Chapter Three

Chapter Three

I rounded the corner into the living room and saw all my friends crowding my mum and newborn daughter, cooing and smiling, genuinely happy to meet her. Mum passed her over to Kayla first who instantly held her to her chest and kissed her forehead. Jones shot me a look, a look that seemed to say;

Sh*t, I'm not ready for one of these. Help!

I couldn't help but laugh as I walked over to my group of friends and my mum left the room, leaving us all alone to chat and just... Hang out. Everyone sat down and took turns cuddling Haley.

'Don't be getting all broody'. I joked to the girls. Jones laughed awkwardly and I nudged his arm, purposely winding him up. When it was his turn to give Haley hold, I started wondering if he would get a tad broody. He was certainly smitten with her.

'Does anyone want a drink?' I asked my friends, the girls said yes but Jones didn't even reply, I didn't take offence, he was too busy cooing over the baby. Maybe he was more ready than he realised. I stole a look at Kayla who seemed to be in complete awe of them both.

I headed to the kitchen. Before I even got there, I could hear talking and just figured that my dad was home already but as I walked into the room, Mum was sitting having a conversation with Roman. I instantly felt awkward and just loitered in the doorway.

Mum looked up and noticed me.

'Whats up, honey?' I just shrugged. 'So.. why aren't you with your friends?' It was like I came back to earth and shook my head, forcing a smile.

'I, um... Drinks. They want drinks'. I announced and made my way to the fridge. I stuffed a few bottles of pop into my arms and turned around, closing the fridge with a quick swing of my butt and headed out the room again.

I passed the drinks around and sat down. Lea noticed my sullen mood and asked if I was ok. I just nodded and looked away. I knew she knew something was wrong.

I didn't have a problem with Roman. I didn't HATE him, but having him around, it was awkward and it probably will be for a long while. Especially now with... All the secrets. Our secret relationship, the paternity of my child... It was all just too much.

'Hey everyone, are you all staying for dinner?' Mum asked, coming into the room. My friends looked up, about to answer when Roman came in behind her. Lea shot me a quick look and again, my eyes retreated away.

'Thanks, Mrs B, but we have plans, we just came over to meet this little one'. Lea told my mum quickly before anyone could answer, she seemed to accept her excuse and they left again. 'Alex, a word?' she stood up and left before I could protest. Damn, she was good at that.

I sighed and got up, following her out the room and to a move private area;

'Is that why you're down in the dumps?' I shrugged. 'F*ck sake girl, he lives next door, he's your parent's friend and he's Haley's father, you're gonna have to see him'. I wanted to shout at her to mind her own business, but I knew she was just trying to be helpful and... well, she was right.

'You don't get it, Lea'. She rolled her eyes at me and it kind of struck a nerve. 'No, seriously, you DON'T get it ok, so until you do, don't judge me!'. I snapped and walked back into the front room. She didn't follow me, instead, I heard the front door slam shut.

Walking into the room, my friends looked up. I knew they wouldn't have heard the main bulk of our conversation, but they heard her slam the door on her way out and therefore, it was obvious that we had had some fall out.

'Everything ok?' Kayla asked as I sat down. I just ''hmmm''ed and looked away again. They knew not to pry when I was p*ssed off so they just kept their mouths shut and carried on giving Haley attention.

--

A little while had passed and dad had come home. My mum asked if the guys wanted to stay for dinner again, but they politely declined. I swallowed my pride and text Lea and apologised, I blamed it on the leftover pregnancy hormones and luckily, she was quick to forgive, she knows I'm going through a lot right now. It was no excuse, but I'm glad she understood. She was my best friend, I couldn't have her hating me.

Reluctantly, Jones passed Haley back over to me and we all said our goodbyes, it was nearly dinner time, so they were going. I promised him he could come back for cuddles another time. It was funny in a way, the only guy in our group who sore he wasn't a ''baby'' person was the one person who wouldn't let anyone else have a cuddle.

We all said our goodbyes and they left, just as mum called me into the kitchen for dinner, Great, here we go… 

This is going to be awkward...