Page 31 of Power Move

“I don’t have the slightest clue what that means. Nor do I care, Davey.”

“Okay, but won’t you feel bad?—”

“I was raised in buttfuck by a dad who worked at a steel mill and a homemaker.”

“Yes, but you attended Oxford. You are obviously educated. You’re also well-connected with my sister singing your praises. Don’t bury your head in the sand.”

Eva sighed. “If you want to financially support this child, then we need to go to court. If you want to even be on the birth certificate, we need to formalize everything. Because, Davey, I am still an attorney, and I refuse to let you fuck me over.”

“I’m literally telling you I’ll do what you need me to and have no desire to fuck you over. Why do you think I am out to get you?”

“You made it clear you didn’t have to chase women—that your status made you a catch. When I decided to pull back, you got aggressive.”

“I put my foot in my mouth because I liked you,” I said.

“Operative part beingliked. Past tense.”

“I never said that,” I said quietly. “Or at least I don’t see it that way. You may think I’m the villain. That’s fine today, but we’re forever tied. Let me do the right thing here. You’ll see you can trust me. And that includes doctor appointments?—”

“My best friend is my support person. She’s coming to my first scan.”

“Why can you not?—”

“You must earn this, Davey. My trust isn’t given without blood, sweat, and tears. That goes for any person I’ve ever believed in. Forgive me, Davey, but I don’t know you. And to-date, all you’ve done is send me away crying.”

It hit me hard. “You’re right. I am sorry. I’ve not made a good impression. But I do want you to know I’m trying, Eva. That I will keep trying. And I want to be there for your appointments.”

“As if you have time!”

“If Cal can take off for every appointment as the fucking mayor, I will make it work.”

“Why is anger your only response?” Eva asked. “You’re angry even now. Whatever. I will… let you come if you can control this rage.”

“I’m not angry. I’m… determined.”

“Work on that,” Eva said. “Because even if your indignation is righteous, it makes me react in frustration.”

“I’ll work on it,” I sighed. “You sound like my sister.”

“She is a clever woman. She might be onto something.”

12.BLUBS

Eva

I arrivedat the doctor’s office with Ellie to find Davey absent—typical, I thought.

“Oh, okay. See, we thought your support person was already here,” the receptionist said. “He asked if he could wait on theotherside of the wall forprivacy.”

It dawned on me that Ellie had no idea who Daveywas,but I needed to tell her. I tried not to be offended or ashamed by his desire to hide this since hehadtried, but it irked me that men got awards for doing the bare minimum.

“Oh, well, he’s not my partner,” I said. “He’s the father, but… he’s not my support person.”

“Oh,” she looked confused. “Well, we can only have one person back for the ultrasound.”

Ellie squeezed my hand. “I will stay here. I’m here for you, but he should be there.”

“Ellie, you’re who I want. He’s just?—”