Like A Bad Boy

~Chapter Twenty-Six~

            Due to the ever so busy night I endured, my entire day was dedicated to ignoring he who was Blane Cole. The inside of my mind was jumbled, matching the mess that was made of my stomach, all due to overthinking. Overthinking is such a dangerous game, and I was ready to play ball. Hell, I think I was winning the whole damn match.

            Unfortunately, the time had come to the one place where I was unable to duck and hide from the nuisance. My parent’s dinner party had been in the works all throughout the day, and it was finally time. I’d get granted the lusted-after task of babysitting the children, one of which was a baby, and sit in the same room as he-who-shall-not-be-named himself. Doesn’t it sound delightful?

            Every glance at his face just caused me to want to throw up, due to all of the feelings that were trapped inside of me. Periodically, I had deciphered that I needed to properly talk to him, when he was fully sober, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. My guess was that it would end in a screaming match on the beach, whenever that may be.

            But the thing was; my heart was forgiving him without my mind’s consent. That within itself was so incredibly frustrating. Do you understand what it’s like to be so internally conflicted? He did nothing to deserve my forgiveness. Apology after apology, none of them should’ve been accepted. Yet it didn’t stop my heart from taking the leap on its own. Let me tell you, it just about killed me.

            “Indiana, look who’s here,” My mother gleefully squealed as she stepped into the room. Behind her stood a young woman carrying a baby who only looked to be three or four months old. Immediately, I had to hold back a scowl.

            “How old is she?” I asked, apprehensively. She had initially told me I’d be dealing with a six month old. Three or two months may not sound like much, but when it comes to babies, it most definitely is.

            “Bella’s three months old,” The woman confirmed, gleaming down at the child in her arms. While the woman wasn’t looking, I took the opportunity to glare at my mother for lying. Tonight, I’d be responsible for a three-month-old baby, a three year old, and a four year old. After a moment, she stepped towards me and offered the baby over. My arms were held out and she was placed into my grasp. My grip tightened around her as I pulled her towards me.

            The baby herself was beautiful, much like a little doll. Her black, wispy hair was swept across her little forehead, matching her mother’s color, and her little eyes were closed. Her bright pink lips were slightly parted as little noises erupted from them.

            The woman broke my focus by beginning to instruct me. She placed a bag down on the coffee table. “In here is diapers, toys, wipes, and just about everything else you may need. If she gets hungry, just come let me know and I’ll feed her,”

            “Okay, sounds good,” I softly said with a smile. The woman grinned back.

            “I’m Lily, by the way,” She stated.

            “It’s great to meet you,” I responded, still smiling.

            There was a short pause before my mother spoke. “Alright, well, Indiana looks like she’s got it covered, so we can go back to the living room. Indiana, if you need anything, we’re just in there,” Her smile was almost fake as she led Lily out of the room. At this point, Kennedy, the other little girl, had yet to arrive. Truly I was hoping that Blane would decide to help out, even if we didn’t speak. The least he could do was help out with his sister.