by Kay Manis
“A surprise.” Rory smirked.
“I thought it was the display box for your medal,” I said.
“Oh my gosh, you have your medal?” Geneva asked.
She was definitely not the same girl from a year ago. The Geneva I’d grown up with would never have been excited for anyone else’s achievements and successes, least of all Rory Gregor.
“May I see it?” she begged.
Rory took it out of the pouch and held it out for her perusal.
“Rory, this is amazing,” Her mouth hung open as she admired it from every angle.
His eyes lit up with pride as he watched her appreciation for his accomplishment.
“The kids were so excited for you when you competed.” She carefully passed the medal back to him. “Kids from all over the city came to watch you.”
“From all over the city?” He shook his head slowly. “But, how?”
“Jeremy set up a huge blow-up screen in the middle of the skating area,” Geneva said.
Jeremy Phillips was another volunteer who was pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Texas in psychology with an emphasis on family and marriage counseling. As with most men, he’d been smitten with Geneva from the start, but she had no desire to pursue a relationship. She’d been working on her own education, gaining a teaching certificate three months ago shortly before our wedding in May.
“You really didn’t know that?” Geneva asked.
“No, I didn’t.” Rory looked at me. “Did you?”
“Nope.” I shook my head.
“Geneva organized it.” I heard another voice chime in.
I looked over Geneva’s shoulder and saw Jeremy standing in the shadows, his face totally enamored by the woman he was talking about.
The old Geneva would have had this kid in her back pocket and in her bed by now. But this new, more mature version of my stepsister had forced her once overgrown ego to take a back seat. She’d made real progress, working hard to right her wrongs, and I was happy for that. It made life with our parents much more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, Rory was not convinced of Geneva’s new persona. I couldn’t blame him or force him. After all, the woman had drugged him, seduced him, and almost cost him the love of his life.
But Geneva had come clean, and she was making changes in her life that were in line with her words of apology. In time, Rory would come around too. He was protecting me and felt like he needed to stand guard in case the old wicked stepsister decided to emerge.
“I’m leaving for the night. Unless you guys need anything else,” Geneva said.
“No, we’re good,” I said.
“I’ll see you Saturday?”
“Saturday?” I furrowed my brow as I tried to remember what was on Saturday.
“Your mom’s birthday dinner,” she reminded me.
“Oh, crap, I forgot. Must be the fuzzy brain.” I tapped my temple.
“The what?” Rory asked.
Crap. “Um, nothing, I’m just tired.”
“You’re always tired, Hindley,” Rory said. “Are you sure you’re not coming down with something?” He lifted his hand to my forehead. “Maybe it’s mono?”
I laughed nervously, swatting his hand away from my head. “We’ll see you Saturday,” I said.
Geneva leaned in closer. “Is it all right if I invite Jeremy?”
My face lit with excitement as my brows shot straight in the air. “Really?” I quietly squealed.
For weeks, I’d thought Jeremy would be the perfect match for her, but Geneva needed to recognize that for herself. She’d been divorced for almost six months. Stan hadn’t been able to forgive her for what she’d done in Miami. She hadn’t dated anyone during that time, which shocked the shit out of everyone, especially her.
A small smile spread across her face as she nodded like an eager child.
“That would be awesome,” I said.
“Do you think your mom would mind?” she asked.
“Are you serious?” Rory broke in. “That woman has been trying to hook the two of you up since your divorce was final six months ago.”
Geneva and I stared at Rory with blank expressions. I had no idea he was even remotely aware of anything Geneva did. Maybe he was coming around after all. The thought warmed me.
“Thanks, Rory.” She reached out and touched his hand. “And congratulations on the medals. You were amazing.”
“Thanks for organizing a viewing party,” he said. The look in his eyes was one of genuine gratitude.
“Okay, well, I’ll see y’all Saturday.” She waved as she headed toward the lobby.
“Hold up, Geneva, I’ll walk you out,” Jeremy shouted, giving both Rory and me a wink when Geneva’s back was turned.
Rory laughed. “There may be hope for her yet if she snags a guy like Jeremy.”
I stared up at my handsome husband. “Thank you,” I whispered, standing up on my toes to brush his cheek with my lips.
“For what?”
“For giving Geneva a second chance when no one would have blamed you for writing her out of your life forever.”
“She’s your family, Hindley.”
“I know, but still.”
“Look, I love Caroline and Paul.”
“And me?” I asked, batting my eyes.
“Well…” He laughed.
I hit his arm.
“Damn, Hindley, quit hitting me and shoving me. That shit hurts. You’re a fucking dynamo.”
I giggled when he winced in pain.
“Yes, I love you too.” He rubbed his arm where I’d hit him. “I don’t want things to be weird for you guys. I’m not saying I’m completely over what she did, and sometimes, I still wait for the old bitchy Geneva to surface. But I have to admit she’s changed and that deserves something.”
The moment suddenly turned serious. Maybe this was the time to share my news. Instead, I chickened out. “What’s in the other box?” I pointed to the one on the floor.
“Oh, this.” He smiled. “This is for you.”
“Really,” I squealed. I loved surprises and Rory was the best at giving them. “Can I open it?”
“I don’t know. Can you?” he mocked my incorrect use of the verb.
“You’ve become such a grammar snob, I swear. I’m sorry, good sir. I meant, may I open it?”
“Yes, you may.” He laughed, holding the box up for my scrutiny.
It was huge and I had no idea what could be inside. I was surprised that he hadn’t wrapped it, but judging by the sheer size of it, that may not have been possible. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out.”
I tugged on one end, trying to pry loose the industrial strength adhesive. “I can’t get it,” I moaned like a pathetic child.
“God, Hindley, for someone who punches like Floyd Mayweather, sometimes you’re the biggest baby.”
“Who?”
“Never mind.” He ripped the end open with ease. “Here,” he sighed, shoving the box toward me.
I peeked inside but it was completely dark. I had no idea what it could be.
“Oh, for God’s sake.” He took the box from me, stuck his hand inside, and pulled out a brand-new skateboard.
“Oh my God, it’s a skateboard,” I cried. “For me?” I’d never skated before and the thought was really rather ridiculous when you stopped and thought about who I was married to.
“Yes, for you. You think I’m going to ride this ridiculous board.” He rotated the board to show me the bottom.
I busted out laughing. It was black lacquered with a huge emblem of Hello Kitty on one end and hot pink letters on the other that spelled out “DRNK GRL,” in graffiti type font.
“Oh, Rory.” I took it from him, holding it up in front of me like it was a precious child. I spun all the hot pink wheels.
“Here.” He held out a black helmet.
“For me?” I squealed.
“Well, it sure as hell isn’t for me.” He rotated the helmet.
>
I laughed again when I saw the sides.
“God, I love your laugh,” he said in a wanton voice.
I heard him speak but his words didn’t register, I was too entranced by the shiny, black helmet with a Hello Kitty face and her signature bow along with the letters “DRNK GRL” written in cursive.
It reminded me of our wedding bands. We’d each had them engraved before the wedding. His read, ‘MY SK8R BOY 4EVR’ and mine read, ‘MY DRNK GRL 4EVR.’ No one else would understand the deeper meaning behind our expressions for each other, and I was completely okay with that. In fact, I counted on it.
“As I seem to recall, Mrs. Gregor, there was a time when you sat in my home in California and told me the only way I would ever be able to get you on a skateboard was if I married you. Do you remember that conversation?”
I closed my eyes, trying to think back, but my brain was fried. I could barely remember what I did ten minutes ago, let alone a year ago.
“You wanted to help me learn to read.” He smiled. “I said only if I could teach you how to skate. I believe your words were something along the lines of, ‘I would have to marry you to teach you’.”
I let my mind wander back in time as I relived the memories in California. Now, I remembered vividly. It was the night I’d given him the journal and set us both on this amazing journey. It was the catalyst that had led us here, to this magnificent facility that offered so much to the kids of the community. And to us.
“Sound familiar now?” He lifted his brows.
I nodded. He was right. “I believe the marriage part of the equation came from you though, Mr. Gregor.”
“Those are just semantics, my darling wife.”
“Semantics,” I repeated. “Ooo. Word of the Day calendar?”
“Courtesy of Mr. Luis Marquez.” He grinned. “My attorney slash sports agent. My last one fired me.”
I laughed. We’d both agreed that me being Rory’s agent after we were married wasn’t the best thing for wedded bliss.
He stared at me as he stuck out his hand.
“What?” I asked, looking at his muscular arm. God, he was gorgeous. I always called him sex-on-a-board.
“I believe we have a date with that skateboard.” He gestured at my hand. “You’ve been my wife for several months and you’ve gotten away with this long enough. It’s time your spazzy little ass gets out there on the course and at least tries.” He swatted my butt.
I yelped in surprise and anticipation. It was still a wonder how he could excite me by slapping my ass.
“Later for that, Mrs. Gregor, I promise.”
God, the erotic tone of his voice was positively unbearable. My legs pressed together in anticipation.
“I can smell you,” he whispered against my neck.
“Shut up!” I hit him on the arm.
He grabbed my wrist and his entire demeanor changed. “You hit me again, Mrs. Gregor, and I will take you into that office, tie you to the desk, and spank your ass until it’s red, then thoroughly fuck you until you beg for mercy.”
His words went straight to my lady parts. I flexed my hips with anticipation, thinking I might just hit him again.
Scanning his face, I wasn’t surprised to see a hint of fear in his expression. He was afraid his threat had gone too far, worried perhaps I might consider his threats on the verge of abuse, which would bring back unwanted memories. It pained me that he still felt the need to worry so much about my past and protect me from it. I had to reassure him that was not how I felt.
“Promise?” I whispered in my most sultry voice, my eyes wide with anticipation.
His eyes danced with relief and his lips curled into a wicked smile. Any concern he’d had was wiped away. “Oh, I more than promise,” he growled. “I guarantee it.”
“I might have to hit you again then.” Mockingly, I raised a fist, not surprised when he grasped my neck with his free hand, bringing me in for a forceful yet intoxicating kiss. It lasted forever as we sought our escape in one another’s embrace.
I knew it sounded corny and completely unbelievable, but every time we kissed, it took me back to the first one, when he’d totally consumed me at Geneva’s wedding. Even then, he’d been protecting me from an old boyfriend. And now, over a year later, he was still ravishing me in the midst of protecting me. There was no bigger turn-on. I had to tell him before he threw me down and had his way with me.
I tried to end our embrace, but he pulled me in tighter, and I knew I would have to ride out this kiss. Not that I minded. I’d been more ramped up with sexual desire for weeks.
“Rory,” I moaned against his mouth.
“Hmm.” He buzzed his lips against mine, sending a wave of desire through my body.
It took every ounce of effort I had but finally I was able to drag my mouth away. We both stood, panting like dogs in heat, which we kind of were. God, I loved him. I just prayed he would understand when I broke the news.
“What’s wrong?” His eyes darted between mine. “Are you all right, are you sick?”
“No.” I laughed, thinking of the irony.
“Then, let’s go skate.” He pulled on my hand.
“Wait.” I stopped him.
“What?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why? Are you scared? I won’t let you get hurt, Hindley, you know that.”
“I know that,” I whispered, looking down at the board, unable to meet his gaze.
What if he was pissed at me, enough to walk away? This hadn’t been our game plan. If he left me now, I didn’t know how I would ever recover.
His hand slid under my chin as he lifted my face to his. “You’re starting to scare me, Hindley. What is it? You know you can talk to me.”
Here goes, I had to do it. “Well,” I stumbled for words, “I can’t skate right now because…”
“Because?” He drew out the word.
“It’s just, the doctor doesn’t want me doing anything strenuous or dangerous. Not right now.”
“Oh, fuck, what’s wrong with you, Hindley?” He dropped the board and helmet and took me into his arms.
“It’s nothing like that, Rory.” Shit, this was going all wrong. I meant to go for humorous, but this was anything but.
“Then what is it?” He leaned back, searching my eyes for the truth.
I nodded down to the board on the floor. “Did Bucky and Pena from River City make my skateboard?”
“Don’t, Hindley.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t change the subject. You do that all the time. Why did you go to the doctor? What’s going on with you?”
“Do you think Bucky and Pena could make another board? A smaller one?” I tilted my head and winced, praying he’d understand what I was trying to say.
“This one is custom made to fit your height, Hindley. It’s perfect, you don’t need another one.”
“Well, we’ll probably need another one, a smaller one.”
“Why?”
I gazed up at him, trying to gauge his mood by his expression.
“Do they make skateboards for babies?”
“You mean kids? Yeah, they make them for kids, you know that. They supply all our boards for everyone here at the center.”
“No.” I winced. “I mean, smaller.”
His expression went stone cold. “What are you saying, Hindley?”
My stomach twisted in fear. Please, God, don’t let him be mad. Don’t let him leave me. I drew in a deep breath, hoping beyond all hope that he’d understand I hadn’t done this on purpose.
“I’m saying,” I released a heavy sigh, “that in about seven months, we’re going to need a new board for someone who’ll only be about eighteen inches high.” I closed my eyes, my entire body tense as I waited for his fury. Instead, there was silence. Deafening silence. This was bad.
I lifted one eyelid, surprised at the man standing before me.
He was smiling, his face innocent and joyous
and…happy?
“Say something, Rory,” I whispered, staring up at him.
“Are you telling me that you’re pregnant, Hindley?” His flat tone was in direct opposition to the smile he still wore.
“Yes.” I winced. “I’m pregnant.” Tears rolled down my face. “I’m sorry, Rory, I didn’t do this on purpose, I swear. The doctor doesn’t know how it happened with the IUD. He said maybe—”
My words were cut off as his lips pressed against mine. It wasn’t an aggressive kiss, but it wasn’t sexual either. It was reverent.
Rory finally pulled away and I was terrified of what I might see. He’d kissed me, so I was pretty sure that was a good sign, but with Rory I never knew.
“Hindley, did you honestly think I would be mad to find out you’re going to have our baby?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was he okay with this? “Well, yeah.”
“Why?”
“You don’t remember our conversation the day after you proposed?”
“I remember it,” he said.
“You said you were scared shitless to be a father, remember? You said you hadn’t even thought about kids.”
“What I remember is you explaining the fact that I would love anything that was a part of you.” He put his hand over my stomach that was already beginning to protrude. “Yes, I’ll fuck it up sometimes.” He smiled. “We both will. But I think love will overcome it all, don’t you?”
Tears streamed down my face. I wasn’t sure if it was the hormones, his loving words, or just the intensity of the moment.
“Hindley,” he whispered in my ear. “I love you. I’ll always love you, no matter what. I’m never letting you go again. I’ll love our baby just as much.”
“Probably more.” I laughed.
“Never.” He backed away so I could see his beautiful face. “I could never love anything or anyone as much as I love you, Drunk Girl.”
“Me either, Skater Boy. My Skater Boy.” I smiled. “I love you so much, Rory.”
“I know, baby. And we’ll love our little nugget even more.”
“Maybe it’s a Baby Skater Boy.” I placed my hand on my stomach. “Or a Baby Drunk Girl.”
His eyes flew open. “Oh, shit. What if it’s a girl, Hindley?”
“What?”
“Oh my God. I won’t be able to sleep ever again.”
