Both of her brows raised. She sat back and nodded. “That’s nice.”
“That’s nice?” I frowned, my smile fully gone. I stretched out. Dad was sitting in his usual spot, and Mum was making coffee in the kitchen. “Lauren, what the hell is your problem?”
“Nothing.” She sighed. “Nothing at all. I’m happy for you.”
I did not believe her one bit. “Lauren…”
Her eyes began to swell with tears, shaking her head. “Don’t. Please, don’t.”
“Don’t do what?” My voice raised. Dad glanced over but said nothing, paying close attention to us. “You’re being nothing but a bitch to Sienna. You couldn’t say congratulations to her when I asked her to marry me, then you can’t even say it when I tell you I’m going to be a dad.”
“What do you want me to say!” She shot back, standing back up. “I am fucking happy for you both!”
“Lauren…” My mother came into the room, now looking worried as we all stared at her. Something was wrong. I could tell because she very rarely cried. She rarely even got angry. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
Dad stood up and walked to her side as she broke down in tears. I had never seen my sister this way. “Darling, what’s going on?”
She was shaking her head. “I can’t… I want to be happy for you. I am happy for you Jackson. I just…” Her voice broke through the loud sobs. “None of you would understand… especially you.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused.
“Theo’s back, and I’ve seen him a couple of times.”
Seen? I knew she was fucking him. It made sense.
“What do you mean?” Mum asked. “Theo? As in your ex-boyfriend, Theo?”
I couldn’t believe this. “What about Paul?” I asked, not wanting to hear any more of this. “He’s your husband. You just don’t go out and see an ex.” I pointed out. “Fuck’s sake! Did you not see what I went through when Jasmine did this shit on me?”
“You don’t understand,” she whispered, more tears spilling out. “Paul and I… we’re not in a good place.”
“You’re still married.” I was not up for discussing this. “You don’t do this to the people you love.”
“We’re getting a divorce. He left me.” She threw back out at me with a yell.
Refusing to sit there and listen, I turned around and walked out of my parent’s house, ignoring her pleas for me to not go to him. I had no idea what was going on with her and why she was being so crazy. I would soon find out myself.
Paul was half-asleep on the lounger when I stormed in and grabbed him by the collar, thrusting him up. “What the hell is going on with you and my sister?” My tone was deep as my eyes bore into his.
“Did she tell you the full story?” He shot back, his hands trying to shove me off him as I pushed him hard against the wall.
“That you left her?” I questioned. “You’re a pathetic piece of shit.”
“She threw me out!”
“Bullshit!” I did not believe him. Lauren would not do that. “Keep telling yourself that, mate.” His hands were held up in surrender as I shoved him once more, stepping away as both my hands dragged through my hair. “You and her… What the hell happened?”
“She wanted a baby.” He sat down, his head in both hands. “I wanted to wait before we tried again… She didn’t.”
“So, she threw you out over that?” I was not buying it. “Why don’t you want a baby?”
His eyes were red-rimmed as he looked up. “I lost my job. You know what your sister is like. She was spending money we didn’t have. We can’t afford to have a baby right now. I suggested in a year, just until I had gotten back on my feet and could support us. I can’t even pay the fucking mortgage. She’s been doing that. It’s humiliating. I want to be able to take care of my family.”
I slumped down beside where he sat on the couch. “You could have come to me. We’re brothers. You should have told us. That’s what families do. They help.” I sighed, realising my sister had yet again over exaggerated and not told me the full story. Or had she, and was Paul the one full of shit?
I did not know anymore. Nothing was making any sense.
“She threw me out when I told her to cool it on the baby talk for a bit.”
I did not know what else to say. “Is that all?” I was not going to bring up Theo. That wasn’t my place to do so. “Or is there more?”
“We’ve drifted apart. She was so obsessed with falling pregnant. I know I’m a shitty person for saying this, but I’m relieved.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Kids… they’re a fucking handful.”
We did what most guys do after getting into an intense argument together, cracked open a beer and turned the football on. Midway, I cautiously told him about Sienna and I, slightly concerned as to how he was going to take it. He gave the amount of shits my sister gave—none.
***
I downed the rest of the bottle and headed back to Mum and Dad’s, telling my sister to go home and talk to her husband.
By the time I walked back into our apartment, Sienna was sprawled out on the sofa with Sammie at her feet and Colt on the floor by her side. I smiled, putting my keys on the table. “When do we leave?” I asked.
She looked up, still focusing on The Good Wife as her head never turned. “Huh?”
“For our trip?” I knew she would forget. “We’re going away.”
“Trip?” She paused the TV and started to stand up. “Where have you been?”
“My parents. I’ll fill you in while we’re packing.” I smiled, bringing her to me. I just wanted to hold her. I needed to feel her in my arms and mentally promise myself that I would never let our marriage turn out like my sister’s.
She wrapped hers around mine instantly, leaning back with that look in her eye. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ve got five days off, and so do I now. We’re going somewhere where no one will bother us. We’re having a long weekend away and then be back home for the rest, doing anything we want.” I would make sure the phone signal was low. I did not want anyone to interrupt us. “You’re glowing.”
She blushed, giving me an eye roll as she turned her head away from me in embarrassment. “No, I’m not. I’m barely even pregnant.”
“You’re still pregnant and glowing.” Her efforts to escape from my grasp only made me pull her in closer.
“I am pregnant, and Sammie is pregnant too. I felt like ten pups inside her earlier. She’s not fat. She’s pregnant.”
I laughed, a full-blown belly laugh. My stomach hurt as I gave Colt a wink. Her words slowly sunk in, the number ten sticking out. Panic set in. “Ten?”
“Yes. We need to get her to the vet for a check-up.” She pointed out. Her eyes said exactly what I was thinking as I stared into them.
Puppies. A baby. “We need to buy a house, like soon.”
She nodded, grinning as she looked proud of herself. “It’s a good thing I’ve been doing some research. We can spend the weekend house-hunting.”
“You’ve been busy, I see.” I pointed out. “But no. No house-hunting. We’re going away, remember?” I took her hand, wanting to pack and leave as soon as possible.
***
By the time I was done with her, her body would be covered in marks and love bites all over—each one having a different story to tell. Her legs will be quivering endlessly, struggling to walk. Her pussy will remember the blissful pleasures my thick, hard cock offers… pulsing, begging for more.
“Jackson…” She broke me from my thoughts as I drove us to a lakeside cabin. “What are you thinking about?”
Her hand squeezed my thigh as I placed mine over it, lifting hers in mine and kissing it tenderly. “About our baby…” I lied. “Our little redheaded daughter.”
“Oh god, don’t.” She groaned, laughing. “Now, tell the truth.” She knew me too well.
“I was just thinking about how it will forever be etched into your memory.”
“What will be? The trip?” she asked, looking more naïve by the second as I glanced at her before my eyes were back on the road.
My smile grew as I pushed her hand against the crotch of my jeans, letting her feel what my thoughts were. “I’m thinking about the endless pounding you’re going to get once we arrive… and all weekend. It will be forever etched into your mind.”
“Oh, my god.” She muttered, prying her hand back from me, only to surprise me by undoing my belt and turning in her seat. Her hands were reaching to free my throbbing cock as I grew even stiffer for her. “Drive slow, my baby daddy. Mama’s about to blow your mind!”
I would have laughed at the baby daddy comment if her mouth wasn’t already wrapped around the end of my dick like a hoover. The only thing to do was reach over and play with her pert ass I drove carefully, enjoying the pleasures her mouth had to offer.
Indeed, she was blowing my mind and cock.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I smiled as I looked at the photo on my desk—our first ultrasound. It sat alongside our engagement photograph and another of her with Colt and Sammie sprawled out on the bed, with her pregnant stomach poking out beneath my shirt she had now claimed as her own.
I glanced over at the time, ready for lunch. I had flown through the morning effortlessly and was eagerly awaiting her arrival. She walked in, and I stood, pushing in my black leather chair as she greeted me with a smile. “Ready?” Sienna’s voice filled the room.
Rolling my sleeves to the elbow, I had to laugh at her attire: navy blue trousers with reflective stripes and a polar fleece jumper that looked far too tight for her heavily pregnant stomach. I walked over and slid my hands over her protruding stomach, kissing her lovingly as she pressed her belly against me. “You bet I am.”
We were going to choose nursery items today, and after finally finding a place to call our own, Sienna was very eager to set up the nursery with blue or pink. Sienna would not tell me what we were having, and I did not want to know.
“You’re sure you aren’t too busy?” she asked, her eyes scouring my large desk cluttered with paperwork and proposals that I would ignore just to spend time with her.
“Never too busy for you, sweetheart.” I lead her across the street, squeezing her hand tighter as a feeling of protectiveness surged through me. “Busy morning? You look exhausted.”
She answered my question with a groan. “It’s been very busy. I can’t believe how tired I’ve been getting.”
“You’re pregnant. It’s normal.” She sometimes forgot she was carrying our child and overdo things.
We came to a stop as we waited for the light to change green to cross. “My boss wants to put me on desk duty.” I could tell by her tone that she was not impressed.
“He’s smart.” I would rather her be on the desk than out doing physical labour. “You’re almost five months along. I’d suggest you finish altogether.”
With a roll of her eyes, she shook her head. “No way. We’ve just bought a house. We can’t afford to be on one salary.”
That’s what she thought “I have savings.” I reminded. “We wouldn’t struggle, Sienna.”
“I have a job that pays well.” I was not going to win this argument today. Tomorrow maybe. I would bring it up again and win my case. “Anyway”— she turned, her arms wrapping around my neck—“I’m hungry. Feed me food.”
“Yes, dear.” I smiled with a laugh. Never argue with a hungry pregnant woman. You will never win.
We walked into Babyland, and Jesus Christ, I thought I had seen it all! I thought that when you chose baby furniture, there was only one or two to choose from; instead, I had a whole catalogue to look through, plus what they had in the store, and even that wasn’t the lot they could get for you. There were two floors, one filled to the brim with furniture and growing needs, the other, clothing. I was not sure where to begin.
I flicked through the catalogue and stopped on one page. “Two grand for a cot?” I asked under my breath. That had to be a typo.
Sienna glanced over my shoulder from looking at their range of baby carriers. “And that’s why I’m still working.”
“You can work right up until the day you go into labour.” I was teasing. If that was the cot she wanted, then we would get that. But fuck me, it better last until we were finished having kids. “See anything you like?”
“What about this?” She brought over a carrier in a box to show me.
“Do I need to go back to work and file a loan application to buy it?”
“Umm… Why don’t we just wait?” She put the box back and smiled over at me. “Ready to leave?”
I eyed her suspiciously as she took the magazine from my hands, rolling the booklet up. “I thought you were all excited to baby shop?” She had chewed my ear off the past three days, talking about how excited she was to finally buy something for our baby.
“Well, I’d rather do it alone if you’re just going to complain about how much things cost.”
“Sienna, I was joking.” I picked up the carrier she had looked at moments ago. “We’ll get this one.” I went to the counter before she could snatch it back and paid the one hundred twenty-nine dollars without another word of complaint.
My mother would be up my arse later about this if Sienna gets a chance to tell her I had been a dick while shopping. I handed over the bag as we left the store. Kissing her forehead as my arm slid around her waist, I apologised. “I’m sorry. I won’t joke about this anymore.”
“Thank you. I know it’s probably boring to—”
I cut her off. “It’s not boring at all. I was being a dick. How about we look online tonight? Together.”
“Really?” I knew why this gesture surprised her. I had not paid much attention when she was on there any other time. “Or are you just saying this so you still get sex from me?”
I scoffed. “I hardly need to beg for sex since you’re always on me.” I pointed out. She had been a minx while pregnant. My dick was a very happy man.
“You’re such a pervert.” She laughed, her lips pressing against my nose. Her pager began to beep, and that signalled an early end to lunch. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re saving lives, so don’t ever apologise for working.”
“Tonight we’ll have tacos and chill out on the couch.”
Kissing her goodbye, I walked back to work with a bottle of Coke and a Cherry Ripe to get me through until knock off. I had a vague idea of what Sienna wanted for the nursery, but as I was not entirely sure what we were having. I could not go out and surprise her with something unless it was white.
An email flashed in the notification centre of my desktop. I sighed as I clicked on it, knowing it was from my mother. Lately, her emails were like newsletters, informing me of current family events and updates as if I lived overseas. She always wanted to know about Sienna and how the pregnancy was progressing.
As usual, I replied, telling her everything was good and that I would let her know when something new happened. I rubbed my chin, deleting the inbox as soon as my sister’s name was mentioned. I did not care to call Lauren back and apologise. I had not done anything wrong.
Yeah, I should be the bigger person and make amends, but for what? She set me up and told Jasmine I was still into her. That still pissed me off.
Clocking off at four PM, I texted Sienna and told her I would pick up and make dinner. I would get in a walk with both dogs too before she made it home. Some nights were unpredictable. She would work twenty-four-hour shifts and then sleep all day, only to go back in. She was running herself thin. I wondered if her mother could talk some sense into her.
Tacos were done. I had even given the house a good clean up. It was nearing eight PM, and I was starting to grow impatient. I could not remember if she said she would be home by six or nine PM. I texted her again and got no reply. She must be busy working.
Mum called my phone, which I ignored. I was not in the mood for another chat about Lauren and how
she was hurting. Of course, Lauren was hurting. She always was when the attention is off her. The dogs were fed, and Sammie was resting up nicely. We had sold all the pups but one—one that I wanted to keep, much to Sienna’s dismay. But, hey, we had a house with a yard… a big yard with a dog kennel that kept them busy.
Our place was very new, only recently built and have never been occupied before. I think that was what made it more desirable for us both. It was clean and new. We could make it our own. Sienna loved the open plan interior, especially the spacious living room. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the fact it had a man cave for my Xbox sessions. The pool was another great feature, too. We were probably crazy going out and buying a house. We were not even a year into dating, and here we were setting a lifelong commitment out.
We had committed to each other when she fell pregnant. I could not wait to marry her.
Growing restless, I went to dial her work when my mother’s name flashed up yet again across the screen. I answered abruptly, “Not now, Mum.”
“Jackson, where are you? I’ve been trying to call.”
“I know. I’m home waiting for Sienna.” I heard her sob, and that was what got me worried. “Is Dad okay?”
She was silent but only for a moment. “You need to come to the hospital.”
“Is Dad alright?” I asked, firmer. After his heart attack, anything was possible. “Mum!”
Her next words sent my world crashing to a halt. “Sienna’s been in a car crash. It’s bad, Jackson. You need to come here now.”
When someone tells you that the woman you love is seriously injured, life flashes you by in an instant. I was suddenly picturing everything we had done and the things we still have yet to do. Our silly fights did not seem to matter anymore. I drove, unaware that I was speeding. I just needed to get to her.
His Rebound Love Page 26