Page 80 of Trying Not to Need You

Dixon: It’s all the pink. It’s gotten to him.

Sophia: I’m in. What time?

Me: Six.

Courtlynn: Do we have to wait that long?

Bowen: You’ll survive, brat.

Courtlynn: Bowen, you’re uninvited.

Bowen: Nice try. I’ll be there, Bay.

Dixon: I’m in.

Ellison: We’ll be there, too.

Leighton: What they said.

Me: Great. We’ll see you tonight. We’re just going to order pizza.

Bowen: I’ll take care of it. I’ll have my cook hook us up.

Courtlynn: Kiss ass.

Me: Court…

Me: Thank you, Bowen.

Bowen: Ha!

Me: Bowen…

Macklin: Best behavior, you two. My wife doesn’t need the stress.

I glance over at Macklin, and he’s grinning.

Me: Don’t be late!

I close out of the message and shove my phone back into my purse. I’m sure the shit-talking will keep going, but we have a phone call to make.

“Ready?” I ask Macklin. He nods, dials his parents, and the phone rings through his truck’s speakers.

“Son,” his dad answers.

“Hey, Dad. Is Mom with you?”

“Yeah, hold on. Honey! It’s Mac,” his dad calls.

There’s some rustling, and then his mom’s voice comes over the speakers. “How was the appointment?” she asks.

“Good. Both babies are growing as expected. Momma is healthy, too.” He reaches over and laces his fingers through mine.

“Macklin McBride!” his mom scolds.

Macklin laughs. “We also found out the genders.”

“Macklin!” His mom laughs, and so do the rest of us.