The Coaching Hours (How to Date a Douchebag #4)(83)

Only ONE time this week did I ask Rex to run and fetch me potato chips. Fine, and French onion dip. Seriously though, you can’t eat one without the other, and I was craving it so bad. He must think I’m so gross, I ate almost that entire bag myself—don’t know if that’s something I should be putting in this diary, but I’m trying to be honest.

Nothing says honesty like getting drunk on chips and dip.

My dad and Rex have had a reckoning of sorts, and they’re finally getting along, better than they did when Rex was working for the team as the manager. He and I went over again this weekend, and he helped my dad rake the yard then we all had dinner, mashed potatoes and gravy and OH MY GOD, IT WAS SO GOOD. Did you know Rex is from Iowa, too? He grew up not too far away, and his mom sent me a few bags of really good hot chocolate mix and marshmallows last time he went home. It was so sweet and it is SO GOOD.

Crap, I just realized this entire letter has been about food.

Promise that’s not all I do, LOL. It’s just the only thing I talk about.

I’m not even that big yet. You still can’t tell I’m pregnant, at least not from the back. Maybe from the side, if you’re looking for the bump. I’ll attach a picture.

Love,

Miss you.

Anabelle





Dear Elliot,



I had to break down and buy a new, long puffy coat. My one from last year no longer fits. Thank God I’ve been saving money, because holy cow staying warm is expensive. I’ve been searching for a part-time job, on campus if I can manage it, for some extra spending money. Storing it away like a squirrel.

There is one job that sounds perfect. It’s in the registrar’s office and carries some actual responsibility, which would be nice.

Yesterday I finally had someone ask if I was pregnant, so I guess you CAN tell, LOL. I was taking off my jacket in a contract law class and one of my classmates (a guy) was sort of checking me out from head to toe. When he got to my stomach his whole expression changed. He goes, “Whoa. You’re not knocked up, are you?”

I don’t think I was embarrassed, exactly, more caught off guard because I wasn’t ready for it. I should probably start preparing myself for more of those reactions. Of course he was horrified; we’re in college—who the hell wants to be pregnant? I was his walking, talking, living nightmare. Bet he went home and thanked Jesus he’d never slept with me.

Rex said I should forget about it and that the guy is an idiot, but I thought about it all night, and here I am writing about it, so it must have really bothered me, right? Rex was just being sweet, as usual, trying to take my mind off it.

Last night I caved and let him rub my feet. It felt so good I almost fell asleep while it was happening. I went to his place and instead of going to the movies like we’d planned, we ended up taking it old school and renting a few. Nothing like the early 2000s to bring back a flash of old memories…not to mention that foot rub.

I should totally angle for another one soon—it was bliss.

Have a great weekend. I won’t be around—Madison is springing for a hotel room in the city and we’re going to do some holiday shopping. My goal is to stay off my phone.

Talk soon,

Anabelle





Dear Elliot,



You know, I haven’t wanted to bring this up but it’s been weighing on me. When a woman is twenty weeks pregnant, they can find out if their baby is a girl or a boy, and my obstetrician asked if I wanted to find out. I don’t want to tell you because I know you wouldn’t want me finding out without you, and I know you wouldn’t want Rex to come to the appointment with me.

Madison is no help anymore. She is all over the place, freaking out about final exams, which I should be doing, too, but for whatever reason, I’m retaining EVERYTHING. I swear, this baby is giving me superpowers—I’m soaking up information like a sponge, retaining everything they’re teaching in class. I could recite legal terms blindfolded—next time you call, let’s see if I can actually do it. I’m going to be the best friggin’ lawyer.

If I ever have time to become one. Haha.

It’s freezing here, but I won’t talk to you about that. I saw on the news last night Michigan is getting slammed with bad weather. Eight inches of snow in one night?! That’s crazy. Do you ski? You’re in the perfect state for it. I used to go when I was a teenager, but never when it was below twenty degrees. Probably because one year, I stayed out in the cold too long and one of my big toes got frostbite. Was that too much information?? LOL, it seemed relevant to the conversation.

Back to the point, I’m dying to know if it’s a girl or a boy. How do you feel about that? How do you feel about not being here?

Rex said you probably wouldn’t care since you’re not here anyway, but I have no desire to add that to the list of things I already feel guilty about.

Anabelle





Elliot,



I felt it kick yesterday for the first time.

A real kick, not a flutter. It startled me. I was in class, taking notes (remember my superpowers?), focused on the professor’s lecture when it happened. My hand flew to my stomach and I held my breath. I know it sounds dramatic, but it kind of was. It’s all becoming so real now that I’m showing and can feel movement. It’s surreal. I feel big as a house even though I know I’m not, not like I will be in January or February.