Page 81 of Christmas Bubble

“How did you find out?”

“A friend saw her leaving a hotel with a man while I was away with the team and told me. When I confronted her, she confessed to being lonely because I was always away. When I asked her about the first pregnancy, she couldn’t even look at me. That’s when I went to the doctor to get tested for STIs, and while I was there, I also asked about my fertility. It’s ridiculous now to think we never considered one of us couldn’t conceive. She probably just assumed those babies were mine.”

Mom runs her hands through her hair. “My god, what have I done?”

“What are you talking about?”

She sighs. “I didn’t want to be a burden to you, so I asked Mel if she could come to help us fly back home.”

“What do you mean, Mom?”

“Oh, son. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done it. I’ll call her when we land and cancel.”

“Cancel what?”

“She’s flying to Connecticut and staying in a hotel while we make the arrangements at home. Then she’s flying back with us. I was just so scared of doing all of this with your dad on my own.”

The announcement for the landing comes on.

“It’s okay, Mom. It’s probably a good idea. She’s someone you know and trust to help you get home.”

She scoffs. “Well, my trust in her has changed severely in the last few minutes, but if life has taught me anything, it’s that sometimes we have to fight one fire at a time.” She holds my hand in hers. “And what about that young man who was at the cabin with you? We may be old, but we’re not blind. Dad and I talked about it. We think your age gap could be a concern in the future, but we saw how he looked at you when you weren’t looking, even in that short call. If you two love each other, then we’re happy for you and fully supportive.”

I smile, bringing her hand up to my lips.

“Thank you, Mom.” As soon as we’re home, I’ll call Curtis and set up another date. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us. I have to trust that what we had in the cabin was real, and if I have to fight that shithead who turned up at his doorstep, then I’ll do it.

30

BUBBLE

I heara noise at the front door and, soon after, steps approaching my room. I close my eyes.

“You can pretend all you want, but I know you’re awake,” Juju says. “I’m going to put a pizza in the oven unless you want me to destroy your kitchen with something a little more gourmet, like a salad?”

“Salad isn’t gourmet. It’s just stuff tossed in a bowl.”

She jumps on the bed and tickles me. “So youareawake.”

“Get off me, ridiculous woman.”

“Make me.”

I turn around and start tickling her back. We end up on the floor, tangled in my bed covers and laughing until we’re crying.

“Thank you for being here,” I say as we lie facing each other.

She grasps my hands close to her chest.

“Ew, I’m touching boob.”

“Shut up,” she says. “We’re having a moment.”

“We are?”

“Yes. The moment where I tell you that you need to stop moping around and pull yourself together. Okay, so you miss him. He’ll be back soon, and you can get back to having all the hot sex.”

“What if something bad happened?” My heart starts palpitating. “What if he’s in the hospital and can’t talk, and there’s no one with him. Oh my god, Juju, we need to start calling all the hospitals.”