I shrugged my shoulders. “Things were different back then. She’s changed. I’ve changed.”
Tobias rubbed his temples as if he had a headache. “Just tell me, you guys never… Not when we were kids…”
“No,” I said quickly. “I never looked at her that way when we were kids, I swear. Trust me, how I feel about her now came as a shock to me too. It was a shock for both of us.”
“You really care about her?” Tobias asked, his voice weary.
I nodded. “Yes, I do. More than I’ve cared about any woman in my life. It feels weird for me to say that, but it’s true.”
“And it’s weird for me to hear that, but…”
“But what?”
Tobias shrugged. “I guess it could be worse.”
At this, I could only laugh. “Yeah, it could be. So thanks.”
“I mean it,” Tobias said. “It’s going to take me some time to get used to, but I know you’re a good guy. Just don’t get too comfortable. Because I’ll still kick your ass if you ever hurt her or break her heart.”
“Trust me, I know that.”
Tobias moved toward me, his hand outstretched. I clasped it, and before I knew it, we were hugging. “Sorry I went so ballistic,” he said. “I know I can’t protect her forever, but I also know I don’t have anything to worry about if she’s with you.”
“Apology accepted, man.”
We separated. “Have you heard from her lately?” Tobias asked.
I shook my head. “No. I wanted to ask you if she was all right.”
Tobias swore. “I haven’t seen her in a few days. I don’t know what the hell is going on or where she ran off to. Do you know I’ve got a few strands of gray hair now? I know she’s the reason for it.”
“Wait,” I said, “…she hadn’t been staying with you?”
“No. She packed up and left. And it’s my fault. Of course, I never would have kicked her out, but I can’t say I’ve been exactly hospitable to her lately.”
“I’ll help you find her.”
Tobias nodded. “Thanks. I have a feeling something isn’t right.”
“Me too,” I said, trying to keep my panic at bay.
CHAPTER 24
Joanna
Tobias had either been working late at the office, or staying out of the house longer than normal simply so that he could avoid me. Either way, after taking the pregnancy tests, I was grateful for his absence. It had taken me a while to get over the shock, but when I did, I began packing my bags and I called the first person I thought of.
“Hello? Joanna? Oh my god, what’s wrong?” Libby’s voice had said on the other line.
“Libby, I need a place to stay, just temporarily. I hate to be a burden and to ask for such a huge favor at the last minute like this—”
“Of course you can stay with me,” she had said, cutting me off. “Come over as soon as you need to.”
I’d sniffed back tears. “Thank you, Libby. I’ll be there in a little while. And I’ll explain everything.”
“Did you just seriously wipe me out of my second tub of ice cream?” Libby said with a frown. It was two hours later, and I was sitting on her couch, holding back tears. Libby had been patient with me, respecting that I needed time to work up to telling her my story. I had requested ice cream along the way, and she happily served me some.
“I’m sorry. I’ll buy you some more,” I said. “I’ve just been craving it lately.”