“I know it’s very early in the pregnancy yet, but as soon as I heard all the good news I had to celebrate. I mean, what are the odds, right?” Giggles come from my sisters and my head is cocked as I listen to my mom. “Chris and I thought this could be a little celebration for the both of you. It’s nothing major, just a small token of excitement.”
“Okay, what the hell am I missing here?” I ask.
“Language.” Ava calls me out before her mom can and it makes me smile.
“Well,” I turn as Carson starts explaining. Her smile is broad and she’s glowing as much as Olivia is. No. Freaking. Way. “I’m pregnant too!”
Both of them are pregnant at the same time? What are the odds?
“You don’t happen to be pregnant too, are you sweetie? Because I would be over the moon to make this a three-for-one celebration.” My mom’s hands are clasped in front of her like she’s begging me to be knocked up. I don’t know what happened to her talk all those weeks ago about being too young, but her mind has clearly changed. I think she has grandbaby fever.
“Ava, cover your ears,” I tell her with a wink and wait for her to comply. “Hell freaking no, I am not pregnant. I’m still too young. It’s just those two. Thank God.”
“I’ll find out the sex in a couple weeks. I’m due March third.” Olivia can’t hide her smile and walks over to Luke who kisses her and places a hand on her belly as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“We’ve been trying for a while now. It’s still very early, but I wanted to tell you all. I’m not due until April twenty-fifth, but I’m looking on the bright side. We’re just excited it actually happened.”
“I’m going to be a big sister?!”
At least I’m not the last to know.
Ava talks everyone’s ears off about how excited she is to have a little sister to play with. We remind her that she could get a brother, but she doesn’t want to hear anything about that.
I’m happy for Carson and Olivia. They’re both excited and happy, and for once, I don’t deflect the mood. I absorb it because it’s infectious.
My parents are back together. I’m dating a man I adore and I feel good, better than I ever have. My siblings are married and pregnant and everything is good and right.
I still haven’t talked to my friends and I’m not sure if I will again. Not until they grow up.
That chapter of my life is over. I’ve grown up and moved on. It seems abrupt, that after twenty-one years of being reckless and rebellious, that I could change in the blink of an eye. But it’s more than that.
Liam changed me. Not in the damsel in distress, he’s my prince kind of way. But he saw me. He rearranged all my broken pieces and made a puzzle. He didn’t fix me, he just put me together.
My diagnosis isn’t my life story. It’s just a part of who I am. My medication doesn’t make me broken or any less of a person. It makes me more real.
I’m flawed. I’m not perfect. I’m not the rich kid with the perfect life and parents.
My life is only beginning, and for once, I’m excited about my future and to see where I go from here.
Epilogue
Flynn
Four Years Later
“I’ll meet you there after my meeting, okay? Can you put the presents in the car?” Liam walks over and kisses me as I’m about to head out the door.
“Sure, babe. I love you. Good luck at your meeting,” he tells me as I leave.
About three years ago I got an idea for a club and started to put my plans in motion to become an owner. Wren helped me design the building and create it from the ground up. Today, as long as all goes well, I’ll be finalizing the liquor license and preparing for opening weekend.
Once I put a little thought into it, it made sense to be a club owner. I talked to my parents and they agreed to let me access my trust fund early to pay for everything. They’ve been nothing but supportive and I can’t wait for my club to open. It’s not going to be another college club. I wanted something more high class to cater to a more mature audience.
My meeting goes as expected and in a month we’ll be officially ready to open. I’m already counting down the days.
By the time I get to my parents’ house, everyone is already there. I hug my parents and siblings before finding Liam. Once my family accepted that we were serious and in this for the long haul, they welcomed him with open arms. He’s been teaching at the university for a few years now and he was just granted tenure this semester.
“Hey, sis, you look…huge.” I laugh and hug Olivia who’s pregnant with her second child. Today’s her baby shower, and of course, my parents pulled out all the stops.
The backyard is decorated with pink and blue balloons. Each side of the yard is dedicated to a guess on what the sex will be. If you guess it’ll be a girl, you’re designated on the right half of the yard and the blue party stays on the left.
Olivia is wearing bright pink and is camped out on the right side of the yard while her husband is wearing blue and chatting to Wren on the left side. My brother’s son, Tanner, is in a blue overall onesie and running around with his cousins, not abiding by the rules of the party.
Ava is awkwardly hovering between the adults and kids, too old to hang with the younger crowd but too young to fit in with the adults. I’m used to being the outsider and go to stand by her.
“Hey, what side are you on?”
She turns and shows me a pink ribbon pulling back one side of her hair. “I need another girl in this family. Since Eli and Tanner were born it’s been all boys all the time. And not in a good way.”
Oy. She’s already boy crazy. Carson’s going to have a tough time with this one.
Carson and Wren also had a boy they named Elijah. Ava was disappointed to get a brother, but after a few years, I think she’s warmed up to him. I can tell she’s dying for a girl cousin now though.
“You know what, kid, I’ll join Team Girl too.” I grab a pink ribbon and pin it to my cardigan.
“Hey, Liam. What team are you on?” Ava asks my man and I see him with a pink ribbon on his shirt too. I smile at the gesture. Even when we’re apart, he and I are always in sync.
Both my parents are wearing blue, and overall, it seems the party is pretty split. It’s a gender reveal slash baby shower and we’re all eager to see them cut the cake and reveal the sex of the latest Fletcher baby.
And a little while later, that time comes.
We all gather outside while Olivia and Lucas meet in the middle. Together, they cut the cake and pull out a piece of vanilla cake dyed pink. Everyone claps and Ava yells especially loud. We’re all excited for another girl in the family.
Olivia opens her presents next. Liam and I got them some new gender-neutral clothes and books because they already have everything else they need from their first kid.
As the party wraps up, I make sure to remind my family about the opening of my club next month. I expect them all to be there for the big day. I hug everyone goodbye and we head home.
We get back to our house that we’re still in the process of unpacking. I caved and let Liam pick out a house by the beach. I’ve lived here my whole life but I’m finally warming up to the place. It’s not a bad place to live after all.
We moved in about six months ago and everything has been a work in progress. With me starting a business and Liam working crazy hours during the semesters, it’s been hectic, but we’re getting there.
We settle into the couch, his arm wrapped around me, and my feet sprawled out in front of me.
“Today was a good day,” he notes. His tone is imploring and my hair stands on edge.
“It was.”
“You haven’t changed your mind about having kids, have you?” He asks. I sit up and spin to face him, my heart in my throat.
“No, I haven’t.” I generally feel like I have a good read on Liam, but right now I’m not sure.
“What about marriage? Do you want to get married?”
�
��Is this a hypothetical or…?”
He pulls a box from his pocket and opens it, showing a large princess cut diamond. I glance up at him, almost imagining this being some kind of cruel prank.
“It’s been four years and I’m not going anywhere. I love you and I want to marry you. I don’t need a big fancy wedding and we can go to the courthouse if that’s still what you want. Marry me, Flynn. What do you say?”
“I guess we’re going to the courthouse.” I slip the ring on my finger and kiss Liam.
My life has changed so drastically for the better over the last four years thanks to Liam. Why wouldn’t I want to marry this man? He’s everything to me.
The month goes by in a flash. I’ve been running around nonstop, and before I know it, the opening is here. The big sign hanging over the entrance is covered with a sheet, waiting for the big reveal. Before everyone arrives, I take one final walk through the space. The brick building has two French doors leading us through a hallway inside. The entryway opens up to a restaurant bar on the top level. It’s not a full-fledged restaurant, but we’ll specialize in appetizers and desserts and small table foods.
There are L-shaped couches of varying sizes taking up the floor and one U-shaped couch in the center to accommodate larger parties. Some exposed brick walls section off areas for more privacy. There’s a big bar in the back, in front of the kitchen, and the music plays on a lower level to give a more intimate and professional vibe. The lighting from the ceiling is dim and there are large windows opening up the space, looking out to a view of the city. In the back corner is a staircase leading down to the floor level. This is where the real partying happens for a different crowd. A huge DJ booth sits at the opposite end of the stairs, and as I walk down, I’m in perfect sight of the bar. Velvet ropes section off the sides where seating is optional, but the majority of the space is taken up by a dance floor. We can host shows, artists, DJs or singers and groups in the space with no problem.
As I glance around the perfectly arranged space, I take a moment to revel in how far I’ve come. I’d once thought the club was my home, my haven. In a sense, it gave me everything I didn’t know I wanted. Liam’s face flashes in my mind as I recall the night we met in another club across town. I owe a lot of this night, and of course who I am today, to him.
My sister even has some touches here. Since she was my photographer to take photos for the website, she knew exactly how to arrange everything and what looks best. Her husband, Wren, helped a lot too, using his skills as an architect and his connections to interior designers to help me set this place up.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever have a close relationship with Carson. I couldn’t see it before, how supportive she was of me, is of me. Plus, once she got over her aversion to Liam, things got much better for us.
Now, I’m close with both my siblings. I have an amazing and supportive man, a career, goals. I’m even on good terms with my parents. Life is wild, but I wouldn’t change my journey for anything.
I snap out of my sappy daydream and get back to business. Everything is in perfect order. The place is clean, the music is already flowing, and the drinks are ready to be poured.
This is the only baby I’ve ever wanted. This is my future.
I got two unexpected texts today from Cara and Dani congratulating me on my club and success. They both promised to be here tonight and I’m excited to see them. I know Dani got married to her long-time boyfriend Jace and Cara is seeing someone new and bringing them here tonight. We’re not as close as we once were, but we’re good. We were able to mend our severed friendship when I could tell them the truth about Liam. They were surprisingly understanding.
The icing on the cake is last night Liam and I went to the courthouse and made it official. I didn’t even bother wearing a white dress, Liam had jeans on, and still, it was exactly us. It was perfect. Slightly off-centered and untraditional and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Though, we did stick with traditional vows because all we cared about was being married. I know how much he loves me and after all this time, I’ve proven to him how much I love him. We didn’t need the fancy words to say it.
Right around six, I head back out front and meet my husband for the opening. He’s the only person who knows the name of this place. Well, he and Wren because he hooked me up with the designer and all the details; it was important for him to know. But he swore not to tell anyone, and I actually trust him.
My parents show up and hug me. My mom has tears in her eyes and tells me how proud she is of me for how much I’ve grown and all I’ve accomplished. My dad kisses my hair and chastises me for not letting him walk me down the aisle since I am still his little girl. Still, he understands and knows it was nothing personal. My sister shows up next with Wren. Ava wanted to be here but I told her she’s still a little young. Instead, she’s at home helping the babysitter out with Eli and Tanner. Lucas arrives last with a very pregnant Olivia in tow. She somehow looks both miserable and glowing all at once. I know she wants to get this show on the road and probably head right home, which is fine. She has another month to go in the pregnancy, but I can imagine not wanting to be out and about either if I were her.
“I want to thank you all. In some way, shape, or form, none of this would’ve happened without all of you. I know I was never the easiest person to deal with, and I want to use this to thank you for sticking by me no matter what. I owe this to you. You’re my family and I love you guys.”
Liam pulls down the sign and my dad looks especially proud. His smile is broad and he holds me to his side in a half hug.
“This has been my dream before I even knew it was my dream. It was like it was always part of my journey. Come inside, look around, and enjoy. You all eat and drink for free. The food is delicious, the music is on fire, and the company is the best of all. Everyone, welcome to Fletch.”
THE END
Want to see how Carson’s story began? Keep reading for a sample of Selfless.
Part One
PAST
Carson
“Did you know that babies are born with an innate sense of rhythm? They have this crazy instinct that allows them to respond to music.”
“What?” I turn my head to glare at the crazy person who decided to occupy the seat beside me despite all the empty seats in the lecture hall. The guy is gorgeous and I’m regretting my harsh tone. His auburn hair is bed-head messy, but he makes it work. He has an air of preppy popularity around him, in a simple white tee under a navy bomber jacket. His black jeans form to his muscular legs, and now I’m starting to feel like a creep for checking him out.
“Yeah, crazy, right? My kid is probably going to be dancing in the womb. You should see my moves. My dance skills could rival Michael Jackson.” His brown eyes light up as a pure smile spreads across his handsome face.
“I’m Carson.” An easy smile forms on my lips and I extend my hand to the handsome stranger.
“Hi, Carson. I’m Maddox.” His handshake is firm, like he’s treating me as an equal and not like a delicate flower, afraid I’ll break from a little pressure.
“So what’s with the fun facts? Are you full of them or do you recycle the same one over and over again?”
The classroom is filling up quickly and it’s my first class on my first day of college. I should be sitting front row and pulling out my syllabus to impress my professor.
“I’m full of them. You’ll see.” He’s smug but not overly conceited. He has an attractive amount of cockiness that makes me weak in the knees.
“Oh, will I? And why’s that?” I’ve never been a vixen or a sexpot. I’ve never been boy crazy or had a real boyfriend. Yet here I am, day one, fawning over a red-haired God.
“Because every day I show up to class, I’m going to give you a fun fact.” He shrugs and a chuckle escapes me.
Our professor walks in and for the first time in my life, I’m dreading school. I’d rather keep talking to my new friend.
“T
hat’s a relief. I thought you were going to say something utterly ridiculous, like, how we were going to end up together or something.” I toss my inky hair over my shoulder. Part of me wishes he did say something that ridiculous.
“Well, we are, but I didn’t want to scare you away.” He winks and my cheeks heat.
“Class, my name is Professor Ellar. Welcome to Psychology 101.”
The next hour is painful as it passes. Every time Maddox moves in his seat, a whiff of his cologne assaults my nose. This is going to be a long semester with this guy sitting beside me.
As I’m packing up my belongings, my classmate slips a piece of paper on my desk. “Here’s my number. If you want a daily dose of fun facts, feel free to text me. Or, you know, I’ll see you on Wednesday.” With a parting smile, he struts away and glances over his shoulder one last time as he goes.
I head toward my next class, part of me hoping Maddox is in my major and we have more classes together. In the first eighteen years of my life, boys were irrelevant. Family came first, school second, and extracurriculars third. Now, I spend one day in college and I’m turning into a boy-crazy floozy.
The day passes in a blur, and when I get home my mom is in the kitchen setting dinner on the table. I decided to go to a college close to home because I’m not ready to leave my safe haven quite yet.
“Hi sweetie, how was your day?”
Well, Mom, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t able to concentrate because I was too focused on a boy.
Who am I kidding? My mom would be euphoric. She probably thinks I’m a lesbian with how unobsessed with boys I am.
“It was…a lot to take in.” She nods and smiles. “I’m going to run my stuff up to my room.”
“Grab your siblings for dinner.”
Taking the steps two at a time, I drop my bag on the floor of my room. I continue down the hall, banging a fist on my brother, Lucas’s door first and my sister, Flynn’s door second. “Dinner’s ready.”
Reckless (A Carolina Coastal Novel Book 3) Page 18