He was going to get hurt.
“Thanks, Mom.” The sound of the door opening and a woman’s voice calling for Katie interrupted the call. “I’m sorry. I have to go. They’re here.” Good-byes were said and just before she ended the call with a “Happy Thanksgiving,” he said, “I’ll call you later tonight.”
He stared at the phone cradled in the palm of his hand. He never used to be obsessive about keeping his phone within reach, at least not until the funeral—until he and Katie became closer. Now, he carried it everywhere, just in case.
Leah patted him on the back and the noise of the kitchen grew louder as everyone went back to what they were doing, but his thoughts stayed with Katie for the rest of the day.
The moment Tyler stepped into his apartment, his phone chimed with an incoming text.
Katie sent another picture of her putting an enormous bite of turkey with mashed potatoes on top into her mouth with the caption: Goodbye morning sickness. I don’t miss you.
He laughed to himself and began texting back when he received another incoming text.
Katie: if my butt is bigger when you see me next, you’re not allowed to say anything.
Tyler: Promise. Not a peep from me.
He couldn’t imagine ever not appreciating her body. She was curvy in all the right places.
Katie: I think we’ll need to pinky promise on this one.
Tyler’s booming laughed startled Bubba, who was taking a drink from his water bowl.
Tyler: I pinky promise.
Katie: You’re still coming to Alexis surprise birthday party on Saturday?
Tyler: Wouldn’t miss it.
Katie: Good. Don’t forget your sleeping bag. If I have to sleep on the floor pregnant, so do you!
Tyler: I can’t wait until you can no longer use your pregnancy as an excuse.
Katie: That’ll be a sad day indeed.
Tyler: Can you talk right now?
Katie: No. It’s Mom and Billy’s one-year anniversary, so I’m babysitting Will at my grandparent’s house with Jenny and Kayla. We’re watching a movie in the living room while the boys are in the basement watching a recording of the game. Jenny has a no phone rule during girl time, but I hate this movie.
Tyler: Rebel. What are you watching?
Katie: Ugh! The Notebook.
Tyler: I thought all girls liked that movie.
Katie: Nope. I’m probably the only straight girl on the planet who doesn’t care for Ryan Gossling.
He sighed. For some reason that made him like her even more. This wasn’t a good thing.
Tyler: So how did it go today?
Katie: Better than I thought. I like them. They aren’t how Mom described, but she admitted they’re different from when she knew them. So I guess that’s good. There was an awkward moment of silence when Dad told them they were going to be great-grandparents. I was waiting for them to say, like mother like daughter, but instead Grandma gave me a hug and said she can’t wait to meet the baby.
Tyler could feel the relief in her words.
Katie: Oh man! I’ve been caught. I have to go, but I’ll call you when I get back to Portland.
Tyler: Have fun and I’ll see you this weekend.
She sent a happy face emoji in response.
He dropped his phone onto the kitchen counter and put the leftovers his mother sent home with him into the fridge while pulling out a beer.
Leaning against the counter, he took a long pull of his drink and thought about the day.
His mother surprised him by inviting Audrey and her parents over for pie. He hadn’t talk to her much since he returned from Alaska, and it was the first time they had all been together since right before she moved. What surprised him the most was how easy it was to talk to her. It was like they hadn’t spent nearly two years apart. She was making it difficult to keep holding on to his grudge.
Chapter Fourteen
November 2015
Tyler
The moment Tyler entered the McHenrys’ home, Katie’s laughter drew his attention. He dropped the large box he carried inside next to the front door and took another step into the busy entrance but couldn’t see her. The whole main floor was filled with friends of Alexis’s, busily decorating and moving furniture for her surprise birthday party.
He finally found her near the fireplace, smiling up at a guy on a stepladder who was hanging one side of a birthday banner. The guy’s mouth twitched slightly like he didn’t want to smile but couldn’t help himself.
The house was too noisy for anyone to hear or notice Tyler. It gave him a chance to watch her. He missed her even though they talked or texted daily. He couldn’t help smile as she tilted her head back and laughed again. The guy on the ladder rolled his eyes but could no longer hold back a smile.
Her slightly rounded stomach was more noticeable than the last time he was in town and even a little more from the picture she sent at Thanksgiving, just a few days ago.
He startled when Mica, a friend of Alexis, ran up to him and gave him a hug. Then he choked on his tongue when he noticed her clothes or lack of them. Alexis’s party was a sleepover and everyone was required to come in pajamas. Mica chose to wear something sexy and didn’t seem the slightest bit uncomfortable flaunting what she had.
“Whoa,” he said under his breath. They had met a few years ago, but it wasn’t until about six months ago that she began flirting with him. He didn’t take her serious, since she flirted with most guys, but he had to admit it was a bit of an ego boost.
“I didn’t know you were coming!” she said. Her excitement obvious.
He ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath as he tried not to stare at her breasts that were barely held in by the silky fabric. He lifted his eyes over her shoulder just as Katie noticed him. Her smile faded when she looked at Mica then down at herself. Her shoulders drooped and her hands ran down the front of her stomach.
After a long phone conversation with her the night before, he knew exactly where her thoughts went. She had cried for over an hour about being fat and how her cute clothes didn’t fit. He didn’t quite understand why she was so upset since she was pregnant, but he listened to her until she was done crying.
He met Mica’s eyes and gave her a tense smile. “Uh. Yeah, I wouldn’t miss it.”
She took his hand. “I need your help with something.” He felt sweat bead on his forehead and tugged his hand away from her grip.
“I actually need to talk to Katie, but I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
She stuck her lower lip out in a pout and sighed. “Fine, but don’t forget.”
He was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to even if he tried.
After releasing a deep breath, he turned his attention back to Katie, who was speaking to the guy on the ladder. He glanced over his shoulder at him with a menacing scowl.
This must be Jason.
“Hey!” Katie said as she walked toward him.
He pulled her into a hug. “Hello, beautiful.”
She tilted her head with one brow pulled up and groaned.
He braced his hands on her shoulder and forced her to turn around and face the full-length mirror near the front door. “Look in the mirror.” She rolled her eyes and turned back around.
The front door opened next to them forcing him to step closer. He braced his arms around her as two guys walked in carrying a homemade movie screen.
“Hey, guys,” Katie said, looking over his shoulder. “Can you hang that in the living room against the far wall?”
“No problem, Katie.” One of the guys said with a wink. She rolled her eyes again but laughed this time.
“He seems to like you,” Tyler pointed out.
She made a snorting noise before replying. “José is the male version of Mica. Give him two minutes and he’ll be shirtless in only boxers.”
She wasn’t wrong. The next time he saw José, he was wearing silky Christmas tree boxers and flirting with another girl.
; “Come here, I want you to meet my boss, Jason.” He relaxed, slightly relieved he was right and that Jason was just being protective of Katie.
“Jason? I want you to meet my good friend Tyler. He was Eric’s best friend.”
Her smile faltered for a brief moment but softened when Jason put an arm around her. He shook Tyler’s hand with an extra firm grip. “Nice to meet you.” Tyler didn’t quite believe Jason’s sincerity, but he was happy to finally meet the man Katie talked about all the time.
“Jason?” Mica called from behind Tyler. “Can you come help me?” Tyler bit back a smile when Jason’s eyes grew wide. He shook his head, but Katie pushed him toward the vixen.
“Thanks, Jason,” Katie said with humor in her voice.
He glanced over his shoulder with his jaw clenched. “You owe me,” he mouthed. She smiled in return while nodding her head. Tyler didn’t bother hiding his laugh when Jason and Mica turned the corner. Katie grinned with a twinkle in her eyes. “He’s going to make me clean the coffee shop toilets for that one,” she said as her laughter died down. “So worth it.” She sighed.
“Before I forget, this is for you. It’s from my sisters.” He picked up the box that he left by the front door.
“What is it?” she asked curiously.
“Not sure, they didn’t say. All I know is that I’m in big trouble if I don’t give it to you.”
She giggled as she pulled off the packing tape and opened the box. She drew in a breath then said, “Aww,” pulling out a couple of infant onesies. “Look how tiny,” she said with misty eyes. “This is so sweet of them.” She pulled out her phone from her back pocket and her fingers nimbly typed out a text.
“Who are you talking to?” he asked.
“I’m group texting your sisters,” she said with a growing smile.
His eyes narrowed and his head tilted to one side in confusion. He didn’t remember giving her their numbers. Before he could ask, she said, “Leah sent me all their phone numbers.”
“How did she get your number?” he asked in a tone that sounded slightly accusatory. He loved his sisters, but sometimes they were nosey busybodies who drove him crazy, especially if they went through his phone. He had nothing to hide, but he did have boundaries.
Katie’s hands fell to her sides as her mouth pulled down into a frown. “Alexis. Are you mad? If you don’t want me talking to them…”
“No. Of course not.” He ran a hand down her arm. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised.” In fact, he felt the complete opposite. He loved that she was friends with his sisters…even if they were nosey busybodies. At least they were loving busybodies.
Her phone began to chime with several return texts. Her smile returned and she showed him his sister’s responses. “You’re so lucky to have sisters.”
“So lucky,” he repeated with a bit of sarcasm. She looked at him between texts to ask him if he would carry the box to her car.
“Where did you park? I didn’t see your car out front.”
She retrieved her jacket hanging on the coat tree and pushed her arms through the sleeves. “I got permission from the church a few blocks down for everyone to park in their lot.”
Rain drizzled on them as they walked back from the parking lot to the McHenrys’. Katie seemed unfazed by her hair getting drenched and kept a casual pace until they came to a large puddle. The only warning he had was the slight sinister chuckle that escaped her mouth before she jumped in the middle of the puddle, splashing cold dirty water in every direction, soaking his whole left side. In return, he jumped in next to her splashing her back. She didn’t have a dry spot on her.
“I can’t believe you splashed a pregnant woman. Rude.” She lifted her chin high in the air and pursed her lips. It took only a few seconds of him staring down at her for her to break into a huge grin.
After she had stopped laughing, her body started shaking. “That might not have been a good idea,” she said with sobering expression.
Laughing, he wiped water from his face. “You think?”
Their steps quickened when Katie’s teeth began to chatter.
“Where’s Alexis?”
“My step-mom Jenny has connections at Kellar Auditorium and was able to get Tracy, Jeff, and Alexis into a dress rehearsal of Beauty and the Beast.” Her smile grew and her voice rose when she said, “Alexis was freaking out.”
Her phone dinged with an incoming text. “That’s Jeff. They should be here in fifteen.”
Once inside, Katie slipped off her shoes and socks and ran around the main floor making sure everything was ready and going over the plans for everyone, then she and Tyler ran upstairs to change clothes.
Katie came out of the bathroom wearing plaid pajama bottoms and a tight-fitting tank top that molded around her growing belly and showed off her breasts. Not that he studied her body before, but her belly wasn’t the only thing growing.
They made it down the stairs just in time for Alexis to walk in. She beamed with happiness as she made her way around the room hugging everyone and thanking them for her party.
Jeff and Tracy wisely took off for the coast for a few nights leaving the ‘kids’ to party.
It was Katie’s job to make sure everyone was fed, which kept her busy for half the evening. Alexis managed to guilt her into playing a few games, but somehow she always managed to sneak back into the kitchen.
By eleven more people were drunk than not and that was when the innocent games turned a little sexier. Normally, Tyler would’ve had one drink and been good for the night, but the birthday girl managed to talk him into several drinks. It was the only explanation of how Alexis managed to get him to sit in a circle to begin the next game.
The words “Truth” and “Dare” made his stomach drop. He could never be drunk enough to want to play this game. When he noticed Jason and Katie sneak away, he decided to join them but before he could stand, Alexis dropped onto his lap. She turned to face him. “You’re staying!” Her squinty eyes and pursed lips were a warning.
“Fine,” he grumbled.
She slid off his lap and sat next to him grinning ear to ear. “Let’s play!” she cheered, waving her arms in the air.
It didn’t take long for him to realize that every dare had someone stripping clothes off or flashing body parts and every truth had someone telling an explicit story.
He loved seeing women’s breasts as much as the next person, but this was way past his comfort level. His stomach twisted as it got closer and closer for his turn. He was looking toward the door that led to the kitchen, wondering how he could make his escape when Alexis said his name and the guys in the room started cheering.
He swore his heart jumped out of his chest and his tongue felt thick in his mouth when he turned to Alexis and said, “What?”
She wasn’t looking at him but across the circle at Mica, who was placing a chair in the center of the circle and pointed her finger at him. He looked behind him hoping she was pointing to someone. “What?” his voice rose with panic.
Mica giggled, as she stood in front of him then bent down to take his hands and forced him to stand. “Alexis dared me to give you a lap dance.”
He glared down at Alexis, her face was all innocence with her eyes big and her mouth open like she had no idea what Mica was talking about. Then she shrugged her shoulders and said, “I thought you needed a little pick me up.”
Mica took his hand and pulled him into the center of the room and pushed him down onto the chair. Someone turned up the music and she began to shake her hips then leaned toward him, giving him full view of her breasts. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, but it didn’t help calm his rapidly beating heart. Instead, he choked on the overpowering scent of perfume and hair product.
His leg bounced and his hands gripped the edge of the seat.
When he felt her on his lap, his eyes flew open and he realized she had turned around and was grinding her ass on his lap. She pulled on his hands until he released his grip on the chair
and placed them on her hips.
Once again, he closed his eyes and hoped the song was short. He managed to stay seated through the dance, but the whole time he was cussing out Alexis in his head. When the song ended, he stood bumping into Mica. Gripping his shirt, she said, “That was fun.” She went on her tippy-toes and planted a sloppy kiss on his mouth.
That was it.
There was no way he was sticking around a second longer. Leaving the circle, he heard Alexis call his name while laughing, but he ignored her and went to search for Katie.
He found her and Jason sitting on the kitchen island with forks in their hands and the leftover cake between them.
“You couldn’t warn me?” he growled, startling them.
Katie held her hand to her heart. “Good grief! Pregnant woman here!” She pointed to her stomach. “Don’t scare the baby!” He and Jason rolled their eyes at the same time. “And no I couldn’t. You have to experience the train wreck that is truth or dare first hand.”
His eyes turned beady as he stared her down. She smiled in return and pointed to his mouth. “You have a little something on your lips.” He wished wiping away the lipstick would also somehow wipe away his memory of the last three minutes.
Jason chuckled next to her. “I think the color looks good on you.”
Katie faced Jason and snickered. “Right?”
“You two couldn’t have included me into your escape plans?” he asked, not seeing the humor in any of this.
She shrugged and put another forkful of cake into her mouth. “I kind of wanted to stay in there to watch your reaction, but the baby wanted cake.”
Jason’s lip twitched.
“Think of the baby, Tyler.” She batted her eyes and bit her lip to keep from smiling. Katie handed him her fork as a peace offering. “But you’re right. It was mean of me not to include you and I apologize.”
He accepted her fork and took a bite of the best chocolate cake he had ever had. “A heads up would be nice next time.”
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