Between You and I

It was a normal afternoon. I was home alone because Josie and Kate were at soccer practice. Kate had made varsity, which was nearly unheard of as a freshman, so she was ecstatic, and of course, Josie was teaching her everything.

There was a knock at the door. When I opened it, I saw the man I hadn't seen in fourteen years. Alex Gaskarth.

"Alex?" I asked, confused.

"Yeah." he mumbled.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Well, we've been home and I wanted to see how you were doing." he replied.

"A bit late for that, buddy." I snapped and slammed the door on him, but he stuck his foot out, so I couldn't.

"Can I please come in?" he asked. The desperate look on his face immediately softened me.

"Okay." I whispered and stepped inside so he could come in. He looked around.

"Where’s Josie?" he asked.

"Soccer practice with her sister, Kate." I told him.

“So you moved on.” he said accusingly.

“No. I realized I was pregnant a month after you left. Remember that night we had angry sex?” I asked.

“Oh.” he whispered.

“Yeah.” I replied.

“You should have told me.” he said quietly.

“When, Alex? When you wouldn’t return my calls?” I asked harshly.

“Well, you could have told the guys. Or told Bailey to tell them.” he reasoned.

“I did. They sent me money as well. I didn’t need you.” I said, raising my chin in defiance.

“Come on, August. That’s not fair to me.” he whispered weakly.

“You know what’s not fair? You leaving me to raise two kids on my own.” I shot back. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“You’re right. I was wrong. But I’m here now. That counts, right?” he asked hopefully. I sighed.

“I guess it does.”

“So when do they get home?” he asked.

“Around five or so.” I replied.

"Shit." he hissed.

"What?" I asked.

"They're going to kill me." he gulped.

"Hey, you brought it on yourself." I reminded him.

"I know." he sighed, plopping down on the couch.

"Would you like some tea?" I asked, heading into the kitchen.

"Yeah, that'd be great right now, thanks." he sighed, putting a hand over his eyes.

A while later, I heard Josie pull her car into the driveway.

“Alex, go hang in the basement. I’ll come get you when they’re gone.” I told him.

“Alright.” he nodded, jogging down the stairs.

The girls burst in.

"What's for dinner?" Kate asked.

"We actually have a guest tonight." I told them.

"Who?" Kate asked.

"You'll find out soon enough." I told them.

"I hate surprises." Josie groaned. I laughed.

"Go on and change and wash up. I'll put something together." I told them and they ran upstairs. I opened the basement door. "It's safe." I called. Alex came up.

"Where'd the girls go?" he asked.

"To go get ready for dinner." I answered.

"Oh." he mumbled.

"You're gonna have to face them sooner or later." I reminded him.

"I know, but you three seem so happy. I don't want to ruin it." he whispered. I didn't get a chance to reply because the girls came down.

Their eyes fell on Alex.

"Who's that?" Josie asked.

She obviously hadn't looked the mirror lately because Alex could've been an older, taller version of her with a penis.

"This is Alex Gaskarth," I started nervously, walking to Alex. "Your father." I told them. Alex and I braced ourselves for what was about to happen.

Notes

Title: Happy the Hard Way, Every Avenue

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xoxo

Hayley