Irreversible Damage (Irreparable) (5 page)

She smiles, not looking at me. “Technically, it’s afternoon.”

I sit up in bed, narrowing my eyes at her. She’s not avoiding this. “So what is it?

She folds her hands in her lap. With a sigh, she says, “Harrison’s parents invited us to Tahiti for a vacation.”

“Wow! That’s awesome!” I hold my hand up and we bump knuckles, but I notice she still looks glum. “So why the frown?”

“I don’t know. I want to go,” she says, rising from the bed and looking at me through the mirror above my dresser. “I’m just not sure I want to spend an entire week with his parents.”

I get out of bed and go to her. I know Brady thinks I should stay out of it, but my friend needs me. He’s a guy. What does he know, anyway? “I thought you liked his parents.”

Her body language is as despondent as her melancholy expression. “I do, but I’m already worried about how they feel about me, and a week together could be uncomfortable.”

I sigh and give her a hug. “Liv, I think if they were going to shun you because of your mother, they would have done it already.”

“Maybe you’re right.” She’s not convinced.

I need to push harder. “I am right.” I laugh.  “You’re making assumptions. Don’t do that to yourself.”

She offers a weak smile. “I’ll try.”

I can tell there is more to it. Though I know it might upset her, I decide to prod further. “What else is on your mind?”

She looks at me through her thick dark lashes. “Do you think Harrison loves me?”

I blink back in surprise. “What? Of course he does.”

Her expression is solemn still. “Sometimes I feel like he’s only with me out of pity. I mean, look how we started out.”

I remember how Harrison took care of Liv for months after her mother killed herself while Liv fought off a bout of depression. He was the only one who could pull her out of it. Maybe it wasn’t the best start, but he loves her regardless.

Her big brown eyes are wet, and I reach up to cup her face. “Not every couple starts out with a movie and dinner.”

“I know, but he didn’t even like me.” She turns away. “He asked you out, remember?”

Okay, now’s she’s being ridiculous. “Only so he could get back at Brady,” I remind her, jerking on her arm so she’ll look at me.

She turns back to me, yanking her arm free. “I guess I worry that someday he’s going to wake up and realize he’s tired of taking care of me.”

“Enough with feeling sorry for yourself, damn it.” It’s harsh, but she needs some tough love. I want my spunky, maddeningly confident friend back. The shock that flashes over her face has me proceeding more carefully. “Again, you’re making assumptions. Did you ever consider that he might like taking care of you and that because of how the two of you ended up together, your bond is stronger than most?” I can tell by the look on her face that she hasn’t. “You guys are going to be fine. Get out of your head. Go to Tahiti. Drink a bunch of fruity drinks with those tiny umbrellas, and enjoy yourself.”

Her cheeks lift into a perfect smile. “You’re right. I knew you’d make me feel better. I love you.”

“I know you do. I love you, too.” We exchange a quick hug. I can sense how much better she feels. “Hey, have you seen Brady?”

“He’s in the studio,” she tells me as a worried look descends over her features. “The guys showed up at seven.”

I knew they’d be here early. “Is Davey here?”

“Yes,” she replies, lifting my chin. She looks me in the eyes. “You know, he’s really not a bad guy. He’s just had a rough start.”

“That’s what I keep hearing.” I plop down on the bed and look up at her. “I tried talking to him, and it didn’t help.”

“Well, at least you tried. Give it time. He’ll open up.”

I doubt it. “I hope so. I hate how awkward it is, and I know it bothers Brady.”

She sits next to me on the bed. “Did he say that?”

I shake my head. “He didn’t have to.”

She drapes her arm over me. “Now who’s making assumptions?”

I nudge the little brat with my shoulder. I much preferred when I was the one dishing out advice. “Do you want to go shopping with me for the nursery?” I ask her, standing back up and heading to the bathroom. “The show is tomorrow, and I’d like to be out of the house while they rehearse.” Truthfully, it’s so I don’t have to see Davey. I don’t tell her that, though.

“Hel-lo?” she sings, following me. “Do you even have to ask?”

I didn’t have to ask, but I might regret that I did. Liv loves to shop, and I have a feeling I just signed on for hours and hours of it. “I just need to take a quick shower, and then we can go.”

“Okay. I’ll be downstairs.”

After undressing for the shower, I stand in front of the full-length mirror and sigh. I’m not huge by any means. In fact, if I wear a big enough shirt, you can hardly tell I’m pregnant. It’s the stretch marks streaking across my stomach and over the tops of both of my hips that I’m beginning to loathe. I’ve tried every product on the market, and not a one of them has done a damn bit of good.

“Would you stop?”

I turn to find Brady leaning on the door frame with his arms over his chest.

“Stop what?”

He walks up behind me, slipping his arms around my waist and rubbing my belly. “Don’t be coy with me. You know
what
. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and a few stretch marks won’t change that.”

I melt into him. His opinion is the only one I care about. If they don’t bother him, I shouldn’t mind. Not to mention when I hold Mona in my arms, every mark will be worth it. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He nuzzles my neck. “You slept late.”

I turn in his arms so I can kiss his lips. “Yeah, someone kept me up all night.”

He rubs his nose over mine. “Well, this someone must be crazy about you, then.”

“He’s crazy, all right.” I yelp when he pinches my butt. “Hey!”

“I have to get back, but I just wanted to check on you.” He kisses me and starts to pull away.

I yank him back in and make him kiss me once more. “Are you sure you have to get back?” I ask, keeping my mouth on his.

His laughter tickles my lips. “You didn’t get enough of me last night?”

I tug his bottom lip between my teeth. “I’ll never get enough of you, Brady.”

He growls, lifting me up and setting me down gently on the counter before he thrusts his hard body between my thighs. The cold tile causes me to shiver. It’s fine. He’ll have me warmed up in no time.

“I think I have a few minutes.”

I squeeze his butt and bring him closer. “Only a few?”

“Are you done with that shower yet?” Liv’s voice reaches the bathroom.

Brady groans.

I look up, grinning. “I promised shopping.”

“Oh, then I’d better get back to it.” He gives me a quick peck. “She’ll never give up.” 

***

Brady goes back to practice with a serious case of blue balls. I finish my shower, get dressed, and search the entire upstairs unsuccessfully for my purse before meeting Liv in the kitchen.

She holds up a piece of paper, grinning with excitement. Inviting Liv on this little shopping trip might have been a mistake.

“You made a list?” I ask as I look around the kitchen, trying to remember where the hell I put my purse.

“Uh, yeah.” She waves the list in the air.

“Why do we need a list?” I shout, walking into the living room to see if I’ve left my purse in there. I didn’t. I go back to the kitchen and check all of the chairs.

She waves a hand, rolling her eyes. “Do you have any idea how much we need to get? There’s feeding, and changing, and sleeping.” She ticks off each item on her fingers. “Oh, and clothing,” she finishes with an enthusiastic grin.

Ignoring her, I stand there, tapping my chin, mentally retracing my steps. I can’t remember when I had it last. Maybe I left it in Tug’s car.

“Are you listening to me?” Liv’s shouting breaks my concentration.

I turn to her. “Uh…yeah, I’m just trying to remember where I left my purse so we can head out.”

She pushes her chair back and stands with a grin. She walks up to me, reaching for my shoulder. “You mean this purse?” A rumble of laughter erupts from her as she lifts the purse strap.

 “Pregnancy sucks!” I inform her through my own bout of laughter.

Chapter 6

Tori

Liv and I shop until it’s almost dark. I finally convince her that nothing more will fit in the car. I hate to admit it, but I had fun. We laughed and talked as though we were sixteen again. I’ve missed these moments between us. These days, they’re few and far between. Not that we aren’t still besties. We’ll always be that. We’ve spent so much time with our significant others that we haven’t made enough time for just us girls. Today reminds me that we should definitely make time more often.

When we get home, Jesse’s van is in the driveway. Liv and I unload the car and carry everything up to Mona’s room. We both drop to the floor after the last load.

“I’m wiped,” I say, falling onto my back and lying on the floor. “You wore me out.”

She lies on her back next to me. “I’m surprised you made it as long as you did.”

I’m actually surprised as well. “It was fun.”

She turns her head to me. Her eyes smile. “It was fun, huh? It seems like just yesterday we used to have marathon shopping days once a week.”

“You mean that you used to drag me out shopping once a week,” I remind her. Liv has always loved shopping. I’ve always hated it.

“I only had to drag you when you were moping because you and Jake had a fight.”

I scowl at her. “What’d you bring him up for?”

“Sorry.” She has the decency to look apologetic for bringing up my worthless ex. “I wasn’t thinking. Do you ever hear from him?”

My eyes bug out of my head. “No! Thank God.”

“Hey, one good thing came out of your relationship.”

I roll over, propping up on my elbow and glaring at her. “I hardly think so.”

She rolls to her side to face me, smiling. “If he hadn’t been a cheating asshole, you’d probably still be with him.”

I cringe at the very thought of still being with Jake. “Great, so he gets props for being a slimeball?”

“Kinda.” She giggles.

Crazy as she is, I know what she means. We wouldn’t have been shopping all day for baby things because Mona would have never been conceived.

“What in the hell?” Harrison stands in the doorway. His dimples dig deep while he survey’s the room. “Is there anything left in the store?”

I sit up, laughing, and point at Liv. “She’s a serious shop-a-holic.”

“I know,” he agrees, smiling adoringly down at Liv. “How much does one baby need?”

“You have no idea, hon.” Liv gets up and plants a kiss on his cheek.

He shakes his head. “Did you have fun?”

“It was awesome.” Liv giggles. “They have so many cute clothes for girls.”

Harrison chuckles. “You know she’s not a doll, right?”

“I know that.” Liv socks him in the arm. “I just want my niece to be stylish.”

Harrison and I laugh.

“You have no idea, Harrison. Mona will outgrow most of these outfits before she gets a chance to wear them.”

“Whatever!” Liv rolls her eyes. “She’ll be cute.”

Harrison smiles and puts his arm around Liv. “I was going to hit the gym. You want to come?”

“Sure, I just need to change.” She turns to me. “You want to come?”

“Yeah…no, thanks. You two have fun.”

They leave, and I start sorting through the bags. I have to admit, the outfits are really adorable – all fifty of them. I can’t wait to see them on Mona. It’s strange how I envision what she’ll look like and sound like. I’ve heard women talk about how you can never understand a bond between a mother and her child until you’ve experienced it. I always scoffed at that. It’s clear to me now. I feel the strength of our connection already, and soon I’ll get to look into her eyes and tell her just how much I love her.  A life growing inside you changes you, gives you a different outlook on the world, and forces you to focus on the important things.

“What happened here?” Brady comes in the room, smiling, and sits down next to me.

“Your sister happened.”

Brady laughs, sliding his hand under my hair and draping it over my shoulder before running his nose along my jaw. “You smell nice.”

“I do?” I lift my arm and sniff. “That’s called sweat.”

“Okay, boner-killer.”

I laugh hard as he pulls away.

“Seriously, what is all of this?”

“Clothes mostly, some bedding, decorations, Diaper Genie.” I point at each item as I tick them off.

He stops me. “Diaper Genie?” He looks thoroughly confused.

I shake my head and smile. “You know, the pail you put the diapers in after you change her.”

He shakes his head. By his expression he’s clearly baffled. “And you leave this Genie thing in here?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“With shitty diapers in it?” He grimaces, obviously disgusted by the idea.

I hadn’t thought about it like that. “Yes, you put them in the Genie so they don’t stink up the house.”

He shakes his head in disbelief. “If you don’t want them to stink up the house, why not take them to the bin outside?”

Hmm. I can’t exactly answer that one. “I don’t know, but Liv says we need it.”

His deep laugh vibrates against my arm. “All right, what else does Liv say we need?”

I stick my tongue at him. “A warmer for the wipes.”

“For what?”

“You know, for wipes.”

He still looks confused.

“To wipe the poop,” I say, exasperated.

He rolls his eyes, his head falling back as he laughs. “Yes, I know what wipes are, but why do we have to warm them?”

I frown at him. “Because they’ll be cold on her little butt if we don’t.”

“Oh…okay.” He smiles. “That actually sounds nice.” His eyebrows lift as his head tilts. “Can we put it in the bathroom so I can use it?”

“No.” I smack his chest. He catches my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing tenderly. “We also got a car seat, a bouncy seat, a Bumbo seat, and an activity seat.”

“Because she’s going to be doing so much sitting.” I pull my hand from his and smack him again. “Ouch! I’m kidding.” He grabs my hand and holds it in his lap. “I just thought she’d need a blanket, a bottle, and us.”