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Chapter Seventeen

Cadence

Have you ever felt like your life was surreal?

That everything you had known, and everything you were living in were so completely opposite of themselves that you actually pinched your arm to see if you were asleep?

That was me, that was now, that was everything I was feeling.

I had gone from living in a hell where my father was literally willing to use me, and now I had everything laid out in front of me like the damn yellow brick road.

And I was following that road, letting it lead me all the way.

Because I had already lost it all, there was nothing to run from. I was running straight up that beaten path, open armed, and wishing this dream would never end.

Stepping into the stairwell of Mia's apartment, I felt like the walls were trying to squeeze my sides and pop me.

This hall was not meant for pregnant women.

Quinn held the small of my back from behind, lending me a helping hand up the steep, twisting stairway. “This place is making me feel claustrophobic.”

“You're almost there, just a few more steps to go.” Gliding his fingertips softly up and down my spine, he crept up each foothold at my slow pace.

“I just don't understand why Mia insisted on lunch at her place. We usually meet out somewhere and get pampered, you know... Something fun.” Pausing, my foot hovered between two different stairs, letting me catch my breath. “And this... This is not fun.”

Chuckling, Quinn gave me a slight shove. “Come on, she's your best friend, keep moving.”

Grudgingly, I started again, grumbling under my breath. “Alright, alright, I'm going.” Waving a hand behind my back, I tried to swat at his chest.

But it didn't work, I couldn't twist enough in the teenie tiny hall to even get close to him.

Sweat had started to form across my hairline, a sharp pain sparked down my thighs, making me moan with annoyance.

“You alright? Is it the baby?” His voice was strained, searching for an immediate answer.

“I'm alright, just uncomfortable, that's all.” Gripping the railing, I continued my silent march.

Pregnancy had been kind to me for the most part. I dealt with the typical stuff I had Googled on the internet; heartburn, extreme fatigue,hot flashes—those sucked—and of course, the repeated kicking.

But now that I was hitting eight months, the end couldn't come fast enough.

Riley; yes we had picked a name...Finally.But the little hotshot had been spending his nights keeping me awake with some major gymnastics style tumbling, and his days making my stomach bounce from either hiccups or his daily peddling exercises.

Finally seeing the landing in my sight, I heaved a huge gust of air. “Oh thank God, the end is so close.”

“Are you still complaining about the stairs?”

“No, I'm done. But just be ready to give one hell of a piggy back ride when we leave.” Hitting the last and final step, I wiped my palms across my ribs, and gave a nice, loud,'Whoot, whoot!'Pumping my fist in the air, I turned, making a few air filled jabs. “I'm king of the world!”

“No,” Quinn said, shaking his head. “I'm king of the world, you'd be the queen.”

Tilting my head towards my shoulder, I asked, “Did you reach the top first?” Pointing down at him, I blocked him from taking that final step with my bubbled gut. “No, you didn't, I did. So call it what you want, but I rule, that's all I'm saying.” Stepping to the side, I let him pass by me.

Quinn let out a loud laugh, highlighted in sarcasm. “Well you were in front, of course you reached the top first.”

“Hey now, don't try and squeeze lemon juice out of an orange. I won, the bell has rung, and you,my dear,came in second place.”

“Don't give me a reason to challenge you in a real race.” Scooping his arms around my waist, he forced me back against the wall, spotting my neck in rough kisses.