by R. Linda
His tongue traced along his bottom lip as he dragged his hand slowly up the inside of my thigh. My heart was pounding a thousand beats a minute in my chest, so hard it rattled my rib cage. The anticipation was killing me. I wanted to scream at him to hurry up, to move his hand further. My fingers were aching to grab hold of the small bun at the back of his head and smash his mouth against mine. We were so close, and then…
“I should go.” Bennett pulled away.
“What?” I shoved my hands against his chest and sat back. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Look where we are, Christina. I will not be responsible for you losing your job, or worse, no matter how tempted I am to throw you in this back seat right now. I’m skating on thin ice as it is. If I get caught in a compromising position with my teacher, my father will ship me off to live with my mother faster than you can moan my name.”
“You want to throw me in the back seat?” My eyes lit up at the thought even as I berated myself for getting so excited at the prospect.
“I want to do so much more than that.”
I looked thoughtfully at the back seat, still wishing he’d just do what he wanted to with me, but I knew he was right.
“Nine weeks?”
“Nine weeks.” He nodded.
“What do we do until then?”
“Nothing. Things will go on as normal.”
“Bennett, how old are you?”
He smirked. “Old enough to be legal.”
“Really?”
“We’re sitting in my car, Christina,” he pointed out with an amused expression.
“Shit,” I hissed. “That was dumb. So, you’re eighteen?”
“Met you the day after my eighteenth birthday, actually.”
My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe you’re so young.”
“I think I more than make up for it, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I breathed, leaning closer to him, and my lips parted of their own accord. Just a taste. One kiss wouldn’t hurt, surely?
Bennett cleared his throat. “It’s going to be a very long nine weeks if you keep looking at me like that, Ms. Brown.”
“I’m going to be very wound up if you keep saying my name like that.”
“You like when I call you Ms. Brown, huh? Kinky.” He winked.
God, he was delectable. His blue eyes sparkled with life, and the dimple on his cheek flashed. He was the perfect specimen. I wanted to trace my nails down his back and lick a trail from his chest all the way dow—
He laughed. “Eyes are up here.”
“Can’t help myself.”
“I should go.” Bennett sighed and closed his eyes, tipping his head back against the seat. He swallowed, and the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbed from the movement, and I may have groaned.
“Do you have to?”
“Baby’s coming, I should be there.” He opened his eyes and looked at me.
“Right.” I nodded. “Well, I’ll see you on Monday. Wish Bailey and Ryder all the best for me.”
Bennett stared, shock crossing his features. “Really?”
“Sure. I have no issue with them anymore.”
“Okay. Have a good weekend, Ms. Brown,” he said with a playful smile as I climbed out of the car and stepped over to mine. “Hey!” He wound his window down, and I turned to look at him. “We should do this again.”
“What?”
“Talk. I like talking to you.”
“I’m not talking to you for nine weeks, Bennett, unless it’s about your exams.” I hopped in my car and closed the door, drowning out the sound of Bennett’s laughter.
Chapter Fourteen
Bennett
My phone had buzzed with a text while I was trying not to get hot with Christina, but damn, she made it hard. In more ways than one.
I grabbed my phone and checked the message.
Audrey: Where are you?
My stomach sank. I promised Audrey I’d stay away from Christina, and I would…for the next nine weeks. After that, all bets were off. But I felt terrible now because I’d have to lie to her, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. She was my bro, and we didn’t lie. But I knew I couldn’t tell her about the arrangement Christina and I just made because she wouldn’t understand.
She had Brody, and he was perfect, and everyone loved him. They were made for each other. Everyone hated Christina, and I understood why. She treated Bailey like shit, though I still hadn’t got Christina’s version of the story. But the wolf pack, as Audrey liked to call them, were all very close and protective of one another. They’d included me in their little gang because I was Audrey’s friend, and I knew they’d take it personally if they found out about Christina.
For now, I had to keep my mouth shut and pretend like nothing was going on.
Bennett: Coming now.
I pulled out of the parking lot and rushed to the hospital, wondering whether Bailey’d had the baby yet.
The waiting room was full when I walked in. Nate and Brody had arrived, and so had Ryder’s and Bailey’s mothers. Kenzie’s son Cole was playing with Jeremy in the corner, and everyone else was sitting around looking bored out of their brains.
“No baby yet?” I asked when I took a seat next to Audrey.
“Not yet.” She yawned and stretched.
“Want a coffee?” I offered. I didn’t really want to sit around and do nothing.
She nodded. “I’ll come with you. Anyone else want a coffee?”
“Oh, I’ll have a packet of gummy worms!” Indie said.
“And I’ll have an iced tea,” Kenzie called out.
“No one wants coffee? Great! I won’t get anything, then.” Audrey smiled before anyone else could shout out orders. “Brody?”
“Please.”
She leaned down and kissed him. “Won’t be long.”
He looked at me, his eyebrows pinched together, and I thought he was going to say something, but he didn’t. He turned back to Linc and continued their conversation.
We walked out into the hall, and Audrey took a deep breath. “It was getting stuffy in there.”
“There were a lot of people,” I agreed.
“How come it took you so long to come back?” She posed her question innocently, but I knew she was suspicious. What could I say? That I almost felt up our English teacher in the school parking lot? Or that we agreed to stay away from each other until the end of the year, and then it was no holds barred?
“Oh, uh…Christina’s car wouldn’t start. I had to jump start it for her.”
Lie.
Total lie. And I hoped Audrey didn’t question me on it.
“Oh. Good. I thought that, you know, maybe things got a little…” She trailed off and waved a hand between us.
“Sexy?”
“Ewww, no. God. I know you’re not that dumb to pursue her anymore.”
My heart sank. She had total faith in me, and I was lying to her face. Great best friend I was.
“I was going to say nasty. Because, well, she’s a bi—”
“Bitch. Yeah, so everyone keeps saying. Whatever. It’s fine. You have nothing to worry about, okay?”
“Good. It’s only because I care.”
“I know, and I love you for it.” I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her head.
“Angel face!” a voice called down the hallway.
Audrey chuckled as she pulled away and turned to face the guy coming toward us. “I was wondering how long it would take for him to get here.”
“Am I late? Did I miss it?” He swept Audrey into his arms and spun her around.
“Hi, Jack. No, you haven’t missed anything. We’re still waiting.” She stumbled slightly when he dropped her to her feet.
His eyes shifted to me, and he fixed his hair and tried to give what I imagined would be a sexy smile. “Hi, handsome.”
“Jack,” I laughed. I’d met him a few times and liked the guy. He was a bit much to take at first, but once you g
ot to know him, you realised he was probably one of the best guys you could meet.
“Come here often?”
“No. Yourself?”
“No, but I might start if you’re here.”
“You are not hitting on my friend, Jack.” Audrey slapped his arm.
“Sorry, angel face, but are you sure you have the right man? I mean, you chose Brody. Don’t you want to maybe get an upgrade? A younger model. Newer. Faster.” Jack tilted his head and looked me up and down. “More powerful. Built to last.”
“Oh, my god. Can’t take you anywhere.” She grabbed Jack’s shoulders and turned him in the direction of the waiting room. “In there. Go!”
“I’ll just go and keep your boyfriend distracted, Audrey, in case you want to take Bennett for a test drive!” Jack cackled as he walked away with a bounce in his step.
“He’s so embarrassing.” Audrey buried her face in her hands.
“Want a test drive?” I teased as Jack sauntered down the hall with extra sway in his hips.
“What? No!”
“One day.” I nudged her with my elbow, but she just rolled her eyes and ignored my comment.
“Come to find me later, handsome,” Jack called back to me.
“I don’t think you can handle me,” I said, trying not to laugh when he came to a stop.
“Is that a challenge?” His eyes lit, and a wicked grin spread across his face.
“No, Jack. It’s not a challenge,” Audrey said before turning and poking me in the chest. “And you, stop encouraging him.”
“Later, baby.” Jack blew a kiss and walked into the waiting room.
“He’s unbelievable.”
“He’s fun. Come on, bro, let’s go and get everyone a coffee.”
I grabbed Audrey’s hand and led her to the cafeteria. We didn’t bother ordering what they had asked for but bought enough coffee for everyone and a juice for Cole, then carried it all back to the waiting room.
“Oh, thank god.” Indie groaned and snatched a tray from my hands to distribute the coffee.
Ryder’s and Bailey’s mums were grateful. They both looked so nervous and excited about the baby.
It wasn’t even that late, but sitting around with nothing to do was surprisingly exhausting.
My phone buzzed in my pocket again, and I pulled it out to read the message, smiling when I saw it. She actually cared.
Christina: Any news yet?
Bennett: Not yet. Will keep you updated.
Christina: You don’t have to. I was just curious.
Bennett: Shut up. I will. You obviously want to know.
Christina: Maybe a little bit.
I smiled to myself and put my phone back in my pocket. I looked up to see Audrey’s eyes focused on me.
“What?”
“Who was that?”
I lifted my shoulders and swallowed the bad taste in my mouth as I spoke. “A friend.”
Lie.
Total lie.
And she knew it too. She was my only real friend, apart from Chris, but he was off the grid for a while, trying to get his act cleaned up.
“He’s allowed to have other friends, cupcake,” Brody reassured her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
I lifted an eyebrow and waited for her to challenge me again, but she kept quiet and turned her focus to Brody. Which left me with Jack. At least he was entertaining and made the time pass.
Kenzie and Jeremy left to get Cole some dinner after everyone realised it was going to be a long night, and the rest of us sat silently staring at the clock but not making time go faster.
“Hey, Jack?” Linc said after a while and rubbed his hands over his arms.
“Yeah?”
“You got a jacket in your car?”
Jack tapped his chin. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“Are you going to wear it, or is it for Indie?”
“Me. I’m freezing because Ace wouldn’t let me get changed.”
Indie gave him an innocent smile. “I didn’t want to miss anything.”
“We’ve been here for hours, and nothing’s happened.”
“Stupid ass,” she muttered under her breath. She called him that a lot. I didn’t understand it, but apparently it wasn’t really an insult. A term of endearment, according to Bailey.
“Sorry. No jacket. Guess you’ll have to freeze or let me warm you up.” Jack smiled sweetly.
Linc rolled his eyes and pulled Indie to his chest, wrapping his arms around her. “That’s what Ace is for.”
“Suit yourself.” Jack waved him off.
“Jack?”
“Yes, babycakes?”
I swore he had a nickname for everyone.
“If you give Linc a jacket, his naked chest will touch it. Think about that. You can wear something that Linc’s firm body has felt,” Indie said, a playful smile on her face as she rubbed her hands over Linc’s chest.
Jack’s eyes followed the movement, and his mouth hung open. “I’ll be right back!”
He ran out of the room.
“That wasn’t uncomfortable at all,” Linc grumbled.
Indie buried her head in Linc’s chest and giggled. “He’s too easy.”
Jack returned with a jacket, faster than anyone expected him to. His face was flushed, his breaths hard and fast. Looked like he’d just run a marathon. “Here.”
“Thanks, man.” Linc took the jacket and shrugged it on. “Ah, so much better.” He screwed his nose up. “Jesus, did you drown it in cologne?”
“No, but thank you. I’ll take the compliment. No one has ever called me Jesus before. And, of course. I smell enticing. Is it enticing you?”
“It’s giving me a headache.” Linc sneezed.
“Give it back, then?” Jack held out his hand.
“No.”
“Well—”
Jack was cut off by Ryder walking into the waiting room, his eyes wide and in shock.
“Holy fuck. I’m a dad,” he announced. And before anyone could even stand and congratulate him, he turned and ran back out of the room.
It was silent. The guys all stood there with the same expression Ryder had on his face. Pure shock. Like they couldn’t believe it actually happened. They had a baby. And the girls all had tears streaming down their cheeks.
After a moment, cheers erupted, and there were hugs and kisses and more tears and a room full of celebration.
It was a sight to see. The way all these people cared for each other and supported each other was incredible, and I couldn’t even get my dad to remember my birthday.
The door opened again, and the room fell silent.
Ryder stood there with a tiny bundle in his arms.
“I have a daughter,” he whispered, staring down at her with all the adoration in the world. A small smile appeared on his face. “Meet Sage.”
Cue the shocked stares and tears again as everyone crowded around him and Sage.
“Her name is perfect,” Kenzie said.
“She’s beautiful.” Bailey’s mum pushed her way through.
“Congratulations,” Jeremy said.
Audrey stood on her toes to get a better look. “She’s so sweet.”
“I love her already,” Jack gushed.
“How’s Bailey?” Nate asked.
“She’s good. She’s in recovery but will be out soon, and you can all see her.”
“Can I hold her?” Indie asked.
“Get your own. She’s mine. And no fucker’s getting their hands on her.” Ryder hugged her closer, making everyone laugh.
“She hasn’t even opened her eyes yet, and he’s already planning the death of the first boy she kisses.” Kenzie laughed.
“Poor kid,” Brody said.
“There will be no boys until she’s forty.” Ryder said it with such complete seriousness, and I fully believed it.
Then he smiled when he saw Indie’s frown. “No, I have to get her back. She needs bonding time with Bailey before anyone
else can hold her. But you can all fight over her soon.” He kissed Indie on the cheek and cradled Sage closer to his body, protective, as everyone either kissed him or clapped a hand on his back in congratulations, and then they were gone.
The room fell silent again until Linc broke it. “Hey, Ace,” he whispered loudly. “Wanna make a baby?”
“Right now?”
He looked around the room at everyone staring at them. “That’s a little too kinky for me, but maybe we can practice when we get home?”
Indie nodded. “Practice makes perfect.”
Chapter Fifteen
Christina
Bennett had messaged Friday night to tell me Bailey had a baby girl, and that Ryder was already overprotective. I expected nothing less of him. And I was truly happy for them.
Now it was Monday, and I stood facing the double doors, trying to work up the courage to possibly do the most daring, daunting thing I could think of.
With the bag in my hand, I walked inside the building and over to the reception desk.
“I’m here to see Bailey Jones.” I smiled at the nurse.
“You know Bailey?” The nurse frowned at me. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t work out what it was. Something in her face. She reminded me of someone.
“Yes. Uh…we’re colleagues and old school friends,” I answered politely and wondered what was with the inquisition. Couldn’t she just give me the damn room number and let me go?
“Sorry, what was your name? I need to put you in the register.” Her green eyes scrutinised my face.
“Christina Brown.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and thought about it for a moment. “I know who you are.”
“Yes, because I just told you.”
“You put my girl through hell in high school.”
“Your girl?”
“Bailey.”
“You’re Bailey’s mum?”
“No, Ryder’s.” She scowled, and it became so apparent. The curly hair, the green eyes, the dimples. She was an older version of her son.
I took a deep breath and tried again. “I’m sorry for any pain I caused back then. I was young and stupid and naïve. I’m trying to be better and want to make things right with Bailey and Ryder. That’s why I’m here.”