The Baby Arrangement (A Winston Brother's Novel #1)

by J. L. Beck

  After he removes his hoodie, he grins at me knowingly as he pulls his shirt back down and sits beside me. "If you want a closer look, I'd be glad to arrange it," he murmurs in my ear, distracting me momentarily with thoughts of getting very close to those abs. His quiet chuckle brings me out of my fantasies and I know my face is flaming. "I'd really love to know what you were thinking just now."

  Oh shit. There's no way I'm telling him what I was thinking. No way in hell! "Nothing!" I squeak. "Can we please just concentrate on Algebra?" Let him say yes. Please, please let him say yes. Otherwise, I might die of mortification. What in the world is wrong with me? This is absolutely insane.

  "Sure babe," Wyatt says with a laugh, "I'll let you concentrate on Algebra, but don't think I'm letting you off the hook. I'll get you to tell me eventually." Flashing me a smug grin, he pulls my book over so that it's lying between us as he lays his other arm along the back of my chair. I sit ramrod straight for the remainder of the tutoring session, unable to concentrate on anything but the smell of Wyatt's cologne, his minty breath and the arm that brushes my back every time I start to relax.

  Wyatt collapses onto the couch beside me at his apartment, and stretches his arms up behind his head before they land spread out on either side of him. Of course, that means one arm is behind me, so I sit up a little straighter, trying to keep from touching him.

  "What are you doing for spring break?" he asks, turning to look at me intently.

  Our eyes meet and the intensity in his makes me squirm. "Nothing. My choices are here at school or at my parents, so I'm staying in my dorm."

  He sits up quickly, his arm narrowly missing my head when he moves it to grasp my hand. "You can't stay in the dorm by yourself for a week."

  "Why not?" I don't know why he sounds so alarmed. Staying in the dorm is a much better option than going home.

  Wyatt sighs exasperatedly, "It's not safe Peyton. It's spring break week, which means almost everyone will be gone. Bad shit happens, just look at Annabelle."

  I don't want to discuss Annabelle with him, I don't know how he even knows about that. It happened before college, and it's not something she volunteers to anyone, and neither does Scarlett. I don't think Kat even knows, so she wasn't the person who told.

  "I'm not Annabelle," I say with a scoff.

  Alright, even I know that's a stupid thing to say. But, it bugs me that he's trying to protect me. It bugs me, but it's also nice that he cares enough to want to protect me. Jeez, I'm even beginning to confuse myself.

  Of course, Wyatt isn't privy to my inner monologue, so he doesn't know I'm already kicking myself for thinking that. He opens his mouth to say what I'm sure will be a reprimand, so I throw up a hand in my own defense, stopping him before he even starts. "I know okay? That was completely uncalled for. I get it, you don't have to yell at me."

  His eyes soften immediately, "I wasn't going to yell at you."

  "That's probably worse." I can't stop the small grin that appears with my words. I don't know what it is about him, but no matter how shitty I'm feeling, Wyatt always makes me feel better. He's a lot like Scarlett, he doesn't let me push him away, and he doesn't let me get away with my shit. I intimidate most guys and I like it. I never have to worry about anyone getting too close, the problem with Wyatt is I want him to get closer. I don't know why I feel such a pull towards him, but I like spending time with him, I like just being around him. Their apartment is full of people tonight, celebrating the fact that spring break starts tomorrow after class, but it's almost like we're the only two people here.

  Since I haven't been paying attention, I've missed whatever Wyatt's said in the past few minutes, so when he brushes his knuckles along my cheek, I startle. "What the hell, Wyatt?"

  Leaning back against the couch, Wyatt laughs, "Holy shit it's funny when you space out. You haven't heard a thing I've said have you?" Most guys would be pissed that they didn't keep my attention, but not him. He thinks it's hilarious that he just scared the crap out of me.

  Scowling, I reach over and shove him, "You're such an ass. For the record, I didn't space out, you're just boring me into a trance." That only makes him laugh harder, which just makes me more irritated. Pushing up from the couch, I head off to find Scarlett and Kat. The apartment isn't that big, so finding them shouldn't be difficult.

  Turns out, finding my roommate and my friend wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Their apartment opens into the room Wyatt and I were sitting in. A room that normally would be used as a living room, but it's rather small. There's a couch, a huge TV and every game system available. To the right is a small kitchen that currently has more people crammed inside than the fire code probably allows, with cabinets on each side. The room the guys use as a gaming space, connects to a huge open area that has another couch, a couple of chairs and another big screen TV. All the furniture is currently pushed against the wall so the space looks even bigger, and there's more room for people to talk and dance. The three bedrooms are around the living area, and there's a sliding glass door that opens to a packed patio. They live on the second floor, and I'm sure the people directly below aren't happy with the amount of stomping that's going on tonight, but so far no one's complained.

  Scarlett and Kat aren't in the kitchen, or the living room, nor do I see them out on the deck when I peer out the sliding doors. That only leaves the bedrooms or bathrooms to check, not that I want to snoop around the guys' bedrooms. I understand keeping private things private more than most. Heaving a deep sigh, I cringe when I open the first bedroom door. This is my first time in their apartment, and I'm a little scared at what I'll find in their rooms. The thought of three guys living alone makes me shudder. For all I know, I'm going to find stashes of porn and blow up dolls in each room. But, then again, Emmett has a girlfriend, and Clay and Wyatt are both attractive guys, even if they are extremely irritating. Focusing on the room I'm just walked into, all I see is a fairly clean, but definitely male room. Based on the business books lying around, and the lack of anything personal, this must be Clay's room. He's about as close-mouthed as I am, so the fact that his bedroom is pretty barren isn't a shock. It's also empty. No Scarlett or Kat in here.

  The second room is Emmett's and it's obvious. Not only is it extremely messy, but his girlfriend and the blonde from the bar a few weeks ago are sitting on the bed deep in conversation. They are so deep in conversation that they don't immediately notice I'm in the room until I clear my throat. "Um, hey."

  Both girls jump before turning guiltily towards me. "Hey...." Olivia starts, questioningly. "Can we help you?" She doesn't look mad, but she does look like she's wondering what part of her conversation I heard.

  "Uh, yeah, sorry. I'm just trying to find Kat. Have you guys seen her or Scarlett?"

  The blonde, who everyone calls by her initials, that I can't remember at the moment, is staring at me so hard it's making me uncomfortable. Finally, she shakes her head, "I haven't seen them for awhile, but the last time I saw them, they were heading out the front door with Max." She smiles apologetically, before turning back to Olivia and effectively dismissing me. Well, okay then. Maybe she's worried about the time I spend with Wyatt. He says they're just friends, but maybe that's not the way she sees it.

  "They left? Great. Well.... thanks. I'll leave y'all alone now." Hurrying out of the room, before I break down and ask her about her and Wyatt, I shut the door and lean back against it.

  "What were you doing in Emmett's room?" an amused voice asks, making me jump.

  Turning my head towards Wyatt, I reply, "I was looking for Scarlett and Kat. Olivia and her friend said they left with Max earlier."

  He nods, grinning, "Ahh. You should have asked me before searching the apartment. I would've told you they ran to the store for more snacks. We weren't expecting this many people." Of course they weren't, but it's the night before the last day of class. Everyone wants to party, especially if it's off campus. Crossing my arms, I turn away from him and study the crowd mingling in
the living room. For the first time, I'm actually a little jealous of all the people here having fun. These people are mingling, hanging out with friends, and seem to have absolutely no concerns about parents or family, and no insecurities. It has been a long time since I've envied people for feeling that way.

  Wyatt notices the melancholy shift of my thoughts, because he comes closer before grasping my chin and turning my face to meet his concerned gaze. "What's wrong Pey?"

  "Nothing," I say with a shrug, trying to move away from his fingers but he doesn't let me.

  He raises an eyebrow, "I call bullshit." Letting go of my chin, he grabs my hand instead, intertwining our fingers. "In all your snooping, did you find my room?"

  I shake my head, "No, I only made it to Clay and Emmett's rooms." Wyatt grins before tugging me across the room to the other bedroom.

  When we walk inside, there's no hiding the fact that it's Wyatt's room. There's one of those kid's basketball goals hooked on his closet door, a basketball uniform balled up on the floor in the corner, and his bed is made, but it's obvious by the mussed covers he, or someone, has been laying on it at some point since he made it. His dresser has a model of the Seattle Space Needle on one side, and the Eiffel Tower on the other. Both are made out of Lego's. In the middle of his desk, instead of a computer, is a half-built model of something else, although I'm not sure what it is. Walking over to get a closer look, the instructions say it's the Sydney Opera House.

  When I turn back around, Wyatt's leaning back against the door with his arms crossed. His blue eyes are darker than normal and he's watching me carefully. Trying to lighten the mood, I say, "I thought only little kids played with Lego's."

  One side of Wyatt's mouth lifts and he shrugs, "I guess I'm a kid at heart. I'm an Architecture major Peyton. Building things comes naturally."

  "Why the Space Needle? Or the Eiffel Tower?"

  He continues to hold my gaze, "They're amazing buildings, and places I've never seen, but want to. Remember, my family is poor. I've never been outside of Tennessee. In fact, Nashville's the furthest from my hometown I've ever been. I want to do more, go more places."

  This conversation has gotten way more personal than I thought it would. I get it, and more than that, I get him. I understand what he's saying. He doesn't want to be forever branded as the son of an unwed mother. I may not have any experience with how he grew up, but based on how snobby my parents are, I have an inkling of how he was treated growing up and it makes my heart squeeze. I don't say anything else, and finally Wyatt sighs before crossing the room to sit on his bed. When he reaches over, I think he's going to grab me so I step back. He sighs and shakes his head before he grabs the desk chair and pulls it out. He motions for me to sit. Oh. Well, now I feel stupid.

  Once I'm sitting, Wyatt takes my hand in his, "Will you please do me a favor?"

  "What favor?" I ask warily, not sure at all where he's going with this.

  He takes a deep breath before saying quickly, "Stay here during Spring Break. Please."

  Huh? Where did this come from? Oh yeah, it came from our conversation earlier. He's still worried about me being alone. "You must be joking. I'm not staying here. What about your roommates?"

  Wyatt shakes his head, "Clay and Max are both going home like Kat. Emmett and Olivia are going to Gatlinburg, and I know Scarlett and Annabelle are both heading home too." I start to shut him down again, but he interrupts me, "No Peyton. Either you stay here, or I'm staying in the dorm. I'm not trying to fuck you; I'm trying to make sure you're safe, so you have two choices. You can either sleep here, and I'll sleep on the couch, or I'll sleep in Kat's bed in your dorm room."

  Forceful Wyatt is something new. He's normally pretty laid-back and easy-going. As much as I like him being bossy and caring about my safety, there's no way I'm staying here. It's just asking for trouble. I don't hesitate to tell him that either. "You're not sleeping in my dorm room Wyatt, and I'm sure as hell not sleeping in your room. I told you before; I'm a big girl. I don't need you to babysit me." By the end of my little tirade, my eyes are narrowed, and my arms are crossed over my chest, which pushes my boobs up and together. When his eyes drop to the cleavage now showing out of my v-neck top, I hurriedly drop my arms.

  Wyatt leans forward to grip the arms of his desk chair, pulling me closer until his legs are on either side of the chair. With his hands still holding the arms of the chair, I'm effectively trapped. With a determined and serious look in his eyes, he states, "It's not about baby-sitting you Pey. You live in a co-ed dorm, and the majority of people are going to be gone for an entire week. You're also kind of a bitch, and I know how you are. You'll smart off at someone and end up getting yourself in trouble. I'd just feel more comfortable if you were here. I swear, I don't have any ulterior motives." He stops talking, obviously trying to think of a way to convince me when he suddenly brightens, "And, we can spend the week studying your math. By the time Spring Break is over, you'll be all caught up. Hell, maybe you'll be ahead, and you won't even want a tutor anymore."

  That is a good point. Wyatt's been tutoring me in Math for the past month, but I'm still struggling. At least if I'm here for the week, we'll get some solid tutoring in. In addition to basketball practice and games, he also has a job, so he doesn't have a lot of spare time for tutoring. But, that brings up another issue. "What about work? Won't you have to bartend this week?"

  Wyatt nods, "Yeah, I'll have a few nights I'll have to work next week, just Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm off Saturday and Sunday though, so we'll have plenty of study time before you'll have to go back to the dorm. Just promise me you'll think about it, okay? Please?"

  I don't know why I'm even considering it, but finally, I concede, "I'll think about it. But that doesn't mean I'm going to do it." Wyatt just grins, confident that he'll be able to talk me into it before everyone leaves this weekend.

  After I agree to think about staying with him, we head back out to the party. Wyatt and I have spent entirely too much time alone in his room, and I shudder to think what everyone will assume we've been doing. Sure enough, when Wyatt opens the door so I can walk out first, Clay, Emmett, Max, Scarlett, Annabelle and Kat are all standing in the living room. As soon as Wyatt closes the door, they all turn to look at us. I stop immediately, causing Wyatt to bump into me, pushing me forward. His hand lands on my hip to steady me making things worse. The girls all have questions in their eyes that I don't want to answer, and of course Emmett lets out a "Woot" and fist pumps the air. Wyatt laughs softly, and I quickly elbow him cutting him off with a gasp.

  "Ass," I mutter.

  Leaning over, he whispers in my ear, "Damn girl you have bony elbows. Maybe I should fatten you up while you're here next week."

  Shaking my head, I say nothing else. I couldn't even if I wanted to. By the time he's finished speaking, the group has made it over to us, and Clay makes a smart-ass remark. "Hey Wyatt, did you get a piece? Maybe a good pounding is just what Super Bitch needed."

  Whirling around, I open my mouth to show him just how "Super Bitch" I am when Wyatt steps up. Shoving Clay, he snarls, "Shut the fuck up Clay. Say something like that about her again and I'll kick your stupid ass." Clay starts to say something back, but shuts his mouth when Wyatt advances on him. Based on the look in Wyatt's eyes, shutting up is a smart move. I've seen Wyatt irritated, but this is something totally different. He's defending me, and that's something no one has ever done before. I can practically feel the walls I use to keep people from getting too close shatter.

  Emmett's quick to get between them, putting a hand on each of their chests and pushing them apart. "Both of you need to back the fuck up. I don't know what the problem is here, but Clay, that shit was uncalled for." Then, to Wyatt he says, "And you, man, y'all are friends. Don't let some girl come between that."

  Wyatt's head snaps up to stare at him in disbelief. "Seriously? You're not seriously going to tell me that if some guy said that shit about Olivia you'd be okay with it!"

  "Hel
l no, I wouldn't! But, Livvie's my girlfriend. Peyton's just a girl you're tutoring." Emmett looks at me in apology, but he's right. It is a different situation, but I'm glad Wyatt stood up for me.

  Shaking his head, Wyatt says, "Whatever Emmett. That's bullshit and you know it."

  After studying Wyatt, Clay nods, agreeing, "Wyatt's right." Then, he gives me an apologetic look, "Sorry Peyton, I was out of line."

  Before I can say a word, Clay claps Wyatt on the shoulder and leaves the room. Wyatt's still pissed, and after glaring at Emmett again, he goes back into his room without another word. Emmett looks at all of us before shaking his head and walking away. Kat's standing off to the side with Scarlett, biting her lip and looking worried. Once Clay leaves, she and Scarlett walk over to me and she asks, "Are you okay?" When I nod, she continues, "What were you and Wyatt doing in his room anyway?"

  Blowing out a breath, I tell her, "We were just talking. He's worried about me staying in the dorm over spring break by myself, so he wants me to come stay here."

  Scarlett's eyes widen, "He wants you to stay here?!? In his apartment? I thought Emmett and Clay were leaving for the week."

  "They are. It would just be the two of us. He said we could work on Math when he isn't working."

  Kat and Scarlett exchange a look that says things I don't even want to think about before Scarlett says, "Are you going to do it? I thought you didn't really like him..." She trails off, studying me closely.

  Groaning, I bring my fingers up to massage the headache that's starting to throb at my temple. "I haven't decided. He says if I don't stay here, he's going to sleep in Kat's bed -"

  Kat's eyes widen and she's quick to interrupt with "I didn't say he could stay in our room Pey! Please believe me."

  "I know you didn't Kat," I sigh. "If you had, I'd kick your ass from here all the way back to the dorms." When she looks at me in alarm, I grin at her. She looks like she really believes I would, but while I may be a bitch, I'm not the girl who fights with her fists. Words I can find, strength? Not so much.