Regretfully

by Leighton Riley

  “Cami made me come over. Shit, I gave you privacy and let you finish at least. Just because my timing sucks, doesn’t mean you have to toss me on the floor, Payt.” I faked a sad face and waited for her to give in.

  “Ugh. I know. These pregnancy hormones have been making me crazy lately. I’m sorry.”

  “Crazy horny. She can’t get enough of me, man, and I’m taking advantage while it lasts,” Ryder chimes in, adding his perspective.

  “Shut up!” Payton and I both said in unison, causing Ryder to shrug his shoulders and walk back inside their home.

  Once it was just Payton and me, she tried lending a hand but I declined, not wanting to hurt her. She laid down in the hammock and closed her eyes. I pulled a chair up and had a seat close to her. We hadn’t had a chance to talk much the past few months, and I missed our conversations.

  “How’s it been lately? It’s weird thinking about how that, a year ago, we were hanging out in Vegas. Both broken and single. Now we have families and responsibilities. It’s fucking crazy.” I thought back, smiling at how carefree but guarded she was back then. She’d changed for the better since then; that was for sure.

  “It’s been an adjustment is all. I love knowing there’s a baby growing inside me and that it’s all because of mine and Ryder’s love for each other. I just hate how out of whack my emotions get. I’ve been getting really possessive of everything lately. My food, my man, my friends. Yesterday, I went off on some chick because she took the last cupcake at the bakery. There were more in the back, but the bitch took the one I wanted. I apologized a minute later and ended up buying a 6-pack of cupcakes and sharing them with her as she told me her ridiculous baby stories from way back when. I feel like I need a t-shirt saying, ‘I apologize in advance for my actions. Blame the bump’.”

  Laughing because I could actually see her wearing that shirt everywhere, I spilled something that had been on my mind.

  “Payton, if anything ever happens to me, will you promise me that you and Ryder will take Cami in? Not saying that anything will happen, but it scares me that she’ll be on her own again, and she doesn’t deserve that. Jagger deserves to be surrounded by everyone who loves him and Cami needs you both in her life.”

  Sitting up from the hammock, Payton eyed me curiously. “Why are you bringing this up?” Her voice was low and threatening. She stared at me as if she was trying to figure out the last puzzle piece.

  “The police haven’t figured out who killed Zander. I had nothing to do with it, but because of the situation we were in and our hatred toward each other, I am still a possible suspect. Payton, Cami and I are engaged and she wants another baby. I can’t fathom the idea of her being alone again, especially now that I just got her back. I need to know she’ll be okay if they think it’s me. People know I beat him up. I don’t think it will come to it, but it’s still out there.” I sighed, hating the predicament I was in just because the fucker had to kidnap my fiancée. He was the one in the wrong, not me. Now I was a suspect in his damn death.

  “You don’t really think you’ll go down for his murder, do you? I mean, a drive-by shooting? If the investigators talked to you for five minutes, they’d know you weren’t capable of that. Don’t they have better leads?” Payton stood up and began pacing around me. “You can’t go down for something you didn’t do. That’s absurd!” Running her hands through her hair, she was visibly stressed out. I couldn’t get her worked up over a ‘what if’.

  “It should be fine, Payton. Calm down and lay back down. I just hate not knowing what will happen. Our lives are just beginning and I want to protect her and my family.” I heard Ryder coming back outside and realized then that I hadn’t told them why I was there in the first place.

  Changing the subject, I told them about the bassinet and how Cami thought it would be perfect for them. After tears from Payton and hugs from both of them, I said my goodbyes and made my way home. I made sure to spend a little extra time taking in the sweet moments of being with the woman I loved and our son.

  “Is he here yet?” Chloe asked excitedly. She’d only asked seven times since she got to Payton’s house.

  “I’m pretty sure you’ll know when he gets here.” Making the baby shower punch, I added frozen lemonade, frozen orange juice, and cranberry juice to the ginger ale and began stirring carefully. The room was covered in pink, and all the food was perfectly arranged. Chloe and I had been working for the past two hours getting everything ready for Payton’s baby shower since she wasn’t feeling the best. Ryder was keeping her company upstairs while Tristen went to pick up the cake from Swizzlestick’s Bakery.

  “I’m glad she’s having a girl. Do you know how hard it is to find cute boy clothes?” Chloe asked, and I just gave her a look, waiting for her to realize how stupid it was to ask me that. “Oh, yeah. But Jagger looks cute no matter what he wears. Other boys don’t. Girls have so many options and ways to accessorize; they’re more fun to shop for.”

  “I understand,” I assured her, laughing at her random way of thinking. “Why are you so excited for this guy to show up, anyway? I thought you were done with men?” I carried in two more chairs to add to the set up in the family room, praying that we had enough room for everyone who’d RSVP’d.

  “Oh, I am done with them. I just plan on ogling him all day. I call the chair next to him. From what Payton has told me, he’s the king of all hotties. If you see me spacing out, just know I’m having dirty thoughts of all the things he would do to me,” Chloe sighed as she tied balloons to the stair posts.

  “Whatever you say. People should be showing up any minute now, think it looks okay? I’m going to call Tristen to see where he’s at.” I pulled out my phone and just as I pressed his name, there was a knock on the door.

  “I’ll get it!!!” Chloe ran to the door and cursed when she opened it.

  “Holy shit, she was right. Please tell me you’re who I think you are.” She was in a daze.

  Walking to the door, I stopped when I saw the gorgeous man in front of me. He might have been the hottest guy I’d ever seen. Well-built, tall, tan, and definitely drool-worthy.

  “I’m Cami, are you here for the baby shower?” Payton had decided to have a baby shower that included the guys, and she mentioned inviting a guy friend of hers who lived in Chicago. Apparently, they had met during her more promiscuous days of running to Vegas to find hot men to have fun with. He was the only one who became a friend after their rendezvous.

  “I am. Are all the ladies here today going to be as beautiful as you two? If so, I need to come to more of these things. I’m Tate, by the way.” Giving a wide smile, he held out his hand to shake, and I had to remind myself I was happily engaged. If you googled ‘hot guy’ right now, he’d be the first to pop up.

  “She’s engaged, so why don’t I show you around? Payton will be down in a few minutes. I’ll be sure to keep you company, though. Chloe, by the way.” I watched as she pulled him inside and gave me a wink behind his back. I couldn’t help but snicker at how Tate was just going along with her like it was completely normal.

  “Tate, let me know if you need rescued. I would say she’s harmless, but I’d be lying,” I called out as I turned around and saw Tristen walking up the steps with cake in hand.

  “Hey, baby. How’d the cake turn out?” I leaned over the cake box and gave him a chaste kiss. “Mmm, you taste sweet. Did you get a sample of the goods?” I asked as we walked over to the kitchen.

  “The girl behind the counter offered her goods, but I politely declined and settled on a salted caramel brownie.” Winking, he set the box down and revealed the perfect baby shower cake for Payton.

  “Eek! It’s perfect, Tristen!”

  It was a stack of three books and on top there was a baby snuggled up with her diaper-clad bottom sticking up in the air. The bottom book had Ryder’s name and the title of World’s Best Daddy on the spine in blue icing. The second book had Payton’s name and Mommy Loves You written in pink icing. The last book, th
e smallest of the three, had Emilynn Nichole Strom and Coming Soon as her title on the spine in yellow icing. The baby on top had on a loose pink dress and a bow in her hair, sleeping peacefully with her hands tucked under her cheek.

  Tristen came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “It does fit them since she’s the author and he’s the editor. Their baby is probably going to be a fuckin’ genius. How are you doin’ with all this?” He nuzzled his nose against my neck and back of my ear.

  “It makes me impatient. I want another baby with you so bad and hate waiting for it to happen. Maybe we need to try some new positions or something?” I pondered as he began swaying us back and forth to a beat in his head. I felt him begin to harden against my ass, and I quickly calculated how much time I could slip away without being noticed. Shaking my head as I heard Payton open the door upstairs, I backed up into him slightly causing him to groan.

  “Not fair, baby. You talking about making babies makes me want to try with you, right now. Chloe can hold things down for twenty minutes right?” His hips began grinding into mine and his hand slid down to my wet core. Tilting my head back, I gave into the sensation and got lost in Tristen’s need for me.

  “Ten. Come on.” Holding his hand, I ran back to the powder room and locked the door. “I need you, fast and hard. I’m timing you, baby, I can’t have my brother catching us fucking in his home at his own baby shower,” I sternly told him as I slid down my skirt and panties. Bending over the sink, I waited as he unbuttoned his shorts and brought them, and his boxers, down to his knees.

  Spreading my legs wide, he used two fingers to make sure I was ready for him and immediately guided his rock hard shaft into my throbbing pussy. Not wasting any time, he grabbed my shoulder with one hand and my hip with the other and began pounding into me. Bracing myself by placing my hands on the mirror, I held on and bit my lip as he brought his hand around and applied pressure against my clit. I was already beginning to come undone, and I needed more. Knowing he would hold out until I was ready to come again, I whispered, “Fuck me harder, baby. Just like that.” I wanted him to lose control.

  “Shit baby, I love when you talk dirty to me. You feel so good around my hard cock. God, you’re so sexy,” Tristen whispered as he tried stifling a groan. His hands moved to each side of my hips. Knowing that someone could catch us only added to the thrill, and I missed the adrenaline rush it gave me. Flashbacks of how brazen Tristen and I used to be popped in my head. I caught a glimpse of us fucking in the mirror, and it only turned me on more. Watching him thrust into me from that view was sexy as hell.

  “Tits out, Cami. I need them in my hands.” He was relentless, and I wasn’t about to deny his orders. Lifting my shirt over my head, I pull the cups of my bra down and guided his hands over my breasts. Using them as leverage, he continued the sweet assault on my pussy and I was about to fall over the edge of pure bliss. “Close your legs a little. I love feeling your tight, slick walls against my bare cock, baby.” Obeying him without question, I slid my legs together slowly and felt him grow inside me.

  “I’m so close, baby. Fuck, that’s hot. Let me have it, Tristen. Come with me.” I couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped my lips as the orgasm ripped through my body. Tristen groaned as he came deep inside me, stilling himself as he continued to spasm.

  Breathing deeply, I came down from my high and took a good look at the view in the mirror. Tristen had a thin layer of sweat, and I was flushed as all could be. People would know what we had been doing if we walked out right then, and that wasn’t an option. I stood and shifted my bra back into place; watching as he fixed himself up. Feeling the wetness between my legs as I moved to slide my panties back on brought a smile to my face. He wanted to have another baby with me.

  “You look satisfied. How was I on time, ma’am?” He pulled me into his arms and brought his forehead to mine.

  “A minute to spare. Which is a good thing because the look on my face right now is a dead giveaway of what just happened and I’d prefer not to give that explanation to all of my future sister-in-law’s friends who, by the way, are probably here by now.” I went in for a quick kiss, but he returned it with a slow, romantic kiss that left me wanting more.

  “No matter what happens, we will always have each other and a wonderful son. Another baby would be a blessing, but let’s focus on what is here in front of us and ride the wave, sweet girl. We’ve got the best of friends out there and your brother is about to be a dad and a husband. Let’s go focus on them for a bit. I love you so much and can’t wait to make you my wife,” Tristen confided to me. I needed that to calm my nerves. He was right. I didn’t need to stress about the future with him; no matter what happened, we were in it for the long haul.

  Peeking out toward the kitchen, I could hear the ruckus in the family room but didn’t see anyone so I walked briskly out of the bathroom with Tristen shortly behind. Just as we rounded the corner to greet everyone, I heard Ryder come up behind me and began talking to Tristen.

  “I know you’re both in love and all that shit, but in my bathroom at our baby shower? Really?” Ryder questioned sternly. I was mortified to look back at the pair. Were we that obvious? “Hey, sis, I think Payton was looking for you. I told her you were handling another matter, and that I’d have you find her once you were done. None of us would want to be around if she knew what just happened. You’re welcome.” Ryder patted my shoulder and walked into the main room.

  Turning to Tristen, my mouth dropped when I saw him chuckling at the scene before him. Walking over to the man I love, I hit him on the chest, scolding him, “It’s not funny! He’s my brother!”

  “Exactly. Maybe we should have thought that out better?”

  “I wasn’t in the right frame of mind then, Tristen, and I doubt you were either. At least Payton didn’t find out. Let’s go out there and be good friends, alright?” Holding his hand, we walked into the room where the party was being held and took in the scene.

  I had moved Payton’s new rocking chair to be the focal point of the room and had the couches and chairs rearranged to surround her. Payton was busy talking to a girl I’d never seen before, but the minute she spotted me, she gave me a ‘come hither’ motion with her finger.

  Feeling as if I’d be caught with my hand in the cookie jar, I stalked over to her and had a seat next to her. She leaned over and whispered, “It’s a baby shower, not a baby making party. Hearing the sounds coming out of that room was hot as hell, though. Made me want to jump Ryder, but I knew it wouldn’t be good timing.” She winked at me with a smile, and I instantly felt relief and once again, mortification. I was so dumb to have thought we could get away with it!

  “Sorry. I kind of got caught up in the moment. I’ll go see if Chloe needs any help, are you good?” I stood up, but Payton’s hand brought me back down.

  “Let her be for a few minutes. She didn’t take my warning about Tate seriously and now that she’s seen how charming he is with all the ladies here, she’s in the kitchen brooding. I was thinking we could start with one of the games, though, if you want to get that ready. I thought the ‘feed the baby’ game would be fun to start with.”

  “Poor Chloe. She just needs to be single for a bit.” Looking over, I saw Tate flirting with two of Payton’s friends, and they were all over him. “She should stay away from that one.” Both of us nodded in agreement and giggled as the girls felt Tate’s abs. “I’ll be back with the trash bags and baby food. Do you want to let the group know what’s going on?” I asked since I didn’t know half of them.

  By the end of the game, Chloe, Ryder, Tate, myself, and the other girls had our faces and hair covered in baby food, but everyone had loosened up. Whoever thought vegetable turkey baby food was a good idea was terribly wrong. Tate had gotten lucky with pear baby food and Chloe and I got stuck with the nasty, full meal blended together flavors.

  After a few more random games, Payton and Ryder both opened presents together and they came out with enough d
iapers to last them Emilynn’s first six months, at least. Payton was exhausted and since her wedding was just four days later, she knew she’d see everyone again soon and fell asleep on the couch as Ryder, Chloe, and I finished up the party and thanked everyone for coming.

  All in all, the party was a success. Everyone loved the cake and the games gave everyone the good laugh they needed. Payton was the center of attention and everyone she loved was there for her. She had planned the party so that those who didn’t live close would be able to make it to both events and make a vacation out of it.

  I was pretty sure Tate was a large part of planning it that way, but it was obvious he cared for her deeply. Every now and then, I would catch him looking at her with admiration and something else. She said there used to be a little something there, but it wasn’t right between the two of them and they remained good friends. He loved her, I just wasn’t sure in which way.

  Ryder had pulled me aside after the party to ask what my thoughts were on Tate.

  “I think he’s harmless for the two of you. Any other woman within a mile radius? They should be careful. You can tell they care for one another, but I think it’s platonic. She could have been with him before you, but she chose you in the end. They never even dated. He might still be a little hung up on her, but I truly think he knows his place. You worried about it?” I questioned as we took out the trash from the party.

  “Nah. It’s her only guy friend, though, and they seem pretty close. Even though he doesn’t live here, they’ve stayed in contact. He’s intimidating, though. I know I shouldn’t worry but wanted your input on it. I think it’s just the wedding getting so close, and I’m getting anxious. I can’t wait to make her my wife, man.” We walked back inside after throwing the trash bags away, and I reconfirmed that I didn’t think he had anything to worry about. Payton only had eyes for one guy, and it was not Tate.