by LYNN, K. C.
“I should probably go before someone realizes I’m gone,” she says regretfully.
“How about we just stuff pillows in your blankets? They will never know the difference.”
A giggle slips past her lips before she dashes my hopes with a shake of her head.
“All right. Come on, I’ll walk you out.” Grabbing a pair of jeans, I slide them on, forgoing the button, then walk her to the door.
I’m rewarded with a goodbye kiss that knocks me on my ass.
Afterward, she reaches up, touching the very place her lips just were. “Good night, Crawford.”
“Good night, Sam.”
Dropping her hand, she walks off toward her room, fading into the dark like a distant memory.
Just as her door closes the one next to hers swings open, hard and quick. There, across the hall, the enemy appears. He looks at Sam’s door as it clicks shut then back at me, the look of murder washing over his face.
Instead of returning that glare, I give him a smug smile then flip him off, repaying the gesture I received earlier before closing my own door.
Crawford: One.
Evans: Zero.
CHAPTER FIVE
Sam
I hug the toilet like it’s my lifeline, the cold porcelain a welcome relief as I empty my stomach, purging nothing but bile since I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet.
If this is what the future will be for the next several months it’s going to be a long pregnancy.
When there is nothing left to give, I flush and stand. The room slightly spins as I wobble my way over to the sink to splash cold water on my face. After patting it dry, I stare back at my reflection in the mirror, noticing the pale skin and flush to my cheeks but there is also no denying the smile on my face. Despite the fact I just barfed for the last several minutes, nothing could take away how happy I am right now.
Not only do I have all of my family under one roof but today some of our best friends are arriving and tomorrow I will be marrying the man who holds my heart like no other ever could. From that moment on we will live out the rest of our days together, having the family I’ve longed for ever since I was a little girl. A family much like the one I was lucky enough to grow up in.
With that beautiful thought in mind, I brush my teeth then walk out of the bathroom to find Grace standing in my bedroom, concern etched deeply on her face.
“Grace, hi,” I greet in surprise, praying she didn’t just hear me puke my guts out.
“Sam, are you all right?”
No such luck.
“You sounded so sick in there.” The worry in her voice matches the expression on her face.
I wave it away with a flick of my hand. “Oh yeah, fine. I think I just ate something last night that didn’t sit well.” The excuse is pathetic even to my own ears.
“Maybe you should see a doctor just in case,” she suggests cautiously.
“That’s not necessary. Really, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Because, generally, if it’s something you ate it would have started last night.” Her eyes widen in horror. “What if it’s the flu?”
“It’s not the flu,” I assure her.
“It could be,” she insists, refusing to let it go. “It’s going around, ya know? Oh gosh. Maybe we should run to the drug store, zap you with some vitamin C. Actually, you know what? I might have something with me. Hold on.”
She turns to run from the bedroom but I grab her arm before she can escape.
“I appreciate the concern but it’s not necessary. It’s not the flu.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I am. Trust me on this.”
She blinks back at me, seeing how absolutely certain I am, and that’s when realization strikes, her eyes practically bugging out of her head. “Oh my god, you’re pregnant!”
“Shhh.” I quickly move to the door, ducking my head out to see if anyone is there before closing it. Turning back, I whisper what I haven’t told another soul yet. “Yes, I’m pregnant.”
An excited smile breaks out over her face, mirroring the one I have carried in my heart for the last two weeks. “Oh my gosh, this is so darn excitin’.” She laughs, jumping up and down before pulling me into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
I hug her back, the emotion in her voice triggering my own. “Thanks, Grace. I am, too.”
“Does anyone else know?” she asks, stepping back.
I shake my head. “Which is why it’s very important you don’t say a word. Not even to Jase. I plan to surprise him on our wedding night.”
“Don’t worry. My lips are sealed.” She makes the hand gesture, driving the point home. “I also want you to know that I had a very big talk with your brother last night and he has promised no more pot stirrin’,” she assures me firmly. “He’s going to be on his best behavior from now on.”
The smile I flash her is a sad one. “Thanks, I appreciate that. Lord knows those two need all the talks they can get.” I take a seat on the edge of my bed, shoulders slumping as I think about my argument with Jase last night.
Grace sits next to me, resting her hand on my back in a comforting gesture. “There’s years of history and animosity to overcome between those two, but don’t worry, they’ll get there.”
“I’m not so sure anymore, Grace. I thought they would have come a lot further by now.”
“I think they have,” she says, surprising me.
“You do?”
She nods. “Back when I first met Jase, he and Sawyer couldn’t even be in the same room without thumpin’ each other. Now look at them. They can sit at the same dinner table without blood being shed. Sure it involved Barbie chairs and subtle insults but that’s still progress if you ask me.”
“I suppose you’re right,” I muse, never thinking of it like that. Maybe I have been too focused on where they aren’t rather than how far they have come. “I just love them both so much. I wish they could see how great the other really is.”
“Trust me, if they could actually see past their history I have no doubt they would think the other is just wonderful. I mean, they are both sexy, arrogant son of a guns with egos as big as their hearts.”
It’s true. They are so much alike it’s almost scary.
“Thanks again, Grace. Not only for this talk but also for coming here early and helping my mom get everything ready. You have been a wonderful bridesmaid and an even better sister.”
“Oh, Sam.” She grows emotional, pulling me in for another hug. “I’m just glad I could help. I love being a part of y’all’s family. All of you mean so much to me.”
And she means everything to us. I knew the day my brother brought her home all those years ago she would be a part of our family forever.
“Don’t worry, everything will work out,” she promises. “In the meantime, your brother will be on his best behavior. Everything will be smooth from here on out. I’m sure of it.”
CHAPTER SIX
Jase
The sun is just breaking through the clouds when I step out of the house the next morning, the crisp mountain air instilling a sense of promise for the coming day.
While Sam does the last of the alterations on her dress with Jesse, I decide to head to the lake to explore some trails before everyone else shows up. I figured it would help keep me far away from dickhead and any trouble he feels like starting today.
Unfortunately, it seems I can’t catch a fucking break. I only make it about halfway across the property when I catch sight of him with Parker on the cement pad by the garage, both of them setting up hockey nets.
Shit!
I quickly change direction but not before being spotted.
“Hey, Uncle Jase!”
Turning back, I do my best to summon a smile for my nephew. “Hey, kid.”
He waves me over. “Come play with us.”
As much as I would love to shoot some pucks with him, the last thing I want is to spend any amount of time with his dickhead of a father.
As soon as the thought surfaces so does Sam’s sweet voice. “Please try harder with my brother, Jase. I just want this weekend to be perfect.”
My feet remain planted, a war waging inside of me.
“Let him be, son,” Sawyer cuts in. “I’m sure he has a lot to do today.” He leans against his hockey stick, that irritating smirk forming. “Besides, we wouldn’t want your ‘Uncle Jase’ getting hurt before his big day, now would we?”
The only thing that’s going to hurt is this motherfucker’s pride when I kick his ass in front of his kid.
The thought pushes me forward, determination heavy in each stride. “I got time.”
“All right!” Parker cheers excitedly.
His father isn’t nearly as excited. By his expression it’s obvious he wasn’t expecting me to take the bait. He should have known better.
Parker passes me his stick. “Here, you can take this. I’ll go grab another one. Be right back.” He runs off toward the garage, leaving me to face off with my biggest rival.
“Should have taken the out I gave you, Crawford. Since you didn’t, I’ll enjoy taking you down.”
My hands tighten around the stick as I get the urge to beat the arrogance out of him. “You’re the one going down, Evans, and your kid is finally going to realize what a pansy-ass mama’s boy he has for a dad.”
That smugness slips from his face. “Be careful. You don’t want to start something you can’t finish.”
“You’re the one constantly starting shit and I’m fucking sick of it.”
He cocks a brow, amused. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, so I say we settle this. Right here and now.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”
“If I score first you back off, shut your mouth, and stop trying to cause shit between your sister and me.”
“Fine and when I win—”
“If,” I cut in.
“When,” he continues, talking right over me. “You pack your bags and head to fuck off land without my sister.”
I shake my head. “Not happening and you know it. So shoot for something a little more realistic.”
His jaw flexes. “Fine, when I win you stay out of my wife’s bakery for good. No more spending time there, I don’t give a shit if Sam is working or not.”
That’s a hard promise to make because I love eating there, especially when Sam is helping out. However, I feel confident I won’t need to worry about keeping that promise because this asshole is about to get the ass kicking he deserves.
“Deal.”
Parker comes running back just then. “Got it.” He raises the stick, his breathing labored. “I’ll drop the puck and take the net first. Then we can switch. Sound good?”
Sawyer’s hard gaze never wavers from mine. “Yeah, boy. Sounds good.”
“Cool. On three.”
We assume the position as he starts the countdown, our blades lowering to the pad with a thud.
The moment the puck drops our sticks battle along with our bodies, shoulders shoving the other’s as we fight for the win. I quickly get the upper hand, taking the lead.
Sawyer manages to stay right on my heels, his greedy stick fighting for the steal. I dodge each attempt until he uses the blade to hook my ankles, sweeping my feet out from under me. I try to gain my footing but have no success and hit the ground hard, landing on my shoulder.
“Son of a bitch.” Pushing off the cement I jump back up, but by the time I make it to my feet the asshole sends the puck in the top left of the net.
His arms raise in victory. “And that’s how it’s done, boy.”
“I can’t believe you fucking tripped me.” I gape in disbelief.
He has pulled some dirty stunts before but not in hockey. Never in hockey. That shit is sacred.
He turns on me, anger hardening his expression. “Don’t blame me just because you can’t stand on your own two feet, Crawford.”
“Bullshit. You hooked my feet out from under me when you couldn’t keep up.”
Parker removes his helmet, stepping out of the net. “Come on, guys. It doesn’t matter. Let’s just play again.”
Sawyer talks right over him. “You’re goddamn delusional, you know that?”
“And you’re a fucking cheater,” I fire back.
His back straightens. “What the hell did you call me?”
“You heard me. Are you really that desperate to one-up me that you are willing to play dirty in front of your kid?”
He throws his stick down and advances. “Watch what you say in front of my kid, asshole.”
“Stop, Dad,” Parker pleads. “Just let it go.”
“It’s the truth, Evans, and you know it.”
“The hell it is,” he spits. “You just can’t stand the fact that I have always been a better hockey player than you.”
“Since when? I had the lead in goals and assists every year growing up.”
“Keep dreaming, loser boy. I hold the record. I’ll bet my face is still hanging in the fucking arena to this day.”
I grunt. Now who’s the delusional one?
“Why don’t we just have a rematch?” Parker suggests, trying for some sensibility.
Unfortunately, his father has never had any fucking sense. “There will be no rematch. It’s time your uncle Jase accepts defeat.”
We both know he’s not talking about the game anymore. This is about his sister and me. “It’s never going to happen, Evans, and it’s time you accept that.”
Parker’s stick clatters to the cement. “Fine. Fight it out. I’m out of here.” He runs off toward the house, leaving the two us standing here like the assholes we are.
“Way to go, dickwad,” Sawyer snaps, shoving my shoulder. “You just upset my kid.”
I turn on him, flabbergasted. “I just upset your kid? Are you fucking kidding me? He’s upset because his dad just ruined the game because he would rather play dirty than risk losing.”
“I didn’t play dirty,” he bellows. “If you tripped over my stick that’s your goddamn problem.”
“You slashed my fucking ankle,” I yell for what feels like the hundredth time. “If this was a real game your ass would be in that penalty box.”
“Oh, boo fucking hoo. You know what, Crawford? Why don’t you call the fucking wambulance to come pick you up and then you can wambulance your ass out of here and out of my family!”
I shake my head at what an asshole he is. “You just won’t quit, will you? This isn’t about hockey, it’s not about being better than me. It’s about getting rid of me.”
He doesn’t even bother to deny it. “You’re damn right it is because you have more than worn out your welcome in this family. Bad enough you take my sister from me but you have to show up at my wife’s bakery whenever you fucking please. Hell, you’re even trying to take my own mother from me.”
I rear back at the accusation. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh please. Don’t act all fucking innocent with me. ‘Oh, Jase, you’re so handsome.’” He mocks in a girly voice. “‘Oh, Jase, you are just so good to my Samantha. I’m so glad she has found you.’” He points his finger in my face. “Stay the hell away from my mom. You have your own.”
“You’re batshit crazy, you know that? Nuttier than a fucking Snickers bar.”
His brows raise. “I’m the crazy one?”
“That’s right. If your mother loves me so much it’s because she finally knows what it’s like to not have a loser for a son.”
He shoves my chest. “Take that back, asshole!”
I send my own shove his way. “No way! You started this and now I’m going to finish it. Not only am I going to marry your sister tomorrow but I’m going to become your mom’s favorite son.”
“Oh no you aren’t, because I’m going to fake the greatest fucking heart attack that has ever happened,” he informs me smugly. “My mom and sister are going to be so concerned about me they won’t
even remember you let alone what day it is.”
Oh, this slimy fucker is going down.
“Do it and I will eat all your wife’s pies. I’ll even get her to make one called We All Hate My Husband Pie and your sister is going to help make it and then we’re all gonna eat the fuck out of it!”
His face turns red with fury. “That’s it, motherfucker! You’re dead.” He charges at me full force but I’m primed and ready.
We land hard on the ground, the impact jarring but it doesn’t faze either of us. Our deep-seated hatred for one another overpowers all common sense. It’s so consuming it’s blinding, flooding every cell in my body.
We roll around on the pavement, fighting to pin the other.
“No one talks about my wife and her pies!” he grinds out, shoving my face into the concrete.
“Well, no one fucks with my relationship and gets away with it.” I send a nice shot to his ribs but other than a harsh grunt it does little to slow him down.
“I don’t even know why she wants to marry you. You’ve always been a loser sissy boy with no friends.”
“And you’ve always been a pansy-ass momma’s boy who got beat with a stupid stick.”
An angry snarl leaves him as he tries to lock me in a chokehold. “Don’t talk about my mom, you fucker!”
Twisted at an odd angle, we somehow manage to wrap each other in a headlock. We are so lost in our rage that we don’t hear anyone approach until it’s too late.
“Jase? Sawyer?”
We stop mid struggle, our bodies going ramrod straight. Both of us look up to find Sam and Grace. They stand side by side, gaping down at us in complete outrage.
Busted.
We quickly jump to our feet and straighten our clothes.
“Hey, Peaches.” I greet her with my best smile, hoping to play the whole thing off.
“What the hell is going on here?”
“Nothing,” Sawyer rushes to say. “Just playing a friendly game of hockey. Right, Crawford?”
“Yep,” I readily agree.
Grace crosses her arms over her chest, not believing it for a second. “A friendly game, huh?”
Sawyer nods.
