his arm around Alex’s shoulder. He has a point. It had been a pretty big deal, what with him being so much older and Alex being an honorary member of the family.

But Everly merely rolls her eyes. “Please. That wasn’t exciting—you guys were always destined to be together, anyone paying attention would have seen it.” She settles her gaze on me. “River falling for a girl though? That’s news.”

“Why is that news?” I don’t know why I feel so defensive. I would have said the same thing about myself just a few months ago.

“Because you’re a total manwhore,” Everly says, matter of fact. There’s no malice in her words, but that doesn’t stop them from stinging.

“Thanks,” I mutter, looking down at my soda. I really fucking miss beer right now.

She leans across the table. “Oh, don’t be offended,” she says, putting her hand over mine. “I’m just saying that I think it’s awesome you have a girlfriend. Jas must be really special to getyouto settle down.”

Is Jas my girlfriend? She’s been affectionate since we slept together. I know she’s into me. But I’m still fairly certain she’s not yet in the same place I am. She needs more time.

“Jas is amazing,” I agree, and Everly beams at me.

“So that’s settled. We have another housemate!” She claps her hands. “This is so exciting! We needed another girl—it’s total testosterone overload in that house.”

Fox raises an eyebrow at her. “You painted the downstairs bathroom fuchsia and all our throw pillows have sequins on them.”

Now’s the time,I think as they continue to argue.Just tell them. Get it over with.

I straighten my shoulders and force an awkward chuckle. “If you think a new roommate is a big deal, just wait until you hear myactualnews.”

“What’s up?” Will asks. “You quit your job again?”

I clench my jaw, once again trying not to let the sting get to me. Across the table, Rose’s gaze meets mine, her expression encouraging.Now or never,her blue eyes seem to say. I take a deep breath, steeling myself to tell them about possibly my biggest screw up ever.