Billion Dollar Baby

by Imani King

  I jumped in surprise, nearly losing my balance. When I looked up, Braden had a wild smirk on his face.

  “Why—you dirty little cheat!” I screamed, whipping the reigns, signaling Lucky to go faster, but there was nothing more she could do.

  At this point, we were doomed to lose.

  I reached the tree in defeat, a pout on my face.

  “Don’t be a sore loser.” Braden grabbed my arm. Before I knew what was happening, he had hoisted me off the saddle and onto his lap. He held me close, commanding Charger to trot around the perimeter of the property. The sway of his movements made it feel like we were sitting on the bow of a ship. Maybe even the Titanic. Braden would make a pretty good Jack.

  “I’m not,” I finally said.

  “Then why have you been pouting for the last five minutes?”

  “I’m not pouting.”

  “Oh?” He placed a finger under my chin, lifting it so I was forced to make eye contact with him. “So, you’re just crossing your arms and frowning for no good reason?”

  “That’s right.”

  He laughed. “You’re cute when you’re mad.” Slowly, he leaned forward and kissed me, holding my cheek in his hand.

  I melted into him. In that moment, I knew that I could put aside all my doubts about the will. It didn’t matter because I was starting to realize with each passing minute, that this was the right choice for me. I loved working at the shelter. I loved going to school. I loved being on the ranch. I loved Braden.

  Sure, we could both use a bit more cash, but in the end, love would prevail.

  The next morning, I woke up to find a note on Braden’s pillow. The station had called him in, which meant I now had the house to myself.

  I got up and sat there for a while, looking out the window. The sky was a bright azure and the clouds looked like cotton candy. I knew it was going to be a good day.

  When I opened the drawers to get some clothes for the day, I spotted a yellow envelope. It reminded me of the will. I just couldn’t let it go. Questioning Braden was getting me nowhere. I would just need to find some other way to investigate.

  As I thought this over, my phone buzzed.

  Period is one day late!

  The notification stared at me. My eyes widened. I was late. Could it be…?

  Quickly, I tossed on some pants and a shirt before I was out the door, driving to the nearest convenience store. I bought a pregnancy test in a flurry of excitement and nerves.

  When I got back home, the nerves threatened to overwhelm me. My fingers were shaking so hard that it was hard for me to hold the stick. I had to stop, take a deep breath, and try again.

  The two minutes I needed to wait for the results were torturous. When was the damn thing going to beep?

  I paced around the bathroom, each second stretching into an eternity. Maybe it was broken. I should have bought two. What was I thinking?!

  Beep!

  I rushed to the sink.

  A small plus sign stared back at me.

  My heart skipped a beat.

  I was pregnant!

  Overjoyed, I grabbed my phone, about to call Braden and tell him the good news, but I stopped myself at the last moment. No. I had to be sure. I would tell him after my first doctor’s appointment. Besides, his birthday was in a couple of weeks. It would be the perfect opportunity to surprise him.

  In the meantime, I would try and relax. All that mattered now was the baby. Everything else would have to be put on the back burner.

  With this thought, I started planning my big surprise.

  Chapter 17

  Braden

  I’ve always loved a good party, especially when it was mine.

  Music blasted from the speakers as people mingled with one another, bright smiles on their faces.

  I probably had the brightest smile of them all. Life was good. My girl was better. And booze just made everything grand.

  “Don’t you think you should go easy on the liquor?” Adele asked me, holding a bottle of water in her hand.

  “Are you kidding me? It’s my birthday! Today’s a day to celebrate!” I thrust my drink into the air, waiting for her to toast me. Lamely, she clicked the bottle cap against the side of my glass.

  I stepped back and stared at her. “Wait… Why aren’t you drinking?”

  “Someone has to keep you out of trouble,” she said, a little too quickly.

  “Are you lying?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “Because you’re acting awfully suspicious!”

  Before I could say anything else, the squad barged through the doors. Darrel carried a keg on his shoulder. Jimmy and Max carried in a humungous cake that took up the entire table. Behind them, the rest of the crew were dressed like 80s rockers. Eddie was even wearing makeup.

  While they were setting up their instruments in the backyard, I snatched a bit of frosting on my finger. A second later, Adele stood there, a reprimanding look on her face.

  “Did you just do what I think you did?”

  My eyes widened. Quickly, I swiped another taste and ran out the door. Adele was just about to pursue me when her sister intercepted, pulling her back. I could tell by the closeness of their faces that they were whispering. What were they talking about? I had the sinking feeling it was about me…

  I wanted to go back, but Darrel grabbed me by the collar and reeled me toward the keg. “Let’s see what you’re made of, cowboy.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, it’s been quite a while.”

  “Oh, come on, don’t chicken out on us.” He punched me in the arm. “We all know you’re the master of keg-stands. Don’t you want to impress the ladies?” he asked, gesturing to a few of Adele’s classmates.

  I smiled at them, but then shook my head. “I’ve already impressed Adele. I don’t need anyone else.”

  “Well, maybe this is the tipping point.” He leaned forward, whispering in my ear. “Maybe this will impress her so much that she’ll say yes.”

  My heart leaped at the possibility. Even though the idea made no sense, to my tipsy mind, it was completely logical. With a grin on my face, I grabbed the edges of the keg. Darrel and Max grabbed me by the legs, holding me upside down.

  I started to pump the alcohol into my system, basking in the warmth that spread through my body. Looking up, I locked eyes with Adele who stood there, watching me with an amused look on her face.

  “Chug! Chug! Chug!” everyone started to chant. Even Adele joined in, adding to the frenzied excitement.

  I drank until I thought I was going to burst.

  When Darrel and Max finally put me down, the world started spinning all around me. Adele caught me, holding me steady.

  I regained my footing and shifted our positions, holding her tight in my arms before I bent her backward. “May I have this dance?”

  She laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit, you know that?”

  I ignored her words as I pressed our bodies together, our hips slowly moving to the beat. “What do you mean?” I finally asked, my brain slow to catch up.

  “Do you remember our prom?”

  “How could I forget?”

  “You got drunk then, too. Life of the party. Made me feel like the prettiest girl in the whole world, even when you passed out on top of me.”

  “You’re still the prettiest girl in the world. I still think you should’ve been the Prom Queen. Fuck Nicole Rigby.”

  She laughed. “And fuck Jack Santoro.”

  “Yeah!” I bellowed. “We made a much cuter couple.”

  She smiled, pressing her forehead to mine. “You know, I really want to kiss you right now. But you smell like beer.” She wrinkled her nose sweetly.

  “Oh, come on, you know you want to…” I chuckled. “Also, is there a reason you aren’t drinking?” I asked for the second time in the span of an hour.

  “I told you. I’m just trying to keep you out of trouble.”

  I scoffed. “I want you to get me into trouble.” I leaned in close, our lips but a breath
apart. “A lot of trouble.” I dropped my voice to a sensual tone, hoping to get her interested.

  It worked.

  Our lips collided. I held her tight, our lips dancing much harder than any other part of our body. My fingers tangled in her hair, pulling on it slightly. She clung to the fabric of my shirt as the kiss intensified. My tongue slipped into her mouth, tangling with hers.

  “Get a room!” Jimmy shouted.

  But I didn’t listen. I just kept kissing my girl because it was the only thing I wanted to do.

  When I finally pulled away, we were both breathless. We looked into each other’s eyes and for a second, I was stone-cold sober.

  “I love you.”

  She smiled, and then her lips parted like she was about to say something.

  I silenced her with my finger, a smile on my face. “There’s no pressure. I’ll wait for you for as long as you need.”

  She returned the smile, kissing my lips ever so gently. “Thank you.” She squeezed my hands before walking away, grabbing herself another bottle of water.

  Suddenly, it dawned on me.

  What if she wasn’t drinking on purpose? Because she was pregnant? My heart thumped at the thought.

  I was about to rush forward and ask her, but I decided against it. She would tell me when she was ready. I was sure of it.

  For the rest of the day, it was all I could think about.

  Even when the party was over and the guests all left, it still lingered in the back of my mind. I watched Adele like a hawk as if something might tick me off and give me the answer.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, cuddling on the couch with a slice of cake.

  “Nothing…”

  “You’ve been staring at me all day.”

  “What? A guy can’t look at his beautiful girlfriend?” I plopped down beside her. “And for the record, you suck at keeping me out of trouble. Why did you let the guys convince me into drinking so much? I feel like my head is going to explode.”

  “Do you want me to make you another coffee? You should probably eat something as well.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t even think about food right now. Too much frosting.”

  Adele rolled her eyes. “Well, no one told you to eat all the frosting right off the cake.”

  “But… It was so good…”

  “Are you sure you’re sober?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  She laughed. “I’ll make you a coffee.” Before I could stop her, she was already up and out of arm’s reach. I thought about going after her, but I didn’t have the energy. Instead, I closed my eyes, trying to replay my birthday party in my head.

  If I could go back and change one thing, I’d announce my love to Adele to the world. I’d get down on one knee, pull a little black box out of my pocket, and propose. Then, she would truly be mine.

  What would have happened if she had said ‘no?’ I would have made a complete fool of myself. Maybe it was for the best. I was sure I would eventually find the right time and place.

  Besides, I still had the will to figure out. I had yet to tell her. Guilt tightened around my chest. I knew I was being deceitful in a way, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. At this point, the lie had gotten too big. The moment she found out the truth, she would probably pack her bags and leave. She would think the worst—that I had tricked her into starting a family—and there’d be no way for me to convince her otherwise.

  Before I could work myself into a panic, Adele returned with a steaming cup of coffee.

  “You’re an angel, but now I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

  “I don’t think you will, in any case.”

  I tilted my head in question, but she offered no explanation. “Do you mind if we head up to bed just as soon as I finish this? I’m beat.”

  “Of course,” she said with a smile, sitting down right beside me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as she laid her head on my chest.

  She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, flicking through the channels. Eventually, she settled on America’s Funniest Home Videos. They were showing a segment about babies and birthdays.

  We laughed together at the silly antics. There was a bright smile on Adele’s face, her features glowing with happiness. I knew, in that moment, that trying to have a baby with her was the best decision of my life. I squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head.

  “Do you think we’re going to have a cute baby?” I asked.

  “Of course we are. It’ll take after me.”

  “Hey! What about me?” I protested. “I’m cute, too.”

  “No, you’re handsome.”

  “Hmm, I guess you’re right. But I can be cute as well.”

  “Sometimes.” She bopped my nose. “We’re going to have the cutest baby in the world. So cute that baby commercials will be calling the house twenty-four-seven, trying to hire our baby.”

  “And are you going to let your baby be the next tiny star?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I wouldn’t be able to share my baby with others. Just you.” She sat up and looked at me, her eyes blazing. “Just you, me and the baby. It’ll be perfect,” she whispered, a faraway look on her face as if she was picturing it.

  “It will be,” I agreed, kissing her gently. “We’ll be the perfect little family, just the three of us.”

  “Do you promise?” she asked, looking up at me from under those long eyelashes of hers.

  “Yes, cross my heart and hope to die.”

  She smiled. “Finish that coffee already. I can’t snuggle you properly here.”

  “Alright, alright.” I chugged the rest of my drink, practically burning my tongue in the process. I got up and scooped Adele in my arms before I carried her upstairs and tossed her on the bed. I was just about to pounce on top of her, but she rolled out of the way.

  “Hey! What did you do that for?” I pouted, looking at her.

  She was standing on the side of the bed, hiding something behind her back.

  “I thought you wanted to cuddle…?”

  “I do.”

  “Then why are you standing there?” I asked before I reached forward and grabbed her, pulling her back into the bed. She landed on top of me.

  I prepared myself for a kiss, but there was something hard and pointy jabbing into my chest.

  “What’s that?” I eased my grip on her waist, allowing her to sit up.

  In her hands was a long, rectangular box wrapped in bright blue paper. There was a white bow on top.

  “Adele…?” I furrowed my brow in confusion. She had already given me a birthday present…

  “Just open it.” She held out the gift, waiting for me to take it.

  I studied her face, watching her irises dance with excitement. So, this was why she had been acting so cagey. She had been building up to this moment all day.

  “What is it?” I asked, unable to help myself.

  “Just open it.”

  “Okay, okay.” Carefully, I undid the ribbon. Next, I pulled off the lid and looked inside. There was an oblong white stick, with a little plastic window on it. “What is…”

  At first, I didn’t know what it was, but then my eyes widened, nearly bugging out of my head. I examined it more closely, and a word in the little window caught my eye. Pregnant. I looked up at her for confirmation.

  She nodded with tears in her eyes.

  Instantly, I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tight. Emotions welled up inside of me. I was going to be a father. I had waited for this moment for so long. This had to be a dream.

  We cried together for a minute, overwhelmed with joy. “You’re pregnant…?” I finally asked, unable to believe it even as I stared down at the plus sign. “You’re really pregnant?”

  “Yes!” She choked, vigorously nodding her head. “We’re going to have a baby, Braden… Like we always dreamed we would.” Her cheeks were stained with
tears. I gently wiped them away, my fingers shaking.

  I could hardly believe it.

  “Adele—”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you mind pinching me?”

  She laughed. “You aren’t dreaming silly. This is real. I already went to the doctor… He confirmed the test. We really are going to be parents.”

  My heart swelled and I hugged her even tighter.

  And yet, despite my happiness, there was still a dark thought lingering in the back of my mind.

  I had to tell her. I couldn’t keep hiding it from her. She loved me. She would understand. Right?

  “Adele. I need to tell you something—”

  She shook her head and pushed me onto the mattress. Her lips found mine, silencing me and erasing any thoughts of confession from my mind. As her hands crept along my body, lust quickly replaced guilt.

  Now that I knew she was pregnant, she seemed even sexier than before.

  I growled, teasing her before I rolled us over and took control.

  It was going to be one hell of a night.

  In the morning, I woke up to find Adele in my arms. She had a peaceful look on her face as she slept. My hand fell to her stomach, a rush of paternal instinct washing over me. In a few short months, I would be a father.

  The thought made my heart sing.

  I kissed her head and smiled, feeling like the luckiest man on Earth.

  “Mmm.” She moaned, rolling into me, hiding her face in my chest. “Five more minutes…”

  I chuckled and rubbed her back, letting her sleep. I was just about to join her when my phone started to ring. I jumped, snatching it off the nightstand before it could make too much noise.

  Kilroy’s name flashed across the screen. Great. Just what I needed.

  Carefully, I eased Adele’s head onto a pillow. I then slowly rolled out of bed and crept out of the room to take the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Mr. Ennis. My apologies for calling you this early on a Sunday morning, but it is rather urgent.”

  “It better be.”

  “Your grandfather’s illness is progressing at a much faster rate than expected. I’m afraid there might not be much left—”