by Kendall Ryan
It seems like all the chemistry between us that I’ve been trying to deny, all those heated stares over the last few days, rush to the surface. I lean in, and so does Bailey, until she’s close enough that I can press my mouth to hers. A small gasp of surprise parts her lips, and I use it to my advantage, sucking her plump lower lip between mine and deepening our kiss.
She kisses me back with skill and certainty, the certainty that yes, we should absolutely be kissing right now. Like nothing else matters in this moment except for the stroking of her tongue against mine. And, oh my fucking God, it’s perfect. Her mouth fits seamlessly against mine, and I swallow a low groan when I feel her fingers thread into the hair at the back of my neck.
I tell myself this kiss has nothing to do with the things I overheard my douchey cousins whisper when Bailey came out in her bathing suit. It has nothing to do with her adorably drunken come-on last night. I just wanted to kiss her.
And the kiss doesn’t disappoint.
She’s breathing hard now, and her thighs press together as I imagine there’s an ache building between them. An ache I’d be more than happy to tend to. Well, that is, if I were able to, but fuck it, I’d risk sitting out the rest of the season if I meant I could have Bailey. But that dangerous thought is interrupted by the sound of footsteps thudding up the stairs. We pull apart just in time.
My mother appears in the doorway.
I’m breathing hard and my cock is standing in a full salute, but my mother is so distracted, she doesn’t notice.
“Nora’s water broke!”
Mom’s out of breath like she ran all the way here. And maybe she did. My oldest sister and her husband are staying at my mom’s house, which is a couple of streets over. “They’re on their way to the hospital.”
I jump up from the bed, making a quick adjustment, and rush over to her. “Holy shit. Are you serious?”
“It’s time!” she says happily, unable to wipe the huge smile from her face.
I turn to Bailey, who’s now standing too, also smiling. “Should we go? We should go to the hospital, right?”
Mom pats my shoulder. “Babies take time. Take a shower and get something to eat, then come up a bit later.”
I nod. “Okay. I can do that.”
My heart is pounding hard. I’m not sure if it’s because I was just kissing Bailey, or because my mother almost caught us, or because my sister has just gone into labor. Probably a combination of all three.
My mom bounds back down the stairs with excitement, and Bailey steps into the hall after her. “I’ll shower and get ready quickly. This is so exciting.”
I want to kiss her again, but instead I just nod. “Meet you downstairs?”
She gives me one last appraising look, and then disappears toward her bedroom.
• • •
We’ve been stationed in the waiting room of the obstetrics wing of the hospital for going on five hours now. Courtney and Amber are playing a card game at the other end of the room. My mom is sitting with Steve on a love seat, and Lolli left two hours ago to go to bed. Bailey is sitting in a chair beside me, fiddling with some word-search game on her phone.
The last update we got from Nora’s doctor was that it would probably be another couple of hours until the baby is here.
I stretch and look down at my phone for the time—almost midnight. I guess my mom was right—babies take time, especially first babies. I can’t help the nervous knot forming in my stomach as I worry about Nora. I hope she’s okay. But they’d tell us if there was anything abnormal, right?
Turning toward Bailey, I extend my legs out in front of me and bring one arm around the back of her chair. “It’s late. You should get out of here. At least one of us should get some sleep.”
Bailey’s gaze meets mine with a playful look. “And miss all this free hospital coffee? No way.”
I chuckle. “Have it your way.”
She looks around, her eyes smiling. “It’s actually pretty cushy for a hospital waiting room.”
I shrug. “That’s California for you.”
Neither of us has mentioned it, but I can’t stop thinking about that kiss. Can’t stop replaying the eager way her tongue met mine, or the feel of her fingers threading into my hair. The thought of it gives me chills on the back of my neck even now, hours later.
Another hour slips by, and I think I doze off for a few minutes, as uncomfortable as it is folding my lanky frame into a stiff waiting-room chair, I somehow manage to sleep. But when my mother bursts through the doors and I’m suddenly wide awake. She’s just come from visiting Nora’s room.
“It’s almost time!” Mom’s practically vibrating with excitement. “I just got kicked out because Nora has started to push.”
I look to Bailey, whose eyes are wide and not the least bit bleary. Maybe she’s used to pulling all-night hospital rotations, because this doesn’t seem to be affecting her like it is me.
“What does that mean? That the baby’s almost here?” I ask.
Bailey tilts her chin, considering how to answer my question. “As a first-time mom, pushing can take anywhere from twenty minutes to three hours, unfortunately.”
“Come on, Nora,” I say in a quiet cheer, and Bailey gives my hand a squeeze in silent support.
Thankfully, it’s only about forty-five minutes later when my sister’s husband, Todd, bursts through the doors, breathless and with a huge smile on his face. Mom jumps up from her seat, then we all do, crowding around him.
“It’s a girl!” His voice is filled with such reverence as he says this, and his eyes are a little watery.
Mom immediately breaks down in tears. “Another little girl,” she says softly, tears now sliding down both cheeks.
“Seven pounds, one ounce.” Todd huffs out each word like he’s just run a marathon.
“And Nora?” I ask.
“Nora’s great. She did amazing.”
We all take turns looking at the couple of blurry pictures he managed to snag with his phone—my tiny, splotchy pink niece lying naked in a bassinet, her mouth open in a wailing cry. Her swaddled and resting peacefully on Nora’s chest as they gaze at each other.
A lump lodges itself in my throat.
Bailey touches my shoulder, her warm palm sliding over it. “Congratulations, Uncle Ashe. You okay?” she asks softly when she meets my gaze.
I sniff and rub my eyes. “Yeah. Just something wrong with my damn eye.” As I wipe it again, Bailey’s knowing smile is sweet and not the least bit mocking.
“I’d better get back in there,” Todd says, pocketing his phone.
“Congratulations, Daddy!” Courtney calls after him.
By the time Nora is transferred from the birthing suite to a maternity room, it’s the wee hours of the morning, and we all leave to head back to the house. It’s pitch-black outside and cool in the parking lot, and when I see Bailey shiver, I wrap one arm around her, guiding her to the bright yellow convertible.
When we reach the house, Lolli is still up and has a stack of warm pancakes waiting for us, along with crisp bacon and orange juice.
I groan when I see the spread. “Lolli, you’re fucking amazing.”
She sighs and shakes a spatula at me. “That mouth is going to get you in trouble.”
Bailey throws me a cautious look from across the table, her mouth twisted in a wry smirk. Suddenly, I want to show her just how much trouble I could get into with my mouth, and preferably, as soon as possible. Instead, I settle for a large stack of pancakes and six strips of bacon while Lolli demands information about the new baby.
We tell her everything we know, which isn’t all that much, then finish eating in exhausted silence. Even Bailey, who was so chipper at the hospital, is slumped over in her seat. She takes a few bites of her food and then rinses her plate before placing it in the dishwasher. Lolli shoos her away from the sink before she can do any more.
“Thank you, Lolli. Love you,” I say with a press of my lips to her cheek. “Sorry fo
r cursing, it’s just . . . bacon. It brings out the cave man in me.”
“I understand,” she says, taking my plate and glass from me to load them into the dishwasher.
My sisters have already disappeared upstairs, and Bailey is looking sleepier by the second.
“Come on,” I say, putting my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go get some rest.”
“See you all in the morning,” Lolli calls.
I don’t point out the fact that it’s already morning. Hopefully, we can all sleep late.
• • •
And that’s exactly what happens, because after I say good night to Bailey and brush my teeth, the next thing I know, it’s noon and I’m waking up to a sun-filled bedroom. The house is totally quiet as I make my way downstairs in search of coffee.
Turns out, there isn’t any. And there’s no one in the house either, which is strange. Bailey’s bedroom door was open and the room was empty when I passed by. I work on making a pot of coffee for myself since I apparently missed the breakfast rush.
A lot happened yesterday, and as I wait for the coffee to brew, I can’t help but re-examine it all. That kiss I shared with Bailey was fucking perfect, and then becoming an uncle and watching Bailey’s joy, and seeing how well she fit in with my family . . . it’s a lot to take in. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, but I’m feeling emotional, like I’m the one who had pregnancy hormones or some shit. Speaking of, I wonder how Nora and the baby are doing this morning.
The sound of laughter interrupts my thoughts, and I wander to the windows with a mug of steaming coffee and peer outside. Bailey is out on the sand, lying on a beach towel between Courtney and Amber. She’s wearing that pink two-piece bathing suit I saw her put into the dresser drawer our first night here, and my first thought is damn.
Soft, pale, creamy skin. Cleavage I want to bury my face in, and so many delicious curves I want to discover over and over again.
They’re laughing about something, cracking up, and Bailey pushes her sunglasses up to wipe tears from her eyes before flopping down onto the towel again. She looks so small next to my sisters, who have both always been on the taller side.
A stiff wind would blow her over. We’re no match physically. So, why is that so appealing?
The idea of protecting Bailey and being the one to care for her is intriguing to me. Maybe it’s because she’s been looking after me these last few days? I’m not even sure that makes sense, but it’s the only explanation I’ve got.
“Whatcha doing?”
Lolli’s voice from behind me makes me jump. I turn and force a smile. “Nothing much.”
I take another sip of coffee as Lolli peers around me to look out the windows. Then she makes a knowing sound and smiles at me.
“Mm-hmm. Why don’t you get your suit on and go out there?”
I don’t think that’s a very good idea—not with Bailey out there looking like a fucking snack.
“I’d prefer to stay in. You have anything you need help with?” I ask, hope in my tone.
Lolli shakes her head. “I’m good.”
“Any light bulbs that need to be changed?”
She gives me a blank stare. “I said I’m good.”
What does she not understand about this? I need something to occupy me. Something other than the images running rampant through my brain about getting up close and personal with Bailey’s curves.
“Any laundry I could do for you?” There are six people staying in this house. Surely, there are towels and sheets to wash.
Lolli purses her lips and gives her head another shake. “Now I know something’s up if you’re volunteering to do laundry. This wouldn’t have anything to do with that gorgeous girl out there in her bikini, would it?”
“’Bye, Lolli,” I grumble.
After refilling my mug, I take my coffee upstairs to sulk in peace while Lolli stands in the kitchen, grinning at me like she knows something I don’t.
As I’m walking away I hear her mumble something about me taking one too many pucks to the head.
8
* * *
Nacho Average Goose Bumps
Bailey
This morning, for the first time since we arrived, the house is quiet.
It was late morning when I woke up. My internal clock is out of whack from our late night at the hospital, but it was totally worth it to see the look of pride and love that covered Asher’s face when it was announced that he had a new baby niece. He’s such a softie when it comes to his family, that much is obvious.
For the past few days, there has been no shortage of noise in this house, regardless of the time of day. So, when Amber, Courtney, and I come in from the beach to a mostly silent house, it’s actually a little unsettling. Tess and Steve are hosting some of the other family members at their house, and as for Lolli, there’s a light pink sticky note on the counter that says she’s making a grocery run. But that leaves one very important person unaccounted for.
“Has anyone seen Asher?” I ask, pulling my denim shorts from my beach bag and shimmying them up my legs. I’m a little self-conscious in just my strappy pink bikini now that we’re not on the beach, but Courtney and Amber show no signs of changing out of their respective tankini and one-piece suits, so neither will I.
Amber shrugs as she hoists herself up onto the kitchen counter, her legs dangling off the side. “If he’s still asleep, I’m going to give him so much shit.” The second the curse word slips out, she slaps a hand over her mouth, only to peel it away when she remembers that there are no young ears in the house. “Phew. It’s nice to be able to let a few swear words slip. I’m not used to being around kids and having to watch my mouth all the time.”
“Welcome to the life of a teacher,” Courtney says teasingly, referring to her own line of work. “Speaking of which, my kiddos usually eat at noon, and so do I, so I’m famished. What do we have in the way of lunch supplies?”
One look in the refrigerator, and I immediately see why Lolli ran out to get groceries. The fridge is looking more than a little empty after three full days of feeding a small army.
“It looks like we’re doing leftovers,” I say, scanning the shelves of plastic leftover mystery containers and condiments. “Unless anyone is in the mood for pickle spears dipped in hot sauce. Because that’s about all we have.”
“We could always just wait until Lolli gets home,” Amber says.
Courtney widens her eyes hopefully. “Or we could pick up something on our way to visit Nora at the hospital.”
Amber shakes her head and taps her blank phone screen. “No visiting Nora until we get the go-ahead from Todd. We don’t want to step on any toes. Which is why we should just wait it out until Lolli gets home with food. We can all eat lunch together, and maybe by then we’ll have news on Nora or the go-ahead to visit them at the hospital for a visit.”
It’s a sensible plan, but the enormous rumble that comes from Amber’s stomach mid-sentence is evidence that that plan is not going to work.
Cue the three of us going full search mission on the kitchen.
Courtney takes the pantry while Amber and I cover the fridge and freezer. Between the three of us, we come up with most of a block of cheddar cheese left over from burgers, a Tupperware container of sloppy-joe meat, and a plastic bag of cold pancakes, courtesy of Lolli’s late-night cooking session. Quite the assortment.
“Bingo! Look what I found.” Courtney pulls her head out of the back of the pantry and proudly holds up half a bag of tortilla chips. “And, bonus points, they aren’t even expired!”
“Soooo, nachos?” I say, grabbing the block of cheddar off the counter.
Amber, who is still petitioning that we wait for Lolli to get back with groceries, is the first to poke a hole in my nacho plan. “What about protein?”
Courtney folds her arms with a huff. “Leave it to you to worry about a well-balanced meal when we’re two seconds away from wrapping a hot dog in a pancake and calling it lunch.”
&nb
sp; I laugh while secretly making a mental note to try that out sometime. Pancakes and hot dogs? That sounds like the best PMS food ever.
“What about the sloppy-joe meat? Could barbeque nachos be a thing?”
Courtney looks at me like I’ve just solved world hunger. “That might be an actual stroke of genius. What do you think, Amber? Yay or nay?”
The skeptical look on Amber’s face quickly fades into a curious smile. “Is it bad if that actually sounds kind of good?”
“Nope.” I laugh. “Sounds like a good thing to me. Because that’s exactly what’s on the menu.”
Never underestimate the power of three hangry women, because with a little teamwork and a lot of cheese-based motivation, we have a full tray of nachos prepped in no time. After a few minutes in the oven, we have an end product that slightly resembles a failed seventh grade science project. A very messy, very delicious-looking failed science project that I can’t wait to dig into.
We don’t even bother to divide it onto plates, opting instead to put the baking sheet of nachos in the middle of the kitchen island for easy sharing. It reminds me of the sleepovers I used to have with friends growing up, where we used to share pepperoni pizzas or trays of brownies. As we each pull a chip from the cheesy barbecue mess, I feel just like a kid again.
Courtney lets out a guttural moan as she chews. “Oh my God. These are amazing. We need to have these every summer.”
I turn to Amber to ask what she thinks, but the fact that she already has a chip in each hand says it all.
It looks like we’ve officially started a new tradition of barbeque nachos at Lolli’s house, and I can’t help but smile knowing that, with all this family has given me this week, I’ve made some small contribution, and a connection that feels really genuine.
After a few more chips, we decide that we need to have Lolli pick up more tortilla chips and sloppy-joe meat so that the rest of the family can try our new creation. Amber grabs her phone to give Lolli a call, but based on the way her brows shoot up her forehead when she looks at her phone screen, I’m guessing we finally got an update on Nora.