“You’re all mine,” I moan into her mouth. “Say it.”
“All yours,” she gasps as I suck on her neck.
“Forever.”
“Forever.”
29
Rex
Two Months Later
I shake out my hands, an attempt to stop my palms from sweating, and take a calming breath before opening the door.
I’ve never been so nervous, walking into a church.
My nose wrinkles at the scent of wood polish as I walk down the aisle separating the pews. Rick is standing on the pulpit at the head of the room. His attention moves from the Bible on the lectern to me as I grow closer.
“Pastor Adams,” I greet, sliding those sweaty palms down my jeans.
I’ve never been a flustered person.
Nervousness isn’t the norm for me.
“Rex,” he says, sliding his glasses off his nose and setting them down next to the Bible. “This is quite the surprise.”
Yesterday, Carolina’s divorce was finalized. James had been fired from the university two weeks after Carolina talked to the dean. His story hit the news outlets, so everyone knows what a scumbag he is now. Carolina considered returning to school but ultimately decided to take online classes, unsure of her career dreams now.
“I want to marry Carolina,” I blurt out before the nerves get the best of me and I pass out.
He blinks, as if he’s unsure he heard me correctly. “Excuse me?”
I stand tall, straightening my shoulders. “I’m in love with your daughter, sir, and I would love nothing more than for her to be my wife.”
It’s old-fashioned as fuck, asking for Rick’s blessing, but I want the guy to like me. My anxiousness is the fear of him saying no since he’s never been a fan of mine. Sure, it’d look bad if I proposed without asking for permission … but it’ll look real damn bad if I do so after he didn’t give me his blessing.
Him saying no won’t stop me from asking her to be my wife.
Call me an asshole.
I give no fucks.
He stares at me, his eyes unreadable, before gesturing for me to follow him. Neither of us mutters a word as we walk down a narrow hall and land in a small office. Clearing his throat, he perches on the edge of the old wooden desk, his stern eyes pinned to me, and he clasps his hands together in front of him.
“My daughter’s relationship with you has always concerned me,” he states.
So far, not going so well.
“I didn’t like it,” he continues. “With your reputation, I worried you’d hurt her or be a negative influence, but you’ve proven me wrong.”
Shock smacks into me.
Not where I thought this convo was headed.
I stand there, not saying a word, as he keeps speaking. “You’ve been a pillar of strength for her, and I appreciate that.” His hands unclasp, and he throws them out my way. “I apologize for judging you, for doubting your intentions, but hopefully, you understand my concern.”
I only nod.
Is this a yes?
I nearly fall on my ass when he stands to hold out his hand.
“I’d love nothing more than to welcome you into our family.”
Hell to the motherfucking yes.
I shake his hand, unable to contain the smile taking over my face.
30
Carolina
“I can’t believe we’re moving into our own house!” I squeal, jumping up and down with the new set of keys in my hand. “We’re going to decorate, and I’m going to have nine million bookshelves and a great kitchen to bake in!”
Rex’s game took off, breaking nearly eight hundred million in sales in the first week, and there’s already talks for a second one. To say I’m proud is an understatement.
A few weeks ago, he asked what I thought about us moving into Chloe’s house.
Living together.
Him and me.
I was ready to start packing as soon as he asked.
Today’s the big day, and lucky for us, we have a team of helpers. Maliki, Kyle, and Gage are here to assist us with the heavy loading. Also helping is Rex’s half-brother, Trey, and Lauren’s brothers, Dallas and Hudson. Chloe and Lauren are here, and they dragged Lauren’s sisters-in-laws, Willow and Stella, here to be Team Unpack.
Before moving in, we had the walls freshly painted and new flooring installed. The new furniture we’d purchased was delivered and assembled three days ago, so all we need to do is unpack and relax in our new place.
“Man, am I going to miss my old bedroom,” Trey says, standing in the doorway of the guest room before walking in and falling back onto the full-size bed.
Trey lived here with Chloe before they moved in with Kyle.
“You can spend the night here whenever you want,” Rex says, patting Trey on the back when he stands.
I dodge Maliki carrying a box down the hallway and stop at the empty room that once belonged to Chloe’s niece. Resting against the doorframe, I imagine the possibilities. My thoughts are broken by Rex’s voice.
“Pizza is here!” he yells, paying the deliveryman and grabbing the stack of pizza boxes from him.
We move, unpack, eat pizzas, and drink beer, and six hours later, the gang leaves. It’s been an exhausting day, but it was worth it.
“Have you decided what to do with the spare bedroom?” Rex asks while helping me clean up the kitchen. “I’m thinking”—a smirk passes over his face—“game room?”
I dry my hands off on a dish towel and shut the dishwasher. “I have something else in mind.”
He raises a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
“I love your surprises.”
“Why?” I laugh, shaking my head. “Because they normally end up with us naked?”
He snaps his fingers, a boyish smile on his lips. “Exactly why I love them, babe.”
“Hopefully, you’ll like this one.” I gulp before moving around him and grab my phone from the counter. Unlocking the screen, I pull up the photo I found on Pinterest. My eyes stay fixed on his face as I wait for his response, afraid to miss an expression that crosses it.
He scratches his head. “Uh …” His eyes dart from the phone to me, back to the phone, and then to me. “A baby room?”
“A nursery,” I correct, dragging the phone away from his puzzled face and setting it down.
His dark eyes widen. “Is this you saying you want to be my baby mama?”
I nod.
That boyish smile of his lights up as if he’s on top of the world. “Seriously?”
I play with my hands, a shyness hitting me. “I know we haven’t been dating that long.”
Rex reaches out, grabbing my face, and runs his hand along my chin. “Are you serious, babe? We’ve pretty much been dating since high school.”
“You’re okay with us having kids?”
“Fucking ecstatic. I say we start now.”
“That might not be my only surprise,” I whisper.
“Two surprises? I like this.”
His hand falls when I pull away. My heart gives a twist in my chest when I grab my purse and retrieve the small box I shoved in there earlier.
“Whoa,” he says, his eyes zeroed in on the long stick I pull from the box. “Is that what I think it is?”
I nod again, the pregnancy test in my hand, afraid to speak as color stains my cheeks.
He advances a step, staring at me, speechless for a moment as his eyes widen. “Holy fuck … we’re going to be parents?”
“We’re going to be parents,” I confirm.
An intoxicating grin lights up his face as he grabs mine.
There’s no stopping my smile from matching his.
I’ve always wanted to be a wife and have children.
It’ll be even better when my best friend, the man I love, is by my side.
Our eyes meet, his gleaming with excitement, and his thumb strokes my cheek. “You know what this means, ri
ght?”
“What?” I don’t tell him I know exactly what it means—me gaining weight, crankiness, spending thousands of dollars on baby stuff, having our entire lives change.
“Your parents already think I’m corrupting you—”
I interrupt him, “They do not.”
He snorts. “Wait until they find out I knocked you up out of wedlock.”
“They’ll get over it,” I grumble, scowling.
His hands leave my face, and he gives me a quick peck on the lips before turning around.
My eyes narrow as he leaves the kitchen, disappears down the hall, and then returns with nothing.
Okay, maybe he returns with nothing physical, but his mood has shifted. Even though his excitement is clear, a wave of nervousness pours from him.
He clears his throat, and the way he’s staring at me—full of affection, adoration, love—gives me goose bumps. “I want to return the surprise.”
“Okay,” I draw out.
Seconds later, when he drops down to one knee, my hand flies to my mouth, and I nearly fall on my ass. I peer down at him, taking in the man I’ve loved since high school—who brought me out of my shell, who made me believe I was more than just the quiet preacher’s daughter—and I know that I never want to lose him.
“First comes love.” There’s a slight tremble in his words. “Then comes marriage … and then comes a baby in a baby carriage.” He reaches up, his palm spreading out along my stomach, and rubs it.
My heart nearly explodes out of my chest when he fishes a jewelry box from his pocket.
The tremble in his voice is gone, replaced with a confidence that is full Rex. “Carolina Adams, the girl who stole my heart, who let me corrupt her with tequila the first day we hung out, and the woman who made me want to be a better man. I wouldn’t be where I am now had you not been by my side every step of the way, being my biggest cheerleader and putting up with my shit. We have the love. Now, will you give me marriage before we put our baby in a carriage?”
Tears are in my eyes, my hand going back to my mouth, and this time, it’s my voice that’s trembling. “You have such a way with words, babe.”
He grins that grin I love. “Gotta give a man credit. Now, what do you say? You’re scaring the shit out of me down here.”
I gesture for him to stand, then swing my arms around him as soon as he’s on his feet and kiss every inch of his face, the word, “Yes,” leaving my lips between each of them.
He rubs his thumb over his bottom lip when we separate. “Damn, it was easier for you to agree to be my wife than to write a Shakespeare paper.”
Epilogue
Carolina
Six Years Later
I’m shaking my head, trying my hardest to act annoyed, as we walk into Sierra’s backyard. “You spoil her way too much.”
“What?” Rex asks, raising a brow.
I nod toward the sparkly pink unicorn cake in his hands. There was only supposed to be one birthday cake at the party, but Esme insisted she wanted a unicorn one.
What Esme wants, her daddy gives her.
“And River isn’t spoiled?” he asks, tipping his head toward the Power Ranger cake I’m holding.
“Eh, good point,” I mutter.
Like Esme, River tends to get what he wants.
“I wonder how many times this will happen,” Rex says.
“This is only the beginning,” I sing-song.
“Oh, the perks of having twins.”
That’s right.
We have twins.
I nearly fell off the ultrasound table when the tech told us. I had her check it again, just in case she’d forgotten how to count, but nope, two babies were inside me. No wonder I’d been eating so many bags of Peanut M&M’s. I was eating for three, and that required a lot of M&M’s … and ice cream … and carrots dipped in salsa.
Rex gagged every time I ate the carrots.
Who would’ve thought the two go well together?
Pregnant Carolina—that’s who.
Even though I was a terrified mess, knowing Rex would be by my side put me at ease. No matter what, together, we make a great team.
The twins are already in the backyard in their swimsuits, waiting for us to give them the go-ahead to get into the pool. We do when we notice Willow sitting at the edge of the pool with her feet in the water. She gives us a wave while she plays lifeguard. Dallas is next to her, watching the other side of the pool as the kids splash each other.
“Oh, look, another cake,” Sierra comments when I set mine down on the table. Next to it is a tall three-tier cake with a dump truck on it.
“Next year, we’re sharing one cake. I don’t care how many tears are shed,” Maliki says. Walking over to us, he’s shaking his head, while Molly is behind him, counting down the reasons she needs an iPhone.
“Have fun convincing Rex of the one-cake rule,” I comment as Rex slides a stack of plates down the table to make room for the unicorn cake.
“I’m cool with that,” Rex says. “Just make sure the boys are okay with a pink cake.”
“I never said it couldn’t be the one that my son picks out, which it will be. I said, one,” Maliki corrects.
“Of course,” Sierra mutters with an eye roll.
A baby boom hit Blue Beech. The same day I planned to announce my pregnancy, Sierra did, too—neither one of us knowing about the other. Four days after I gave birth to Esme and River, Sierra had her baby boy, Jax. He’s a mini Maliki, exactly like his daddy with dark hair and his laid-back attitude.
That same year, another three baby girls came into the Blue Beech world. Kyle and Chloe adopted Callie. The sweetest in the bunch—sorry, Esme—who always shares her snacks and doesn’t mind being last in line. Gage and Lauren had their little girl, Ava, who’s as outspoken as her mother. Then Mia came, Stella and Hudson’s glamour girl, who’s already a fan of makeup and handbags. Dallas and Willow’s son, Easton, was also born that year. While Callie is the sweetest girl, Easton is the sweetest little boy.
Our nights out have turned into playdates. We make them fun, and it helps that Sierra created the perfect backyard oasis. They had a pool installed and a massive custom play set built, and they have a roomy outdoor grill area. The kiddos love the pool, and since there are so many of us, each couple takes one-hour shifts, watching them swim.
“Dad!” Molly whines, interrupting us. “My birthday is in two months. Let’s call it an early birthday gift.”
Maliki shakes his head. “I’m not buying you a phone to text Noah all night.”
“That’s her boyfriend,” Jax says, running over to us in his swim trunks, Scooby-Doo floaties wrapped around him.
“Ugh, he’s not my boyfriend,” Molly yelps.
“But she wants him to be her boyfriend,” Maven, Dallas’s daughter and Molly’s best friend, cuts in.
Molly shoots her a dirty look.
“I think it’s cute,” Sierra says, sitting down at the table. “Maliki’s daughter dating his best friend’s son.”
“She’s not dating anyone,” Maliki growls.
I grab a soda and sit down next to Sierra. “Noah is Cohen’s son, right?”
She nods. “He’s such a sweetheart. Cohen got him a phone, and he loves texting Molly.” She glares at Maliki. “He texts her on my phone, which means Molly always wants it.” She holds her arm up. “I vote yes to the phone.”
Molly jumps up and down, clapping her hands. “Yay!”
“I need to talk to Cohen about this,” Maliki grumbles. “No way am I having my daughter date a kid who hits on all the waitresses at his dad’s bar.”
Sierra rolls his eyes. “He’s a preteen.”
“Preteen or not, I don’t give a shit.”
Rex collapses in the chair next to me with a bottle of water in his hand, and I tune out Molly, who’s still presenting her cell phone argument.
I relax in my seat, watching them play in the pool. “Can you believe they’re five years old?”
&
nbsp; “Time has flown.” Rex reaches out and squeezes my thigh. “I say, we make another.”
“Time for bed,” I call out.
Esme yawns, tipping her head back to look at me with sleepy eyes from where she’s sitting on the floor between my legs. “But, Mommy, I’m not tired.” Another yawn.
“Honey, you can barely keep your eyes open.” I wrap the hair tie around her braid before kissing her forehead.
She loves when I braid her hair before going to bed, and then I undo it in the morning since she got her mama’s hair—thick and dark.
“Hey! I’m not tired!” River shouts, running into the living room, clad in a Power Ranger costume.
River also inherited my thick, dark hair, but he got his height from Rex. Esme, on the other hand, is small like me.
“I wonder why you’re not tired,” Rex says, walking into the living room in gray sweats and a tee. “Is it because you snuck an extra slice of cake?”
“Maybe.” River grins before pushing the Power Ranger mask over his face.
“There is absolutely no doubt he’s your son.” I laugh, shaking my head.
Rex rushes over to River, playfully throwing him over his shoulder. “This Power Ranger needs his energy to fight crime tomorrow!”
River bursts out laughing as Rex carries him to his Power Ranger–themed bedroom.
“Your turn, sweetie,” I say, helping Esme to her feet.
We hold hands while walking down the hallway into the pink bedroom Rex had professionally painted with unicorns and castles. I read her a short story, kiss her good night, and turn her night-light on before leaving the room. Rex comes out of River’s room at the same time, and we cross paths—me going to River’s room to kiss him good night and Rex doing the same with Esme. It’s our nightly routine, but we switch every night, so each one gets quality time with us alone.
We’re in the same home we bought years ago, but we’ve talked about building a new house since Rex’s games have been so successful. We’ve saved enough money to pay for it with cash and not have to worry about bills constantly. If we decide to expand our family, we’ll definitely need more room. It’ll be sad, leaving Chloe and Kyle. We’ve grown so close, and Esme and Callie have become close friends.
Just Friends (Blue Beech) Page 24