More to This

by Tess Keeler

  “Are you two making out in private?” Henley asked, still confused.

  “Kind of,” Pierson said, displaying their intertwined fingers from between their touching legs.

  They had been hiding it, even after they encouraged them to get together. Now nothing made sense.

  “Okay…?” Henley said.

  Everly was up and facing Mason. “You’re dating someone, and you didn’t even tell me?” She was hurt and a little shrill.

  “You’ve been distracted.” His stupid accent wasn’t going to get him out of trouble this time. Not with Ev.

  “We live together, Mace. You had time.”

  Mason shrugged her off, his face mostly unchanged by the conversation. “’S my business to share, and I chose not to.”

  That was enough to push Everly over the edge. Maybe it was a mood swing or some sensitivity because of the increase of hormones flooding her body. Or maybe it really upset her.

  She stood and stormed up the stairs, Henley right behind her in an attempt to salvage what was left of her birthday. Mason ruining it was not in his plans. Pierson hadn’t told him either, but it didn’t bother Henley.

  The door to their room swung open and she threw herself back onto the bed, groaning the way she did while releasing frustration. Her small cat stood from its place on the pillows to check on her, and he saw Everly take a deep breath. Lyric to the rescue.

  “I’m sorry he upset you.” Henley sat down beside her, a hand on her thigh.

  “It’s whatever. I guess things change.” Everly’s lip was quivering.

  “Why does it upset you, Ev? Does he always tell you every detail of his love life?”

  “Every. Unnecessary. Detail.” She emphasized before sitting up with the cat in her arms, fighting her grasp a little. “Then he pursues my boyfriend’s twin… He obviously is thinking about something long term if they are seeing each other. Does he not trust me with quality information?”

  Henley shook his head. “I’m sure that’s not it. Maybe he’s scared.”

  “Of me ruining it?”

  “Jinxing it.” The deep brown of her eyes was freckled with honey colored spots. She was reading his, trying to understand. Her emotions were quick, but she was intelligent and thoughtful, and those traits always outweighed her irrational thinking. She was fiery and passionate. He loved that about her. “What if he fucks it up? Like I did.”

  Everly covered his hands as they rested in his lap, squeezing gently. “We’re together now.”

  “I’m lucky,” Henley replied. “Not everyone falls for someone so understanding of their flaws.”

  Everly laughed, her face relaxing. “I wasn’t so understanding.”

  Henley laughed too. It was true—she had been pissed, for good reason. “I’m sure he needs time to adjust. I didn’t talk about us right away, especially to Pierce. It was new territory given my streak. Mason and I have similar reputations, and it’s going to take time to get past that.”

  A sigh disturbed the silence between them. “You’re right.”

  A small smile pulled at his lips before he wrapped his arms around her, one hand on her hair and the other on her back. He whispered into her shoulder as they embraced, “Just give him some time. He’ll warm up to the idea.”

  “But everything’s changing.”

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Everly

  Noah had insisted that Everly and Henley fly to Seattle. But, Everly had to get cleared by the doctor. Apparently, since she was healthy and everything was going well, she was allowed to fly. It wasn’t even quite a week since her birthday, and she bought the last minute plane tickets to appease her father. They would have to save their road trip for another time.

  The non-stop flight she chose was an early one, and it made her miss being able to drink coffee. Maybe they could both sleep on the plane, it was a little over a three-hour flight.

  Everly hated airports. And she wasn’t the biggest fan of flying. Mostly, she was extremely anxious about meeting up with River and Aiden. What if they weren’t interested in being parents yet? It wasn’t as much notice as she would’ve liked to give. Her thoughts were racing the entire day. Henley was fairly quiet as well, and she knew he had to be running through the possibilities of outcomes, too.

  They both must’ve drifted off during the flight, because she woke up to Henley stretching as discreetly as he could in his seat. She stretched her back, her hand caressing her belly in the process.

  “Are we here?” The sleepiness in her voice was thick, and she noticed the slight dark bags under her boyfriend’s eyes. She reached up, caressing his face. The expression on her face must’ve shown silent concerned, because Henley grabbed her hand, and turned it to kiss her wrist gently.

  “I didn’t sleep well last night,” he admitted, offering her a small smile. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

  Everly nodded, but he knew her well enough to know that she would still worry.

  They held hands through the entire process of exiting the plane and getting their luggage. Four days in Seattle shouldn’t have called for a big suitcase in addition to their carry-ons, but it did. Henley refused to let her carry anything, but she convinced him that she could handle her book bag at least.

  Shuttling to their hotel was an easy process, and Everly was grateful for the chance to shower then grab food. Their hotel was in downtown, and with traffic, they had a decent car ride. It was always nice to curl into Henley and enjoy simply being together.

  Seattle was beautiful, and the drive into the city was breathtaking. Henley had never been, so watching his face take in the new surroundings was definitely worth the drive.

  They pulled up at the Grand Hyatt, and Everly could barely contain her nerves. They were really there, and this was really happening.

  Making it into the room, Henley started sitting the bags down on their bed, and Everly turned on the television for background noise. To keep herself distracted, she moved over to Henley, pulling the open sides of his little blue button up to bring him closer to her.

  “I think I’m going to take a shower. Would you like to join me?” She asked, her voice low and her eyebrows lifting.

  Henley wrapped his arms around her, flashing his teeth as he smiled. “Is that even a question?”

  Without a word, she began popping the buttons on his shirt, revealing his smooth chest and the beauty marks greeted her. Once the shirt was open, she ran her hands over his chest and to his shoulders so that the material fell to the ground. He took his turn to return the favor, peeling her tight v-neck off of her torso. His hands smoothed over her hips and up her back to the clasp of her bra. It only took a second for it to unlatch, and he slid it down her arms.

  Their lips found each other’s, and he led her to the bathroom without breaking the kiss.

  River hadn’t taken too long responding to Everly’s text. The couple knew that Everly and Henley were flying in, but under the assumption of a vacation, rather than a proposition.

  Hey Everly! I’ll be working until 6p, but we could possibly meet after. Would that be too late?

  After discussing the plan with Henley, they decided to all meet up at six-thirty at Yard House per River’s request.

  They both got dressed in warm clothing, complete with jackets. It was fairly chilly in Seattle, but the air was so clean and crisp, that it made up for it.

  The cab ride wasn’t long, but Henley’s arm stayed around her, his hand rubbing her shoulder to keep her at a good temperature. She was so grateful for how sweet he was to her. She nuzzled him gently, sighing to try to alleviate the heaviness in the pit of her stomach. How could she go about asking the ideal couple that they are looking for parents for their unborn child?

  After they arrived at their destination and paid their driver, Everly and Henley immediately made their way inside. River and Aiden were already sitting at a table, and River stood when he saw Everly.

  “Everly!
Henley!” he greeted, putting his hands up.

  She could feel her smile spread over her cheeks, and she hugged River. “River, it’s nice to see you. Thanks for the last minute dinner date.” Looking past him, she smiled and waved at Aiden. “Aiden, hello.”

  River pulled her attention back to him. “Everly, you’re…” His hands went to rest against her belly, but stopped just before.

  Smiling, she felt her cheeks heat up. She put her own hands against her belly. “Oh! Yes, almost four months.”

  “Good thing she hadn’t just gained weight, babe,” Aiden smirked, leaning forward to shake Henley’s hand. “Henley.”

  Henley’s dimples appeared with the smile he gave them. “It’s great to see you again, Aiden. Thanks for going out with us.”

  They all slid into the booth, River and Aiden on one side, Henley and Everly on the other. It wasn’t long before the waiter greeted them and took their drinks and appetizer order. Everly swallowed hard, trying to think of how to bring up the difficult conversation hanging over her and Henley’s heads.

  “So, are you two excited?” River asked, almost bursting with happiness for them. It made Everly feel a little more confident in that moment. “For the baby or to be in Seattle?”

  Everly chewed her lip, and she felt Henley’s hand rest on her thigh as she decided how to answer it. “We’re very fortunate to be in Seattle. It’s beautiful here, and Henley’s never been before today.”

  “If you guys need someone to show you around, I can.” Aiden offered, shrugging. “I wouldn’t mind.”

  Everly smiled, “Thanks, Aiden. We may take you up on that.”

  Their drinks and appetizers arrived, and after they ordered their entrees, the conversation came back up.

  River took a bite of a buffalo cauliflower and looked to Aiden. “The baby fever is real.”

  Everly and Henley looked at each other, and she noticed Henley breathe in deep.

  “Are you two wanting children?” She felt Henley tense slightly, but she found an opening and decided to take it.

  River and Aiden looked to each other, smiling slowly. “Oh yes, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to do it.” Aiden’s breathy voice answered, taking a few more lingering moments with River before looking at them.

  “Oh?” Everly sat up, squeezing Henley’s hand as she drew in a breath to speak. “What if someone that you knew was having a baby, and wasn’t quite ready to be a mom?”

  Aiden lifted an eyebrow, looking between the two faces staring at him nervously. River was surprised too, his eyes wide. There was a moment of silence before anyone said anything.

  “Is this something the mother is certain of? Or could the mother change her mind and inadvertently hurt my family in the process?”Aiden’s voice was calm, but stern. Everly looked to Henley, taking a deep breath.

  Was she certain?

  Yes.

  “Yes. Very certain.” She forced herself to go on. “This is the best move for our baby. We love each other so much, but we’re still living at my dad’s. And truthfully? I don’t want to have to depend on my father to support my family.”

  River and Aiden’s eyes met again, and it was like they were talking to each other without words. Goals.

  “I know it’s a big decision to make, and we didn’t know the best way to go about this.” Henley being vulnerable—it was sexy. “We wanted to show you that choosing a couple was important enough to do face to face. We couldn’t think of a couple better suited for raising our baby.”

  Everly couldn’t be more proud of Henley right then, because she knew how hard it was for him to say that. But he had her back, he was present and there.

  “I love you,” she whispered up at him, and he looked at her with a smile on his face.

  River’s expression finally shifted, and he smiled at them. It was clear he was lost in thought, and no one blamed him. It was a big decision.

  “Let Aiden and I sleep on it, then maybe we could let you know by tomorrow?” River looked to Aiden for approval on the time frame and smiled when Aiden nodded.

  “Sounds perfect. Take all the time you need.” Everly let out a deep sigh of relief as the dinner arrived, promising not to worry about it for the remainder of the night.

  1

  More to This

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Henley

  Henley let Everly sleep in the burrow of warm blankets and hotel room heat while he ventured downstairs for some hot coffee. There was a small restaurant in conjunction with the hotel that had some grab and go options. With his wallet in hand, he ordered two orders of steel cut oats and two coffees—one decaf. He politely asked for them to mark the cup or lid, so he didn’t give his pregnant girlfriend the wrong one. After a smile and some early morning small talk, he was carrying it up to their room.

  He tried not to let the door slam shut when he noticed she wasn’t in bed anymore. The bathroom door opened suddenly, and he smiled at the sight of puffy eyes and sleepy face.

  “I had to pee. Again.” Everly wrapped her arms around him, not noticing his hands were full. She was precious. “Is that food?”

  Henley laughed and nodded, “I also got you some decaf coffee if you’re willing to give it a try.”

  They relocated to the bed, each taking their breakfast and coffee. Henley watched her take off the lid to smell the brown elixir. He knew how much she was missing the caffeine. He couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to give up something to provide energy when it was depleted all of the damn time.

  “Thank you,” she whispered before taking a sip.

  “You’re welcome,” he responded with a sweet smile, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He stood to place his coffee on the table long enough to check for notifications. “I texted Aiden to see if he was still willing to give us a tour. I figured it may help with not really knowing each other. I hope that’s okay.”

  Reading her expression was difficult, because she was busy alternating between eating bites of oatmeal and drinking her coffee. The way he felt about her and love in general had changed so quickly. She was an incredible influence on him, and she unlocked the tenderness he had been hiding for so long since Victoria. He regretted a lot of what he had done before Everly, even if he tried not to. It was difficult when he could have shared so many firsts with her. The very same ones that Victoria had stolen from him. However, he was grateful to have the experience to make her firsts more pleasurable.

  “Henley? Did you hear me?” Everly asked, her eyebrows down and showing concern as he failed to acknowledge her. She was wearing a pout, but he noticed that she was almost always pouting. It was cute and sexy.

  A small smile pulled at his lips, his head shaking back and forth, “I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

  “I said that it was a wonderful idea,” she repeated, obviously a little annoyed that she had to repeat herself. He would never tell her it was the hormones, but it was. “Are you going to eat?”

  After enjoying their breakfast and coffee, he encouraged her to get bundled up for the day. She had been running colder than normal, and to their relief, it wasn’t a concern. Aiden had gotten back to him about touring the city, and he had offered to pick them up. The sweet gesture was followed by a request for them to be ready in an hour. They took their time, and then made themselves at home in the lobby while they waited for him. He had his arm around her shoulders, holding her into him as he gazed at the small bump barely noticeable in her winter wear.

  “Are you worried?” he asked, pursing his lips as he waited for her response.

  “A little,” she whispered.

  With her left hand tangled with his, she rubbed her stomach with her right hand. He would miss the way she cared for her stomach once he or she was gone. Henley would never admit this to her, but he wanted to ask her to keep it. They had agreed on adoption because it was best for them both. He knew that they couldn’t handle parenthood while being full-time students, and soon, full-time workers.

  Henle
y’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out to read Aiden’s text:

  I’m here.

  He held her hand all the way to his car. Aiden was waving from the driver’s seat. Henley opened the passenger side door and let her slide in before climbing into the back. The car was warm. Henley recognized the music right away: “Simplify” by Young the Giant.

  “Thanks again for doing this,” Henley said after buckling up. “We appreciate it.”

  “No, thank you. I’ve been staring at the same piece of art for two weeks. I was in need of a break.” Aiden laughed, and it sounded so full of life.

  “You’re an artist?” Henley asked, surprised he didn’t know. “Are you a freelancer?”

  A music producer and an artist. They were ultimately the two most successful people he knew, and he was envious of their perfect relationship and life. He should be happy for them, but he could only think about it being their future goals: graphic designer and college professor. Happy.

  “I have tried a few different methods after selling a significant amount of work the year River and I got engaged, but freelance works best. River is kind enough to let me focus only on my work while he works the normal long days at his studio.

  The sight of the city rendered him speechless. It was different than Denver; he had known Denver and Colorado for most of his life. Seattle was a breath of fresh air. The water and the mountains combining to make the perfect ambiance. He wondered if it was cooler during the summer. He hated the summer heat back home.

  “Have you ever thought about getting yourself a studio?” Henley asked.

  Henley noticed Aiden nodding out of the corner of his eye.

  “My husband expanded his studio to include a small space for me. It inspires me.”

  “River inspires you?” she asked. Henley could hear the smile and delight in her voice.

  “He always has.”