by Kate Benson
“Hmm,” I press my lips to hers. “How are you gonna do that?” I tease, making her smile. “I’m pretty sad.”
“Yeah, you are pretty pathetic,” she teases, her lips so close to my mouth they feel like feathers. “I have a few ideas.”
I release a low hum into her mouth, savoring in her taste as she presses her lips to mine. A moment passes and she pulls away with a giggle, swiftly popping a piece of her grilled cheese into my mouth.
“Lame,” I reply around the bread as roll my eyes playfully, making her smile wider. “That’s not what I want.”
“Well, what do you want, baby?” she laughs, wiping the butter from my lips.
“You wanna know what I want?” I challenge, making her smile wide as she nods back at me. “I’ll tell you what I want, woman,” I continue, biting down on the last half of the sandwich she’s still holding between her fingers. “Come here.”
I lift her from the counter and carefully throw her over my shoulder. She squeals and I relish in it, giving her ass a sharp smack as I turn and make my way down the hallway that leads to our bedroom. When we make it inside, I toss her carefully onto the bed and cage her in possessively.
“You’re an animal,” she laughs, tearing the bread from my lips and taking half of it for herself. “I can’t believe you took my sandwich.”
“I’m about to take a lot more than your sandwich,” I promise, the threat holding less weight as it slips out around the bite I’m still chewing.
“Yeah?” she beams, her voice coming out just as garbled as mine. “What could be more invasive than taking cheese from a pregnant lady?”
“Why don’t you bend over, and I’ll show ya?”
Thirty-One
evie
My eyes flit up as I hear his heavy footsteps coming down the hallway before he stumbles out into the living room. Vinnie scrambles in a half second earlier, jumping into my lap as I watch Dash round the corner. He squints at the harsh light coming in from the balcony and shields his eyes, the long strands of dark hair shooting from the top of his head in ten directions making me smirk through my yawn.
“Jesus!” he hisses, his hands wrapping around his bare chest in offense. “It’s freezing. What are you doing sleeping on the couch, baby?” he asks, his eyes lowering to the red string bikini that’s recently earned its way into early retirement. “And where’ve you been hiding that?”
“Hot flashes,” I explain. “We need laundry soap, and this is the only thing I could find that wasn’t making me sweat like a whore in confession. I’ve been awake off and on since like two a.m.,” I continue. “I didn’t want to wake you and I couldn’t get comfortable, so I came out here, put the baby gate up for Vinnie and opened the door.”
“Yeah, I saw him,” he yawns and leans over to kiss my hair before he grabs his hoodie from the hook by the door and moves toward the coffee pot. “I rolled over to kiss you and he almost clawed my fucking eyes out.”
“I’m sorry,” I laugh, glancing down at my cantankerous companion, my voice shifting into one I reserve only for him. “Why are you being a grumpy boy to Daddy, Vin?” I croon. “Be Mama’s sweet boy.”
“You better speak up or he ain’t gonna hear you out of that funky ass ear,” Dash teases, earning a look as he joins me on the couch. I shift to sit up and he shakes his head, instead raising my feet to his lap. “So, two a.m., huh?” he asks, pulling a nod from me. “That sucks, baby. You should’ve gotten me up.”
“You were sleeping good,” I sigh. “Besides, this insomnia’s given me lots of time to think about things.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“Like how I’m pretty sure you got me pregnant on top of the bar at Walt’s,” I admit, making him chuckle. “You know we can never tell them that, right? If they ever ask, we lie. It happened at the beach and it was magical as fuck,” I insist, my voice hitching slightly as I face him. “You promise me right now!”
“I promise,” he smirks against his mug. “Did you have any more contractions?”
“Yeah, but they’re still kind of all over the place,” I sigh, taking his hand in mine when he rests it on my thigh. “I’m pretty sure they’re fake, but I’m still going to ask the doctor.”
“Good girl,” he nods his approval, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before he releases his grip on me and moves his palm to my belly. “I guess I can’t talk you into staying home again?” he asks, pulling a sleepy shake from my head. “I figured,” he sighs. “Just don’t overdo it today,” he insists. “And if you start feeling weird at all, call me and I’ll come get you.”
“I will,” I promise, flashing him a smile before I rest my head against the arm of the couch, watching him as he continues to stroke my skin.
“Not much longer now, pussycat,” he says low, sipping from his coffee as his eyes stay in place. “Just a little over two more months.”
“If we’re lucky,” I agree as I shift uncomfortably. “I’m not sure how I’ll ever make it ten more weeks. I’m running out of room in there.”
“Well, your tits look fantastic,” he reassures me with a wink. “I’ve always been a fan, but you’re really outdoing yourself this morning, sugar.”
“Stop corrupting my babies, you perv,” I chuckle. “You know they can hear you, right?”
“Nuh uh,” he narrows his eyes in disbelief, his cup coming to a stop in front of his lips. “Since when?”
“Since like three months ago,” I beam, laughing harder when his jaw falls open slightly.
“For real?” he asks, the volume of his voice dropping slightly as he gestures toward our bedroom. “They heard all that shit I said to you in there?”
“Among other places,” I smile. “Yes.”
“Well, this is awkward,” he snorts as his fingers move over my belly with affection. “It’s not what you think, tots,” he whispers, making me giggle. “We were at the beach. That shit was magical.”
dash
“Are you sure you don’t want to take the truck?” I offer as I reach for my keys and pull the door open for her. “I don’t mind dropping you off, baby. I’m just gonna feel like a dick if you have to wait on me to get through traffic.”
“It’s fine,” she yawns and shakes her head. “I’m really tired, it’s getting harder for me to reach the pedals and even though I’m pretty sure these are fake contractions, I don’t really feel like driving through one right now.”
“You could just stay home,” I remind her, not surprised at all when she ignores the words. “Fine,” I relent, kissing her hair before I lead her down the steps and out to my car. “Come on, monster.”
Evie greets Sue and I can’t help but smile, even if that smile is bittersweet knowing there’s a good chance our days are numbered. I still haven’t talked to Evie about my intent on selling her. I’ve only gotten a few serious calls and while I have no intention of keeping it from her, there’s no point in stressing her out until I know it’s a done deal. Still, with the way my bank account is looking right now, it’ll take one hell of a miracle to get around letting her go.
“Do you have a lot to do today?” she asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“No,” I shake my head. “I’ll only probably be out for a few hours today. The shops are always busy on Friday, so after about lunchtime, no one’s gonna have time to talk to me,” I explain. “I’ll text you to check in but call me if you need me to come get you.”
“I will,” she agrees. “Dash, you know I don’t care if you work at a bar, right?” she asks, reaching for my hand. “It’s not all bars I have a problem with, it was that bar.”
“I know, baby,” I squeeze her hand in mine. “And if things don’t pick up soon, I might have to go that route, but garage work won’t keep me at work until a quarter to four. I’d rather be home at night with you.”
“Okay,” she sighs, turning to face me as we pull up to the entrance of the studio, her eyes full of apology. “Listen, I know I fly off the deep end like … every ten minu
tes,” she admits, making me smirk. “And I wish I could blame all of it on my hormones, but we both know that’s bullshit.” My smile widens. “But when it comes down to it, I do trust you. That before was…” she trails off, shaking the emotion away before she refocuses on me. “You know that, right?”
“Yeah,” I nod, resting my palm on her neck to pull her lips to mine. “And you really should because you’re too hot to cheat on and I don’t have a death wish,” I tease, making her smile more genuine despite her feigned eye roll. “But yes, I know,” I sigh, pulling her back to me when she starts to make a dramatic exit. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I spend the bulk of the morning sweeping what’s left of Austin for work before I finish my errands and call to check on Evie. She’s feeling alright, but between the contractions, a backache and her exhaustion, it doesn’t take much for me to convince her to take her home.
I step into the gallery a few minutes earlier than expected, the awkwardness of being around a few of her friends still very real, but thankfully fading. I take a seat on the edge of her work bench and I watch her work in silence, admiring her movements as she sweeps a fresh stroke of bright green against the earth tones covering the base. It’s a new piece, something she’s only been working on for a few days now, but the small smirk that brushes over her lips tells me it’s coming together.
She finally got the feature she wanted, the girl she painted in the park that night I went to talk to her. It hasn’t sold yet, but it was starting to get the buzz it deserved and her confidence with the brush was finally starting to return to her.
It’s been a pretty spectacular thing to watch unfold.
But then everything is with Evie.
“Hey, Baby Daddy,” she says, and it pulls my eyes back to hers, my smile instant as I watch her pluck her ear buds away and take a step toward me. “You been here long?”
“Just a few minutes,” I stand and kiss her forehead, wiping a smudge of paint from her jaw before I glance back over at the painting. “It’s looking good. I like that green.”
“Well, you should,” she admits as she smooths my shirt out and glances over her shoulder before her eyes come back to mine. “You inspired it.”
“No way,” I argue, but I can’t keep the wide grin from spreading across my lips. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Can’t stop, won’t stop,” she bites my chin. “Reminded me of your eyes.”
“No shit?”
“That happens when you’re loved by an artist,” she nods, kissing the afflicted spot. “You get to live forever.”
I stare back at her, my eyes moving back to the painting for a second before they lock back on hers and I smile even wider.
“Aww,” I gush dramatically, my tone teasing although her words make me feel anything but. “Babe,” I continue my obnoxious display, making her cheeks heat as her eyes narrow. “You love the fuck out of me.”
“You’re so dumb,” she chuckles and gives my arm a playful smack before she tries to squirm out of my hold.
“Don’t be like that, babe,” I tease her. “You can’t help it if you’re obsessed with me.”
“Oh, my God,” she rolls her eyes, ignoring my chuckle. “Get off me. I hate you.”
“Liar,” I force her lips to mine, finally releasing my grip before I stand to help her clean up her things. “You only hate how crazy I make you since you’re all in love with me and shit.”
“Alright, Captain Jackass,” she snorts, pulling my eyes to hers. “Why don’t you go tell that story to your tattoo artist?”
“Evie Grace,” I gasp as I feel my jaw drop, unable to hide my amusement at her reaction.
“Eww! What?” she asks. “Why are you middle naming me?”
“Well done, princess,” I beam. “That was a solid burn.”
“Yeah?” she laughs. “Did you like that?”
“I ain’t even mad at you.”
She’s about to respond when my phone begins to chime in my pocket, and I glance down at the unfamiliar number, promising to be right back as I kiss her hair.
“Hello?” I answer, stepping out onto the sidewalk
“Hi, I’m calling about the ad?”
“Cool,” I lie, the way a piece of my chest sinks undeniable. “What do you need to know?”
“I actually called before. Three, maybe four weeks ago?” he starts, prompting me to pace the square I’m standing in nervously. “Is it still available?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re firm at sixty-five?”
“Yes,” I say immediately, waiting for a beat before I begin pacing again.
“Alright, I’m interested, but I’ll need to move some things around,” he says, making my feet come to a stop. “Any chance you’d take a deposit to hold it?”
My eyes move out to the curb, the way she shines beneath the sunlight still making my breathing catch. As I take a step closer, my fingers run over her curves and I swallow hard.
“Hello?” he says again, pulling me back.
“I’m here,” I manage as I clear my throat. “It’d have to be one hell of a deposit.”
“I know you said cash, and I’m fine with that, but if you’ll agree to hold a check for fifty now, I can pay you full asking within the next four, five weeks tops,” he offers. “I also have a lawyer on retainer who can write up whatever paperwork or contract you want.”
Movement from behind me pulls my eyes to Evie as she makes her way to the door, waving behind her as she steps outside. She blows out a long, exhausted breath as she steps outside, her free hand resuming what’s become its usual spot on her lower back.
“I don’t know, man,” I sigh, squeezing my eyes shut tight as I turn away, staring back down at Sue. “Can you give me a few days to think about it?”
“Sure,” he says, the disappointment obvious in his voice. “Yeah, I’ll call you next week.”
Thirty-Two
dash
“What did they say?” she asks as I hit end on the call and raise my eyes to find her pacing in front of me.
“It’s normal,” I assure her. “They want you to come in today at three just to have a quick check to make sure everything’s good,” I continue, pulling a quick nod from her as she blows another deep breath out. “Are you going to be alright until then?”
“Yeah,” she nods again, resting her hand on my chest to steady herself as the discomfort begins to pass. “Sorry,” she offers, humming when I tuck her hair behind her ear with affection. “That sucked.”
“Yeah, it looked like a bad one,” I sigh and press my lips to her hair as she rests against my front. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the hospital?”
“I’m sure,” she replies. “They’re coming more, but they still aren’t close together,” she sighs. “The doctor and all the books say it’s normal. I’m just starting to get nervous.”
“I know, baby,” I swallow hard, holding back the me, too stuck in my throat.
After another week of searching every place I could think of for work, I’d come up with three interviews and promises to call, but nothing more. As the end of her second trimester comes to a close, Evie’s feeling more miserable than ever and we still have next to nothing for the nursery. Fortunately, the post-dated check sitting in my pocket offers some comfort.
The day I met up with the guy who wants Sue was one of my hardest, the sight of someone else rooting around inside her a little too reminiscent of walking in on your first love while she’s double-timing you. I’m not too proud to admit that I teared up on the too-short drive home. However, as soon as I walked in and found Evie singing to her belly, grinning wide as she told me our tots were officially the size of sweet potatoes, I knew I’d done the right thing.
Even if I hadn’t found a way to tell her yet.
“We just have to make it a few more weeks guys,” she croons to her belly, pulling me from my thoughts. “I promised Nana we’d wait for her.”
; “When’s her flight?” I ask, pulling her eyes to mine. “Next Friday, right?”
“Yeah,” she nods, her smile soft. “She lands at around seven-thirty. Mason’s picking her up and once she’s rested, she said we’re her first stop.” I’m about to reply when she lowers her gaze to her belly once more and cuts me off. “I can’t believe it’s almost over already.”
“I know,” I manage, swallowing hard as my palm falls easily to where hers is still resting on her belly. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she smiles as her eyes raise to mine and she presses her lips to mine. “I guess I should get going.”
“Your appointment isn’t until three, sugar,” I reply after a glance at my phone. “You still have a while.”
“I meant for work,” she smirks, kissing my jaw once more before she begins to move away from me. “I’m already late.”
“Evie,” I start, grabbing her elbow to turn her back to me. “You can’t go to work today.”
“Why?”
“You’re in fucking labor!” I shout, gesturing toward her belly.
“Probably not real labor,” she argues, unable to hide her smirk as she reaches for the keys to my truck. “Besides, it’s my last week. I need to finish this piece so I can submit it or-”
“You’re not going to fuckin’ work right now,” I cut her off and shake my head, not missing her offended expression. “You get mad all you want to, baby. Kick, scream, cuss, the works,” I shrug. “Do what you gotta do, but you’re gonna do it with your pretty little ass sitting on that couch.”
“Dash-”
“Nope,” I shake my head, taking my keys from her hand and shoving them into my pocket. “Sit.”
“Stop trying to tell me what to do,” she protests. “You’re not my father.”
“Maybe not, but I am theirs,” I counter as I grip her jaw and kiss her gaping lips before I reach for the remote and hand it to her. “Welcome to early retirement, pussycat.”