Page 56 of Lyric Squared

Discreetly, I tossed the entire package into my oversized Chanel and pulled it up on my shoulder. Before Collin could get his next set of words out of his mouth, I had disappeared down the hallway. I crept into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Finally alone, I removed the packaging from my purse and stared at it intently to see what the hell was stopping me from getting inside of it.

“Looks normal.”

The wrestling started again as I tried to force my way inside. Frustrated with my failed efforts after a few seconds, I tried determining the best course of action. Asking Collin would be absurd, but I wasn’t against the idea completely. Desperate times called for desperate measures. The only other option was asking someone in the kitchen of Maple Berries Brunch House that we were visiting to lend me a knife because instead of their food, I was having a Plan B for breakfast.

“Uggggggghhhh.”

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

My phone buzzed in my bag.

Bzzz.

Bzzz.

I rummaged through the purse to find the newly cased iPhone. Because I hated clutter and unnecessary junk inside of my bags, it was easily located. Ever’s name danced across my screen, prompting me to answer.

“Why is the Plan B package so difficult to open?”

“I have no idea because I’ve never had the pleasure of taking one. I’m five babies in.”

She included Dylan, always included Dylan, and I loved that about her. He wasn’t forgotten and never would be. Not with a mother like Ever. Lucas was her first boy since Dylan, and I was just as happy for her to hold him in her arms as she was. In so many ways, he was her redemption.

“Well, I don’t have that luxury seeing as though I was definitely ovulating when I slept with both of my brothers’ best friend. It’s a risk I’m simply not willing to take.”

“Better you than me, love, but try squeezing both sides until the little part that they hang on the shelves opens. Then, you can stick your finger through it and pull it apart.”

“Of course you have all the answers. Thank you,” I praised her.

“Of course, babe. Where are you?”

“At Maple Berries with Collin. I promised him brunch Saturday morning, so we’re here grabbing breakfast.”

“Yet you’re in the bathroom wrestling with a Plan B package?” She chuckled, finding my situation comical.

“Hey, you’re laughing a little too hard,” I warned, trying my hardest not to join her.

“You’re just prolonging the process, love. It’s going to happen one way or another. Whether it’s this year or next or the one after that, you’ll have some pretty brown babies running through your home soon enough.”

“I’m not having that man’s children, Ever. Please get whatever idea you have about that out of your head.”

“I see that you’re in the business of convincing yourself because you’re surely not convincing me of anything.”

“Thanks for your help, Ever, but I’m going to end this call.”

“Oh, for once I’m not right?”

“Goodbye!”

I ended the call before she could taunt me any longer. I hated that her words felt so true, but the challenge to make hera believer intrigued me beyond satisfaction. Soon enough, she’d understand that the entire Keanu phase had swiftly ended, no matter how long it had lasted prior.

The little shimmy she’d suggested worked like a charm. I was able to safely remove the pill without harming myself. Once I’d secured it in my bag, I used sanitizer to clean my hands before stepping out of the restroom.

When I made it back to the table, Collin was still waiting for me and so were the two waters we’d asked to start with. I slid into the crushed velvet booth, smiling to reassure Collin that everything was well, although I felt like I was falling apart.