Expect Me (Rivers Edge Book 3)

by Lacey Black

  I’m running just a few minutes late for the appointment, but not quite as late as I was last month. I sent Joss a text to let her know that I would just meet her there again. We’ve only had one more date since that first one. I’ve been working so hard and Josselyn picked up a few evening shifts at the diner for a young girl who’s dad has been ill. We both fall into bed at the end of the day, exhausted and drained.

  I step inside the office waiting room and see Josselyn sitting in a chair along the back wall. Her long, brown hair is pulled up in a high ponytail on the top of her head, and she’s wearing one of those long, sexy dresses that I love. It drapes over her baby bump perfectly which makes my cock thicken with desire every time I see her. It’s sort of a weird, male pride thing. ‘That’s my baby in there’ I want to say and pound on my chest.

  I drop in the seat next to her and give a gentle kiss on her cheek. Her face lights up when she sees me which doesn’t help at all with the tightness in my pants. “Hi,” I say with a small smile on my face.

  “Hey,” she replies and rests her hands on her belly. I reach forward and place my hands around hers on her stomach. These days, I touch her every chance I get. It’s not the old sexual way I usually want to touch her - though, I’d kill to touch her sexually these days too - but it’s more of a protective, fatherly way as I acknowledge my baby tucked securely in her belly.

  “This weekend’s that big softball tournament. I completely forgot until about twenty minutes ago when Clint called and reminded me. Our first game is at two tomorrow afternoon,” I tell her. “At least the tournament is here this time.”

  “Okay,” she responds as we both link fingers over her abdomen. “I was thinking of inviting Matty over tomorrow. I haven’t seen him much lately and I miss him.” A look of longing takes over her beautiful features.

  “Definitely. You guys can come to the games and hang out. We can do dinner after the last game if you want.”

  “Sounds good,” she replies as the familiar nurse comes out and calls her name.

  We head down the short hallway and run through the process of weight, blood pressure, and urine sample. This time, we’re lead to a different room at the end of the hallway. This room is a little bigger and has a big machine over in the corner.

  “Go ahead and hop up on the table, Josselyn. The doctor will be with you shortly,” the nurse says before she exit’s the room.

  “Are you excited?” Josselyn asks.

  “Very. How about you?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to see the baby,” she says with a big smile. I love that smile. I crave it. That smile gets me through my day more often than not. I imagine her smile when I’m working or when I’m still going late at night on the house instead of snuggling at home with her. All the hard work and the late nights will be worth it when the house is done.

  A knock sounds at the door as Dr. Freeman walks in with another younger lady. “Hi, Josselyn. Travis. This is Alyssa, and she’ll administer your ultrasound today.” Dr. Freeman runs through the usual list of questions with Josselyn. When she’s all finished with her part of the appointment, she heads out leaving us in the capable hands of Alyssa.

  She gets the machine out and starts to prepare for the ultrasound. I stand up and head to Josselyn’s head so I can see everything that’s happening with her. Josselyn reaches her hand up over her head and links her soft fingers in my rougher ones. There’s a slight tremor to them, but I know it’s from excitement and not from nerves.

  A couple of minutes later, Alyssa begins the ultrasound. The blurry image of our baby is evident on the screen. “I’m going to take a few measurements first and then we’ll look for the gender if you guys want to know.”

  “We want to know,” Josselyn says, excitement barely contained with her words. Her excitement fuels my excitement.

  I watch in amazement as the woman takes several images and measurements of my baby. I have no clue what I’m actually looking at, but in my uneducated opinion, everything looks good.

  “Okay, guys, here we go,” Alyssa says. She moves the wand over Josselyn’s protruding abdomen. “Here is your baby’s head. You can see two eyes, a nose, and a mouth right here,” she says as she points to the screen. “Ah, your baby has its mouth open like she’s talking to you,” Alyssa adds with a smile.

  “She?” I ask instantly filled with excitement.

  “No, I don’t know that yet. I’m working my way down now,” Alyssa adds.

  Alyssa moves the wand over the baby’s abdomen and arms. “Here are the hands,” she says as she clicks a few photos. “Look, your baby’s legs are curled up tight. That might make gender determination more difficult.”

  A few moments later, Alyssa is running the wand over the part of the baby we are the most interested in at the moment. She’s clicking a few buttons on the screen and eventually freezes the image on the screen. I can tell it’s the baby, but what part? I have no damn clue. The whole thing is a big blurry mess to me.

  “See that?” she asks as she points to a part on the frozen screen. “Say hello to your son.”

  I literally stop breathing when she says that word. Son. I have a son. I feel Josselyn’s hand tighten within mine at that moment. When my vision starts to blur, I realize that I’m not breathing. When I exhale quickly, my eyes crash into the beautiful, teary hazel eyes of Josselyn.

  “Son. We have a son,” I say out loud as if trying that word on for size.

  I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face. I reach forward and gently wipe the tears that are gathering in Josselyn’s eyes and gently spilling out. I can’t stop myself from leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her sweet lips before her face breaks out in the most breathtaking smile.

  After all of the measurements are taken, Alyssa prints off a handful of ultrasound photos and sends us on our way. Josselyn and I share excited, lingering glances and knowing smiles the entire trip through the doctor’s office and out to her car.

  When we reach her car, I open the driver’s door. “I was planning on working tonight since I have the softball tournament this weekend. Why don’t you come out with me and hang out?”

  “Okay,” she replies. “I’ll grab food and we’ll eat there,” Josselyn adds as she slides into the hot car. She immediately starts it up and rolls down the windows. I completely forgot that her air wasn’t working. I make a mental note to check that out as soon as possible.

  “So, when can I expect you?” I ask, excited at the prospect of spending some time with Josselyn tonight.

  “How about around six? That gives me time to go home and change and make some food.”

  “Sounds good. See you shortly,” I say as I step away from the car and watch her drive away.

  As she steers the car down the highway, I glance down at the ultrasound photos still in my hand. I can’t believe I’m going to have a little boy. A little guy that I can teach to throw a baseball and share my love for building things. Heck, maybe someday pass along the Stevens family business to him.

  My son.

  *****

  Saturday brings hot, muggy humidity to our little Missouri town. I’m a twenty-eight year old male who works outside in this crap year round and I’m miserable, so when I look up in the stands and see Josselyn sitting in the hundred degree heat on hard, metal bleachers, I feel horrible for her. But the thing that I’ve noticed is that she hasn’t complained once. We’re in the middle of our second game of the day and all I can think about is making sure Josselyn has enough water and food in her and keeps reapplying the sunscreen. I’ve even encouraged her to head back to the apartment a few times throughout the afternoon, but she wouldn’t hear it. She’s staying to watch me play.

  Matty drove to town today to spend the day with her. They met for lunch and were here at the ball field just before the two o’clock game. Now, here it is after five and we’re in the bottom of the sixth inning with bases loaded and I’m up to bat.

  I’ve had a pretty decent day behind
the plate with four hits and a couple of RBI’s. The first two pitches are just outside of the batter’s box and the next one just clips the corner. The fourth pitch is perfect, dropping down at the moment before the ball crosses home plate. I swing with everything I have and hear that satisfying crack of the bat. The ball sails over the head of the right fielder and drops just over the fence. Homerun.

  I round third base heading home and see Josselyn standing up in the bleachers cheering her beautiful little heart out for me. She’s wearing one of those adorably sexy long dresses again and my baby can be clearly seen jetting out from her belly. I fucking love that look on her. Matty is next to her, snapping pictures as I round the bases, as well as most of my family, all standing and cheering for me.

  After the game, I head over to Joss who instantly throws a big congratulatory hug around my middle. Her belly presses against me which does inappropriate things below my belt considering I’m standing in a group consisting of my four year old niece, my parents, siblings, and friends.

  “Nice hit,” Josselyn says as she keeps her arm wrapped firmly around my waist, my arm firmly around her shoulder.

  “Thank you. Did you drink enough water? I don’t want you overdoing it in this unforgiving heat.”

  “I’m fine, Trav. Just super hot, sticky, and gross. I can’t wait to run home and shower,” she says as we start to walk towards my truck.

  The mental image I just got of Josselyn in the shower is enough to make a grown man cry. Well, at least me anyway because there is no way in hell any other man is going to see Josselyn naked. Ever.

  Once I help Josselyn up into the passenger seat of my pick-up and Matty is tucked in the backseat, I blast the air conditioning to try to alleviate the stifling heat in the cab of the truck. Josselyn and Matty talk animatedly on the ride back to our apartment about the game and a few photo shoots Matty has had lately.

  “I’m serious, Joss. I want to take some pics soon. You have the cutest baby bump ever and I want to capture it for you,” Matty says, causing my ears to perk up.

  “The last thing I want is pictures documenting how huge I’m getting, Matty. I appreciate the offer, really, but I think I’ll pass,” Josselyn replies.

  “Travis, will you talk to her. She needs these done, right?”

  I look over at Josselyn who is giving me the if-you-agree-with-him-I’m-killing-you look. “It’s up to Josselyn, Matty. But, I do think they might be a good idea,” I add and give her a sheepish look.

  “Sure, take his side,” she mumbles as she stares out the window. “I’ll think about it,” she finally replies after a minute to pacify her best friend.

  “That’s all I’m asking for, doll,” Matty says with a satisfying, smug smile.

  After stopping by the apartment for three quick showers, followed by dinner at Laverne’s Steakhouse, Josselyn, Matty, and I head up to Jack’s Pub for the evening. I haven’t been here in months. Not since Josselyn stepped into my life all those months ago. Jake, Erin, Maddox, and Avery already have the large table in the back secured for our group. I place my hand on Josselyn’s lower back and steer her through the crowd and towards the bar. Gabe is working tonight and greets me like an old friend.

  “Budweiser draft for me,” I say as I look at Josselyn with a raised eyebrow.

  “Just water,” she replies as she turns her attention to the back of the bar.

  “Matty, what are you having?” I ask over my shoulder.

  “Something fruity. Ohhh, how about a Margarita,” he says with sparkling green eyes.

  “An ice water and a margarita, Gabe.”

  “Coming up,” he says as he goes to pour my beer and mix Matty’s fruity drink.

  I turn my attention back to Josselyn who is wearing a hot pink and black long dress thingy. This one is strapless and is super tight over her chest, pushing them up like some delicious buffet waiting for me to feast upon. My mouth waters every time I glance down at her cleavage. Her sexy pink toes are peaking out from under the dress and she’s wearing her favorite pair of black flip flops. She’s commented several times lately about her feet swelling up, but I don’t notice it. They still look as sexy as ever.

  Once we have our drinks in hand, we head back to the table where the others have gathered. Nate is here now and mentions that Will is on his way. I glance around and take in the other patrons at the pub. I used to enjoy how I’d receive appreciative glances from the ladies throughout the night. Hell, all of my brothers receive the same looks. Now, I just want to wrap my arms around Josselyn so that everyone knows I’m taken.

  Nate bends down and kisses Josselyn on the cheek which earns him a growl from me. He must hear me because he stands up with that cocky, asshole smile and throws his arm around Josselyn’s shoulder. He looks all cozy, and I honestly have the urge to punch my brother square in his smug, pretty-boy face.

  “Something wrong, Travis?” he asks with another cocky grin.

  “Yeah, you putting your male-whore hands on my girl,” I tell him with a glare.

  Josselyn seems genuinely surprised by my hostility towards him. Or maybe it’s the fact that I acknowledged her as my girl. Hell, that’s what she is. Mine. My girl. My baby.

  My hand balls into a tight fist, and I realize he is about one second away from receiving a black eye courtesy of his little brother. We continue to stare at each other as if daring the other to say something else. Nate must sense my seriousness and eventually removes his arm from Josselyn’s shoulder, again, with the same cocky smile.

  He steps forward and leans forward towards my ear so that no one else can hear me. “Settle down, little brother. I was just fucking with you,” Nate whispers and clinks his beer bottle against my mug as he turns and walks away.

  I try to calm myself down and turn my attention back to my other family members who aren’t being giant douche bags. Avery and Maddox are playing Erin and Jake in a game of pool while Josselyn and Matty take a seat at the big, round table. I slide in next to Josselyn and lay my arm down on the back of her chair. My fingers itch to touch the smooth skin along the edge of her dress. My dick nods its approval at the thought.

  Matty grabs the folder in the middle of the table. “Ohh! Karaoke! Joss, you have to sing something. Please, please, pretty please!” Matty exclaims with excitement filled eyes.

  “I don’t think so, Matty,” Josselyn mumbles and drops her chin down to her chest.

  “I’m not taking no for an answer, Josselyn Jane McCray. I haven’t heard you sing in months since you moved here. You have the most amazing voice I’ve ever heard. You are singing tonight, and I’m picking your song,” he says as he grabs the little slips of paper in the center of the table.

  “Matty, seriously. I don’t feel like singing tonight,” Josselyn counters.

  “You sing?” I ask feeling a little sad that I don’t know this about Josselyn already.

  “Matty is making a bigger deal out of this. I’ve sung before but I’m not as good as he’s making me sound. Really,” Josselyn replies but is yet to make eye contact.

  I reach forward and grab a hold of her chin and gently lift her head until her eyes are firmly locked on mine. “I want to hear you sing,” I tell her and mean every bit of that.

  “You do?” she asks with a look of longing in her eyes. The crowd around us seems to fade away. It’s like we’re the only two people in the pub. I don’t hear the talking or the pool balls slapping together or the beer bottles being dropped into the trash.

  “Absolutely. I want to know every little detail about you, Josselyn,” I say as I stare deeply into her eyes. Before my very eyes, I watch the color change from a hazel green color to a deeper brown color. I know that color. It means she’s getting excited. Turned on. “I’m hoping that between us, we’ll have at least one talent to pass along to our kid,” I add to lighten up the conversation a little so that I don’t embarrass myself with the wood I’m sporting under the table.

  After a couple of drunk girls sing “Love Shack” by th
e B-52’s and a guy mumbles through his rendition of Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long”, the guy behind the booth calls Josselyn’s name up to the microphone.

  Josselyn gives Matty the stink eye as she slowly stands and walks to the front.

  “What is she singing?” I ask Josselyn’s best friend.

  “One she hasn’t sung publicly before. It’s her absolute favorite song, and she’s always refused to sing it in public.”

  “Why?” I ask as I watch her take her place behind the microphone.

  “Because of what the song represents. True, everlasting love. She always said she’d sing it when she found the right person to sing it for,” he says with a pointed look. “I’m waiting to see if she changes my selection or not,” he adds as we both wait. Will she change the song selection?

  Josselyn looks at the monitor and then instantly to Matty. I watch him smile an encouraging, knowing smile back at her as she turns her attention to me. I realize I’m waiting with baited breath, excitement and nervousness coursing through my body.

  The opening melody starts up and I instantly know the song. Every male who’s ever felt the need for speed knows this song. Everyone I know wanted to be a fighter pilot because of this movie, and everyone wanted the hot girl because of this song. Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” fills the pub and all eyes are on the stage.

  Josselyn takes the microphone in her hand and slowly starts.

  “Watching every motion in my foolish lover’s game, On this endless ocean finally lovers know no shame”

  My eyes are glued to her. I’m riveted in my seat, taking in this beautiful woman who sings like an angel. Her voice is light and passionate like she’s making love to the microphone.

  “Turning and returning to some secret place inside, watching in slow motion as you turn around and say, Take my breath away”

  I feel the chair next to me being pulled out but I don’t turn, I can’t turn away from Josselyn singing. She’s staring straight at me as she belts out each line of the song without looking at the words on the screen.