by Ash, Nikki
They both get up and I expect Bella to cry. She’s five years old. I wouldn’t blame her. But she surprises me when she throws her headgear off pissed as shit.
“Dammit. I am never going to be big enough to beat anyone.” Did my sweet innocent little Bella just curse?
I lock eyes with Caleb and he barks out a laugh. “Clearly, she’s been hanging out at the gym too long,” He says shaking his head.
“Hey bite size!” I call out. She looks over at me and glares. “Get your little behind over here and shake hands. You can be pissed but you don’t get to be a poor sport.” Yeah, I know. I didn’t say shit about the cursing but c’mon… She is in a gym filled with guys. I can discuss the cursing with her later, away from everyone.
She sighs and walks over to Marco putting her hand out. “Good fight,” She says under her breath.
“You did good, Bella. Don’t worry, one day you will be bigger and you will definitely kick ass.” Marco says to her.
“Thanks.” Bella says back smiling a little.
Everybody congratulates them both on a good fight and then Bella and I gather our stuff to head out. As we are driving out of the parking lot I see Marco walking down the street. I pull up next to him and slow down.
“Need a ride, kid?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I’m good but thanks.”
I should probably force it but something tells me this kid is used to being on his own and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.
“Alright, see you later.” I drive away and send up a small prayer that he makes it home safe, and another one saying thanks for keeping Faith and Bella safe.
Bella and I get back to the apartment and shortly after the pizza arrives. Bella tells Kayla all about her fight and then we all lounge out on the couches to watch a movie. Only Bella would go from trying to beat the shit out of a kid to watching Beauty and the Beast. I hope Faith is just like her.
Sixteen
Kayla
I am currently sitting in Liz and Cooper’s living room giving baby Nathan kisses all over his face. They named him Nathan Liam Cooper. Apparently, Nathan is Liz’s favorite character from One Tree Hill and Liam is Cooper’s real name. How she convinced him to name his child after a guy she used to crush on I will never know. Actually, I do. Cooper is the same way with Liz as Bentley is with me. They would give us the world if they could.
Speaking of Bentley, we still aren’t freaking together. Remember when I said I wanted to tell him I want to give us a real chance in a romantic way? Well, apparently finding time for romance with an infant is easier said than done. I still haven’t told him. Also, since the night he went down on me and didn’t get anything in return, he has been acting super weird. Every night when I try to return the favor he makes up some excuse as to why we can’t do anything.
Hayley comes walking in the door to join us.
“I’m bored,” she pouts and plops onto the couch taking Nathan from me.
“Don’t look at me,” Liz says. “I just had a baby. I am not moving from this couch.”
“Kayla, come out with me, please,” Hayley begs while cooing at Nathan.
“Where to?” I ask.
“We could go to the club Caleb works at,” Hayley says slyly and I know where she is going with this. I will totally go along with this.
“Ok, I’m down. Text Ashley to see if she wants to join.”
“Join who, where?” Bentley asks walking in holding a sleeping Faith in his arms.
“We are going to go to a club tonight. Want to go?”
“Are you sure you are up for that?” Cooper chimes in looking at Liz.
“Oh no, we aren’t going. Those two crazies are going. I am staying right here in my comfy pajamas,” Liz laughs.
“I’ll go,” Bentley says. “My parents would love to watch Faith.”
“Ok, Ashley is good to go and Kaden is joining as well,” Hayley adds looking up from her phone.
We spend the rest of the afternoon sipping coffee and cuddling with our babies while the guys go to the gym to work out. Once it starts getting late Hayley heads home to get changed, as do Bentley and I.
After we drop Faith off with Ryan and Kathleen, we head to the club on the strip Caleb works at. He is actually off tonight but is still joining us. Since he works there he is able to get us in as VIP. I have to admit that I am looking and feeling good. For just having a baby not too long ago I am rocking this dress. Sure, it’s a couple sizes bigger than my pre-pregnancy ones but I am still rocking the shit out of it. Of course Ashley and Hayley look hot as hell.
Bentley invited a few of the other guys aside from our usual group so there’s a bunch of women I don’t know and some I don’t really care to know. We are hanging out in the VIP area chatting with everyone and every so often a woman approaches Bentley asking him to dance but so far he has said no.
“Let’s play a game!” Hayley’s drunken ass shouts over the music.
“A game? What are we, five?” Kaden asks laughing.
Ashley smacks him in the chest. I will have to ask Ashley later if anything has happened with them yet.
“What game?” I ask.
“Hmm… Let’s play truth or dare.” Clearly the alcohol has gotten to her head but what the hell.
Ashley chimes in, “I want to play!”
A bunch of other people chilling with us say they are down to play as well. Give a bunch of grown adults alcohol and it’s like we are teenagers all over again.
“I’ll go first,” I say because if you can’t beat ‘em you might as well join ‘em.
“Caleb, truth or dare?” He glares at me and I laugh. I mean, c’mon, the guy holds his secrets in like Fort Knox.
“Dare.” Dammit, I was hoping to ask him something. I look over at Hayley and it hits me.
“I dare you to kiss Hayley.” She is now glaring at me and I take a shot and crack up. I think I am going to like this game.
“You don’t have to…” She begins to say but before she can get the sentence out Caleb has his mouth on hers, and holy shit! The guy looks like he can kiss. There is some definite tongue action going on there while his fingers are in her hair holding her face to his. He is clearly into this kiss. He is most definitely. Not. Gay. Everybody hoots and hollers and cheers them on.
The kiss ends and Hayley looks like she is going to pass out. I give her a small wink and she winks back. Girls have to have each other’s backs.
“Ok, Caleb. Since you did the dare it’s your turn,” Ashley says.
Caleb looks around and then says to one of the groupie girls I don’t know. “Samantha, truth or dare?”
She giggles and says, “Truth.”
“Ok. What’s the craziest thing you have ever done?
She, of course, giggles as she says, “Umm…probably the time I had a threesome in the bathroom at the club.”
Her friends all laugh and I seriously think I throw up a little in my mouth. Please tell me I never acted like that, at least not that bad.
After they are done laughing she looks to her friend sitting next to her and asks, “Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” her ditzy friend says.
“I dare you to kiss Bentley.” Is this bitch for real?
Hayley jumps in, “No daring couples to do sexual stuff with other people. That shit isn’t cool.”
The ditzy bitch says, “Yeah but Bentley is single, right?” Fuckin’ A, I’m about to cut a bitch! But I am not about to let my anger show. I am too mature to play these silly games.
Everybody turns to me. “Bentley can kiss whomever he wants,” I say flatly. “Anyway, I am going downstairs to dance.” I walk away without looking back. I might be great at hiding my feelings but I am not about to watch him make out with someone else. Why did I put off telling him how I feel? Will I ever get this shit right?
I get downstairs and go to the center of the dance floor. I start dancing with the people around me and after a few minutes I feel hands grip my waist. I turn arou
nd to tell the person to back the fuck off when I see it’s Bentley.
“Enjoy your kiss?” I sneer. Ok, I guess I am not as mature as I thought.
“I don’t know. I will tell you in a minute.” And then his mouth connects with mine. Within seconds his tongue is inside my mouth and it is dancing with mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and his hands move to my ass grabbing it and pulling me closer. All too soon the kiss ends leaving me breathless.
“I would say I enjoyed it very much.” He gives me a wink and then walks away off the dance floor.
Damn that man! I seriously need to tell him I want more.
We go back up to the booths where everyone is sitting and I notice the girls from earlier are all gone. I give a look to Hayley and she laughs and walks over to whisper in my ear. “After you walked away Bentley made it clear to anybody in hearing range that he is in fact taken and ended the game before walking away to find you. The girls all got bored and left.”
Bentley
I am watching Hayley and Kayla whisper over in the booth and all I can think about is the kiss we shared. I seriously walk around with a hard-on ninety percent of the time I am around Kayla. She looks amazing tonight in that navy blue off the shoulder dress she is wearing. You wouldn’t even be able to tell she recently gave birth. Not that she is back to being skinny. She definitely has curves but every curve on this woman is sexy. Her thicker body reminds me every day that she carried our baby in her.
I can feel her giving in soon. I just need to hold out a little while longer and I will have her.
Kaden orders a bottle of tequila and has the waitress bring over salt and limes to go with it. Before we know it we are all downing shots.
“Remember the last time I took a shot off you?” Kayla whispers into my ear right before licking the salt off my neck she just placed there.
“Ugh yeah, I think so.” I answer slowly. It’s hard to concentrate with her mouth on my body.
“Mmm… it’s the night we created Faith. If you want, I can give you a repeat performance.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down and then tips her head back to take the shot.
I laugh at her brazen remarks. “As much as I enjoyed that night, you aren’t cleared to do anything of that nature yet.”
I give her a kiss on the tip of her nose and wink, and then walk away once again. Damn, I love having the last word.
Seventeen
Kayla
I have been back to work for a few days and I would be lying if I said all is well. First of all, I am missing my little girl like crazy. I know she is safe with Bentley but it doesn’t change the fact that I am wishing it was me home with her. I love my job but I also love being home with Faith.
Second of all, Bentley is still totally playing hard to get. I need to get him alone so I can make sure he still wants to be with me and tell him I want more than what our current arrangement is.
I decide to call up Hayley to see if she would be willing to watch Faith. Normally I would call up Liz but after I saw Caleb kiss Hayley I think maybe forcing them into a room together might be a good idea.
I hit the Bluetooth button to call Hayley and she answers on the first ring.
“Hey chica! How’s it going?” Her voice fills my vehicle.
“What the hell are you so chipper about?” I ask.
She cracks up laughing and says, “Nothing really. Just got in and I am watching Caleb without a shirt on working out.”
“Oh God, girl! You have it so bad! I just left work. I must have just missed you. So I have a favor to ask you.”
“Ok?” She says drawing out the word.
“Can you and Caleb watch Faith for us for the night? Bentley’s birthday is coming up and I was thinking I could take him out for the night.”
I hear Hayley’s laughter coming through the speaker. “You mean you’re going to try to seduce his ass.”
“No!!” I yell way too loudly.
“Oh my God! Kayla! You know he isn’t going to sleep with you until you agree to really be with him.” I want to tell her I am planning to be with him but again, I want to tell Bentley first. The guy has spent months begging me to be with him. He deserves to be the first one I have this conversation with.
“Can you just watch her please? It will give you an entire night with Caleb…” The line goes quiet and I know I have her.
“Ok, I will be there tomorrow night. But you need to let Caleb know we are babysitting together. I swear he doesn’t even know I exist. Other than that one kiss from the dare he hasn’t even acknowledged me.”
“He does know you exist. He’s just weird about women I think. I couldn’t believe he even kissed you. I have never seen him kiss any woman but damn, it was hot. Don’t worry. I will let him know. Come over tomorrow at four o’clock. Caleb doesn’t work at the club on Wednesdays.”
She says ok and we hang up. I call up the Mirage Las Vegas and make reservations for tomorrow night. I should tell Bentley what we are doing but I decide it will be a Birthday surprise since his birthday is this week. Then I stop by Agent Provocateur to pick up some much-needed lingerie. I want the night to be amazing.
I get home to find dinner on the table and the apartment quiet.
“Hello? Anybody home?”
Bentley walks down the hall in nothing but sweatpants, which are hanging low showing off his sexy as hell body. I feel my insides tighten up and if it were possible I would totally have a lady boner. He just smirks and puts a finger to his lips to shush me.
“Faith is asleep. I made dinner. I thought you would be home sooner but I can heat it back up really quickly.”
I look at the table and see two plates of delicious looking lasagna, two bowls filled with salad, and Italian bread.
“Did you make all this?”
“He grins and nods. “Yeah, I looked up the recipe online and made it earlier while Faith was having her morning nap. I just had to throw it in the oven once it was time to bake it. I should have asked if you were going to be late.” He grabs the two plates and brings them over to the microwave to reheat them.
“I’m sorry. Next time I will call when I am going to be late. I stopped at the store to pick something up.” And then I hurry up and change the subject before he can ask what I bought. I don’t want to give anything away.
“This, smells so good. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
We sit down with our plates of food and begin to eat. I look around and see the place is spotless and smells freshly cleaned. The clothes on the table are folded and ready to be put away.
“You were busy today.” I comment nodding towards the clothes.
“Yeah, it’s just about finding a schedule. Faith is a really good baby. My mom also came over for a little bit and played with her while I got some stuff done.”
I don’t know what comes over me but tears start pouring out of my eyes and I am ugly crying. Bentley gets out of his seat and comes over and hugs me.
“Woman what is the matter with you? It’s just folded laundry. I promise I didn’t ruin anything.” He jokes.
“I- I think it’s my hormones. I just feel so emotional. I miss Faith so much. I love my job but I miss her. You get to spend all day with her and you don’t even need help. My parents never did any of this themselves.”
“Shh… it’s ok,” Bentley says continuing to hold me. He backs away a little bit and gives me a small smile.
“You just started back to work. You are on new medications that are most likely affecting your emotions. You are a wonderful mom and there is nothing wrong with you working. Once things get situated Faith and I will even come to visit you at work. Ok? It’s all good.”
I sniffle loudly and laugh. “Ok, I’m sorry. It’s just going to take some getting used to I guess.”
He gives me a kiss on my forehead and I wish he were kissing my lips. Hopefully starting tomorrow night things will change between us.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Now let’s eat.”
<
br /> Everything is packed. I have the lingerie, bathing suits for the hot tub, change of clothes, and toiletries for both of us in a suitcase by the door waiting for Bentley to get home. When I spoke with Kathleen and told her my plans, we decided to do a dinner for Bentley this weekend with everyone. She did want to see him on his birthday so he went over there with Faith this afternoon to visit and should be back anytime now.
Caleb comes out of the guest bathroom in his towel and before I can ask why he’s showering in there he says, “Sorry, my bathroom has a small leak. Maintenance is coming to fix it but I figured it would be best to shower in the guest bathroom until they do.”
As he is explaining himself there’s a knock at the door and without thinking about it, I open it up to let Hayley in. She spots Caleb immediately and her entire face turns a beet red. Caleb looks completely uncomfortable and hurries to his room.
“Oh my God! You get to see that fine specimen of a man like that every day? Did you see his tattoos? Holy shit!” Hayley whispers rather loudly.
“I guess his shower is broken. He isn’t usually walking around like that.” I look back to Caleb’s door wondering why he is so uncomfortable around women. I really need to corner him and ask him what’s up.
Caleb comes back out dressed in a Henley and jeans and sits down on the couch. Hayley sits down as well on the other side of the couch. It is beyond awkward and after a few minutes I speak up.
“Soooo…. Thank you, guys, for watching Faith tonight. I know either of you could have probably done it alone but I just thought two people are better than one. I wrote down all the instructions and if you need anything please just call me.”
Caleb nods his head then glances at Hayley real quick. She looks at him and he turns away. Geez, I hope it isn’t this awkward all night.
Luckily, Bentley walks in the door with Faith. Go time!
“Are we having a party over here I didn’t know about?” He asks looking around the room.
“Actually,” I say as I take Faith from him, give her a big kiss, and hand her to Caleb. “We are going out. Caleb and Hayley are going to watch Faith for us.”