by L. P. Maxa
“Yeah, man, of course. I’ll get a flight plan filed and be there in a few hours.”
“I’d throw her over my shoulder and bring her myself, but she doesn’t want people to know about us yet. And I don’t want to add any unnecessary stress to her life.” I stood, heading down the hall to room seven twenty-eight.
“I’ll keep it all to myself until I can get her home.”
“Thanks.”
“No, man, thank you for taking care of my sister. You’re a good guy, Brody.” He hung up. And I marched to my doom.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Landry
“Brody?” I sat up in bed, accidentally snagging my IV on my blanket. “What happened? Is the baby okay? No one will tell me anything.” I rested my hands on my stomach, silently praying that the tummy bug was still in there.
Brody crossed the room, putting his hands on top of mine and kissing my lips. “The baby is fine. It’s you that we’re all worried about.”
“Me? I’m fine. I got a little light-headed, that’s all.” I wouldn’t tell him about Travis. Not yet. I wasn’t ready to relive what he’d said, the way he’d acted. Never mind the drama that I was sure came after when Wes called for security. Brody wasn’t ready to hear it. He’d storm out of here, find Travis, and go postal on his ass. Conceptually, I wouldn’t mind a bit, but that kind of press wasn’t going to do Clashing Swell any good, especially with the tour starting tomorrow, and RiffRaff records didn’t need to bail Brody out of jail.
And I didn’t want my life on the cover of every tabloid, so I prevaricated.
“You passed out, baby cakes.” He moved forward, adjusting the pillows behind my back, making sure I was comfortable. “And you passed out because you were dehydrated and exhausted, and then there was something else about your blood pressure.” He perched on the edge of my bed, his hand on my thigh. “When I asked how your day was, you failed to mention the six-hour surgery you performed.”
“Right. Because if I’d said, yeah, my day was great, I just completed a pancreaticoduodenectomy, you would have known that was a six-hour procedure?” I was being a bit of a brat. But I was scared, and I’d ended up having a really craptastic day.
“I talked to Dr. Woodsen a few minutes ago.”
“And? What did he say?” Brody looked a little pale. I should be nicer to him; I bet hearing that I’d passed out had scared the shit out of him.
“He’s putting you on bed rest for the remainder of your pregnancy.”
I took a deep breath, opening my mouth wide to let loose all kinds of random insults and cuss words. But Brody quickly leaned forward, placing his palm gently over my lips. “I know you’re pissed. I know that you want to yell and scream and throw things.” I nodded, my eyes narrowed. “Focus on the positive. Okay? You and the baby are both going to be fine. You can finish your residency as soon as you pop that kiddo out. This isn’t the end of the world. It’s a little setback. Nothing more.”
He was right. I knew he was. Not that it made swallowing bed rest orders any easier. Part of this was my fault. I hadn’t eaten enough today, and I’d overdone it with the Whipple surgery. But another part of this was Travis’s fault. I needed to talk to the chief. I remembered Wes demanding security come get my asshole ex, but after that everything was blank. I tugged at the hospital gown, making sure the sleeve covered the bruises I was sure I had from the hold Travis had on my arm.
“I know none of this is easy.” Brody crawled up the bed, sitting beside me and wrapping me in his arms. “I hate that you’re having to go through it. But I’m so damn glad that you’re okay. That the baby is okay.” He kissed the top of my head and I melted a little. “And to be honest, you’re handling the news better than I’d anticipated.”
I was pretty sure they’d given me something in my IV to take the edge off when I’d woken up with a headache. “I’ll have to drop out of my residency. I can’t believe it. I am almost done.”
“You’ll take a leave. They’ll save your spot.”
I nodded slowly, tears seconds away from spilling over. Probably, they would have saved my spot with or without the Westons’ influence, but having trustees on my side wasn’t going to hurt. Fuck, today had sucked.
“Baby, please don’t cry.”
I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t slow my tears. “I’m a terrible mom. I can’t even keep the baby healthy. First it was the constant vomiting and now I’m passing out.” The waterworks were triggering a full-blown mental meltdown. “Is this the way it’s going to go? Am I destined to screw up this kid? My biological mom was the worst. Maybe I inherited that gene.” Yeah, I was blubbering like an idiot.
“You are strong and determined, and goal oriented. You are going to set an amazing example for this kid. You will finish your residency, you will. But first, you’ve got to grow the kid.” Brody made me rest my head on his chest, and he used the remote between us to turn down the lights in my room. “We’ve got to stay the night in the hospital.”
He kissed my forehead and I started to cry harder. “Our last night together and we have to spend it here?”
He settled further down in the bed, snuggling me closer and putting his palm on my stomach. “It’s not our last night together, baby cakes, it’s just one night. One night out of hundreds to make sure my babies are safe and healthy.”
Brody never referred to the baby as his. Me? Yeah, he called me his girl all the time. But the baby? Not once.
I wanted to point out what he’d said.
I wanted to ask him what it’d meant.
But I didn’t want to ruin this perfect moment in time.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Brody
Landry and I had been sleeping for about an hour by the time I heard Beau walked in. I’d become a light sleeper since bedding down next to a pregnant chick. Carefully, I got out of bed and crossed the room, holding out my hand. “Nice to meet you, man.”
“Yeah, you too.” We shook and then he placed his hands on his hips, studying his sister. I knew what he was seeing. I knew how small and vulnerable she looked in that bed. “How’s she doing?”
We were whispering, trying to let her sleep as well as put off the argument that was bound to come. “She’s good. She took the bed rest news better than I expected.” Way better. I’d been prepared for a full-blown knock-down, drag-out argument. I chuckled. “Maybe she’s saving all the piss and vinegar for what we’re about to tell her.” Landry wasn’t going to be on board for spending the next six months on bed rest in her childhood bedroom.
Beau sighed, his face wary. “Like ripping off a Band-Aid, right?” He walked up to his sister’s side, taking her hand in his. “Landry?”
I stayed out of their way, content to let them have their moment. I watched as my girl’s eyes opened, and her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Beau? What are you doing here?”
“Your boyfriend called me.” Beau and Landry both turned to look at me. “I used to be your emergency contact, but I guess baby daddy has a one-up on baby brother, huh?”
The humor in his voice made Landry smile. “You didn’t have to come all this way. I’m fine. The baby is fine.”
“Brody told me about the bed rest.” Beau stood up straight, crossing his arms over his chest, preparing for a fight. I took a few steps forward, joining forces with my girl’s brother. “I want you to come with me, Landry.”
“Brody doesn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon and I should be discharged before noon. He can take me back to my apartment.”
I shook my head. “The compound, baby cakes.”
She started cracking up. She tossed her head back and started laughing so hard I was concerned she was going to pee herself.
I glanced at Beau and he let out a weary sigh. I put my hands on her cheeks, forcing her to meet my gaze. “You okay?” She nodded, still laughing. “Okay, well, I’m not sure why you find this funny because we’re not kidding.” She waved her hand at me. Did she want me to continue? Or get the hell out of
her room? “I leave on tour in less than twenty-four hours, and you’ve been put on strict best rest. The safest place for you to be is home.”
She wiped at her eyes, her giggles dying down. “I’m not going home.”
“Why?” Beau shook his head. “You know it’s what needs to happen.”
“I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.” She glared at her brother and began ticking off reasons she wasn’t going back to Texas on her fingers. Was that a doctor thing? McBearded had done it earlier too. “Our family has their own lives. They’re busy. I’m not going to deal with the constant ‘Who is the daddy?’ questions. The list goes on and on.”
“You’re coming home, Landry.” Beau wasn’t having any of it. His face was set, full of determination, but so was hers.
Landry narrowed her eyes into tiny slits, like she was trying to kill him with a look. “No.”
I took a step forward, taking a different tactic. “You and the baby are the two most important things in the world to me. You can cuss and call me names and hate me, but you are going home.” I smiled, realizing in that moment exactly how I was going to get Landry where she needed to be. “Either you fly home with Beau and let your family take care of you, or I quit the band so I can stay in Florida and do it myself.”
Beau’s jaw dropped open, amusement in his eyes as they darted back and forth between my girl and me.
“I like this one, Landry.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brody
I’d spent so many miles on this tour bus I’d lost count. We slept all day and played all night. We ate gas station food and shared one tiny bathroom.
And I missed Landry.
Fuck did I miss my girl. It’d only been a few weeks, but each day that went by without being able to kiss her lips was pure torture. I’d complained to the guys so much that Dane had thrown a pad of paper at my head and told me to either keep my feelings to myself or write a song.
It was nearing midnight and the bus was pulling away from the venue in Florida where Landry and I were supposed to open the paternity results.
I grabbed my cell, checking for service. I wanted to punch a hole in the wall when I saw I didn’t have enough for FaceTime.
Brody: You still awake baby cakes?
Landry: Yep. I think I’ve become nocturnal like you.
Brody: How was your day?
Landry: Well, my Uncle Smith is insisting on teaching me to play chess. So there’s
that. How was the show?
Brody: It was good. We just played Florida, if you were still here, I’d be fucking you right now.
Landry: I wish I was still in Florida.
Brody: Me too. I miss you, so fucking much.
Landry: I miss you too.
Brody: Don’t cry baby.
Landry: I’m not.
Brody: What?! I tell you I miss you and that I wished I was fucking you and you don’t cry? What kind of pregnant chick are you?
Landry: The perpetually irritated kind that’s living with her whole FREAKING FAMILY.
Brody: We were supposed to open the envelope tonight.
Landry: I know, I have it right here next to me. I didn’t know what you’d want me to do with it.
Brody: I don’t want you to open it.
Landry: Good. I don’t want to open it without you.
Brody: We play in Austin next month. Luke invited the band to the compound for a few days since we have a break. We can open it then.
Landry: You’re coming to see me?! Really?!
Brody: I’m going to fuck you so many damn times.
Landry: Oddly sweet.
Brody: Get some rest bad girl. I’ll call you tomorrow as soon as I have good service.
Landry: I lied earlier. I was crying. I’m so homesick for you.
Brody: I know baby, me too.
I climbed out of my bunk, heading into the living room area—if you could call it that, it was so small—to watch some TV. I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while. The adrenaline from the show and heartache from missing my girl would keep me awake for another few hours.
“How’s Landry?” Talon was stretched out on the couch, the remote in his hand.
“She’s doing okay.” I sat down in a recliner, spinning it until I was facing him. “She’s learning to play chess.” I told him little details every day, so that way if Luke asked, it would seem like Talon was still talking to her. Still her friend.
“How are you doing, man?”
“I miss her every damn day.” I was living my childhood dream. I was playing to sold-out crowds every night, hanging out with my best friends every day. This was what I’d wanted, for as long as I could remember.
I’d never admit it out loud, especially to the band, but I’d give it all up if she asked me to.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Five Days ‘til Austin
Brody: Some chick attempted to sneak onto our tour bus tonight.
Landry: Okay…
Brody: I got pissed and had security take her away. Brax was mad at me because he said she was hot and he would have fucked her.
Landry: Brax thinks everyone is hot. And a chick that sneaks onto a tour bus? Automatic bad news, ask anyone.
Brody: I miss your fucking face.
Landry: Same.
Brody: You in bed?
Landry: I’m on bed rest. I’m always in bed.
Brody: Funny.
Landry: Avory came over tonight. She wanted my opinion on a prom dress.
Brody: That sounds fun.
Landry: She tried on 12.
Twenty Days ‘til Austin
Landry: You guys finish sound check?
Brody: Yeah. Then we went to lunch, I ate a grilled cheese. Talon got the fish tacos, Brax made dirty jokes about it. Dane decided he was going to become vegan. I think it lasted about eight hours, he had a burger for lunch.
Landry: I like hearing about your day.
Brody: I watched three Live P.D. re-runs and then took a thirty-minute nap. I’m waiting my turn for the bathroom, then we’ve got to head back to the venue.
Brody: Text me something dirty, I want to jerk it in the shower.
Landry: Sometimes at night, after we talk, I lay in bed and touch myself. Your voice is always raspy after your shows and it makes me wet.
Brody: More.
Landry: I pretend it’s your hands on my body and that you’re in bed with me.
Brody: And what am I doing to you?
Landry: You spread my thighs wide, rubbing my clit until I beg for it.
Brody: Beg for me.
Landry: Fuck, Brody, please don’t stop.
Brody: I miss making you come.
Landry: You and me both.
Eighteen Days ‘til Austin
Brody: Tell me about your day. I miss you a whole fucking lot right now and I have shit cell service.
Landry: Ate some scrambled eggs, watched the news, played the drums, took a nap, painted the dog’s nails, ate a caramel apple, helped Halen pick out new bedroom furniture, braided Emmie’s hair into a crown braid for her dance class, and now I’m talking to you.
Brody: Your day sounds more fun than mine.
Landry: I’m confined to my parents’ house.
Brody: But crown braids? Super cool.
Landry: You’re a dork. Where are y’all playing tonight?
Brody: Athens, Georgia
Landry: You said Georgia with a horrible southern accent in your head, didn’t you?
Brody: Yep.
Brody: Brax nailed this chick earlier that had a super thick accent, and she kept calling him sugar.
Landry: It’s 3:00, Brax banged a chick already?
Brody: Yep.
Brody: I miss banging you.
Landry: I miss being banged.
Seventeen days ‘til Austin
Landry: Tell me something interesting.
Brody: I stole some of your clothes.
Landry: I said interesting, no
t creepy.
Brody: When I went back to the apartment to pack so you could fly home with Beau, I took some of your clothes. And the big white blanket we use on the couch. They are all in my bunk. It smells like you every time I climb in bed.
Landry: I sleep in your worn out Clashing Swell shirts every night.
Brody: Weirdo.
Landry: Tell me something else.
Brody: I hate ants.
Landry: Who doesn’t hate ants?
Brody: No. Like to me, ants are as bad as spiders. I’m terrified of stepping in an ant pile. When I see ant piles, I get chills. Remember that scene in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull where they get attacked by the ants? I can’t watch it. I get nauseous.
Landry: You surf with sharks, but ants you’re afraid of?
Brody: Why do I feel like you’re laughing at me right now?
Landry: Because I am.
Fifteen days ‘til Austin
Brody: How is your day baby cakes?
Landry: It’s okay. My cousins have been coming by, watching movies with me and stuff.
Brody: What movies?
Landry: Halen makes us watch these dumb romantic comedies. The twins always pick action, or Bull Durham, there is no in-between.
Brody: I love that movie.
Landry: Bull Durham?
Brody: It’s a classic, and it’s one of my dad’s favorites.
Brody: “I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft kisses that last three days.”
Landry: Now I’m horny.
Brody: From a Bull Durham quote? Poor baby cakes.
Landry: It’s these pregnancy hormones. And the fact that I’m in bed without you.
Brody: I’ll be there soon bad girl. I’ll take care of EVERYTHING.