by Layla Frost
*******
“Babe, it ain’t gonna happen, so get it outta your head now.”
“What the hell, Jake? You’re being ridiculous!”
“Think what you want, but you aren’t doin’ it.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“There’s no way I’m lettin’ you spend time with Blake fuckin’ Green,” Jake spat out, crossing his arms over his chest.
I matched the gesture by putting my hands on my hips and mustering up all the attitude I could. “First of all, you don’t let me do anything.”
Okay, that isn’t technically 100% true, but that’s beside the point.
“Second, it’s not a social visit. I’m doing the cakes for his album drop party. I kinda have to know what they want.”
“Work through Rhys then. He might want in your pants, but at least I can trust him not to make a move.”
“Normally, I totally dig your whole big, badass, possessive thing. I really do. But not now. This is my business and I can’t let this kind of opportunity pass by just because you don’t like the client.”
“He’s not a client,” he said with a sneer, “because it’s not fuckin’ happenin’.”
“You know what? I’ve gotta get to class.” Grabbing my bag, I left the condo, slamming the door behind me.
It wasn’t the most mature thing to do, but it was a small release.
I got in my car and took off without a backwards glance.
It’d been two and a half weeks since my birthday weekend and a few days since the interesting dinner party at my mother’s. Much like our transition into coupledom, we’d settled easily into our engagement.
The Monday after my birthday, I’d gone to see Ray. With zero hesitation or doubt, I got a cupcake tattoo on the inside of my wrist. There was a red cherry on the top with ‘Jacoby’ spelled out vertically to make the stem. Like his ink, the name placement was subtle but fitting.
That night he’d very thoroughly showed me how much he liked it. Since then I’d catch him staring at it, tracing it with his fingers, or pressing gentle kisses to it.
I knew how much it meant to him because seeing my name on his chest still made my breath catch.
I worked in the kitchen at the shop, which came in handy since business was insane. After work, we went back to one of our places, had dinner, and did typical couple things.
It was nice.
It was normal.
And, surprisingly enough, it wasn’t boring.
The only dark cloud in all the brightness had been the emails.
In addition to receiving them more often, they were also getting increasingly graphic. Gregory was working with the police to see if it was a legitimate threat that went beyond someone seeking attention.
I tried not to think about them, but sometimes they’d pop into my head and I’d get freaked. The hairs on the back of my neck would stand up and I’d get the overwhelming urge to run.
I’d also had three more anonymous flower deliveries. They only came when I wasn’t home, which was most of the time.
After the second delivery, though, Jake called his dad again. Gregory came over with some forensic people who took the flowers and put a logger on my computer.
During the last trip out, Gregory invited us to dinner. And by invited, I mean he laid a guilt trip on Jake so thick it put my mom’s to shame.
Jake’s mom, Sarah, was a lot like her husband. She was obviously a good lawyer since our conversation started out as more of an interrogation. Eventually, the tension eased and the atmosphere grew more comfortable. Even the vibe between Jake and his dad didn’t seem as tense.
The night ended with tentative plans for all of us to get together with my mother and Thomas next time.
On the bizarre side of things, Jake and I had become tabloid fodder. It was weird seeing news of our engagement in local newspapers. While I felt like it was a huge deal, I didn’t think anyone outside of our circle would.
I was wrong.
Jake was worried about the increased exposure, but I hoped it would fizzle out and we’d become old news.
Rhys had texted that morning to ask if I’d be interested in doing cakes for a launch party going on at Rye. The event was celebrating Static in the Sun’s album release. It would be the biggest order I’d ever done, both in volume and exposure. I wasn’t thrilled when he told me Green had some specific requests, but I didn’t want to give up my chance to provide cakes for such a high-profile event.
I knew Jake had a point; Blake Green was an egotistical ass and working with him was going to be a headache.
Still, I was confident I could tune him out and make it through one evening. I wasn’t going to bail just because Jake told me to.
Huh. Wonder where he got the idea he could do that?
Shut up.
Normally, I gave in to him because I didn’t care what he was being bossy about. When I did, we always compromised. We both seemed to know what was worth the fight and what wasn’t.
Sighing, I pulled into a spot at school and forced myself to go to class.
*******
“Girl, I don’t know what the deal is, but your man is putting out a serious pissed off vibe,” Harlow said, looking past me at the table in the cafeteria.
I whipped my head around and saw Jake stalking towards me. I vaguely heard Melanie ask what was going on, but I was already up and heading his way.
As soon as I got within arm’s reach, he pulled me to him. Grabbing my ass, he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. One of his hands weaved into my hair as his mouth crashed down on mine.
It wasn’t until Jake pulled up and gently lowered me to my feet that I registered the comments, catcalls, and whistles. His hand curved around my neck and his thumb pressed my chin up.
“It wasn’t my place to tell you how to handle your business.”
“Thank you for that. I’ll talk to Rhys about working through him. Next time, though, please ask me, don’t tell me. Deal, Mr. Bossy Pants?”
“Deal. But don’t leave without kissing me again. Yeah?”
I nodded because the lack of kiss had thrown my whole day off, too.
When we returned to the table, Jake sat, grabbed my waist, and pulled me onto his lap.
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. “Don’t you have to get back to work?”
“Nope. They kicked me out for the day. Out of my own damn business. Apparently, I was making it a ‘hostile work environment,’” he scoffed with air quotes. “Where’s your lunch?”
“I wasn’t feeling hungry.”
“Important class next?”
“Not really.”
“Let’s get the fuck outta here and get you some real food, yeah?”
*******
“You sure you’re alright? Maybe we should call your doctor.” The concern in Jake’s voice made the tears start all over again.
“No. No, I’m fine.” I hiccupped, wishing he wouldn’t stand outside the door. I didn’t like being sick. I really didn’t like Jake hearing it. “Can you go call Ray and tell her I can’t make it today?” I listened to his footsteps fading before I lost more of my breakfast.
When I stood up, feeling wobbly but better, I heard the front door close before Jake’s bike roared off a moment later. I was surprised, but grateful, he’d left. I needed a shower badly.
And a gallon of mouthwash.
That’ll teach me to never play hooky.
We left school but I ended up not feeling well enough to go for a bite. Instead, we came back to the condo and I slept most of the day and night. Every time I woke up, Jake was holding me close and would try to get me to drink or eat something. Though I sipped at the water he always had waiting for me, I couldn’t stomach anything else.
I woke up early and felt worse than I had the day before.
After my much needed shower, I was brushing my teeth when Jake came into the bathroom. His face was blank as he handed me a plastic bag from the store and my cell. Without a word,
he walked back out.
Looking at the phone, I saw it was already connected to Ray. “‘Ello?” I croaked.
“Sweetie, are you late?” Ray asked.
“Yeah, I asked Jake to call you. I can’t meet up with you today, I’m not feeling well.”
“No. Are you late?”
“Huh?” I looked in the bag and found bright pink stomach medicine and a pregnancy test.
My fiancé who doesn’t want kids went out and bought me a pregnancy test.
Awesome.
Excuse me while I sneak out the window.
“Did you say something to Jake when he called to cancel?” My nervous stomach churned, making me feel worse.
“I kinda blurted it out without thinking. Why?”
“Jake doesn’t want kids.”
“Are you still on the pill?”
“I started getting the shot. With me spending the night at both places, I didn’t want to risk forgetting. I’ve never missed or been late with either, though,” I rambled.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll pick up a test and be right over.”
“Jake got one. I’m gonna take it. Can you stay on the phone? Please?”
“Of course. Where is he?”
“I dunno. He just handed me the pregnancy kit and left.” My hands shook as I opened the package and followed the directions.
“Well?”
“It says it takes three minutes,” I whispered.
“Okay. I’ll wait,” she whispered back.
I tried to look at anything but the little white stick on the counter. After three minutes, I peeked and saw only one pink line. I let out a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding as my feelings bombarded me.
“Negative?” she asked.
“Yup.”
“You good with that?”
“Yes, totally. Definitely. Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“I’m relieved?”
“Is that a question?”
“No, I am. This is a good thing?”
Ray’s voice was soft. “I don’t know, sweetheart, is it?”
“Uhh.”
“Why doesn’t he want kids?”
Ray was asking something I wanted to know, too. I’d been putting the conversation off but I knew, now more than ever, it was one we needed to have.
“I don’t know.” I picked up the test to throw it out when something caught my eye. “What does it mean when there is a really light second line? Is it still negative?”
“Usually a line is a line. Are there two?”
“Yes.” I swallowed painfully over the sudden lump in my throat as my queasy stomach threatened to revolt.
“Congrats, sweetheart. Do you want me to come over?”
“No. I… I have to go talk to Jake.”
After I let Ray go, I found Jake pacing in the kitchen.
When he looked at my face, his eyes closed slowly before he dropped his head.
“I’m gonna, uh, go call my doctor.” Dazedly, I headed into my room and sat on the edge of my bed as the call connected.
“Doctor Augusta’s office,” the cheerful receptionist answered.
“Hi, this is Piper Skye.”
“Hi Piper, honey. How’re you?”
“Good. Well, maybe. I’ve been feeling pretty run down and sick, so I took a pregnancy test and it was positive.”
“Congratulations! Normally Dr. Augusta doesn’t see patients until they’re nine weeks into the pregnancy. Since you were just in for your shot, though, I’m not sure. Let me put you on hold for a second, alright?”
As I waited, Jake came in and sat behind me. Pulling me to him, he kissed the spot behind my ear.
The receptionist clicked back on. “Piper?”
“Yes?”
“Doctor Augusta would like to see you. Can you come in at eleven thirty?”
“Sure, that’s no problem.”
“Okay, you’re all set. See you then.”
I ended the call and leaned back into Jake’s chest. “She wants to see me in a couple hours.”
“I’ll come with you,” his voice rumbled in my ear.
“No, that’s okay. You left work early yesterday.”
“It’s cool, I know the guy who owns the place.”
“I’ll be—”
“Piper.” From his firm tone, I knew arguing was a waste of time.
“Fine.” I got up and went to the bathroom to get ready, not daring to look at Jake.
*******
“Well, Miss Skye, it was a false alarm.”
My breath whooshed out of my lungs. I felt Jake’s body shift next to me. “False alarm?”
“After a short period of time, pregnancy tests can develop evaporation lines. Because you said that the line was faint and didn’t show initially, I’m assuming that’s all it was. It could have also been an indent line and shadow playing tricks. Regardless, your blood test was negative,” Doctor Augusta explained.
“So feeling sick?”
“It may be a typical virus. However, since you just had the shot, it could be a reaction to that. It can take a few doses for your body to adjust to the influx of hormones. To avoid this, you can switch back to the pill or try something else.”
“What would you recommend?”
“I know you were hesitant when we discussed it last time, but I do think an IUD would work well for you. It lasts for five years and then we replace it.”
“But the side effects…” I squirmed just thinking about it.
“You’re right, they can be unpleasant. It can fall out, get embedded in your uterus, or change your menstrual bleeding. But, Piper, the majority of women have no problem. There’s nothing to remember to take, put on, or put in. You’re set for five years.”
“What if we decide to have kids before the time is up?” Jake asked, shocking the hell out of me.
As this was the first thing he’d said since we came into the office, Doctor Augusta looked a little surprised, too. “If you decide to start trying, all Piper needs to do is come in and have it removed. Some women get pregnant that same month, but for others it takes a little longer. If this is the way you want to go, we can insert a non-hormonal one today.”
“Okay.” I felt both shocked and numb.
Jake’s cell rang. “Sorry, it’s work.” Silencing the ringer, he stood and left the room to take the call.
“Congratulations on your engagement, by the way,” Dr. Augusta said, looking at my ring.
“Thank you.” I smiled as I looked at it, too.
“Alright, I’ll go get everything ready and be back.” Walking out, she closed the door behind her and left me alone with my thoughts.
*******
“I think we should talk, sweets,” Jake said.
Pressed against him in bed, my leg was thrown over his while my cheek rested on his chest. His rough hand rubbed along my spine.
Naked in bed is so not where I want to have this conversation. Let’s schedule it for later.
Maybe the seventh of freakin’ never?
When the uncomfortable IUD insertion was done, Jake insisted that I go home and rest. I didn’t want to relax. If I was alone with my thoughts, I’d obsess and analyze every single thing. I wasn’t ready to deal with my feelings.
Cluck, cluck, chicken.
Using the excuse of being behind schedule, I told Jake I wanted to get some work done. Since arguing with him was normally like stapling jello to a tree, I was surprised when he gave in.
After getting caught up on orders, I grabbed takeout and went to my place in case Jake needed time to himself.
He obviously didn’t since he showed up shortly thereafter, kissed me, and fixed a plate of food like nothing was amiss.
We spent the rest of the night watching TV and ignoring the baby elephant in the room.
“About what?” I asked hesitantly, hoping in vain that we were just going to keep ignoring it.
“Do you want kids, Piper?”
“I’ve never had kids
, so I wouldn’t know what I’m missing out on. I have had you, so I’d definitely know what I was giving up.”
“I changed my mind.”
“What?” I sat up to look down at him.
His hand gently combed through my hair. He watched the long strands fall through his fingers. “Been thinkin’ about it for a while but I didn’t wanna freak you out.”
“You’re the one that seemed freaked. In the kitchen, when you saw—”
“I was already breathin’ deep, seein’ bright, tastin’ sweet. The thought of my baby in you?” He looked me in the eyes, his showing exactly how he’d felt. “Fuckin’ perfection.”
Seeing the two lines on the test had sent a rush of emotions through me. I was worried about Jake’s feelings, but happiness had been a close second.
In a nervous, petrified, excited, and giddy way, that is.
“Why didn’t you want kids before?”
Every time I’d thought about asking, I chickened out. I wasn’t ready to face the definitive reality of never having kids.
I hadn’t lied to him. If the toss-up was between him and babies, I’d pick him. That didn’t mean I wanted to have to make that choice.
“I grew up lonely. My parents worked all the time and even when they were home, they weren’t really there. Floyd flew across the country to be there for you. My dad missed my high school graduation.”
Well, that explains the look on his face when I was telling him about how often I saw Dad.
“Baby,” I whispered, rubbing his stubble.
Catching my hand, he pulled it to him and kissed my fingertips. He kept them close, his lips grazing as he spoke. “I got it then and more so now. But it was one more thing in a long list of things they missed. I know it’s stupid—”
“No, it’s not.” I tried to pull my hand away but his grip stayed firm.
At my raised brows, he gave me a half smile. “You smell and,” he started, before nipping the pad of my middle finger, “taste like cake.”
“Don’t distract me. Continue—”
“I was tryin’ to.” With a wicked grin, his tongue touched my finger.
“With your story. Continue with your story.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “Workin’ with cars was all I’d ever wanted to do. I woke up one mornin’ and I was just done. I was puttin’ time, effort, and a shit ton of money into a college I didn’t wanna go to so I could start doin’ a job I didn’t wanna do. So I quit. I started workin’ at garages until I built enough of a client base that I could start my own place. My focus has always been on Hyde.”