by JA Low
I sag in my seat, feeling deflated.
“I’m sorry, Rhys.” Unable to look at him.
“Hey, you’re both adults. I get it.” Rhys tells me sounding more supportive than upset. “I don’t need to know the details of what’s happened, but if you hurt her, I will punch you where the sun don’t shine.” He points his finger at me, with warning.
“You don’t have to worry about Audrey getting hurt,” I sigh. I’m the one nursing the broken heart.
“You’ve fallen for her?” Rhys seems surprised he asked the question.
“Yes. I’m sorry.” No use hiding it.
“Why are you sorry?” Rhys tilts his head eyeing me.
“Before you left for London, you asked me to look after her. I did so as your friend,” I explain. “She missed you so much, and I guess I was the closest thing to you she had in her life.” Maybe I was only supposed to be in her life as a partner for a short time, help her see her true worth and protentional. And I guess I have done that; she’s got a job and bought an apartment. Every single day she blossoms more and more. “Audrey is beyond beautiful inside and out, and I guess we had you as a buffer between us. We started hanging out more and more. She needed someone to go to the opening of some art exhibition at the Met, or some fundraiser your mother was dragging her to, all the things she would call on you for. The more time we spent together, the more I guess the lines started to blur and, well, here we are.” I need Rhys to know what transpired between Audrey and I was real even if it was fleeting or maybe I’m trying to convince myself.
“What’s going to happen now?”
“She told me we’re just friends.” Well in not so many words but I got the gist.
“And how do you feel about that?” Rhys asks awkwardly.
“She’s young and has her whole life ahead of her. I’m happy with being friends.” Lies. Lies. Lies.
“Well, right…” Rhys clears his through feeling uncomfortable about the conversation.
“I’m genuinely surprised you haven’t punched me yet.”
“The day is still young,” he jokes.
“Ariana is mellowing you out,” I observe. “I like this new Rhys.” He’s a lucky bastard.
“She’s pretty great. That’s what the alarm was. She had set it on my phone, reminding me not to yell at you.”
“She did what?” I’m cracking up because that truly is gold.
“I know. She warned me not to embarrass Audrey by having words with you,” Rhys muses.
“Well, tell her I’m happy she did. Otherwise, I would be probably making a trip to the ER.”
32
Audrey
It’s been weeks since Stirling told me he loved me. Just as long since we’ve spoken. I miss the fool so much. But as the weeks dragged on, I became sadder but knowing Stirling like I do, I knew he needed time to sort through his hurt and mend that fragile male ego. I was shocked when he confessed his feelings to me that night and if I could do it all over again, I would have reacted differently. I would have told him I loved him too. I’m not sure why I freaked out that night. I think having Stirling finally saying those three little words to me made my brain snap and I was unable to compute them. And that cost me the man I love.
“Happy Thanksgiving, mom.” Stepping back into my family home, filled with so many memories. I miss living here because it’s lonely as hell living by yourself. Plus, I miss Patrice’s food. And I have to clean up after myself, do the laundry who knew life could be so exhausting. I could use a massage right about now. Just another thing I miss about living at home, the on-call masseuse.
“Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart.” She gives me a big hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“We have lunch everyday together at the foundation. You see me more now than when I lived at home.”
“I know but my baby’s all grown up and flown the coop. And I’m all alone.” She moans dramatically. “Oh, I forgot to mention something arrived for you today. It’s in your room.” Mom points toward my old room. I didn’t order anything online recently so it can’t be shopping. Unless it’s from a client and they have my old address. She shoves me hard down the corridor with a large grin on her face before ducking into the kitchen to check on Patrice. She must be drunk because she’s acting weird.
I open the door to my old bedroom, and immediately jump back, clutching my chest. It was the last thing I ever expected to see walking back into my old room. What the hell is my mom playing at?
“Happy Thanksgiving, Audrey.” Stirling stands before me with a bouquet of Autumn inspired flowers held out in front of him. I take the flowers and hold onto them. I want to hate his stupid face, but I can’t because he looks damn handsome dressed in jeans, a white button up with a blue pullover. And of course, he’s wearing my favorite cologne again. It’s my damn kryptonite.
“You’re a jerk face you know that,” I tell him honestly.
“Yeah, I kind of am.” He agrees with me. He looks so sad and pathetic standing there I can’t help but smile. Damn him. “I’m so sorry, Audrey. There are no excuses for the way I acted that night. Having a tantrum at my age is embarrassing but I did.”
“It was a dick move.” I’m grinning over the bouquet of flowers. No. I need to be angrier with him for a little longer than two seconds for what he did to me, but I don’t think I can because seeing him again right in front of me makes me realize how much I have missed him all these weeks.
“My ego took a beating and I fucked up,” he declares looking sorry for himself.
“Yeah, you fucked up.” Upon hearing my words Stirling’s face pales. “But lucky I love you though.” He stills and I can see he’s computing the words I’ve told him. His mouth falls open in a surprise as he gets it. “You heard me. I fricken love you. You big stupid man.” Throwing the flowers onto my bed as I jump into the man I loves arms.
“You love me?” he asks as he swings me around.
“Yes. And you better still love me otherwise and I’m going to be pissed.” I tell him.
“I do. I love you. I still fucking love you.” He grabs my face and kisses me passionately. And as soon as his lips met mine, I know everything is going to be okay. We loose ourselves in the kiss and fall back against the desk in my bedroom.
“I need you inside of me.” I whisper into his ear while my hands fall to his belt buckle. Stirling stills and looks over at my bedroom door.
“Did you lock it?” he asks I shake my head because I don’t remember. “Hold on.” He rushes over and locks my bedroom door.
“We probably have a good five minutes before mom gets nosey and checks in on us. Think you can be quick?” I tell him.
“Okay, well it’s clothes on then. Thanks for wearing a dress.” He eyes me up and down greedily. Stirling quickly unbuckles his belt, then unzips his jeans then stops. “Shit. I don’t have any protection with me. I didn’t think this would be happening.”
“We declared I love you, I think we’re fine. Unless you’re wanting to date other people?” I ask him.
“Oh hell no. You’re mine and mine alone.” He grins. “Now hands on the wall, little one. So, I can show you how much I love you with my dick.” Yes. Dirty talking Stirling is back! I do as I’m told and turn around; he lifts my dress and pulls my G-string to the side. “Remember be quiet.” He hisses as he nudges my entrance. “Shit, Aud. You’re already so wet for me.” As he slides into me, I let out a moan and Stirling’s hand wraps around my mouth keeping me quiet. “You’re coming home with me tonight, okay?” he growls into my ear; I nod in agreement. “Good, because I’ve missed hearing you scream.” As he thrusts hard into me making me buckle against him. His other hand holds my hip in place. “I’m so fucking thankful for you,” Stirling curses into my ear. “I’m thankful for your pussy.” He pumps into me harder. “I’m thankful for your breasts.” He accentuates his statement with a deep thrust. “I’m thankful for your lips when they are wrapped around my cock.” My eyes flutter shut. “I’m thankfu
l you love me.” He ends the dirtiness with something sweet and it pushes me over the edge. Who knew you could come from words? Moments later Stirling is chasing his own release, and I can feel him pumping inside of me. As quick and dirty as this was, it felt intimate. As if this solidified our relationship forever.
“I grabbed some tissues from your desk.” Stirling chuckles handing them to me. I press them between my thighs as he pulls himself off of me. Thank goodness I have an en-suite as I awkwardly hobble over to the toilet to freshen myself up.
“Happy Thanksgiving.” Stirling kisses me one last time before we step outside and face the inquisition.
“You ready?”
“Born ready, babe.”
Well, what a shit show Thanksgiving was. We were not ready for that. It started with Rhys’s interrogation of Stirling being there with me and it then escalated to my brother’s almost to blows. Rhys called Stanford out for sleeping with his ex then Stanford dropped the bombshell dear old dad slept with Rhys ex too. That was the kicker for Mom, as if my father hadn’t done enough damage to her world by fathering a new family. He had to add sleeping with his daughter in law to his bag of tricks. There is no coming back for me where Stanford and my father are concerned. What they have done to my mother and Rhys is disgusting and I don’t need nor want that in my life.
“And I thought my family were a handful,” Stirling jokes as we take the town car back to his apartment.
“You still love me after all that?” As I stay snuggled into his chest.
“It was touch and go there for a while.” He chuckles, which makes me whack his thanksgiving belly.
“Ouch.” He laughs rubbing his stomach. “I still love you. And you know what the real kicker is.” He leans down and whispers to me.,“I can’t wait to grow old with you.” He kisses my forehead ever so slightly.
“But you’re already old,” I joke.
“What till we get home. Your ass is mine,” he growls.
33
Audrey
New Year’s Eve
Turks and Caicos
Tears are streaming down my face as I watch my brother propose to the love of his life surrounded by family and friends and a whole lot of love.
“I love you.” Stirling kisses the top of my head as his arms wrap around me. Fireworks are going off on the beach, as a warm breeze flirts around us, as the frangipani’s scent dances across the breeze. My heart is ready to burst I’m so happy but then my stomach turns, and I don’t feel so well. Oh no. I need a bathroom. “Aud, are you okay?” Stirling looks at me with concern on his face.
“I think I have food poisoning. I need the bathroom.” I clutch my stomach.
Stirling grabs my hand, and he rushes us off the beach, but our villa is too far. I’m not going to make it. I fall to my knees and throw up in the middle of the tropical gardens. It must be love because Stirling holds my hair as I puke my guts up. His hand gently rubs my back trying to soothe me.
“Um, can you get me some ginger ale or something to settle my stomach?” I ask him, feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck. He hesitates not wanting to leave me in my hour of need, but I ask him to go, I’ll be fine.
“Audrey, is that you?” I hear Chloe’s voice. “Oh my God, are you okay?” She rushes over to me.
“I think ate something bad,” I say, feeling a little embarrassed she’s found me like this.
“Where’s Stirling?” She looks around wondering why he’s left me like this.
“I asked him to get me some ginger ale,” I explain to her, so she doesn’t think my boyfriend is a dick.
“How long have you been feeling sick for?” she asks, running her hand over my sweaty brow.
“A little while but this is the first time I’ve been sick.” Chloe looks at me with concern.
“Have you been feeling tired, exhausted?” I nod my head at all those things. “Your boobs hurt?” Yes. I thought it was because Stirling likes groping them so much he bruised them. “When was your last period?” I still. What the hell did she say?
“My period?” I try and think back to the last time I had it, but I can’t remember. Oh shit. Chloe must see the realization on my face.
“It’s going to be okay. I have a pregnancy test in my bag. Don’t ask.” She rolls her eyes. “Come to my room and let’s do the test and when we have a result we can worry about it then, yeah?”
“Okay,” I answer her through my sniffles. She helps me up off the floor. “Hang on. I have to wait for Stirling he’s going to worry if I’m not here.” As I frantically look around the forest.
“I’ll text someone to tell them where you are, okay?” Sounds like a good idea. Chloe helps me back to her villa and hands me the pregnancy test.
“I’ll be outside okay.” She shuts the door to her bathroom. Don’t freak out, Audrey. It’s going to be okay. There’s not a chance in hell you are pregnant. You’re on the pill. Just pee on the damn stick and in two minutes you will know it’s only food poisoning. I follow the instructions and do my business. I leave the little white tube on the sink and patiently wait for the little screen of dread to tell me which way my life will be heading. My heart is thumping so wildly I can hear it beating outside of my chest.
The two minutes is up.
I grab the test and stare down at the screen and I pray so much it’s food poisoning because I don’t know if I’m ready to be a mom. I know Stirling would make an awesome dad but me… I’m the downfall in this scenario. I’ve learnt to function as an adult and now I might have to keep another human alive.
I suck in a deep breath and turn it over and read the screen.
PREGNANT
Shit!
We were so careful. I don’t understand how this happened. Well, I know how it happened I was there. I don’t understand how this happened now! My hand shakily opens the bathroom door and I step out into the villa, and I see Chloe’s concerned face, then Ariana’s my soon to be sister-in-law. Chloe must have called her to come check on me, she’s family now.
“I’m pregnant.”
Chloe and Ariana stare at me unsure whether they should be congratulating me or consoling me.
“Are you happy?” Chloe tentatively asks.
“I don’t know. I’m in shock.” I burst out crying. Chloe and Ariana rush toward me hugging me tightly consoling me.
“What’s going on here? Is everything okay?” Rhys walks into Chloe’s villa surprising me I drop the pregnancy test and it falls at my brother’s feet. He bends down and picks it up.
“What the fuck?” He stares at the three of us huddled together.
“Finally, I found you. Got you some ginger ale, babe.” Stirling walks into the villa unknowingly into a volatile situation. Rhys turns and glares over at Stirling then down to the drink in his hand and he snaps.
“You fucking bastard.” He grabs Stirling by his shirt and pushes him up against the villa’s wall. The glass falls from Stirling’s hand and smashes on the floor into a million pieces. “You knocked up my sister!” he screams in his best friend’s face.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Stirling wrestles back confused as hell as to why Rhys is so angry at him.
“This, you fucker.” He shoves the pregnancy test into his face. Then Stirling stops fighting against Rhys and he stills. His head turns and stares at where I’m standing bawling my eyes out.
“You’re pregnant?” Stirling asks me his wide with disbelief.
“Yep. It wasn’t food poising at after all.”
Ariana walks over and pulls a fuming Rhys away from Stirling and as soon as my brother releases him he rushes toward me pulling me into his arms.
“We’re having a baby?” Tears well in his eyes.
“Yeah. Surprise.” I nod my head, feeling freaked out yet overcome by joy.
“You and I are going to be a family?” He asks, not quite believing the news.
“Yep. Looks like you’re stuck with me for life now.” Giving him a lopsided grin.
“Couldn’t imagine anyone else I would rather be stuck with.” Stirling kisses my forehead. “You looked freaked out.”
“That’s cause I am.” I chuckle.
“It’s going to be okay. I promise. You and me against the world.” He presses his forehead against mine and in that moment, I know that everything is going to be okay.
“Looks like you’re going to be an uncle.” Ariana elbows my brother who is still seething in the corner. His face softens as he takes in the reality of what she’s saying.
“I’m going to be an uncle?” Rhys smiles and hugs his brand-new fiancé. “I’m going to be an uncle!” He screams a little louder before rushing over and pulling us into a big bear hug. “Sorry about earlier I was in shock.” Rhys wraps his arm around Stirling’s shoulder. “Guess, I should officially welcome you to the family now then, brother.” Rhys slaps his best friend on the back.
Epilogue
I’m a dad.
Never thought I would ever say those words and certainly not this soon but here I am with a baby in my arms and life couldn’t get any better. Well, it could get better if this ring that is in my pocket is on Audrey’s finger.
“You look like such a DILF, standing there with our baby in your arms.” Audrey sighs from her hospital bed.
“That’s because I’m with a MILF.” I send a wink over out sleeping baby. She shakes her head at me. “Did you know little Archie made something for you.”
“Is that code for a dirty diaper?” She smiles shaking her head at me. I walk over with our little boy tucked in my arms.
“It’s in his hand.” I lean over her as she uncurls his tiny hand revealing a diamond ring.
“Oh my god.” She gasps holding the ring in her shaking hand.
“Audrey, I’ve known you for a lifetime, will you do me the honor of spending the next with me and Archie and however many more babies we may have.”