Page 115 of June: Jess' Story

I gulp audibly.Bandaid ripping now.“I slept with Damian. It was just sex.”

“You hoe!” Brit breaks the embrace, then picks a throw pillow up out of the chair and launches it at me, laughing as she does. “I fucking knew it! I could see it on your face!”

“Oh my gawd, keep it down. Your children are in the next room!” I whisper-shout. “Truly, it meant nothing. It was just me trying to get over Alex and him trying to get over Summer, and he already bolted. We can all mark ourselves safe from a Jess and Damian union.”

“Mmmkay,” Brit clicks her tongue and gives me a mischievous look.

“You’re not mad?” I was slightly worried she’d actually be mad.

“Literally, Liam is my human Valium. I could not care less as long as nobody is hurting you, or him purposefully. And it was just sex, right?”

“Yup.”

“Was it at least good sex?” Brit arches both eyebrows.

“Oh my gawd, I literally cannot talk to you about this.”

Brit laughs in my face. “Well, too late you already are. And yeah, I can tell it was good, you hoe bag.” She slaps my ass and heads for the office door. “Hey, maybe we won’t be in-laws, but we’ll be sister-wives instead?!”

“Gross.” If she wasn’t pregnant, I would pummel her with pillows.

THIRTY-ONE

Jess

Four Months Later

“We’re home!” I call out like I always do. I haven’t walked in on them…yet, but it’s bound to happen. I’m just trying to prolong the “yet” for as long as possible.

“Hi, babes,” Jamie says while he walks out of the kitchen, wiping crumbs off his mouth.

“Eden, go see Daddy.” I set her down on the ground and she bolts straight into her dad’s arms. I drop the swim bag in the coat closet, digging out our wet towels and swimsuits from our Mommy and me lessons.

“How was it?” Jamie asks, holding Eden under one of his arms as she flails and giggles uncontrollably.

“It was fine.” He follows me to the laundry room. “It was the snarky instructor today. You know, the one with the nose ring?” I roll my eyes and he does, too.

“God, she’s such a little bitch, right?” he asks, bringing a smile to my lips as I nod in agreement because he took the words right out of my mouth.

“Like how did she get a job working with babies?”

“I’m writing an email.” Jamie’s our keyboard warrior, I just laugh.

“Where’s Tommy?”

“Having lunch with Damian.” Oh.Cool. Cool.

“Fun. Hey, I’m craving pasta for dinner. I think I’m going to head to the store. Are you good to stay with Eden while she naps?”

“Yep. Take the day. Or whatever. We’re going to eat lunch, nap, and then watch the Great British Baking Show until our eyes bleed.”

I laugh. “Good God, man. I don’t care about your eyes, but let’s protect the baby’s. But it sounds fun.”

“It’s gonna be a blast.” He smiles at me. And I smile back.

Jamie passes me the other half of his sandwich once we’re in the kitchen, then I swipe the running grocery list off the fridge, and head to the backdoor for my car.

“Text me if you think of something else we need,” I call out.