Relief washed through him. She wasn’t seeing anyone else. “No, it’s okay. We can do it some other night. I just kind of missed you this past week.”
“You did?”
“Yeah.”
He almost heard the smile in her voice. “I missed you too.”
“Good. I’m glad I’m not alone in this mutual missing thing.”
“So you want to date me, huh?”
“Well, yeah. I thought that’s what we were doing anyway?”
“No, we’ve been fucking, Jason. There’s a difference between dating and fucking.”
“How about we do both?”
“I kind of like that plan. I mean, I miss having you in my bed, but I’d like to get to know you as a person too.”
“How about tomorrow night?”
“I have to work the bar. I’m off on Tuesday though.”
“Tuesday it is then. Plan on wearin’ something sexy.”
“Like?”
“A short skirt. A frilly top and no underwear.”
“Oh, kinky. I like it.”
“Can we meet for lunch or something before Tuesday? It’s only Thursday.”
“You’ll survive without me until Tuesday, cowboy.”
A low growl rumbled in his chest. “I don’t want to. I’m pretty damned horny right now.”
“So am I, but you’ll have to have fun without me until then.”
“Bullshit on that noise. I’ll wait for you. Don’t keep me waiting very long. I’m not a patient man when it comes to pussy.”
“Damn, I wish I hadn’t made plans tonight.”
“Me either, babe, me either.”
“I guess I’ll talk to you later then,” she whispered into the phone. “You know I’d kiss you silly right now if I was there. Slide my tongue along your neck, bite you on the shoulder. Fuck, I’m horny.”
“Quit teasing me or I’ll crash your party no matter who is there.”
“Sheila.”
“Sheila?”
“Yeah. That’s who is coming over for our girl’s night. Oh and Mandy. I also invited Paige even though she can’t drink. We haven’t had a chance to catch up lately.”
“What are you going to watch?”
“Probably some chick flick with blubbering, hot men and nakedness.”
“Oh?”
“Magic Mike or something.”
“Isn’t that like a stripper movie?” he asked, gripping the steering wheel. Why all of the sudden did he not like her looking at other men, sleeping with other men or anything else with another man. This was stupid. He didn’t need to get involved with her on any regular basis.
Too late.
“I better go. The girl’s will be here soon and I have to go to the liquor store for alcohol yet.”
“Be good.”
“I will. No worries there, cowboy. I kind of like the idea of a steady guy and a steady lay.”
“You do? I thought you didn’t want a relationship?”
“Who said anything about a relationship? Dating isn’t a relationship.”
“I’m the only man in your bed though.”
“Yes, you are. I don’t spread myself thin like that. There is no use sleeping with more than one. It gets kind of messy doing that. You know, keeping names straight and all.”
“Peyton,” he growled.
She laughed. “Bye, Jason.”
The phone clicked in his ear. She had him tied up in knots and she was laughing about it like a schoolgirl. He wasn’t sure he liked the way this thing was turning, but he wasn’t sure how to stop it spiraling out of control.
* * * *
Peyton hung up the phone and smiled. Why the whole situation seemed to lift her spirits beyond the stars, she wasn’t sure. She kind of liked having Jason Young wrapped around her little finger. He wanted her. That much was clear, but how much? A lot apparently.
Her phone rang again. This time Mandy’s name came up on the caller ID.
“Are we still on?”
“Yep. There will be four of us.”
“Four?”
“I invited Paige to hang out too although she can’t drink.”
“Okay. Are you going to get booze?”
“Yep. On my way there now.”
“Who were you talking to before? Your phone went right to voicemail when I called a few minutes ago.”
“Jason.”
“Jason Young?”
“Yeah.”
“Since when are you dating him? He’s like a total playboy.”
“Just recently. We’ve only done a few things together. Nothin’ serious.”
“A few things like what?”
“The shower. His bed. My bed.”
“You fucked him?”
“Hell yeah. Fabulous sex with a hot guy. Are you kidding me?”
“Wow.”
She chewed her bottom lip for a minute wondering whether she should ask what was on her mind. What the hell. “You haven’t done him, have you, Mandy?”
“Hell no. Not that I wouldn’t given the chance, but I’ve never had the occasion to.”
Peyton exhaled sharply and answered, “Good.”
“You were totally worried, weren’t you?”
“Uh, yeah. He’s been with a lot of women in this town. I’m just not sure who.”
“I don’t know if he’s done Shelia though. You’ll have to ask her.”
“I’m not sure if I want to know. I mean, that was before me, right?”
“Sure it was, honey. Sure it was.”
She didn’t like where her thoughts were headed. “I’m going to go so I can hit the liquor store. See you in about two hours.”
“Sure. I’m bringing the popcorn. Sheila has the ice cream. What is Paige bringing?”
“Chips and dip.”
“Awesome. Lots of junk food to eat while we watch some chick flicks.”
“Talk to you in a bit.”
“Sure. Bye.”
She hung up the phone and then pressed it to her forehead. Her thoughts went haywire thinking about Jason with another woman even though she knew he’d been with plenty. It didn’t mean she had to like it. Nope, not one bit.
When she pulled back into her driveway about an hour later, she noticed Paige sitting on the porch with a bottle of water. “Did I tell you the wrong time?”
“No, I figured I’d come early.”
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been crying.”
“Nothing. I got into a fight with Jacob. That’s all.”
“Hang on. Let me open the door. We’ll get something to drink and you can tell me about it.” Peyton opened the front door, bringing the bags of alcohol with her. She’d offer Paige a drink, but she knew that wasn’t going to work with her being pregnant and all.
“So what happened?” she asked as she set the bottles on the counter in the kitchen.
She liked her small house on the edge of town. She couldn’t have animals or anything there without fencing off part of the yard, but she had a little porch with a couple of rocking chairs on it, a nice living room with leather furniture, a modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The yard wasn’t very big, but she had a garden with some flowers so she was happy.
Paige was quiet for several minutes, but she didn’t want to push. Peyton arranged the bottles on the counter to give herself something to do. Being the woman friend felt foreign to her so she wasn’t sure how to handle this situation, but when she heard a muffled sob coming from her friend, she turned around to take her in her arms. “It’ll be okay.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“What did you fight over?”
Tears rolled down Paige’s face, making Peyton choke up herself, before she blurted out, “He wants two boys!”
Peyton did a double take. “You fought over the sex of the babies?”
“Yes. He insists that it’s two boys. I think it’s two girls even though I want one of each. We g
ot in a huge fight and he walked out. He left, Peyton. What if he doesn’t come back?”
“Honey, listen to yourself. This is silly. He loves you. Besides, what difference does it make whether the babies are boys or girls? You’ll love them no matter what sex they are and so will he.”
“I’m being silly, huh.” Paige sniffed as she wiped the tears on her face.
“Yes you are, but it’s hormones, honey. You’re full of them right now and everything that man says is either going to piss you off or make you love him all the more.”
“You’re right. This is silly. I’m going to call him.” Paige grabbed her purse and then wiped her face as she pulled out her phone.
Peyton went into the pantry in the corner to get the cups and other things they would need as she listened to the one-sided conversation from Paige to Jacob. “Hi, honey. I’m so sorry I got so upset with you. It’s my fault. Peyton says it’s the hormones, but I wanted you to know I don’t care whether the babies are boys or girls. I love you. I want a family with you.”
Apparently Jacob made her cry again as Paige began to sniff back tears.
“I love you too. No, I’m okay. I won’t be driving tonight. I’m staying at Peyton’s. Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She heard Paige hang up as she arranged the chips in a bowl and mixed the onion dip into the sour cream. “All better?”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“No problem. That’s what friends are for.”
“So what is going on between you and Jason?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“I heard you two had raunchy sex at his place last week.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Jacob.”
She jammed her hands on her hips. Men! “Man, those boys don’t know how to keep anything a secret, do they?”
“They’re brothers. They talk amongst themselves especially when it has to do with a woman.”
“What else did Jacob say?”
“That you two looked cute together.” Paige popped a chip into her mouth. “Are you dating?” she asked, in between bites.
“I wouldn’t call it that yet.”
“So just non-committal sex?” Paige asked, taking another chip and dragging it through the French onion dip.
“Yep,” she said as she shooed Paige away so she could set the bowls on the table.
“How is he?”
“Um, fine. Why?”
“I mean is he good in bed?”
“I would say so although I don’t have a lot to compare to.” She blushed to the roots of her hair at the admission. Why she felt she couldn’t just say it without blushing, she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of, right? “Good God! I don’t ask you how Jacob is in bed. What’s with the questions?”
“I just wondered since he has such a reputation with the women in Bandera.”
“Yeah, I know.” She slapped the spoon on the table. “I don’t need to hear about it.”
Paige raised her hands. “Easy girl. I was just askin’.”
“Well don’t ask. I don’t care who he’s slept with. He’s with me at the moment and that’s all that matters.”
Paige wrapped her arms around Peyton’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. “Yes it is.”
The doorbell rang and Peyton went to answer it, expecting Sheila and Mandy any minute. The other two ladies were standing together at the door when she opened it up. “Come in.”
“Where’s the booze?” Sheila asked, making a beeline for the wine bottle on the counter. “I need a drink.”
“What’s up with her?” Peyton asked Mandy as she shut the door behind them. “It’s not like her to jump into the alcohol so fast.”
“She’s had a rough day. She just found out about you and Jason.”
Chapter Nine
Peyton knocked on the bathroom door after Sheila took one of the bottles of wine and locked herself in. “Sheila?”
“Leave me alone, Peyton. I hate you.”
“Then why the fuck did you come to my house?”
“Because you’re one of my best friends.” The sound of a sob broke through the pane of the door.
“I don’t get you at all.”
“I love Jason Young and you’re fucking him.”
“Oh please. You do not love him. You went out with him what? Once or twice?” Peyton tapped on the door again. “Come out of there.”
“Not until I’m good and drunk so I don’t punch you.”
Peyton leaned against the wall near the door, sipping a glass of wine she’d poured before she went after Sheila. This whole thing is stupid. “Try it, babe. We can go round all night if you want. I’m game. I haven’t been in a fight lately.”
“You’d hit me?”
“If you hit me first, yes.”
“What a bitch.”
“You’re in my house, drinking my wine, and you’re calling me a bitch?”
Silence.
The lock clicked right before the door slowly opened. “I’m being stupid, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you are. Besides, there’s nothing between me and Jason other than some hot sex.” Peyton wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but she asked anyway. “Did you fuck him?”
Sheila bit her lip.
“You did.” The jealousy Peyton felt surprised her. Surely she wasn’t upset that Jason had slept with Sheila, was she? Maybe. But why? They were only having a good time, right?
“Yeah. Twice.”
“I’m not sure I want to know.”
“Why not? You asked.” Sheila walked past her into the living room and then spun around. “You aren’t jealous, are you?”
Peyton folded her arms over her chest. The protective stance didn’t fool her friends though as Sheila, Mandy and Paige looked on. “No.”
“Yes you are! You totally are!” Sheila flopped down on the couch as she brought the wine bottle to her lips. After she swallowed, she said, “You’re in love with him.”
“No, I’m not. We’re fucking. That’s it.”
“I can see it in your face.”
Peyton glanced at Paige who shrugged and Mandy who nodded. “You all are full of shit. I’m not in love with him. We are just two people finding solace in each other’s company. That’s it.”
“Then don’t fuck him anymore,” Sheila said, taking another swig from the bottle.
“But I don’t want to stop making love with him. We’re good together. He’s the best I’ve had in a long time.”
“Do you hear yourself?” Mandy asked, taking a seat next to Sheila on the couch, reaching for the wine bottle.
“What?”
“You said making love, not having sex, not fucking, making love.” She pointed at Peyton with the bottle top before she took a long drink. “You are totally in love with him.”
“We aren’t discussing this anymore. I’m done. I’m not in love with him. We are fucking, that’s it. Nothing more.” She glanced at Paige who stood nearby with a little smile playing on her lips. “What?”
“You sound like me before I realized I had it bad for Jacob. Now look at us, expecting twins.”
“You totally fell the minute you saw him.”
“The minute I saw him, he was drunk off his ass and getting it kicked by three other guys. Then he came back after puking in the hall at the bar, with throw up on his shirt. Not a good first impression, Peyton.”
“True, but once you hauled him across the street, paid for his room so he could sober up, you were hooked.”
“Yeah, no and stop trying to change the subject of you and Jason. I can attest the Young brothers are definitely worth the trouble, but make sure you don’t get hurt. Jason is a player. He always has been.”
“I know, Paige. I’ve watched him enough at the bar to know his game.”
“Then make sure you don’t fall into it. If he’s playing you, then blow him off. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of Jacob’s brothers, but there are several of them that are into seeing
how many women they can fuck in a year.” She glanced at Sheila from across the room. “No offense, Sheila, but he used you if you fucked him.”
Sheila took another swig from the bottle. “I know.”
“Enough of this talk. We were supposed to be having a good time, not talking about who we are fucking this week.” Peyton grabbed the bottle of wine, then poured herself more into the glass she held. “What are we eating, ladies? We can call for pizza or go for burgers, although not a good idea since we’ve been drinking.”
“I could drive. I can’t drink anyway,” Paige said, skimming her hand down her gently rounded stomach.
“You are so cute with your belly,” Sheila replied, her words beginning to slur.
“Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t have too much morning sickness with this pregnancy. I was afraid of that when I found out it was twins.”
“How are you going to handle two babies at once without family help?”
“Nina has already promised to help me a lot with them. She’s excited about having more grandbabies.”
“Do you know what they are?” Peyton asked, sipping her wine. “I mean the sexes?”
“Not yet. We go for an ultrasound in a couple of weeks.”
“What are you hoping for?”
“One of each. I think it would be great to have a boy and a girl. Nina wants girls.” Paige laughed. “She already has the boys so she’s hoping for at least one girl in the mix. Plus having nine boys, she really wants granddaughters.”
“I really like Nina. She’s a hoot,” Peyton said. “I’ve had the chance to talk to her some while at the feed store and things. We’ve even had lunch a couple of times together.”
“She’s bringing you into the fold,” Paige replied.
“What do you mean?” Peyton didn’t like the thought of being manipulated.
“She’s a sneaky one. I think in her roundabout way, she’s setting up women she likes to get her boys married off.” Paige shifted in the chair so she faced Peyton. “She was very sweet to me before Jacob and I got together. We kind of found our way together without much help, but as soon as she knew we were seeing each other, she totally jumped onboard with our relationship.”
“Oh, she’s definitely sneaky.”
“She never helped me when I was dating Jason,” Sheila whined.
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