The weeks passed quickly. At first, Darrell went about his life. He did his job, but he found he was often distracted and making mistakes. Unable to work safely, Darrell subcontracted the contracts he had open to another company, then he locked himself in his house, only ever leaving to buy more beer or to go to the bar and drink. He now spent all of his time with a beer in one hand and a shot of whisky in the other. He could not even recall the last time he was sober.
Darrell lay in his bed, drinking and staring at the ceiling, which was often spinning much as it did now. He lifted his head when he heard footsteps on the stairs. Someone was in his house. He was too drunk to deal with them. He tried to sit up as he watched Aurora reaching his loft. Deciding she was no threat, he dropped back down on the bed. “Unless you have come to give me a blowjob, please leave,” he growled.
“Fifty bucks, and I don’t swallow,” she said, coming to the bed.
Darrell lifted his head and looked surprised. “Really?” He asked with mild interest.
“No, stupid,” Aurora snarled as she pulled the pillow out from under his head and smacked him in the face with it. “You are lucky I’m not easily offended, or I would reach down your throat and pull your balls off from inside out.”
Darrell laid back down, ignoring the fact that his pillow was gone. “Then go away.”
“You have been locked in this house drunk for three months. Look at me,” she said, gesturing to her belly. “I have doubled in size since the last time you set foot outside this damn house.”
“So what?”
“You haven’t worked in weeks.”
“It is ok. I cleared it with my boss,” he teased.
Aurora sat down on the bed with him placing her hand on his belly. “Look, Darrell, I get it. You found a girl that meant something to you, and you got your heartbroken. But you can’t just wall yourself up in this house and drink yourself to death.”
Darrell looked deep into Aurora’s eyes. “Lower,” he said with a cheeky grin. Aurora looked down at her hand on his stomach, and then with her own grin, she slapped him hard in the belly. Darrell let out a painful grunt followed by strained chuckling.
“Pervert,” she laughed as she stood up.
Darrell rolled over, holding his belly in pain as he laughed. “I’m sorry, I could not resist.”
“Clearly, you don’t feel as bad as you seem.”
“Want to get some coffee in town?”
“Ok, but you are paying for the expensive one. Also, I drive.”
“No, I’ll drive,” he said, rolling out of bed and hitting the floor. He staggered in his attempt to stand, and it took a moment for Darrell to be upright on his own two feet.
Aurora folded her arms. “Oh, how are you going to drive when you see three roads ahead of you?”
“Easy, I drive down the middle one.”
“I’m driving.”
since right now, there are like five of you,” he said as Aurora allowed him to weigh heavily against her as he navigated
“Deal.”
staggering. He knew Aurora had agreed to go for coffee just so he would stop drinking whisk and hopefully sober up a bit. They walked up to the barista and ordered some coffee. While they were waiting for their drinks to be made, Aurora was telling Darrell how sick she was of being pregnant. She was due soon, and she felt fat and bloated. Every inch of her body ached, and she was not even sure if her shoes matched because she had not been able to see her feet in
he saw Katelyn seated with another man drinking coffee and smiling. She was dressed in
his way over to the table. “Well, if it isn’t
with surprise to see him in his present
are the new guy. I see the trend. First Nigel, not this doofus. You are all about the
drunk?” Katelyn asked.
he growled. “I’m
what I said.”
His mind was still foggy. “Cowboy,” Aurora said, walking over to hand him his paper cup. “Oh, hi,
up and hugged Aurora hello. “It is so good to see you. Wow, look at that baby bump you
with a smile. “It is not going to
chatter. I was trying to have an
stop pouting,” Aurora said. “So, she’s on a date.
The man began
No one was talking to you,” Darrell barked at the man, instantly silencing him. “Sit the fuck
intervened by
off me,” he growled, shoving Aurora away. She stumbled back and fell into a table knocking it and everything on it to the floor. Darrell looked at Aurora on the
fall,” with both hands on her
Aurora’s side. “We
“No hospital. We need to
a hospital would be more fitting,” the
growled as he helped Aurora walk to the door. Aurora could not drive while in labour.
Katelyn said. “You would kill
She
was with. “I’m sorry, Carl, but I have to go,” the man nodded that he understood. Katelyn held out her
“No,” Darrel growled.
her the God damned keys!” Aurora yelled at him. Darrell took the keys from Aurora’s pocket and handed them to
her up into Darrell’s truck. “Hold on, Aurora, the hospital is not far,” Katelyn said as she
Darrell said as he wedged the three of them into the front seat
“She needs a hospital.”
said, taking out his cellphone. He would
inside, nearly dropping her twice. He wished he had not drunk so much. Darrell carried Aurora to the bed
concerned that he might have harmed Aurora and the baby. He felt like an asshole.
deliver the baby, Katelyn suggested she and Darrell leave, giving her some privacy. As Katelyn ushered Darrell out
on the porch, Darrell proceeded to pace. “I’ll drive you home,” Katelyn offered.
it back on his head. “I hope I didn’t hurt the baby,” he said, feeling like an ass.
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!