The Unexpected

Chapter 17

Returning to my place behind the bar, I apologize to the man once more. "I'm so sorry about that. I made him mad and he took it out on you." I frown.

"Don't worry about it." The guy responds.

"You can have anything you want - it's on me." I offer.

He shakes his head smiling. "You're sweet but no thank you. I'm gonna head out."

"Please don't let this experience ruin any chances of you coming back in the future." I say. "I sincerely apologize."

"Thanks but it's fine. And I'll definitely be back." He leans over the bar, waving me closer. "I was gonna flirt but he never gave me the chance to."

I smile, my cheeks heating. "Glad you told me. Next time you come in I'll buy us a drink."

He nods. "Sounds good. Until then."

He leaves and I clean up a little before joining in on Gavin and Diane's conversation.

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Alex and I cuddle on the couch while watching cartoons. Neither of us moves until someone knock on the door. I leave Alex on the couch, kissing his forehead before answering the door. Steven stands there with a stuffed animal in his hand. "Is Alex awake?"

I nod, moving for him to come in. "Yeah. Come in."

He steps in and Alex runs over to him. "Uncle Steven!"

Steven picks him up and hands him the toy before looking at me. "Let's go downstairs for lunch. I'll buy."

I shake my head. "I just feel like staying in today."

He sighs. "Your mother said you haven't left this building since Tyler broke up with you."

I hold up my finger, stopping him. "I broke up with him."

He rolls his eyes. "Either way, you need to get out."

"I do get out." I whine. "I've been going to work and I interviewed someone the other day. You know Diane from the diner?" He nods. "She has a bartender friend and told her about the opening. She came in for an interview and I gave her the job."

"That's great but don't change the subject." He chuckles at my lame attempt to distract him. "Get dressed and come downstairs for lunch."

Alex holds out his arm for me to take him. "Lunch, momma."

Alex is my weakness. Caving in, I take him to his bedroom and get him dressed. He waits in the living room with Steven while I get dressed and make myself look more presentable. I showered this morning so I just throw on some clothes. When I'm finished, we all go downstairs to the diner. Alex says he wants chicken and fries while I get a burger. Steven orders then we wait for our food. "I broke up with Tyler because he was putting a lot of pressure on me." I tell Steven. "He shouldn't be mad though. He's hurt me so many times."

"You guys keep taking turns hurting each other. It's not healthy."

"Taking turns?" I ask in disbelief. "How have I hurt him?"

"You were pissed at him for how he treated you in high school so you stopped talking to him. You know, the last thing you said to him before leaving for college was that he was a piece of shit." He says. "That hurt him. A lot. And you never once called him, me, or our family while you were in college."

Before I can respond, our food gets to the table. My mouth waters at the sight of the burger on my plate. I haven't ate since the breakup because I've been numb but this looks absolutely delicious. Picking it up, I take a big bite and Steven raises his eyebrows. "Good?"

I nod. After we've all finished our food, we order milkshakes. "You said Tyler was putting pressure on you... how?"

"He wants to have a baby." I answer.

His eyes widen. "Wow. I wasn't expecting that."

I nod, biting my straw. Putting my cup down, I lean back and sigh. "He said he loved me and Alex then said he wanted to have a baby. I was so happy that he said he loved me that I didn't give having a baby much thought." I say. "So we tried but our relationship wasn't the same anymore. We couldn't have fun and simple hookups anymore. He wanted a baby so bad."

"Are you pregnant?" He asks.

I shake my head. "I don't think so. I took a bunch of tests while we were together and they all came back as negative. I haven't taken one since I broke up with him though."

"Maybe you should take one." He says hesitantly. "I've never seen you eat that much." I immediately feel self conscious and I stare down at my lap. "Please, please do not take that the wrong way. You're family - I'm just trying to look out for you."

"It's fine." I pull out money from my jeans and toss it on the table. "Come on, Alex."

I pick him up and stand, Steven following suit. "Don't go."

I turn around angrily. "Don't!" I snap. "I'm not a child - you don't have to look out for me. You and your family need to stay out of my life."

A hurt expression flashes across his face before he looks down, shaking his head. "Okay." He says softly.

Turning on my heel, I leave the restaurant and go back upstairs to my apartment. I put Alex in his bedroom where he plays with his toys then go into the living room. I sit on the couch and stare at the walls Tyler helped me paint. The memories of us together flood my mind and I can no longer keep my walls up. Before I know it, I'm crying. I call my mother, asking her to come over. When she gets there, she holds me in her arms for what feels like forever. Eventually I lay across the couch, laying my head on her lap. Her fingers brush through my hair and calm me until I'm too tired to cry anymore.

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