Page 42 of Ruin The Friendship
My mother lets out an irritated sound. “Oh, you’re leaving now?”
“Yes. I won’t sit here and be berated by two people who are supposed to love and support me. You know, I thought you would be at least a little excited for me. I’m having a baby—your first grandchild. This is going to be a huge change in my life, so forgive me for wanting my parents to support me, even if it’s unexpected and scary. I thought my mom would have some advice for me as I become a mother.”
I stand from the table as the waitress brings by some boxes for Fletcher and me. I grab my purse to dig out some cash, but a hand on my wrist stops me. Fletcher pulls his wallet from his pocket, fishing out a hundred-dollar bill and two twenties. He tosses them in the middle of the table with a tilt of his chin.
“Enjoy the rest of your meal,” Fletcher says in a tone unlike anything I’ve ever heard from him. It’s a mix of disappointment and contempt, and I never wish to hear it again. “Come on, Lydi.”
I give my parents one parting glance, noting that neither of them has moved or made any effort to stop me, or say anything worth my time.
Fletcher holds out his hand, and I lace our fingers together as he pulls me in close, leading me out of the restaurant. The familiar scent of his body wash helps keep me grounded. Instead of wanting to scream and cry, I’m weirdly calm, like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I don’t know if I’ll ever be good enough for them, but I’m no longer seeking their approval.
Fletcher leads me to his vehicle, opens the passenger door, and ushers me in. I climb in before I realize my car is here.
“I drove here,” I say once he’s inside. I point to my car a few rows down.
“I know.” He exhales heavily. “I figured you maybe needed a few minutes before driving. I know I do.”
“I’m alright.” I shrug despite the dull ache in my chest. “You know my parents. It was naïve of me to think that they’d be excited for me.”
Fletcher’s eyes widen. “They should be excited for you. You’re going to be an incredible mom, and I’m so excited that I get to be by your side.”
My eyes prick. “Thanks, Fletch. They’ve never been proud of me or excited about anything in my life, so I’m not sure why I thought they would be now. I mean, I’m single, pregnant, and work an entry-level job. How is that accomplished?”
“Stop that.” Fletcher rests a hand on my arm. A tear streaks down my cheek, and he swipes it away, his hand lingering. “Your parents aren’t good judges of what accomplishment is, clearly. Just because you don’t make millions of dollars a year, or aren’t a manager at your job, doesn’t mean you aren’t incredible.”
“You’re one to talk. You have a three-million-a-year contract. I make forty thousand a year. We are not the same.”
He groans, taking his hand away from my cheek to rub up and down his face. “Again, not the point. You don’t have to be rich to be amazing. If your parents don’t see that, it’s their fault.”
I nod slowly, taking a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“You have me, every step of the way.”
“You’re going to be the best uncle.”
The pull in my chest says the title feelswrong. When I found out I was pregnant, it fit, but something has shifted. Fletcher is so much more to me than an uncle to my child, but there isn’t an accurate term.
I think back to something he said at the table. Would he really want to be my baby’s father if I asked? Why would he want that? We aren’t together. It wouldn’t make sense, yet something inside of me yearns for it.
Fletcher winces, taking his palm away from my arm. “Uncle Fletcher reporting for duty,” he says with a self-deprecating laugh, but there’s no familiar joy in his words.
“Fletcher…”
“No, actually, I don’t want to be the fun uncle. I meant what I said.” Heat burns in his green eyes. “I will be this baby’s father. I love them so much already. I will prove to you that I can step up if you need me to.”
Words catch in my throat but don’t come out.
I nod, grabbing my to-go box of food and opening the door. “I’ll see you at home, okay?”
The urge to stay is strong. Guilt swarms through me. I hurt him, but I don’t know what to say. I rest my hand on his muscled forearm.
After a moment, I pull away and step halfway out the door.
“I—never mind.” I shake my head.
What was I going to say? I don’t know, but I’m being pulled in a million different directions.
Fletcher rests both of his hands on the wheel, his hair falling in his face as he looks down. “See you at home.”
