Just an Illusion - The B Side

by D. Kelly

  His hurt expression meets mine. “How would you even think that?”

  “Well … usually, when men say they need to confess, it’s about an affair.”

  “Okay, I’ll give you that, but no. This is so stupid, but it’s also my fault. So those condoms I got from Sawyer were groupie condoms.”

  “Groupie condoms?”

  “Darren and Sawyer have this game they play to see who ends up with more condoms at the end of a tour. They unload the bus, bring them inside, count them, and then they give each other bonus points if they find one that’s been tampered with.”

  Holy shit.

  Pulling my knees to my chest in my typical defensive position, I ask what I really don’t want to know. “And how does that affect us?”

  “With the last tour ending and the new tour starting right after they unloaded the bus, they didn’t tally the results. They were going to do it over Thanksgiving. I don’t pay attention to that stuff so I didn’t know I was grabbing groupie condoms. I found out a few days later when I saw Sawyer emptying the drawer, but by then it was too late to take any precautions anyway. And besides, what were the odds? Not every girl messes with the condoms, it really was just a fluke.”

  Just a fluke …

  “Or just fate.”

  Noah covers his heart with his hands. “Be still my beating heart. Did the word fate just come out of your mouth, my love?”

  Sighing, I lean into his shoulder, and he wraps his arm around me. “I’ve been struggling with this since I found out. This wasn’t exactly my dream, at least not like this, in this order, with us having so little time to be an us. That’s the one word that kept coming back into my mind. It was like I could hear you whispering it over and over.”

  “I love you, Mel, and I’m sorry this wasn’t your dream, but that doesn’t have to take away from the happiness of this occasion, does it?”

  The last thing I want to do is take any happiness away from him. “No, it doesn’t. We’re having a baby, Noah, and babies should always be celebrated. They come on their own timeline, when they’re meant to.”

  “Good. I have one more confession and no, it’s not another woman. It will never, ever, be another woman. I’m not that kind of guy.”

  “I know you’re not. So let me hear it.”

  He pulls my face to his and kisses me softly. “Right now, I can’t decide if I want to call everyone in here and pass out cupcakes or if I want to strip you naked and eat cupcakes off of you.”

  “I’d vote for the latter, but I know you’re dying to tell them. How about a compromise? We’ll tell them now, and when they leave we’ll use the left-over cupcakes to play.”

  He groans and attacks my neck with his lips. “That sounds like the perfect plan.” The huskiness of his words light my hormones on fire, but he pulls away so quickly those flames die out pretty fast. With one group message, he’s summoned everyone to our room. I hope to God Darren and Sawyer can fake their surprise.

  Less than five minutes later Wyatt, Darren, Sawyer, Warren, Mac, and Ryan are all in our room crowed around us.

  “What the hell are we all doing here, Noah? I’m fucking exhausted.” Sawyer is in a shitty mood, but Noah doesn’t let it dull the light in his eyes.

  “I thought you’d like to know you’re going to be an uncle. Mel and I are having a baby!” Noah exclaims. Everyone immediately cheers and hugs us both. Sawyer blinks like he’s in a daze but then a big, dimple-filled smile spreads across his face. No matter what is going on behind the scenes, he’s excited for his brother.

  While they’re chatting, I decide to send the video to Belle. I haven’t told her yet and now that everyone is in the know, it’s time. Since it’s only about ten her time, I know she’ll be home. It seems like the guys are getting a kick out of the guitar picks, and Warren is even taking a picture for Sam.

  Shit, Sam … I hope he doesn’t freak out and think I won’t get my job done. Being pregnant isn’t going to stop me from writing this story. Nothing will.

  My phone rings with a Skype call from Belle. I excuse myself into the bathroom so I can have a little privacy.

  “Hey, Belle.”

  Tears are streaming down her face. “Mel, oh my God, are we really having babies together?”

  “Yeah, Belle, we really are.”

  “How long have you known?” she demands. That’s my Belle.

  I smile. “Since the day we left for New York. I needed to let it all sink in. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I wanted Noah to be the first to know.” Not exactly a lie. I did want him to know first; it just wasn’t how it ended up working out.

  “He’s ecstatic, but how are you?”

  “The verdict is still out on that. I’m happy, but disappointed and terrified. So terrified. I’m going to mess this kid up, Belle.”

  “Stop that,” she scolds. “You’re going to do no such thing. I know you’re scared … hell, I’m scared … but Noah adores you and there’s nothing he won’t do for you. Everything is going to work out fine for both of us. I’m happy for you, Mel, and I’m so fucking proud of you.”

  “Thanks.”

  I don’t know why, but I don’t have much to say, maybe because I’m in the bathroom. “Cute execution, by the way. I’m glad you thought to record it. It was almost as good as being there. When are you going to tell Mama?”

  “Soon … after it sinks in a little bit more. I wish you could have been here. If Noah hadn’t had that headache last night I might have done it then. But I’m glad it ended up this way because I was able to make it special for him.”

  “Well, there’s always next time,” she says with a loud cackle.

  “Bite your cursed tongue, woman. This one is coming a few years early as it is.”

  “True. Take me out of the bathroom so I can congratulate Noah myself.”

  “Noah,” I call out as I come of out the bathroom, “Belle would like to talk to you.” I point the phone in their direction and they all call out a round of hellos to her. After handing the phone off to Noah, the only spot available for me to stand that makes sense is next to Sawyer. I notice he’s flicking something in his fingers—the guitar pick from the cupcakes. I can’t help but wonder if it’s from nerves, anger, or habit.

  “Good job, Mel,” he whispers. “Telling Noah in a special way was the best thing you could have done. Wait until my mom hears she’s going to be a grandma again. If you have a boy, watch out for Diane … she might try and take him from you.”

  “I hope it’s a boy. I’ve got not a clue in the world what I’d do with a girl.”

  “Careful what you wish for,” he flashes that sinful dimple again, “Weston boys are a handful to say the least.”

  “Everyone say bye to Belle,” Noah calls out.

  Sawyer is the first to leave, followed by Darren, and everyone else funnels out one by one until only Wyatt is left. He already called Anna and broke the news to her. Noah had interrupted their nightly phone call and he wanted to fill her in on the important news.

  “I’m so fucking happy for you two. Between you and Belle, you might just give Anna baby fever yet.”

  “You, too?” I ask, surprised he’s on the baby train.

  “Eh, I definitely wouldn’t object. I want Anna to be settled in her career and stuff so she feels she’s accomplished everything she wants, but I’m all for making some babies whenever she’s ready.”

  “I’m sure you won’t have to wait long. Once you’re back from tour and Anna has unfettered access to you, she’ll be pregnant in no time,” Noah tells him as he not-so-subtly leads him to the door.

  Wyatt laughs. “I get the hint. Enjoy the rest of the night, you two.”

  “Oh, we will,” Noah tells him as he practically closes the door in his face. I can hear Wyatt laughing as he walks away. When Noah turns to me, he has a predatory gleam in his eyes. “I want to do some pretty wicked things to you right now, Mel, but can we call my parents firs
t?”

  Of course he wants to tell his parents. “Sure, why don’t you Skype your dad and have your mom open her email. That way we can watch them while they watch us?”

  I forward the video to Karen while Noah gets Owen on Skype. They’re so cute, always side by side in bed together, usually watching TV. This time, Noah and I are side by side in bed as well.

  “Hey, Noah!” Owen answers happily as he adjusts his computer screen. “Hey, Mel! I didn’t see you there, too.”

  “Dad, tell Mom to get next to you and open up her email. We have something we want to show you guys.”

  “I’m right here,” Karen says. “I’m pulling my email up now. You guys didn’t get married, did you?”

  “By the look of terror on Mel’s face, I’m going to call that a no,” Owen replies before we have a chance to.

  “Dad, make sure you put the computer so we can see you both watching the video.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’m not that old yet, son. I know how to work a computer.” Owen adjusts the screen again so we can see them both looking at Karen’s computer.

  “Alright, I’m hitting play,” Karen calls out.

  Noah and I exchange glances as he squeezes my thigh. He’s so excited to be able to share this with them. The video isn’t very long; within seconds, Karen is screaming.

  “What? I’m going to be a grandma again! Noah … Mel … Owen, did you see this? We’re going to be grandparents!”

  “Yeah, Mom, you sure are, and I’m going to be a dad. Hopefully, as good of one as the one I have.” The pride in Noah’s voice brings his parents to tears. Owen’s trying to blink them back, but I see them. Karen doesn’t even bother; she lets her happy tears flow freely.

  “You’re going to be an amazing father, Noah,” Owen says proudly.

  “We’re so happy for you guys. An end-of-summer baby will be perfect. The tour will be almost over and you can enjoy being parents without the constraints of touring after that. Have you told your sister’s yet?” she asks.

  “Not yet, Mom, I’ll tell them tomorrow. It’s late here and I’m tired, but we wanted the two of you to be the first to know aside from the band.”

  “Congratulations! I’m so excited, we’ll talk soon. Let us know when you tell your sisters. Love you guys.”

  Oh wow, he just included me in that. Noah squeezes my leg again sensing the significance of this moment for me.

  “We love you, too. Goodnight,” Noah replies.

  “Goodnight,” they say in unison as Noah turns off his phone and tosses it to the bedside table.

  “See, Mel, I told you they’d love you. But now I’m going to show you how much I love you.”

  Noah lifts my t-shirt off and quickly rids me of my bra. “Lie down,” he commands, standing and stripping himself naked in record time. Leaning over the bed, he pulls my pajama pants and underwear off, tossing them to the floor.

  His hungry gaze travels up my body, followed slowly by his lips. Noah blazes a trail of kisses up my legs as his hands wrap around them, traveling the path his lips don’t reach. His tongue flicks against my core once, leaving me needy for so much more.

  When his mouth reaches my stomach, my heart skips a beat. He leaves tender kisses all over it while rubbing gentle circles with his hands, as if he’s hugging the baby from the outside. Kissing his way upward, his hands capture my breasts, pushing them close. His tongue flicks only the tip of each nipple before blowing on one, then the next, bringing my nipples to hard, taut peaks. As his mouth descends against my breast and he sucks me into his mouth my body arches into his.

  He slides one hand lower until he’s cupping my pussy. Releasing a nipple, he asks, “Are you wet for me, baby?”

  “Yes!” I cry out, pushing myself into his hand, trying to get his fingers inside of me.

  His kisses become frantic as he makes his way from my breasts to my neck. I love when he nuzzles against me and groans right below my ear with his lips against my heated flesh.

  “Please, Noah,” I whimper, begging him for relief.

  Bringing his mouth to mine, he moves between my legs, hitching my leg up over his hip as he positions himself at my entrance. “I’ve never done this before.” His emotional words land straight on my heart.

  “Me, either, but I’m glad we’re doing it together.”

  “Me, too,” he answers as his lips catch mine. His cock slides in the moment his tongue meets mine, and it’s an explosion of senses. My arched hips meet his thrusts in synchronicity. Our kiss a long, seductive journey to bliss. With my arms around his neck, our bodies are fused together in every way possible.

  Words aren’t necessary; everything is being said with the movements of our bodies. When my walls begin to clench around him, his body trembles above mine. With each thrust, he becomes more determined to make this last, but when my orgasm hits and I contract tightly around him, he loses his battle and comes with me. The twitching of his cock feels so intense; as he fills me with his essence, I feel it all—each pulse, each thrust, every decadent sensation.

  Noah falls to the side and pulls me to him, my head against his heart. His heart thumps wildly against my ear as he combs his fingers through my hair. “That was …”

  “The number one reason people get pregnant. After feeling that, who would want to go back to condoms?”

  He chuckles and kisses my head. “Exactly, it was incredible. It always is with you, but I could feel you around me, clenching me, holding me, and pulling me into you. Fuck, Mel. It was euphoric.”

  “Just think … we can do it like that for the next seven, eight months.”

  With a growl, he pulls me to his mouth and kisses me relentlessly. “I’m never going to want to go back to condoms.”

  “Me, either. I’ll get the IUD put in as soon as I can after the baby.”

  “Or we can work on number two right away.”

  “Keep dreaming, Weston.”

  Noah pulls the blanket up over us and tucks me into his arms. “Thank you for tonight, Amelia. It’s one I’ll never forget. I still can’t believe we’re having a baby. She’s going to be perfect, just like you.”

  “Really? You want a girl? I kind of hope it’s a boy.”

  “I want whatever is healthy. I wouldn’t mind either. Do you have a feeling like Belle did?”

  I can already tell Noah is going to be extremely hands-on during this pregnancy. But it’s a good thing; he’ll help me keep it together.

  “No, I don’t. I’m just not sure I’d know what to do with a girl. Boys seem easier. But whatever it is, I’ll love it, just like I do their daddy.”

  “Goodnight, Mel,” Noah whispers, almost asleep.

  “Goodnight, Noah. Sweet dreams.”

  Belle’s Pregnancy Post

  Slammers!

  It’s your girl Belle, and boy do I have news! Listen up, Slammed family, because this time I need to ask for your forgiveness. We all know there’s been rumors about myself and Darren Miller from BAD. I’m finally going to put those rumors to rest. Yes, I’m wearing an engagement ring and yes, I am also pregnant. We are not having a shot gun wedding; in fact, we haven’t even discussed a date.

  So why am I telling you this? Because you, my loyal readers, deserve the truth. At first, we kept things quiet because with any new relationship you never know how things are going to work out. As time passed, our love has only grown stronger. Now with the new photos emerging of Darren with his hands around my ever-expanding belly, it seems like the right time to come clean once and for all. To be fair, we never denied any rumors; we just didn’t go out of our way to confirm them, either.

  Forgive me, Slammers, for keeping this blessing from you. We just wanted to keep this little miracle to ourselves as long as we could. She’s going to be something special, you just see.

  That’s right, I said she. Slammed readers are getting the exclusive gender reveal right here. Rest assured the upcoming baby won’t affect any of your BAD
updates. I’ll still be bringing you all the exclusives as they happen.

  My apologies, Slammed family, I never meant to deceive you. I always meant to tell you in my own way, when the time was right.

  Don’t forget - Live today like there’s no tomorrow.

  Xs and Os,

  Belle

  On The Road Again

  Three months after New York…

  Since New York, everything has been a whirlwind of activity. How in the world they managed to set up most of the eastern states in the dead of winter, I’ll never understand. I suppose this was the most efficient way in order for them to end the tour in California, but still … the cold weather is not my friend.

  When we pulled out of New York on the buses, Noah sat down and made a ton of calls. He singlehandedly scheduled each and every prenatal appointment with a doctor in whatever city we were going to be in at the time. And he scheduled them against his schedule so he could always be there. I have to admit, it was a huge relief. The only downfall is when the baby is due we’ll be on the road, so my doctor won’t get to deliver it unless I go home, which I can’t do because Noah wouldn’t be able to be there. Now, every month, a different doctor gets to see all my lady parts in all their pregnant glory. Did I forget to mention every doctor is a woman? I’m sort of grateful, but that was Noah’s way of waving his man card loud and proud.

  At least now that it’s April, it’s warming up, so I get to watch all the spring blooms in full effect. We’re also inching closer to the end of the tour, and my excitement for going home grows with each day that passes. The band is in Florida this week and two exciting things are happening today. First, Belle is flying in for the weekend. And second, Noah and I are finding out the sex of our baby. I’m officially at the halfway point of my pregnancy and haven’t had any morning sickness which was the greatest blessing of all. Belle is at the end of her pregnancy with only four weeks left to go, give or take. They’ve picked a name for the baby, but they’re being impossibly stubborn and not telling anyone what it is.

  “Morning, Mel,” Sawyer says as he makes his coffee.