“Colter should be here soon. I think tonight could be the night if you know what I mean.”
“Oh. You sure you guys are ready for that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. We’ve been dating exclusively and he’s no virgin. Guys have expectations.”
“He’s not like pressuring you, is he?”
“No. He’s not like that.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Colter is one of the good ones. “How about I help you get ready for your big night.”
“You sure you’re okay? You know if you want to talk, I’m here.”
“I’m good.” What I can’t say is oh by the way I’m pregnant. It’s your dad’s kid. We’re in love, and I hope one day you’ll be okay with us being together. I’ve imagined the conversation in my head a gazillion times. None of the imaginary scenarios I’ve created have ended well. Rochelle can’t know the truth. Not yet anyway.
“You’ve not mentioned the guy you were so hush hush about lately. You still talking or whatever?”
“Kind of...complicated.”
“This is the older dude, right?”
“Mhmm. He works out of town a lot so you know.”
“I thought you said he’s in college?”
“Did I?”
“When am I going to meet him? You haven’t even given me a name. I’m your best friend. If you can’t tell me about him, then maybe it’s not a relationship you should be in.”
“I don’t want to fight about this. You know how nuts my parents are. They’ll like have him arrested or something.”
“Can they do that?”
“I don’t think so, but the threat would do plenty of damage.”
“Well enough about this mystery guy. Tonight we’re having fun.”
“Woo. Fun.” I hold up a red V-neck shirt. “What about this with your ripped jeans?”
“You think it’ll look okay?”
“Colter’s a motorcycle man. He’ll love you in anything honestly.”
“Like you know a lot about motorcycle men.” She giggles. “Wait. It’s not someone in my dad’s club, right?”
“What makes you ask me that?”
“Nothing. It’s just I thought I heard Colter and his dad talking about you being at the clubhouse, but I must’ve heard wrong. Or maybe they were talking about a different Alexa.”
“Probably.”
“Girls, Colter’s here,” Ruthie yells down the hall.
“Let’s go.”
“Ro, wait. Promise me you guys will use protection.”