by Xavier Neal
“I won’t tell,” he playfully says in return, handing me the bigger piece.
I smile back, thankful to have the treat. Lifting my half up to take a bite, something catches my eye.
Who puts a toy ring in a cupcake? It goes on top. It’s not a cracker jack box.
“They’re supposed to put those on top, Logan,” my voice scolds while I drag my eyes up to him.
More nervous than I’ve ever seen him, I watch him lower himself onto one knee and my body freezes, afraid to move another inch.
“You were standing right there, Maximus. Right. There. That’s where you were when I realized I couldn’t keep denying you forever. I’m not fucking perfect. I never say the right thing. I rarely ever fucking do the right thing. I’ll never be that guy. But I’ll always be the guy that makes you smile. I’ll always be the guy that buys you books. I’ll always be the guy that lets you kick his ass at video games. And I’ll always be the guy that will love you if let him. Maximus, you told me my name wasn’t a curse but a blessing. The world chants it. The Kid wears it proud. And the one in your stomach will probably love it too. Will you? Will you say yes to something I should’ve asked you forever ago? Will you say yes to taking my name and letting it be yours?” My jaw trembles as he pulls a ring out of his pocket. The cupcake tumbles out of my grip as he slides a diamond princess cut ring on my finger. “Maxx Hughes, will you marry me?”
Not even making the effort to wipe away the tears on my cheek, I nod. “Yes! Yes!”
Logan pops up and presses his lips roughly against mine as the sound of cheering fills the room.
Pulling away, I’m surprised and relieved to see all of our family standing around.
Did you know they were here? Did you know this was coming?!
I look up at him to see his blue eyes filled with joy and his chest swelling with satisfaction. Trying to play off the situation, I wipe away another tear and fuss, “I really wanted to eat that cupcake.”
“I called it,” Erin sighs folding her arms across her red dress covered chest.
When did she change?
“Congrats,” Luke calls out sliding his hands in his black dress pants pockets.
“Big ones!” Stuart yells from his side.
“It’s about time,” C.J. comments from beside Erin, he’s also dressed up in a pair of black slacks.
Logan drapes an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in closer to kiss my forehead.
Erin snaps, “Shut it. Be thankful the boy did it at all. Wasn’t sure he’d ever get here.”
“Fuck off,” Logan chuckles at her.
“Mouth,” Dean says from beside Tony.
Tony elbows him in the side. “Go hug your parents, Kid.”
Quickly, Dean makes his way around and into the ring where he immediately hugs us both. After a tight squeeze, he looks at me with the same glisten that’s in Logan’s eyes and asks, “You ready to be a Kellar, Mom?”
“Definitely…” I plant a kiss on his forehead before looking back up at Logan who is still gleaming with excitement.
Can you believe it? I mean…really. I don’t even know what to say. What? Of course you’re invited to the wedding. Do you even have to ask?
Chapter 14
Logan
You know if you’d put your money on betting against me getting married, like I did, you would be paying up big right now. I never thought I would fucking say this, but I’m actually really glad to be getting married someday. I can give the Kid the family he deserves, my future spawn the stability I never had, and Maxx that happily ever after she’s always wanted. Besides, I like knowing that the massive rock I put on her hand, with the help of Luke’s expertise, will keep assholes at bay when I’m away. You think Maxx looks hot when she’s normal curvy? Her pregnancy curves have my dick more at attention than ever before.
Stumbling into the house, I let my lips find hers again, twirling our tongues together for the fourth time since we got out of my car.
I thought make up sex and jealousy sex were fucking hot, but something tells me engagement sex is gonna blow them out of the fucking water.
Her hands tug at the buttons on my shirt as her teeth nip at my bottom lip moaning in the process. When I open my mouth to groan back, her tongue assaults mine and forces me to push her against the wall.
Fuck making it up the stairs.
My fingers slip under her dress between her legs, thankful she’s given up wanting to ever wear underwear, and slide them inside. With a sharp gasp, she shuts her eyes and tosses her head back while my other hand grabs her leg to wrap it around me. Pulling them out slowly before pushing them all the way back in causes her hips to rock, desperate for my fingers to fuck her.
Pleased, I state in her ear, “Your body only comes for me. Got it?” Maxx immediately moans again, her hands clutching at my shirt. With only a few more sharp pushes, her pussy clamps down giving me the orgasm that belongs to me.
Out of breath, she tries to say, “Shouldn’t we go upstairs?”
Unbuckling my pants, I suck on her earlobe, enjoying the uncontrollable whimpers coming out of her. I let my tongue slide down her neck before informing her, “Maximus, the only thing you should do is come for me again.”
Before she can say anything, I slide my cock inside her, the tightness is enough to make me wish I could bust a nut right then. Maxx’s moans get louder as I go deeper, keeping up a slower pace than I want. Lifting up her other leg, I do my best to hold coming at bay when her head hits my shoulder on a cry of ecstasy.
How the fuck am I supposed to keep it together when she does that?
“Faster, Logan,” she begs, her fingers tugging at my hair.
Groaning, I deny the request, “No.”
Another pout mixed with a whimper escapes her, “But I need it faster…so close.”
“No.” My hips continue rocking at their hypnotizing speed. Pushing my lips next to her ear, I say on each thrust, “My. Fiancé. My. Rules.”
Unsure if it’s the thrusts or the words that undo her again, I’m pleased when she screams out, “I’m coming!”
The pressure from her pussy desperate to milk my cock wins as I let go, thankful I made her come at least twice before I caved.
I swear I used to be able to hold on longer than this. I’m talking hours. Fuck. What is she doing to me?
Still struggling to breathe, she leans her head back against the wall and says, “Shouldn’t you put me down now? I know I’m not light.”
Doing my best to not bark in frustration, I reply, “Don’t make me carry you up the stairs to prove that you’re not heavy.” Her face scrunches like she’s about to argue with me, so I slip our lips together. Softly, I roll my tongue around hers until the insecurities that were stiffening her body disperse. I pull away, eyes still closed and whisper the words on her lips, “Maximus, you’re so fucking beautiful, baby. And you carrying my kid only makes you even more gorgeous than I fucking thought possible. So stop.” I open my eyes so she can see how serious I am. “No more of that too heavy bullshit. No more of the too big bullshit. You’re fucking sexy, and I’m about to go upstairs and show you that all over again…”
With a wicked smirk, she slips her tongue out to tease my top lip. “I wanna taste you first…”
And let’s add that to the reasons I’m glad she’s about to be Mrs. Logan Kellar. Yes, she does. She takes my entire name. She becomes my entire name. Look, I can’t finish this fight now because my cock’s ready to go again, but this isn’t over…
Chapter 15
Maxx
Dean laughs at a text message from beside me in the car; the grin on his face indicates it’s from a girl.
I just hope she’s wearing clothes in it.
“Kid, if that’s a dirty text message, you need to learn to be more subtle about it,” I nag at him, turning on my blinker.
“It just said happy birthday.” He looks up at me while sliding it into his pocket.
“In body glitter?” My remark m
akes him throw his head back in laughter. Shaking my head I say, “You can have all the text sex you want later during your party and after, but could you please put your digital love life on hold while we visit your grandparents?”
Dean smiles widely at me.
“Stop picturing it!” I fuss at him again, parking the car by the curb.
A sharp pain hits my stomach, and I try to fight it off.
Was that hunger?
“I wasn’t.” He shakes head. “I was just thinking…” The sentence lingers and he looks away briefly before looking back. “I was just thinking last year on my birthday I spent it trying to keep warm in the tunnel of a park playground because the old man had come home so drunk and violent. I just needed a few hours to hide while I waited for him to pass out. No friends. Nothing to eat. Basically, no family. And now I have grandparents…” His smile comes back full force, and he gives me half a shoulder shrug, “And parents. And an aunt and uncles. Lots of uncles. And food. And a school. And friends. And chicks. Hot chicks at that. It’s just…I don’t know. It’s weird. And I’m really lucky.”
Fighting the urge to cry, I lean over and plant a kiss on his forehead.
Leave it to the 16 year old to push my hormones into overdrive.
I try to lighten the mood. “I’m not giving you a car, even for a speech like that.”
“Eh, it was worth a shot.” His wink gets him a playful slug in the shoulder.
Another cramp makes me tense up, this time he notices.
“You okay?”
“I think so. Probably just my body retaliating for denying it those chili cheese fries I wanted.”
Surprise I know, that I am following the health regime given to me by the one and only Nurse Nazi, but I want a healthy baby.
The two of us get out and head towards my aunt and uncle’s house. After a couple knocks, I open the front door and let us in. Strolling through to the living room, I’m not surprised to see Aunt Caroline watching a Spanish soap opera.
“Good afternoon, Aunt Caroline,” I say grabbing her attention.
“Mi amor!” she exclaims hopping up and covering me in a hug before hugging Dean too. “Mi amor!”
“So cool you speak Spanish. Will you teach me how to say ‘all the ladies love me’?” Dean’s joke gets him an elbow from me, and she pinches his cheek.
“Nieto. I don’t think that has to be said.”
“Don’t make his ego bigger, please,” I playfully discourage.
“It’s his birthday!” she counters wrapping her arms around his. “He should be as happy as he wants. And have tons of presents.”
“Agreed, Mimi,” he says cockily. “Tons of presents.”
I roll my eyes and sigh, “I’m sure you’ll have tons at your party.”
“Well let’s give you the ones from Mimi and Pops.” She pulls him away towards the kitchen.
My mouth goes to object when Uncle Mike cuts me off, “Just let it go, Short Stack.”
Turning to face him, I shake my head. “How bad did you two spoil him?”
“About as bad as we’re gonna spoil this one.” He places a hand on my stomach.
I will say I was a little nervous telling them about it, but Aunt Caroline flipped with joy that she was going to be a grandma again, and Uncle Mike was more concerned with whether or not Logan was gonna marry me. I didn’t have the heart to tell him at the time that we weren’t on speaking terms. But, needless to say, when I did call him that Monday, after Logan had left, to tell him that he’d asked, Uncle Mike felt better about the whole thing. Especially since Logan had come to him that day to ask for permission.
“How you feeling?”
“Chubby.”
“Want a cupcake?” He smiles. “Always makes you feel better.”
“I would say yes, but Luke is on this whole monitor my levels like he works for the NSA ‘Don’t let Maxx Eat Sweets Division’.” The words make him laugh and I sigh, “Let’s just say the last time I snuck something somehow he knew within the hour. I swear he has food low jack on me.”
Uncle Mike laughs and says, “I’m glad someone’s watching out for you when Logan’s away.”
Logan would let me have all the cupcakes in the world right now. Anything that makes me happy. He felt so bad about having to go back to work a few weeks ago that he logged onto my Amazon wish list and ordered me 10 new books. 5 for my e-reader and 5 paperbacks. I think he’s afraid he’s gonna have to see me cry, and he doesn’t like that. He’s been all panicky when the hormones hit. Don’t ask me if I screw with him sometimes just for a laugh…that would be mean. What? I’m not smiling.
“This came for you in the mail.” He hands me an envelope.
My attention reads my mother’s name in the left hand corner. Immediately, I hand it back. “Return to sender.”
“You’re not curious?”
“No.” After a beat I shake my head. “I’m annoyed. I told her to fuck off, and I meant it. She’s been stalking me from fake social media accounts, and it’s gonna get to a point where I’ll have a lawyer help me file a restraining order.”
See. Knowing C.J.’s secret is a great thing!
“Do what you gotta do.” He shrugs. “Just be 100 percent sure that’s what you want.” I open my mouth and he holds up a hand. “I’m behind you on this, Short Stack. Believe me. I don’t like the woman either, but you’re about to have a baby and if you want it to know its grandparents—”
“It will. Mimi and Pops.” I rub my tummy.
He cocks a grin and says, “Come with me. I wanna give you something.”
“On the Kid’s birthday? He might have a heart attack.”
Uncle Mike chuckles and leads me up the stairs. “How’s he doing with everything? A lot of changes all at once.”
“He seems happy.”
“Grades?”
“Good enough to keep letting him play ball.”
“Saw his last game. He’s really good.”
“He is.”
“And girls?” The question is followed with him opening the spare bedroom door to the right of the stairs. “Caught him sneaking any girls in through his window?”
Giggling at his jab at Logan and me, I flop on the edge of the bed. “I don’t think they’re brave enough to climb to the second story.”
He smirks and grabs a box from the closet shelf. Sitting down next to me, a serious face replaces the playful one. “You know, Maxx, we don’t talk much about your dad—”
“Uncle Mike—”
“Let me finish. I know we don’t talk much about him. And I’ll never push you to. But I want you to know if you change your mind, we can. I can only imagine growing up here with us wasn’t ideal, but I hope you know we always did our best for you. We weren’t expecting a child. Let alone a ten year old whose mother had abandoned her. You weren’t always easy, but we always loved you. And we’ve always been thankful that we’ve had you.”
Is it everyone’s goal to make me cry today?
“When your mom split, she didn’t even go through the stuff in your house. She hired people to chunk everything, so before they did, we grabbed some stuff we thought you might want someday alongside what I wanted. Photos mostly. But I knew you would want this someday.”
He transfers the box from his grip to mine. Confused, I take the lid off and remove the picture and the pink and blue square checkered blanket.
It reminds me of my painted wall.
I cradle the soft blanket closer and stare at the photo through teary eyes.
“It was the only blanket Matt would put you in. Your mother hated it. Thought it was hideous, but he swore up and down it was your favorite. So anytime he brought you to see us as a baby, this was with you.” The picture shows my father holding me tightly in his arm with Uncle Mike on the other side, putting me right between them. “Someday, I hope you’ll tell the little one inside you that I may be her Pops, always, but this would’ve been her grandfather. And he would’ve loved her just as much as I d
o.”
Sniffling, I drop the blanket in my lap. “How do you know it’s a girl?”
“Because the world cannot handle Logan having two mini mes.”
I try to giggle through the tears. “God, isn’t that the truth?” Resting my head on his shoulder, I let him wrap an arm around me, cuddling the blanket close to my face again, swearing I can still smell the Calvin Klein cologne he always wore.
No. I don’t wanna talk about him. I wanna leave him in the past and move onto my future. But I will say this. I’ve never once questioned that he loved me, unlike my mother. And I know if he were around today, he would be proud of the woman I’m becoming and that’s all that really matters.
***
Dean tucks his new Xbox games away under the seat of my car as we drive through the country club gates.
You know damn well the only kind of club I belong to is one that involves books. But I bet you can figure out without thinking too hard who is a member.
“How much did they give you in that card?” I ask watching him tuck it into the glove compartment.
“That’s just not polite to ask.”
“Dean Kellar.”
“Two hundred bucks.”
“Are you kidding me?” I shriek and he tries to hide a smirk. “Plus those video games? That’s over 300 hundred dollars.”
“I promise to write a thank you card.” His comment causes me to shake my head.
Pulling into the parking lot, I ignore the cramps that are back and excruciatingly painful. “You’re gonna do more than write them a thank you card. We’re going over for dinner every two weeks from now until I feel your debt has been paid.”
He shrugs, not objecting, and I realize that family dinners aren’t a punishment when you’re thankful for your family.
“Cell phone free,” I add on.
“Aw man.” He rolls his eyes.
There. I feel better. Except these cramps are getting worse. That’s normal, right?
We get out of the car and are greeted by Luke, who has his arms folded across his chest, the annoyance of the fact we’re late on his face. Before I have a chance to explain, he grumps, “Do not ever leave me alone that long with that many teenage boys again.”