“You are the best. I swear I need to steal you away from Wes,” I add with a wink.
“Try it, and I will end you,” Wes growls, glaring at me as he pulls his woman into his chest, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
Calla merely rolls her eyes. Wes might be the dominate in the bedroom on occasion, but he will never have Calla as a submissive, which cracks me the fuck up. Before Calla, he never would’ve gone for a switch. But damn if it doesn’t suit him when it comes to her. She’s even talked him into taking her to Crave, another club we co-own, though we do have a few other partners in that venture.
What I wouldn’t do to have Teagan with me at Crave. Get your mind off of Teagan and in this party!
“Touchy,” I chuckle and glance over my shoulder at Teagan before focusing back on Wes and Calla.
Calla winks and smirks at me, and I know I’ve been caught. Perceptive little minx.
“Ignore him. Can I look around before we get started on the game?” Calla asks, moving toward Teagan and the bar.
“Yes, please. It’s why I wanted to play here tonight. We passed the inspections and can open as scheduled on Friday. Since y’all pushed me into doing this bar, I thought poker night would be the best way to celebrate. Teagan said she’d pour drinks for us.”
“What’s with the flowers in your hair? It’s not your normal hair accessory,” I overhear Nessa ask, and I glance around to see what she’s talking about.
“I hear you officially moved in,” Calla adds, and my attention is divided between the girls’ conversation and the guys’.
“Yes, it’s official,” Jax confirms. “I moved in, and to celebrate, Ella wanted to give me flowers, so she and Forest got me this.” She gestures to her head. “And you’re right, Nessa, they’re not my normal accessory.”
“I can’t believe it took two months for it to be official,” Teagan adds.
“Me, either. I didn’t realize how much shit I have. Not to mention, how much Forest and Ella have,” Jax replies, and the women all laugh. Her comment even has me chuckling.
“We get drink service tonight?” Adam pipes up, placing the bundle he’s carrying on the table where Calla placed the food she brought.
Everyone checks out the floor space, and of course, the whiskey selection. Besides Belladonna, I don’t know of another bar in town that carries as many different varieties of whiskey and scotch as I now do. Teagan is just finishing up the last drink order when Wes steps into an open area between the bar and our table.
“Rex, you did an awesome job creating this place, man. And if you don’t mind, I want to add a little more to this special night.”
“Sure, dude, but whatever you want to add, make it quick. I’d like to take some money off your hands,” I tease, grinning. The man is loaded, but so am I, so I really don’t need his money.
“Calla,” Wes calls out, and she turns toward him and steps closer. He falls to one knee as he pulls a small box from his pocket and pops the top open. “Since pulling my head out of my ass, I feel like the luckiest man in the world. So, in front of our closest friends, I have to ask…Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Calla is silent for a good three heartbeats, and it feels like I’ve stopped breathing, so I can only imagine what my best friend is feeling.
“Yes!” Her voice is shaking as she answers, and Wes slips the rock on her finger. And when I say rock, I’m not joking. I’m not sure how the fuck she’s going to cook with that damn thing on. It’s huge and blinding.
“What the fuck? You couldn’t wait until I got in the room?” a deep voice sounds from the elevator.
“I saw you standing there, jackass, but I wanted your sister’s attention on me, not your sorry ass,” Wes harasses Ben.
“Teagan, I think we need a bottle of the good stuff,” I shout over my shoulder as we all congratulate Wes and Calla on their engagement and welcome Ben and Wes’s brothers.
* * *
The End
Other Titles from Teresa Crumpton
One of the Boys Series
Donut Leave Me
Calla’s Kitchen
Bearded Dessert
Foster House Legacy Series
Her Legacy
Bloodties
Acknowledgments
Lucas, love, what can I say? You’re my rock. I couldn’t do this without you.
* * *
Annessa, thanks for keeping me sane. Thanks for listening to me when I need to vent.
* * *
My editor needs a BIG thank you.
* * *
Kristen, thanks for all the advice––and drinks!
* * *
L. Woods PR, and specifically, Veronica, thanks for everything you do, day in and day out, to help me keep my shit together.
* * *
Mayra, thanks again for letting me join the party. It was a lot of fun!
Want more dilf goodness?
Eleven authors have come together to bring you smoking hot stories about heart-revving dads that will make you swoon and your e-reader melt!!
* * *
All DILF Mania Reads:
* * *
Steam It Up - Melanie Codina
Bearded Dessert - Teresa Crumpton
Revealing Him - Jennifer Domenico
Don't Be A D**k - Felicia Fox
Love Without End - Geri Glenn
I Hope You Dance - Jessika Klide
For You, I Will - Kristen Hope Mazzola
Gas Up the Jet, Baby: Nashville - Aubrey Parr
Daddy Dilemma - GM Scherbert
Quite Frankly - Mayra Statham
Daddin' Ain't Easy - Winter Travers
Donut Leave Me
Sneak Peek
Dedication
To all my nieces: This is for you, with love.
Chapter 1
Forest
It’s too damn early for someone to be knocking on my door. I reach for my my phone to see what time it is. If it’s before 10 AM I’m not going to answer. The screen reads 9:40 AM.
“Go the fuck away, and let me sleep,” I growl, knowing damn well the person pounding on my door can’t hear me.
“Are you going to get that?” the woman next to me mumbles, and for the life of me, I can’t remember her name.
She’s the first woman I’ve brought back to my place in weeks. I toss the covers off and slip out of bed, grabbing my sweats off the floor and stepping into them as I stumble my way to the front door. There are shuffling sounds coming from my room, and I guess my one night stand is getting dressed. Thank fuck I won’t have to kick her out when I go back to bed.
I glance through the peephole and freeze. The chick knocking on my door looks vaguely familiar, but if this is who I’m thinking she might be, I haven’t seen her in years. Somewhere around eight years I’d guess. Hell, I’ve even moved since then. A few times. I flip the locks and unchain the door before opening it.
It’s fucking bright out, so I have to squint at the woman. “Can I help you?”
“Forest?” she asks, wrapping her arms over her chest. “Forest Jenson?”
I swear this can’t be who she reminds me of. Hallie had curves that wouldn’t quit and was built. This woman is practically skin and bones.
“I’m Forest Jenson. Is there something I can do for you?” I’m hoping she’ll actually tell me why she’s at my door this time, and I can answer her question and get back in my bed soon. It’s too early for this shit.
“Sorry, yes. May I come in? This conversation would be better if you’re sitting down,” she continues, but I’m leery of letting her in my apartment. “Also… Uh... can I ask you to put on a shirt? This discussion is going to be difficult enough without staring at your chest and tattoos.”
I glance down at myself and shrug. The woman has balls, I’ll give her that. The fact that I’m not sure if I know her is only one reason I hesitate. The other reason has to do with the crazy-ass bitch my friend and coworker, Wes, is dating. I don’t want
to invite that brand of crazy into my home. But looking at this woman and her frailty makes me think better of leaving her standing on the stoop. I open the door wider and step back, giving her a silent invitation and space to enter.
The chick from my bed walks out of my room. She’s completely rumpled. Walk of shame doesn’t look good on you.
“Umm. I’m going to go,” she mumbles, grabbing her purse and coverup on the way out.
“Sure.” I continue to hold the door open for her.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you had company,” my new guest apologizes. “I should go. Maybe this was a bad idea.” She bites her bottom lip and turns to head toward the door I’m still holding open.
I hold up my hand in the universal “stop” signal at her. There is no fucking way I’m letting her leave now. I’m all too curious to hear what she has to say at this point.
My date from last night steps outside and tells me over her shoulder, “I left my number next to your phone. Call me.”
“Sure.” She turns and saunters off, and I close the door behind her then face the newcomer. “Now what can I do for you?”
“Your… uh shirt... please?” She walks toward the couch.
“Seriously? You come to my place, get me out of my warm bed too damn early, and you want me to put on a shirt?”
“Yes. Please?”
“Fine,” I grumble at her. “Do you know how to make coffee? I think I’m going to need it. You start the coffee, I’ll get my shirt on.” I raise my eyebrow at her.
She nods, places her purse on my coffee table, and points in the direction she assumes my kitchen is with raised eyebrows as if asking for my confirmation.
Wonder if she knows how to make French press coffee? Screw it. I’m not even going to ask.
“Yeah, kitchen’s that way,” I nod in the direction she’s pointing, “and the coffee should be on the counter. I have a Keurig, so make yourself a cup too if you’d like. By the way, you wanna tell me your name?”
She stops dead in her tracks and very slowly faces me. “You don’t remember my name?”
“Lady, I barely remember my own some days and, while you look oddly familiar, the person you remind me of I haven’t seen in about eight years.” I cross my arms over my chest, still waiting for her answer.
“You’re right. Good point. Fuck. This really is going to be harder than I thought.” She blows out a long breath. “Forget the shirt, and you’re gonna want something stronger than coffee. Can I sit?” She motions to my couch.
I nod and move to lean against the doorframe, my arms remaining crossed. Something feels off with this chick, and I’m beginning to think it was a bad idea to let her in.
She lets out another breath as she takes a seat. “I had this awesome speech prepared, but that was when I thought you’d recognize me. I realize I look nothing like what I used to. Well, ‘nothing’ isn’t really the right term, but…. Anyway, my name is Hallie Hartley.” Hearing her name nearly stops my heart. This frail woman can’t be Hallie. She keeps talking, and I’m pretty damn sure I’ve missed something she’s said. “I know we lost contact after that one night, but I’m still best friends with your sister, Piper. In fact, she’s the reason I’m here.”
“Hallie Hartley.” I stare at her, my arms falling to my sides as I push off the doorframe. Now that I know it’s her, I can see more of her features that I remember. But still… she’s so frail. “It’s been years. Why did Piper send you to me now?” What the hell are you doing, Piper?
“Yeah, it’s been seven years and about nine months, to be exact. The night of Nessa’s engagement, Piper drug me out to celebrate with everyone.” She rubs the back of her neck, the gesture pulling my attention to her hair. It’s a lot different than it used to be.
It had been long and lush; now it’s in a cute pixie cut and not really something I’d picture a cheerleader having. Is she still a cheerleader? Didn’t Piper say Hallie had joined her squad?
“Seven or eight years sounds about right. Not to be rude, but I’m not really understanding why Piper, or you, would want to have this walk down memory lane after all this time. If I remember right, two weeks after our night together you were trying out to be a professional cheerleader with my sister.”
“I did. And I made the team, in fact. At least for part of a season. But a few months later, I had to quit." She stares down at her hands as she fidgets with them, and there’s this long, awkward pause before she speaks again.
"I… uh… couldn't cheer and be pregnant at the same time," she confesses so quietly that I'm not really sure I hear her right.
"Pregnant?" I choke out, my voice shaky even to my own ears. I cross my arms again as if to protect myself. Shit! Dammit! FUCK! This can NOT be happening! "Hallie....” My voice cracks so I clear my throat and try again. “What the hell are you here to tell me? Are you telling me that… uh that one night we spent together....” My voice is stronger now. “Holy hell! You got pregnant that night?!” I roar. “And why the fuck are you just now telling me?" She flinches, and I know my tone sounds harsher than I want it to, but I can't help that. I'm quickly moving from stunned to pissed.
“Yes.” She speaks the word softly and meekly, which is nothing like I remember Hallie being. “Even with all of our precautions, somehow I got pregnant that night. I didn’t say anything to you because by the time I realized it, I was dating someone else. Plus, I wasn’t living anywhere near you. You had a good job, and so did I, and I didn’t want to mess that up for either of us,” Hallie admits, glancing at me but unwilling to keep eye contact.
There’s no fucking way I have a child!
“So you figured what? I wouldn’t want to know I had a child? That I wouldn’t support you both? That I wouldn’t try to make us a family? That I’d deprive you, and my child, of a stable home?” I snarl, my temper flaring again as I begin to pace.
“It wasn’t like that Forest, I swear! I knew you’d do anything for your family, but I also knew you loved working with your friends. Piper talked about everything you were doing... daily. And, no she didn’t know I was pregnant with your child. So please don’t be pissed at her,” Hallie pleads with tortured eyes.
Knowing that little bit helps calm me slightly, but Piper has to know something now for her to send Hallie to me at this point.
“Look, I wanted to raise Isabella, I call her Ella, myself, and yes, it’s been hard. But I thought it would be best for everyone. Did I make a bad decision? Possibly. But your life was here, and mine was not. I’m a cheerleader, and a sports trainer. My life was with the team I was working for, and your life was here... cooking. I’m sorry.”
“So what? Now you need my help?” I glower at her as I pace.
“Ella and I both need your help,” she admits sadly, and I stop dead in my tracks.
Why would they both need my help? I take a moment to look more closely at Hallie and realize I can see her bones, she’s so thin. Even for a cheerleader, she’s too thin. And for the first time, I really notice what’s she’s wearing. It’s August here in Austin, and she’s in long pants and a form-fitting, long-sleeved shirt.
“Why Hallie? Why do y’all need my help now?”
“Because…” she hesitates. “...I’m dying, Forest. And I’d rather our daughter be with you than in a foster home, or even with my family, for that matter,” Hallie finishes, finally making eye contact with me and holding it.
“Fuck!” My throat goes dry, and I swallow hard.
“You can say that again.” She scratches her hair and all of it shifts slightly. I must stare at her head for longer than I think because Hallie explains, “It’s a wig. One of many. I lost all my hair during chemo.”
Cancer?! Mother. Fucker!
“I’m sorry.” I’m finally able to force the words out. “How long have you been sick?” I’m at a total loss as to how to deal with all of this. I’m still pissed, because how many sucker-punches to the gut can I take in one conversation? But… she’s dying, so I sh
ouldn’t be so harsh.
“They found the ovarian cancer while I was pregnant with Ella. During the pregnancy they couldn’t do much to treat it, mainly because I wasn’t willing to give up Ella. The doctors told me she might be the only biological child I could have, depending on the treatment. And, against their better judgement, I decided to keep her.” Tears fill Hallie’s eyes as I move closer to her and the couch.
“You- you kept our baby, despite what the doctors told you?” I’m floored and in awe of her bravery. My temper quickly deflates.
“Yeah. Piper was there for that part, but I still didn’t tell her the baby was her niece or nephew,” she chuckles softly.
I slowly ease myself down next to her on the couch. “I’m sorry you went through all that without help besides my sister. Hallie, I’m really trying to understand why you waited this long to tell me about our child. Especially knowing you were sick. Am I on her birth certificate?”
“No,” she admits, quickly adding, “But only because I didn’t want Piper to find out you are Ella’s father. I didn’t think she’d respect my wishes and not tell you. Or Nessa for that matter. Right after Ella was born, the doctors told me I wouldn’t have long. But... then they were hopeful that I would have more years because I’d started treatments and, for a while, they worked. Obviously I’m not that lucky, though. The cancer returned, and the treatments aren’t working anymore.” Her voice is shaky, and I watch as tears begin to fall. “When they told me the cancer was back, I knew I’d made the right decision not to tell you, only so that I could have that short amount of time with Ella all to myself. Yes, it was extremely selfish, but I knew you’d have so many more years with her.” She’s sobbing now, and tears keep rolling down her face as she’s trying to wipe them away.
Bearded Dessert (One of the Boys Book 3) Page 9