Luke nodded. “I truly understand you, brother, more than you’ll ever know.”
That statement sent a shockwave coursing through Amy. What was Luke implying? The excitement that waved through her made Amy nervous. She’d never been unsure about her future with Luke, but after the way they’d reunited, the uncertainty lingered, no matter how bad she tried to brush it off and look past the incident.
John reappeared with two Michelob’s, 2 margarita’s, and water with lemon. “Since you asked for the water,” John said. “I thought I’d bring it to you even though Amy disagrees.”
“Thank you,” Erin responded. “I appreciate that sincerely.” Erin eased the margarita that Amy was trying to force down her throat to Amy’s side of the table.
Amy held her hands out. “It’s time to celebrate, what gives?”
Erin glanced over at Caleb who held a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes. Caleb took his attention to Amy.
“We’re pregnant,” he said, his smile spreading so wide it was bright enough to light up a room.
“Oh my God!” Amy screamed. Her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes rose as big as saucers.
“Congrad-u-motherfucking-lations soldier!” Luke shouted. He removed himself from the chair and reproached Caleb. Accepting his salutations, Caleb also rose, and the two men slapped hands and hugged each other tightly.
Amy jumped from her chair so fast it tilted over and fell behind her. She squealed and ran around the table to swallow Erin up in her own friendly embrace.
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you two! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Erin’s smile was enormous. “Well it’s the first time I’ve been able to bring it up.”
“What are you talking about? I was just at your house yesterday!”
Erin squinted. “I didn’t think that was exactly the right time to give our happy news.”
Amy’s smile dropped, and she smacked her own self on the forehead.
“Oh my God, Erin, I’m so sorry.”
“Why?”
“I was a complete bummer yesterday.”
Erin waved her off. “Oh, girl, that’s water under the bridge. I was too a complete bummer when Caleb returned, remember?”
Amy did remember, but that was beside the point.
“Now I’ll forgive you for not toasting with me,” Amy giggled and clung to Erin tighter. “I can’t believe this.” Tears misted over in Amy’s eyes.
“Are you crying?” Erin asked surprised.
Amy sniffled. “I’m just so happy for you two, seriously, you’ve been through so much.”
“Oh my God, Amy, you’re running a record today for things I’ve never seen in our 25 years of friendship. First blushing, now tears, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
Amy laughed as tears trickled from her face.
“You’re going to make me cry, stop that!” Erin chided.
“I can’t help it! I blame Luke and Caleb.”
The men turned from their conversation to peer over at Amy.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Amy went on, “before you two came back I was hard as hell, now I’m all mushy and stuff.”
Erin tossed her head back and laughed. Luke shook his head and Caleb chuckled. “Now, I need to go get myself together. I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I’ll go with you,” Erin added. Turning to glance at Luke and Caleb Erin said, “Are you two going to be alright by yourselves?”
Caleb strolled up to Erin and wrapped her from behind in his arms effectively pulling her from Amy. “I think we can manage,” he said rubbing his hand in a circular motion on her belly. A trail of heat passed through Erin and she turned her face to the side where she and Caleb kissed hotly.
Amy began fanning. “You guys are sizzling!”
Erin giggled, giving Caleb one last smooch before pulling out of his arms. Amy helped her out, grabbing Erin’s wrist to pull her along.
“I promise to take care of her!”
“You better,” Caleb retorted.
Amy’s smile widened, and her mouth dropped, then she tucked Erin’s arm underneath hers and the women sashayed off with the men staring after them hungrily.
7
When the women disappeared, Caleb and Luke reclaimed their seats.
“Well I guess it’s safe to say you made it out of the doghouse quicker than George when he shitted on Erin’s living room floor,” Caleb said, referring to their Labrador retriever.
“You heard about yesterday’s fiasco.”
Caleb nodded. “Erin told me.”
“So that’s where she went,” Luke muttered.
“Who was the girl?”
Luke sighed. “Jessica James.
Caleb’s eyes widened. “JJ?”
“The one and only.”
Caleb whistled and sat back against his chair as he took this bit of information in. He slipped a hand over his face knowing Jessica James was rivals with just about every girl in high school. She was known for going after another woman’s man and Erin and Caleb had been no different since Jessica had gone after them both back then.
“What did she say when she found out? I can imagine she tore into your ass.”
Luke grimaced. “Jessica’s not that bad once you get to know her.”
Caleb stared at him unblinking, trying to decipher whether he was being serious. When Luke didn’t reiterate, Caleb responded.
“Not that bad?”
“She isn’t.”
Caleb tilted his head to the side and tisked.
“What did Amy say?”
Luke cleared his throat. “She doesn’t know.”
Now Caleb was just plain ol confused.
“She only saw her from behind and by the time Amy did glance her way the distance between them was far enough that Amy didn’t make out Jessica’s face.”
“You know this for a fact?”
“She never brought up her name. In fact, her exact words when we reached her apartment was, “who is she.”
Caleb pulled another hand down his face.
“But you fixed it, right?”
Luke leaned his head side to side as if to say, something like that.
“You did, or you didn’t?”
“Not exactly.”
Caleb waited for him to explain. Luke glanced around the place then settled his eyes back on Caleb.
“I apologized, I was sincere about it, gave her roses, then waxed that ass.”
Caleb fell into a guffaw, laughing so hard he had to stand up to keep from toppling over in his chair.
“Dude, you’re a fool,” he said.
Luke chuckled. “I'm serious.”
“I know it, that’s what makes it even funnier.” Caleb sat back down.
“I guess that’ll fix things. Temporarily at least.”
Luke’s brows knocked together in a frown. “It’s a permanent fix,” he preached.
Caleb shook his head. “Nah, it isn’t, and I think you know that, because when Amy finds out JJ is the woman you’ve been talking to—”
“It was just friendly conversation, nothing more.”
Caleb held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I believe you man, but that’s not the point and you know it. She’s going to fuck you up.” The table became quiet as the two men stared each other down. “Unless,” Caleb started, “you tell her first. To be honest, my friend, that should’ve happened last night. At least you would’ve had the chance to hash it all out. Then I’m sure things would get better, but holding back, even that tiny bit of information will make it seem like you’re being deceitful.”
“Who are you, Dr. Phil?”
Caleb chuckled. “Nah, but I know women well enough to know if you leave out any details they’ll swear you were trying to hide something.” The table quieted again. “What did you say when she asked who JJ was?”
“I said, she is no one.”
Caleb chuckled again.
“You find this mighty funny.”
“Fuck you, Malone.”
Caleb laughed. “You can still get in front of this.” Caleb’s gaze traveled behind Luke’s head. “Or not,” he said.
Luke shifted in his seat and followed Caleb’s gaze. At the door, sauntering into the establishment was none other than Jessica James. She was followed by two other women, Alicia Flask and Sharon Makowski, both friends from high school.
“Shit,” Luke cursed.
“Maybe we should grab the girls and leave. I don’t want anybody feeling uncomfortable, and this scene would probably get worse before it gets better,” Caleb said.
“You might be right, but you know how our women are. They’re strong-minded. They won’t let Jessica James and her crew run us out of here.”
It was Caleb’s turn to grimace, knowing Luke was right.
“I need to talk to Jessica anyway,” Luke said. He slid his chair back and it scraped against the floorboard, but Caleb reached out and grabbed Luke’s wrist.
“Not here.”
Luke’s brow lifted questionably.
“Trust me, this is not the time or place to have whatever discussion you’re about to have with her.”
Luke cursed and sat back down. “Then when?”
“Shit,” Caleb cursed.
“What now?” Luke asked.
“Good evening fellas.”
The sultry voice behind Luke made the hair on his neck stand-up. He’d really screwed up by conversing with JJ and now his problem was as big as the sun.
Jessica sidled up to the table with her crew in tow.
“Caleb!” Alicia screeched, “Oh my God, welcome home!”
She tried to give Caleb a hug, but he only nodded, refusing to give her the attention she sought.
“Good even ladies, what brings you to Johns Pizzeria?”
“We come here all the time,” Sharon said. “Well, Alicia and I do. Most nights Jessica was too busy sitting at home by the phone waiting for you to call,” Sharon added in reference to Luke. A lone brow on Caleb’s face lifted as he turned to peer at Luke.
“Jessica,” Luke’s thick voice said, “you shouldn’t have.”
Jessica waved him off. “It’s fine. I know you needed the support and I was more than happy to give it to you.”
“Is that right,” came a voice on the other side of them.
They all turned around to look at Amy and Erin as they closed the distance, and dread settled over Luke instantly.
Fifteen minutes before
Amy pushed through the door of the ladies’ room with Erin’s wrist still clutched in her palm.
“The fact that I have to tear you two apart is crazy.”
“Is it?” Erin asked.
They traipsed up to the sink and Erin slipped her hand under the automatic faucet.
“No,” Amy admitted. “It’s so surreal though.” Amy took her fingers through her golden blonde curls, leaning her head to the side as she fluffed.
Erin cut right to the chase. She’d been waiting to get Amy alone to ask a few questions.
“I take it since I didn’t hear from you last night that you and Luke made up? Especially since you two seem to be doing okay today.”
Amy straightened and swiped her hair to one side of her neck.
“We most definitely made up.” Her voice became instantly cat-like and a smile spread across Erin’s face.
“That’s my girl,” she chimed.
Amy smiled in return and held a stare on her friend. “You know since Caleb’s been back, you’ve been different.”
Erin’s smile faded a little. “Different how?”
“Oh, not in a bad way,” Amy said hearing the concern in Erin’s tone. “I mean, you’re so happy, I’ve never seen you this happy before.”
Erin’s full smile returned, and she glanced at her freckled face in the mirror.
“That’s because I am happy.” Brown eyes stared back at her, then Erin turned back to Amy and grabbed her hand. “I want you to be happy too, you know.” Amy smiled but it was short and sweet.
“I know, I’d like to be happy, too.”
“Are you?”
Erin watched her friend closely and Amy let out a sigh. She pivoted and leaned her butt against the sink’s counter.
“I love Luke, Erin, more than anything actually. Knowing he was talking to some other girl the entire time he’s been away,” she sighed again, “It feels like betrayal. I mean… we’ve talked about it and I want to move past it, but Erin,” Amy turned to look at Erin, “six years?”
Erin blew out a breath. “Six years was a long time to be engaged with another person. Caleb had actually called Erin and broke up with her over the phone. She didn’t know if her situation was worse, but it felt quite the same. If Caleb had been conversing with another woman while he was away that would’ve killed Erin. That’s personal and she was sure she would’ve felt betrayed. She saw the faraway look in Amy’s eye and her heart broke for her friend.
“Hey, I understand, I really do. What would it take for you to feel better? Do you want to break up with him?”
“No, Jesus, Erin, I just said he mean’s everything in the world to me,” Amy tossed her arms up. “I don’t know what to do.” She fumbled. “I— I’m not looking for answers just needing to spill some things I’ve been thinking about I guess.”
“Amy, whatever you two talked about needs to be revisited. You can’t move forward in your relationship feeling like this. Okay, you love him, and you want to be with him with everything out on the table. If you feel like he’s holding back on you let him ease your mind; talk to him about it again. I implore you girl. Because no one knows more than me how much you love Luke, and Amy I want to see you happy. You deserve it after everything you’ve been through. You’re such a good person and a good friend. Talk to him, please.”
Amy nodded. “You’re right, I will.”
Erin stepped closer and the two friends hugged one another.
“I promise I was harder than this before those two returned,” Amy mumbled.
Erin fell into another round of laughter before they both straightened up.
“Come on,” Erin said, “let’s get out of here.”
They left the bathroom, one behind the other and reentered the main pizzeria. After talking to Erin, Amy felt better, believing that once she spoke with Luke and they hashed it all out, she would be okay. She was hoping anyway, but as soon as she bent the corner and saw Luke and Caleb surrounded by three women both she and Erin paused.
Erin frowned, and they glanced from one girl to the other. Alicia Flask, Sharon Makowski, and Jessica James hovered over them like vultures.
Erin shook her head and murmured. “Something wicked this way comes.”
Amy turned her frown to Erin. “That’s the brunette I saw at the airport. Tell me that’s not Jessica James?”
Erin’s gasp was noticeable. “It is.”
They both stood there in disbelief. Everyone knew Jessica James was an all-around mean girl. Her goal in life had been to take what didn’t belong to her and Amy couldn’t believe it. Without thinking, Amy removed the rings on her fingers and swept her hair off her shoulder tying it in a knot on her head.
Seeing her friend’s movement, Erin grabbed Amy’s arm.
“What?” Amy said looking at Erin sharply. “There’s no way I’m letting you go over there. I’m pregnant remember.”
Amy frowned. “What does that have to do with us going over there? Our men are over there.”
“Oh no,” Erin wagged her finger, “you think I didn’t just see you prepare yourself for a fight?”
“So, what?” Amy said failing to see how this was a problem for Erin. “She can’t take me, I’d kick her ass so fast she wouldn’t’ know what hit her.”
It was true, Amy had been raised by her uncle Charley who was a veteran of the U.S. Military. He had raised Amy like a trained soldier. She was quick, she could fight, and p
ut together a military grade weapon in seconds. Jessica James wouldn’t have a chance.
“That’s not why I’m stopping you. Don't you think I know you could whoop her ass? As soon as you approach them they’ll go on the offense. Its three of them, do you think I’m going to stand by and watch you fight off three girls?!”
Amy pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. Erin had a point, she knew Erin would fight and although two to three they would most likely win, Erin couldn’t fight in her current situation.
“Damn it to hell, Erin! You couldn’t have been pregnant tomorrow?!”
Erin couldn’t help but laugh. “Really, Amy.”
Amy sighed and attempted to pull herself together.
“Okay, I’ll be on my best behavior, let’s go.”
Amy and Erin strutted across the pizzeria and crept up on the table just as Jessica had made her statement.
“It’s fine. I know you needed the support and I was more than happy to give it to you.” Jessica smiled and flirted openly with Luke, and Luke just looked uncomfortable.
“Is that right,” Amy said, garnering the attention of everyone at the table.
8
Amy saw it. The grimace on Luke’s face let her know that he was aware of his dilemma.
“Hey Amy, long time no see. I hear you’ve been busy with your nail festivals or what have you,” Jessica said, throwing a little dig at Amy.
Amy smirked and following Erin’s lead, she trod over to Luke and reclaimed her seat next to him.
“Hey baby, did you miss me?” Amy said pulling a snare from Jessica.
“I did,” Luke said pulling her chair closer to him. “What took you so long?”
“Oh, just a little girl talk, but I missed you too, so I’m back. Who are your friends?”
Erin wanted to laugh and high-five Amy at the same time. Making Jessica irrelevant had gotten under Jessica’s skin. It was evident by the way Jessica bared her teeth just slightly.
“So, you’re going to act like you don’t know who I am?”
“Jessica,” Luke said taking his attention to her. Jessica glanced down at him and the icy look she held softened immediately. Everyone at the table noticed, and it made Amy so uneasy, she could practically crawl out of her skin. “Some other time, yeah?”
Worth The Wait (A Military Romance Book 2) Page 4