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The Halo Series Boxed Set

Page 42

by Kimberly Knight


  “Yes, boss! Geez, way to ruin the fun,” Brooke said and took a swig of the water from a bottle.

  “Sorry, but…”

  “I know, you’re right. Anyway, Cheyenne’s in bed?”

  “Yeah, I finally talked her off her cliff.”

  “What do you mean?” Brooke sat in the chair across from me at the dining room table.

  “Some bitches were making fun of her at practice. She was really upset.”

  “I bet, do you know why?”

  “No, she wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Then how did you talk her off a cliff?”

  “We prank called them.”

  “Shut up! You did?”

  “Yeah. Courtney came over too. It was funny.”

  “That’s awesome and wrong.”

  “Well, it worked.” I leaned back in my chair.

  “I wonder why they were mean to her?”

  “Maybe she’ll tell you.”

  “Doubt it, we barely know each other.”

  “She talks about you all the time.”

  “She does?” Brooke asked, almost choking on her water.

  “Yeah, she thinks you’re some Olympic softball player.”

  “Oh God, I’m going to disappoint her once I can actually throw a ball again.”

  “I doubt that. Just blame it on your shoulder.”

  I couldn’t imagine having to go through radiation like Brooke. She was definitely one strong chick. Life was throwing her curve balls, but without a doubt she was going to hit them out of the park.

  She was a fighter.

  It was time to finally give my two-week notice at work. I was nervous. I always thought I would work for Dr. Sam until she retired. Hell, I never thought I’d be moving to New York.

  “Hey, Dr. Sam. Got a second?” I asked, knocking on her open office door.

  “Sure,” she said, looking away from her computer screen.

  I sat down and before I could tell her why, she beat me to it. “Let me guess, you’re quitting?”

  I paused, blinking at her. “Yeah,” I said, under my breath.

  “I figured you would. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I understand. It will be different without you here and you’ll always have a job no matter what happens in New York.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “Don’t forget to invite us to the baby shower.” She smiled.

  I smiled back. “I won’t.”

  After lunch, I told Jenna and Kym. They knew it was coming too. Even if I weren’t moving to New York, things would have been different with them. They were my party friends. Now that I wasn’t single and having a baby, my party days were behind me. I was looking forward to hanging out with Avery and my baby instead of my friends Jack, Jameson, Jim, Jose, and Morgan.

  After work, I drove to my parents’. They still didn’t know about Avery or that I was pregnant. Since being back from the cruise, everything seemed like it was going too fast and I hadn’t even seen my parents since I’d been back.

  “Hey, Mom,” I said, setting my purse on the kitchen island.

  She stopped chopping vegetables and turned to look at me. “Well, if it isn’t my one and only daughter. It’s about time you stopped by instead of texting me.”

  “I know. I’ve been busy.”

  “How’s my Brooke?”

  “She’s doing well. She has to have radiation now.”

  “That poor girl. Tell her to call me if she needs anything at all.”

  “I will. That’s actually kinda why I came by.”

  “Oh?”

  “You might want to sit down for this.” I motioned for her to sit next to me on the barstools at the kitchen island.

  “Nic …”

  “It’s not bad. I promise.” I smiled.

  My mother sat next to me, pushing her long, blonde side bangs from her eyes.

  “Remember when you asked me how the cruise was and I told you that I met a guy?”

  “Yes, a guy I have yet to meet.”

  “I know. I didn’t plan that, but since we’ve been back from the cruise, we’ve all been dealing with Brooke’s tumor.”

  “I still don’t know why you all kept it a secret.”

  “It was what Brooke wanted. She didn’t want anyone worrying about her.”

  “I would have visited her in the hospital,” my mom said with a sad smile.

  “I know. But it’s over now.”

  “How long does she need radiation for?”

  “Six weeks. I haven’t talked to her about it yet. She just texted me and then she left for New York.”

  “Right. You both met New Yorker’s on the cruise.” My mom smiled.

  “Yeah. Well, Cali boys living in New York.” I laughed, thinking about Avery.

  “So, tell me. Why’d you come over?”

  “Oh right. So...” I paused, wishing I really could have a drink to calm my nerves. “I’m moving to New York and I think Brooke might be too.”

  My mother’s eyes widened.

  “I know. Crazy, huh?”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do. I really do. I’ve never loved someone so much in all my life.”

  “Will I get to meet him before you move?”

  “Of course. I’ll bring him by next weekend before we move my stuff.”

  “You’re moving next weekend?” Her eyes widened again.

  “Yeah. It’s hard being away from him for the entire week.”

  “What about your job? Your career? Have you sold your condo?”

  “I looked into it and I need to have my license transferred and that takes a few weeks. If I need money, I can always work at Avery’s bar. And no, I haven’t sold my condo yet.”

  “You know I just want what’s best for you,” she said, reaching over and patted my arm.

  “I know. There’s…there’s one more thing.” I took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh, Nic…”

  “It’s okay. I want this. I mean, I didn’t plan it like this, but Avery’s a good man and I know he’ll be an amazing father. He’s had practice with Brooke’s boyfriend’s daughter, and he treats me good.”

  My mother was silent, not saying a word.

  “I know this isn’t what we wanted, but it feels right.” I continued.

  She remained silent.

  “Don’t be mad,” I said.

  “I…” She paused. “I’m going to be a grandmother, finally?”

  I smiled. “Yeah. You’re not mad?”

  “Nic, you’re twenty-nine years old. You’re not a teenager anymore. I’ve been waiting years for you to make me a grandmother. If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I scooted off the barstool and hugged her.

  “You know, love looks good on you. I’m happy for you, baby.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, still holding her.

  “Now we need to tell your dad.”

  Telling my dad that his baby girl was knocked up, wasn’t going to be as easy as telling my mom.

  Avery had a twinkle in his eye as he watched Cheyenne play softball. The entire game, I watched and listened as he’d explain what the girls should do on a certain play, cheer Cheyenne and her friend Courtney on, and got mad when the umpire made bad calls.

  “They’re ten, son,” Jimmy had said, patting Avery on the back and laughing at him.

  We laughed. By the way Avery was acting, you’d think we were watching college ball.

  After the game, Jimmy and Jane went home and we went to Easton’s for a barbeque. Since Brooke was in a better mood—despite having to start radiation soon—we were going to tell her that I was pregnant. I was only seven weeks along, but I hated keeping it from her. Brooke and I were both moving the following weekend, and when Avery made sure I didn’t lift anything, Brooke would find out anyway.

  “Ready to tell Brooke?” Avery asked, driving us to Easton’s.


  “Yep. I’m excited.”

  When we arrived at Easton’s, Cheyenne ran to her room. I looked to Avery and he shrugged. Cheyenne and her team had lost, but they’d lost before and no one told me she acted like this.

  “Cheyenne won’t come out of her room,” Easton said, walking out in the backyard where we were all sitting.

  “Want me to go talk to her?” Avery asked.

  “I’ll go,” Brooke said. “Maybe it’s a girl thing.”

  “Oh God,” Easton groaned.

  “I’m just kidding. She’s ten, Baby,” Brooke said and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

  He swatted her butt as she walked into the house and I smiled. I still couldn’t believe that we’d all fallen in love on the cruise.

  “We’re moving the girls next weekend,” Avery said to Easton.

  “Good. I still can’t believe Brooke decided to have radiation here. Not that I’m complaining.” He chuckled.

  “Can you believe that we might not have even met if we didn’t bump into you guys that first day?” I asked.

  “I would have found you. I would have hunted you down.”

  I laughed at his reference from our last night together. “You wouldn’t have known what you were hunting,” I said, sticking out my tongue.

  “I knew the one I was meant to be with was on that cruise,” Avery said.

  “You’re full of shit.” I laughed.

  Avery walked over to where I was sitting, leaning down so we were eye level, his hands on either side of me on the arm rests of the chair. “Trust me. I would have found you. The moment I saw you, before we even spoke, I knew. And then you bit that fucking lower lip of yours and you had me. Hook, line, and sinker, Baby.”

  Easton laughed and I looked up at him.

  “I see you did listen to all my stories when I was single. Hook, line, and sinker is my thing.”

  “No,” Avery said, shaking his head. “Our thing. Remember freshman year of high school?”

  Easton thought for a moment. “Oh, right.” He laughed. “Our thing.”

  “What happened freshman year?” I asked.

  “Think about it, Babe,” Avery said. “We were freshman boys going through puberty. We hooked a few chicks with our good looks.”

  “We reeled them in with our corny pick-up lines.” Easton laughed.

  “And we sank them with our—”

  “That’s okay,” I said, holding up my hand to Avery’s mouth and smiling. “I don’t need the details.”

  We laughed and Avery leaned down and kissed me. Brooke and Cheyenne walked out a few seconds later. Cheyenne sat next to me and Brooke went over to Easton and whispered something to him. Cheyenne was smiling, so Brooke had worked whatever it was out.

  “Now that everyone is here, Nicole, and I have some news,” Avery said.

  “Let me guess. You’re moving here?” Brooke asked.

  “Yes, but that’s not it,” I said. “I’m … I’m pregnant!”

  “Oh my God! Really?” Brooke squealed and rushed to me. I stood and she wrapped me in her arms, hugging me for dear life.

  “Yeah,” I nodded a big nod when we let go.

  “I’m going to have a cousin?” Cheyenne asked.

  “Yeah, C.C., you are,” Avery said, rubbing the top of her head and messing up her hair.

  “Awesome! I can’t wait to teach them how to catch.”

  Everything was turning out perfectly.

  Finally!

  Finally I was waking up with Nicole in my arms on a Monday morning. It was a little touch and go yesterday when I’d had to meet Nicole’s parents. Her mother loved me—at least I think she did. Nicole’s father…well, let’s just say he’s not too happy that I knocked his baby girl up. Honestly, I’d feel the same way if it were my daughter or even Cheyenne. But I knew the man I was and I assured him he had nothing to worry about.

  “Mom and Dad, this is Avery,” Nicole said.

  I stuck out my hand to greet them. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Nicole’s dad stared at me while her mother offered me a beer. “Would you like something to drink? We have beer.”

  Dale’s eyes shot to Robin. I took it that he didn’t want to share his beer. “That’s okay. I’m driving us back to New York,” I said.

  “Once I get all settled in, I’ll invite you guys over,” Nicole said. “Avery won’t mind.” She had a wicked grin on her face.

  “Of course not,” I said.

  “Well, I know you kids don’t have much time before you need to head out,” Robin said.

  “We’ll be back. After all, you’re the grandparents,” Nicole said.

  Robin smiled.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” Dale asked me.

  I swallowed hard. “Sure.”

  I looked at Nicole. I know there was fear in my eyes. Dale hadn’t said more than two words since I’d sat down on his couch. Nicole gave a tight smile and I followed Dale to the back patio.

  “You gonna marry my daughter?” he asked, turning towards me as soon as I stepped outside.

  “Yes,” I said, not hesitating.

  “Then why haven’t you asked her since you got her pregnant?”

  “Ahhh, because it’s not 1952,” I said, before I realized I’d said it out loud.

  Dale stared at me for a beat, my pulse racing. Why’d I say that out loud? God, I was a dumb ass.

  “Avery, you have some balls talking to me that way.”

  I swallowed—hard.

  “I like it,” he said, finally smiling. “Shows me you take no shit and a man that takes no shit isn’t a pushover. My baby girl doesn’t need a pushover. She needs a man who will take care of her.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect you. Of course I want to marry Nicole, but I can’t ask her to marry me because she’s pregnant with my baby. I want it to be right. I want her to know I want her to be my wife and not just because we’ll be linked together for the rest of our lives because of another person that we created.”

  “I understand.” He nodded.

  “Mr. Chambers…”

  “Dale. Just call me Dale.”

  “Okay.” I smiled. “Dale, I’ll make an honest woman out of her. It just has to be perfect because she’s perfect.”

  “She is.” He grinned. “Just know that you have my blessing when you decide to ask her. I like you. I can tell you’re a good man. Just take care of my baby girl in the Big Apple.”

  “I will.”

  I woke up hard. I woke up hard every morning, but having Nicole’s ass pressed into my dick as we slept kept my cock on high alert. And since we didn’t have anywhere to go for a few hours and she was well rested, I decided to take advantage of the situation.

  Brushing her hair back from her shoulder, I leaned down and kissed her smooth, silky skin. She smelled like apples and flowers, and my tongue slipped out, wanting a taste. She moaned, stirring in my arms and I smiled. I would never hate Mondays again.

  “Mornin’,”

  “What time is it?” she murmured.

  “Time for me to do you.” I smirked.

  “You did me all weekend.” She laughed.

  “Yeah, but when was the last time I did you on a Monday?”

  She paused. “Our second day on the cruise.”

  “And how’d that work out for you?” I asked, kissing her shoulder again.

  She laughed again. “Pretty well, if I recall.”

  “Let me refresh your memory,” I said, moving on top of her, bracing myself with my legs and arms so I wouldn’t crush her.

  Nicole bit her lip, sending a signal to my dick that it was time to get off the bench, warm-up, and get ready to play. She did it on purpose. She always did, but I loved it. It was her way of telling me she was ready. Ready for me to fuck her.

  I leaned down, resting on one arm while I kissed her soft lips, sticking my tongue out until she opened, allowing me to taste her. She moaned, running her fingers along the back of my n
eck. The feel of her fingers on my almost bare scalp sent another wave of pleasure through my body.

  Breaking free from her mouth, I trailed kisses down her neck as I lifted her T-shirt with my free hand, feeling her smooth stomach as I went. Her stomach that was carrying my baby. Her stomach that would eventually protrude, showing the world that she was mine and she was having my baby.

  Nicole lifted her back, allowing me to pull her shirt over her head and to the floor. Our chests were both bare, pressed together as I leaned down, taking her mouth again. My dick strained, poking out of the slit of my boxers asking to be put in her. He was already warmed up, ready to hit a home run.

  Not yet, big fella. Not yet.

  My mouth broke free from Nicole’s again and I worked my way down her body. I started at her ears, lightly nibbling and earning a moan. I ran my tongue down the slope of her neck, earning me goose bumps to pop up on her skin. My tongue didn’t stop its search until it found the hardened peak of her nipple and then I sucked on it, earning me a hiss. Her breasts were still sore from being pregnant, but I knew to be gentle—licking, blowing, teasing it just right until she moaned again.

  Hooking my hands on either side of her hips, I slid her pajama bottoms and underwear down until I had them off and on the floor. I groaned at her naked body. I was a lucky guy. A fucking lucky guy.

  Scooting down on the bed, I nudged her legs apart enough until I could position myself at her core and lick. She was already wet, her juices glistening her folds. She moaned again on contact, my dick jerked, straining and searching for her treasure. I licked up her slit, her arousal covering my tongue and once it met her sweet spot, I sucked. Sucking the nub in my mouth, I slid two fingers inside her, hooking them until I met her spot on the inside that caused her back to bow off the bed. My mouth and tongue worked together. Licking, sucking, twirling, sliding, rubbing…

  “Oh, God,” she gasped, her back bowing again off the bed.

  I kept drinking her nectar like candy. She was sweet. So fucking sweet and when she was about to come, she got sweeter. Cum came out like a faucet of pleasure and I slurped it like my favorite beverage on a summer day. Using my thumb, I rubbed her clit, creating circles as my fingers still worked her insides.

  Her body began to clench, her bent legs closing, locking my head between them as she came, moaning her release.

 

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