by Quinn, Taryn
“Drinking isn’t the answer to my problems.” But my mouth was watering just the same.
“No, but it sure makes them go down easier in the short term. Bottoms up.” He poured a glass for himself and knocked it back.
Ah, what the hell. I wouldn’t overindulge.
I joined him and drank. And nearly coughed up a lung at the hellfire that exploded in my gut.
“What the hell is that?” I sputtered once I’d finished.
“Fireball. Awesome, right?”
“One word for it.” I rubbed my throat. “It’s a miracle I can still speak.”
“Just wait a minute. You’ll grow to appreciate its finer qualities.”
It took half that. Holy shit, that was some powerful stuff.
Within five minutes, I was motioning for more.
Within ten minutes, I was loose enough to actually relax on the stool while X told me about what had happened between him and Luna years ago. How her mother had basically cut her off financially unless she toe-stepped into line.
Within twenty minutes, I was drinking my third and wondering why I hadn’t proposed on the spot when Luna told me she was pregnant.
“I was in love with her from like the first day. I was moving in, and she was on her stripper pole.”
X held up a finger. “No.”
“Anyhoo, my best friend wanted her. I mean, who wouldn’t? She’s so fucking dizzying. She just makes me spin, man.” Apparently, I needed to illustrate this statement by whirling around on my stool.
“I think the feeling is mutual.” He leaned forward on his crossed arms. So far, he’d only had the one drink and did not seem afflicted like I was. Of course I’d tripled his intake.
I’d always been an overachiever.
“Do you think she loves me? I might throw myself off the roof if she doesn’t.”
X lifted a brow. “Good to leave yourself some options.”
“Huh?”
He laughed and pried my half consumed drink out of my hand. “You’ve had enough. And yes, I’m certain she loves you. My Lulu would face the devil and not blink. She only runs when she’s caught off-guard and shaken to her core.”
“You’re right. By God, you are.” I slammed a fist on the island and jerked to my feet before promptly catching my foot on the rung of the stool and sprawling on the floor. “Ow.”
Xavier sighed and came around the counter to haul me up with his hands under my armpits. “Sure you aren’t pregnant too? She fell like this today too.”
“Oh, fuck.” My woozy head cleared immediately. “She fell? She can’t fall. Let me call her. She needs to go to the doctor.”
“That sobered you up impressively fast.” He shook his head as he moved back. “She’s fine. Trust me. Hastings aren’t made of soft stuff. I guarantee that kid of hers has a head as hard as her own.”
I sagged against the island. “I just really want her back. She should be spoiled right now. What if her back hurts? I give gold star massages.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re every pregnant chick’s wet dream.”
“Not hers,” I said miserably.
“Give her a few days to get herself centered. That’s big with her. You know, the whole one with the universe deal.”
“Yeah.”
“She won’t be gone for long. And I’ll probably be the one to give her away at your wedding, because she thinks our father is a colossal asshole. Sometimes I’m inclined to agree.”
I snorted. “Wedding? She texted me to say peace out.”
“Trust me. I’ve known her since before she was running around collecting money from our relatives for showing her bare butt.”
I grimaced. “Hopefully, this was as a small child and not during her teen years.”
“Yeah, she was two.” He grinned. “She’s strong and brave but she retreats when her foundation is shaky. When she’s had time to think, she’ll come roaring back.” He patted my back. “You might want to get ready. Full strength Luna Hastings isn’t a woman for mere mortals.”
“I know. She’s incredible. I don’t want to change her or try to tamp her down. I just want to be with her.”
“Which is exactly why she wants to be with you.”
“Yeah. I probably went over the top. I just wanted her to know I would be there for the baby.”
“Just don’t forget to be there for her too and what she needs. And that is the literal extent of my relationship advice. I don’t get involved in that shit.” He walked down the hall to the bathroom, clicking the door shut.
I shook my head, smiling faintly.
So you think, pal. Wait and see.
I pulled out my phone and sent Lu a text. I tried to be casual. I’d wait for her, no matter how long she needed.
What I needed at the moment was a damn nap.
Yawning, I shambled to Luna’s broken door and opened it to glance into the hall. At least no one had stolen my briefcase, even if the contents were spread all over.
Small favors.
“On the way out, Beck?
“Yeah.”
“You okay to get home?” I looked over my shoulder and X smirked, which meant he knew quite well I lived across the hall.
“Think so, thanks.”
“You’re all right. If my sister had to get pregnant without a ring on her finger, I’m reasonably happy with her selection.”
For some reason, that made me grin. “Same. I mean, if Luna had to have a dickhead brother.”
He shrugged before I stepped into the hall. “I’ve been called worse.”
Somehow my smile remained as I picked up my scattered belongings. I was more than a little unsteady, but that was to be expected.
Fireball. That was some crazy stuff.
But hey, maybe things weren’t as dire as I’d initially assumed. I had to believe in my girl. Perhaps even in the universe. I’d been told things happened exactly as they should.
Time for me to have some faith.
I rubbed my aching head. And a couple Excedrin.
Seventeen
“You can’t hide here forever.”
“Yes, I can.” I flipped the pillow to the cool side and dragged the covers over my head. “Did you get more of those candy things?”
“Georgia sold out of her stash because of you,” Ryan said with a sigh. The rattle of paper as she shook a few out onto my bedside table soothed me.
I peeked out from my blanket fort and snatched one of the ginger candies. They were a freaking miracle. We’d found the candies at Moonstone and Obsidian the other day. Evidently, I wasn’t the only one who needed a little something to help with morning sickness.
Crescent Cove’s affliction was catchy all the way to Luna Falls for help in the remedy game. As an extra piece of hilarity, the candies were actually made right here in the Cove. I might have to make friends with Hannah Wainwright simply so I could maximize my supply.
Ryan sat cross-legged on the floor beside my bed. “Honestly, I’d let you stay here until the baby is born. We could do one of those cool water births or something. Imagine PMS’s face?”
I flipped my blanket back so I could see her. “First of all, ew. Secondly, your guy would faint dead away.”
“I’d pay to see that.”
“You do realize the birth of my baby isn’t for your entertainment in freaking out Preston?”
She propped her elbows on her knees and gave me a goofy grin. “It was just a thought.”
I sighed and unearthed my phone from the depths of my bedding. Caleb had stopped texting me yesterday.
“Guess it took ten days for him to finally forget me.”
Crap. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Ryan sat up. “Excuse me?” She snatched my phone away from me. “He’s been texting you this whole time?”
I returned to my burrito status. “Yes.”
He was the sweetest guy on earth, and I was petrified that I was actually in love with him. I didn’t know what to do with any of this. W
e’d only known each other for a few months—barely. How the heck was I supposed to believe we could raise a baby together?
What if I started to lean on him and he noped out of this deal? It wasn’t like I had that option.
“You are a complete ass. You didn’t reply to him even one time?”
“I told him I needed time to think,” I mumbled.
“Think about what? That you’re an idiot?” The blankets disappeared. Ryan stood at the end of the bed with the lush bedspread in her arms. I wanted to marry those blankets, dammit. They had some sort of magical properties that stayed cool and comfy at the same time.
I sat up. “What the hell, Ry?”
She was scrolling through my phone. “‘I just hope you’re doing okay. I’m thinking about you. We’re going to be okay, babe.’”
Tears pricked my eyes. Hearing those things out loud made my chest ache.
She locked the phone and threw it at me. “Are you kidding me? This whole time, you were just hiding here and this poor sap is pining for you?”
“He’s not a sap.” I grabbed the phone then pulled the pillow around in front of me to hug it.
“You let me believe he was being a jerk.”
“I didn’t let you believe anything.” I wrapped my arms tighter around the pillow.
She dropped the duvet to the floor. “Oh, no. Don’t give me that face. Out with it. You’re going to tell me right now what the heck is going on.”
“Can I have my blanket back first?”
“No.”
“You’re mean.”
“No. I’m your best friend. And you’re worrying me. I’ve been concocting ways to string this guy up by his balls.”
I slumped back against the headboard. “He doesn’t deserve that.”
“No, he doesn’t. And I’m really glad because I like him.”
I lifted the pillow to my face. “Me too,” I mumbled.
She climbed onto the bed to sit beside me and pulled down the pillow. “What was that?”
“Me too.”
“I thought so.”
I tipped my head against her shoulder. “Even worse.” I huffed out a pathetic sigh. “I think I love him, Ry.”
“The horror.”
“Oh, shut up. I do believe you were crying in your Cheerios about PMS in the recent past.” In fact, she’d interrupted a little of my stripper pole action with Caleb with her freakout a few short weeks ago. I grabbed the pillow and whacked her with it.
She laughed and grabbed one of the pillows behind her to whack me back. “Yes, but you should be learning from my mistakes.”
“That is not how this works.” I hit her again.
“I didn’t think pillow fights were a real thing. Should I get the popcorn? You two might be wearing too many clothes for the typical fantasy, but I have a good imagination.”
We both threw our pillows at Preston in the doorway.
He stepped back out of range with a laugh. “Do you two need anything?”
I sighed as a stupid tear slipped down my face. “I need Caleb. Can you do that?”
Preston crossed his arms. “Well, actually…”
I sat up and stuffed the pillow behind me. “What?”
“I’m not sure how Caleb’s friend got my number. You people are phone number thieves.”
I shrugged. “Best friends’ phones are open season.”
Preston shoved his hands into his pockets. “I don’t believe that’s a thing, Miss Hastings.”
“Oh, you’re using your lawyer voice.” Ryan slid off the bed. “Stop giving her grief, PMS. Do you have a plan?”
“Well, Lucky has been checking in on Luna. Evidently, the father of your child is beside himself. I haven’t given them any information about you, of course, but I did say you were safe.”
I sniffed and swiped at my stupid tears.
“You’re making this dude crazy. Not really like you, Lu.”
“I know.”
“Just go see him.”
I looped my arms around my knees. I’d been in the same pajamas since yesterday. “It’s not that easy.”
“It really is.”
“I waited too long.” Guilt and fear was an ugly brew in my belly. For once, it wasn’t the kind that had me sprinting for the bathroom. This one might’ve actually been worse.
Every night, I missed him like a limb and I hated it. Could this be any more awful than losing him for real?
My eyes burned as another tear escaped.
Ryan stroked a hand down my hair. “No, you took a time out. It’s totally different. And hey, I did the same.”
“It nearly killed me,” Preston quipped from the doorway.
Ryan glanced at him. “But did it, really?”
He leaned on the doorjamb. “You were damn happy to see me when I arrived on that mountain, Miss Moon.”
“Yeah, I was very happy to see you. But I’d also had some time to think about what we were to one another. And we’d known each other even less time. Was it any wonder I was a basket-case?”
Preston came into the room and slipped an arm around her waist. “Her situation is a little different.”
“Why, because she’s having a baby?” Ryan spun around to face him.
“Yes.”
“No. That doesn’t make a bit of difference. A sperm donor is not who she is missing, you idiot.”
Preston gently rubbed her arms. “I just mean she has more to think about.”
She elbowed him away and turned back to me. “Is that the problem?”
“No. Well, not the only thing.” I tipped my head back. “I can be both mom and dad for this baby if that was the problem. Caleb wants the baby. He’s freaking thrilled. But what if he changes his mind? Then what? I get left alone again?”
“What?” Ryan launched herself at me. Her aura was glowing hot with love and the fierce protectiveness that had drawn me to her in the first place. “No. You’ll never be alone again. You’ll always have me. You even have PMS. He loves you too.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m so messed up.”
“You meant exactly that.” She pulled back and gripped my shoulders. “You have never let yourself love a guy since I’ve known you.”
I frowned. “I’ve had guys in my life.”
“Yeah, you’ve had guys. Fun. Maybe even an almost love with that rockstar guy.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Dominic was just a fling.”
“He was a little more than that.”
I sighed. “Dom didn’t have room in his life for two loves.” And I’d known that within a month of going out with him. Even back then, I’d always picked guys I knew would never be more than temporary.
That was all Caleb was supposed to be too. And he’d ruined it with that clever smile and stupidly perfect green eyes. With the way he held me at night and texted me all damn day even though he faced the wrath of Sister Tobias by having his cell phone in class.
He’d brought me to the school picnic and comforted me while I freaked out and everyone was staring at us during my mini meltdown.
He didn’t care.
He only saw me.
He loved me.
Loves me.
“I need to get him back,” I whispered.
“I’m sure you could call him right now. He’d be here in a hot second.”
“He told me he loves me.”
Ryan’s aquamarine eyes went shiny. “Aww, he did?”
“And I didn’t say anything.”
She tried to hide her wince, but I caught it before she looked away.
“I know. I’m a terrible human. I just… I’ve never said it to anyone. Well, but you. But you’re my best bish.”
“I sure am.” She rubbed my arm again. “But we can fix that. We just need to do a big moment. Let him really know you love him. I mean, you do, right?”
“Yeah.” I nibbled the inside of my cheek. “I do. I have
for weeks—maybe even the first time I found him in my bed.”
“Found him?” She frowned. “Are you not telling me all the things?”
“You’ve been a little busy with a certain lawyer.”
“Hmm. We can’t chat over wine, but maybe you can do apple juice and I’ll do wine?”
I laughed. “I’ll give you all the details after I get my guy back.” I peeked around Ryan’s voluminous dark hair. Preston was inching his way to the door. There was a lot of emotion going on in my room. He was probably ready to flee. “Did you say you had Lucky’s number?”
“Yes, I do.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted me his contact information.
My phone buzzed under my leg. “Thanks, Preston.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to help.” Preston’s aura was a steady blue. He was the cool to Ryan’s fire. A yin and yang that complemented one another.
Kinda like Caleb and I.
Goddess, I hoped the damage wasn’t irreparable.
“You guys have done more than enough. Now I just need to show him how much he means to me in the biggest way possible.”
Preston arched a brow. “By using the biggest human we know?”
I laughed. “I’m not exactly Lucky’s favorite person. He’s pretty proprietary about Caleb.”
Ryan snorted as she joined Preston in the doorway. “He might out-bestie me. I wasn’t sure that was possible.”
“You’re not wrong. But if anyone can help me pull this off, it’s Lucky Roberts.”
Ryan leaned back against Preston. “I’m very afraid.”
“I am too.”
“All right, we’ll let you do your thing.” She quickly moved forward to give me a hug. “Take care of you.”
“Take care of you,” I said back as always. Then my smile spread. That was exactly what I needed. A Pretty Woman moment. The bigger the better.
Ryan stepped back. “Well, there’s my badass bestie. You’ve got a plan.”
“I’ve got the start of a plan.” I grabbed my phone. “Now I just have to see if Lucky will help me.”
“He better or I’ll take him out at the kneecaps.”
For the first time in days, the brick that had been sitting on my chest lifted. “If anyone could take him down, it would be you, Ry.”
