Tom and Willow are waiting at the table. They're teasing as they feed each other bites of toast and eggs.
They really are happy.
It's fucking weird that Tom is married to my sister. Not sure it will ever stop being weird, but I'm happy she's happy.
Tom nudges her. He practically points to us. Then the two of them are exchanging whispers.
Kara squeezes my hand. A nervous look spreads over her face.
I rub her shoulders. "They'll be happy for us."
She nods, but her big brown eyes stay nervous.
Tom rises as we approach the table. He looks from Kara to me. His eyes fix on Willow. "I told you she was pregnant."
"Tom!" She shakes her head, but she's smiling. My sister looks at me. "Is it true? Are you?"
"Yeah," I say.
Willow claps her hands together. "Oh my God. That's great! Are you happy? You look scared. But happy. It is scary." She jumps to her feet and hugs Kara. Then she hugs me. "I'm excited for you."
Tom nods. He hugs Kara. I try to shake his hand, but he shakes his head and pulls me into a hug.
"Happy for you two." He steps back and looks at me. "Don't worry about band shit. We'll figure it out."
Kara presses her lips together. "I... I don't want this to be the thing that breaks up Sinful Serenade."
Tom waves his hand in a don't worry about it gesture. "It won't. Worst case scenario, we replace Drew."
I scowl.
Kara frowns.
"Kidding." Tom looks to me. "Shit. Nothing is coming to mind, but we've got time. Enjoy your news. Go have crazy sex or some shit like that."
Willow laughs. "Sex isn't the solution to everything."
"Gonna have to agree to disagree there." Tom shoots her a flirty look. "Or I could prove you wrong."
"Later." She looks at him with adoration then she turns her attention to us. "We're happy for you. Really. And happy we'll be an aunt and uncle. Everyone else will be happy too."
"Thanks." Kara tries to smile, but it's not quite there. "Keep it between us for now. I don't want to usurp the wedding."
Tom nods. "Seriously, Kara, the band will be okay. We'll figure it out."
"How?" she asks. Her voice is dripping with anxiety.
It's a fair question. I don't own a teleporter. I can't exactly fly home between gigs, not when they're two days apart.
Something has to give. Either I'm home less or I'm on the road less.
It hits me like a ton of bricks. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I am.
I kiss Kara on the forehead. "I'm gonna make a call. I'll be back in a few."
"Is everything okay?" she asks.
"Everything is fucking great, Kendrick." I take a moment to take her in. She's scared, but there's happiness in her expression too.
Tom was right. Her chest is bigger.
Damn, her tits are gonna get huge. Can't complain about that.
I step away so dirty thoughts won't take ahold of me.
This is an obvious solution.
But I still can't believe I'm doing it.
Hell, I'm not sure my ego can handle it.
I find a semi-quiet spot and I call Ethan—he's the guitarist of Dangerous Noise, the band opening for us on the tour that starts in two weeks-and bring the phone to my ear.
I was the original guitarist for Dangerous Noise. At this point, there are only two original members of the band left. It's normal for small bands. Most people are in half a dozen bands before one sticks.
But I'm still worried. I didn't exactly make a good impression by stealing the former lead singer's girlfriend and generally being a narcissistic prick.
Ethan is groggy, fresh out of bed. "Drew Denton? What the fuck you doing calling me?"
"How fast can you get to Vegas?"
"You getting hitched or something?"
"No. Wouldn't invite you if I was."
He laughs. "Cold. Just like Tom says."
I shake my head. Used to be that kind of thing would bait me, but it's hard to feel anything bad at the moment. "No. I need to ask a favor."
"I'm listening."
"How fast can you get here?"
"Couple of days. Tour doesn't start for another two weeks. Heard rumors you're a perfectionist, but I can't imagine you want to help me work on the Dangerous Noise set list."
"No, it's something else."
"Hard to believe the Drew Denton needs me."
He's teasing me. I think. Hard to say. I'm not exactly a people person. I don't know Ethan well enough to know if he's teasing or serious.
I clear my throat. Better to focus on the task at hand. "I'll need you all day."
"Damn, wish you were somebody else talking like that." He chuckles. "You're not secretly a smoking hot strawberry blond with soft lips and legs for days?"
"Brunette, but my legs do go for days," I say. "You'd have to ask Kara about the soft lips part."
Ethan laughs. "I'll be there."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kara
I push my delicate condition aside to focus on steadying the blushing bride. She's almost as nervous as I am.
Everything blurs together until I'm watching the happy couple say I do. The reception is as gorgeous as the wedding. The chocolate cake with mocha frosting is to die for.
I eat far too much of it, considering I should be concerned about my nutrient intake. Starting tomorrow, I eat healthy, I get light exercise, and I take my vitamins. This baby is going to have the best possible start.
I'm having a baby.
It feels too grown up, but it's good. I'm happy. Scared, but happy.
I'm too tired to think about it. I need to sleep forever. Or at least until Drew works out how he's going to be around enough for us. It's weird wrapping my head around the idea that it's an us now.
Drew sits next to me. He runs his fingertips over my chin, careful not to mess up my tight updo. "You should call your mom."
"First thing in the morning."
"Everyone is meeting for brunch tomorrow. That's a thing, apparently."
I look up at him. "You said brunch without rolling your eyes."
He chuckles. "Call her now. You'll feel better."
"I can think of another way I'd feel better."
He raises a brow. "That so, Kendrick?"
I nod.
"I'll run the bath."
Oh, I like the bath.
I don't so much like worrying what my mom is going to say.
I know I'll feel better after I call her. But the part where I call her... that part is terrifying.
I'm only twenty-two. Moms aren't usually happy about their unmarried twenty-two-year-old daughters getting knocked up.
It takes me half an hour to psyche myself up enough to call. I dial her number. But I'm not ready yet.
I end the call before it can ring.
Mom and I are better than we were, but things are still strained sometimes. I know she wants the best for me, but sometimes, it feels like she wants her idea of the best for me.
My phone buzzes.
Incoming call from Mom.
Dammit, I thought I hung up fast enough.
For a second, I consider letting it ring to voicemail. But then I see Drew's slacks and boxers on the bedroom floor.
Damn him and his sexual not quite bribery.
I answer the call. "Hey, Mom."
"Kara, sweetie. How are you?" Her voice is chipper. She's doing well.
"I'm good. Tired."
"How was your friend's wedding?"
"Beautiful." I spent nearly twenty minutes filling Mom in on all the details of the wedding. Not that I'm avoiding the subject at hand.
She interjects with awws. It was a nice wedding.
When I run out of details, I start talking about the cake. Then the frosting.
Then I'm out of other subjects.
I have to tell her.
Fuck.
I push myself off the bed and pace the hotel room. It's a long room. It's a lot of s
pace for pacing.
"Kara, you okay?" Mom asks.
"I have to tell you something." I need to do this fast, like a Band-Aid. Quick. Painless.
Yep, there's nothing as painless as telling your mother that you're unwed and pregnant.
It's not so bad, really. Drew and I are engaged. We're employed. Well, he's employed. I'm employable.
He's responsible. He's mature. Hell, he's the only one of the guys who does his own cleaning. Miles, Tom, and Pete all hire cleaning services.
Drew takes care of himself. He takes care of me. He can take care of our baby too.
We can do this.
I take a deep breath. "Mom, I'm pregnant."
"Oh."
I can't read her voice. Shit.
"I just found out." I tap my fingers against the phone. What do I say here? How do I convince her this is okay? "It's a good thing. We're happy."
"Then I'm happy."
Drew calls out from the bathroom. "You have an appointment with a doctor in the morning."
Thank God for Drew. I've never been more certain that I need him than I am right now.
"I'm seeing an OB tomorrow," I say. "We'll find out more."
"That's great, sweetheart."
"Really?"
"You're a little young, but... you know, your father and I got married and started trying for a baby as soon as we could. Sometimes, it's okay to do things early."
"Yeah?" I ask.
Her voice lifts. "You're going to be a great mom, Kara. I know it's scary. I was terrified when you were born. I thought I'd do something wrong. But the love you have for your family—it's the best thing in the world."
***
After the doctor's office—I'm ten weeks along, and everything looks good—we get into a cab and head to brunch.
"Think they're tired of sleeping together already?" Drew asks.
"Not in a million years." I rest my head on his shoulder and intertwine my fingers with his. "Do you want to tell them or should I?"
"I will." He squeezes my hand. "Unless you object."
"No. You should tell them." I press my eyelids together and soak in the vibrations of the road. "In thirty weeks, we're going to have a baby."
"Yeah."
"There are about two weeks until your tour starts."
"I've got it under control, Kara. Don't worry."
"You want to tell me how?"
"I’d rather tell you once I'm sure this will work." He lowers his voice. "In case I fuck it up."
"Okay." My breath feels sharp. I don't like the uncertainty, but I can respect that Drew wants to be sure before he makes a promise.
It's his way.
After a few quiet minutes, we arrive at the restaurant. It's surprisingly quaint, like a hipster version of Denny's. Everyone else is here. They're at a long table in the middle of the room. Meg and Miles are sitting on the end. They're wearing the relaxed smiles of two people who spent the entire night knocking boots.
Tom jumps out of his chair when he sees us. Willow follows, a few paces behind.
He hugs me hello and whispers in my ear, "nobody knows you're knocked up."
Willow play-swats him then takes her turn hugging me. "You do have that glow about you."
"It's the glow of good nausea medication." The doctor prescribed something that is safe for the baby. It still feels like a dream. I'm having a baby. We're having a baby. In seven months, we'll have a baby. "But thanks."
"No, it's more than that." Tom gives me a quick once-over. He turns to Willow. "They are bigger."
She laughs, somehow endeared by her husband's bluntness and inability to mind his own business. Okay, it's hard to deny that Tom is charming in a very Tom kind of way.
She kisses him on the nose then turns to me. "Do you know how far along?"
"We're going to announce it in a few minutes." Drew motions to the table. "Sit down or you'll blow our cover."
They do as they're asked.
Drew turns to me. He rubs my shoulders as he stares into my eyes. "You okay?"
"Still breathing."
"Want to get this over with?"
"Please."
Drew nods. He presses his palm into my back to lead me to the table.
I smile as I take my seat. "Congrats again, you guys. You look very married."
Meg smiles. She stares at her rings with delight then turns to Miles and plants a peck on his lips.
He slides his hand behind her neck and kisses her deeply. She pulls back an inch, murmuring something about not in front of our friends. Within seconds, she's kissing him back.
Then the two of them are making out like no one is watching.
"Think he'll ever get tired of that?" Tom asks.
"Fuck no." Pete nods hello to me and Drew.
Jess too. "You look pretty, Kara. I couldn't figure out how to tame my hair after all that hairspray. I'm impressed you did."
Pete exchanges a look with Jess. God knows what they're communicating. I'm not sure how anyone communicates anything with the dark-haired bassist. I've known him for nearly two years, and he's still an enigma.
Drew leans in to whisper. "Now?"
I nod. "Now."
He stands up and addresses the table. "We have an announcement."
"You're getting married too?" Jess claps her hands together.
Drew shakes his head. "No. We're... Kara's pregnant. Almost two months along. We're excited, but it means some things are gonna change."
"Give everybody a minute to be happy for you." Tom stands up. He offers Drew his hand to shake. "I know I already said it, but this is fucking awesome."
"You told Tom?" Pete cocks a brow in a gesture that says, you know he can't keep his mouth shut, right?
Tom laughs. "He didn't exactly have a choice. Long story. Fill you in later."
Pete shoots him an inquisitive look.
Tom shrugs.
Pete looks at me. "That's great, Kara. You're going be a great mom, and Drew's gonna be a really protective dad. But it's good. Kids need love and boundaries."
Miles calls out from his side of the table. "That's great, Kara."
"Yeah. It is." Meg smiles and mouths, are you okay?
I nod. "Hope we're not usurping your wedding."
"Don't worry. I know how to steal spotlight back." Miles winks.
Meg laughs. She leans in to kiss him. This time, he's even more obvious about making the kiss hot as hell. He slides his hands to her ass, pulls her into his lap, and presses his lips to her neck.
She groans loudly enough to draw the attention of everyone here.
Only there's no one but us and a few confused staff members. None of them are looking at the group with that, oh my goodness, celebrities are weird stare. It's more, kids these days.
Drew looks me over carefully. I must look okay, because he steps backward and nods to Tom. "Shall we?"
Tom taps his fingers against the table. He pushes himself up. "Yeah." He blows a kiss to his wife. "Order without us. Could be a while."
"Sure, sweetie." She smiles until Tom and Drew walk away, then she's pressing her lips together, her brow knotted with worry.
Yeah, that looks about right.
Willow shakes it off when she catches me staring. "I'm sure it will be fine. Tom's really excited. He kept talking about how when we adopt in a few years, we can adopt an older kid or older siblings—usually, older siblings can't get any placement—so our kids will be similar ages."
"You and Tom have already talked about adopting?" Jess asks.
"Yeah." Willow smiles. "He's always wanted to adopt. Because of his parents and being in foster homes." She clears her throat. "Uh, your wedding was really nice, Meg. And your tattoo looks awesome." Willow places her hand over the tattoo on her chest—a glass heart, broken and bleeding. Drew has the same one on his shoulder. "I should have warned you about these. Guys love staring."
"I'll protect you, Princess." Miles squeezes Meg.
"Likely story." Meg traces the
lines of her new ink—the words Be Brave, Love in script on her chest. It matches the tattoo on Miles's chest.
It's all very sweet.
But not sweet enough to distract me from Tom and Drew's conversation. They're just outside the restaurant.
It looks tense.
Really tense.
"I'm sure Drew isn't gonna quit." Miles laughs. "He needs the money now."
Pete chuckles. "They'll work it out. Tom cares about family more than he lets on. The band's a family. It’s not gonna fuck us up if Drew takes time off. We'll figure something out."
Miles clears his throat. "You suggesting we replace Guitar Prince? He'd never go for that."
"His ego can handle it," Pete says.
"You angling to pick up the mantle?" Miles teases.
"Fuck no. Give me a bass guitar or give me-" He turns to Jess. "Well, there is something else I like my hands on."
"Don't tease." She presses her forehead against his.
"Who's teasing, baby? I've got the day free." Pete smiles ear to ear. He presses his lips to her neck.
She groans. Her eyelids press together as she tugs at her skirt.
Miles clears his throat again. "Damn, don't need to hear you come this often, Steele. At least keep it down this time."
Pete shakes his head. "No way in hell."
Miles raises a brow.
Pete winks.
At least they're in good spirits. I can't get the worried feeling out of the pit of my stomach. I take a deep breath, but it doesn't help.
"Excuse me. I'm going to get some air." I push myself from the table and find the back entrance.
It doesn't open up to anything fancy—just the parking lot—but it's quiet and it's empty. I press my back against the walls and scan the windows to check the view. Once I'm sure no one can see me from inside, I sink to my feet and bury my head between my knees.
Too much is happening.
A month ago, I had the next few years figured out. I was going to take a teaching position in Malibu at the school where I did my student-teaching, marry Drew, and spend my weekends and summers with him on tour. He'd fly home as often as possible. The constant stop and go would be hard, but we could do it for a while. Until everyone in the band wanted to slow down.
Sinful Serenade is big, but they're not big enough to pull off a multi-year hiatus. I can't be the person who holds them back from reaching their full potential.
A tear stings my eye. Damn pregnancy hormones.
Sinful Ever After (Sinful Serenade #5) Page 13