“You happy in New York?” I ask Emberlee while we’re in the kitchen alone.
“No.” She sighs. “Darby misses Kinsley and it’s like they’re strangers. I miss Saylor and Deacon, my parents. Brody is never home and I’m lonely.”
“Talk to him.” I implore.
“I did. He suggests I move here and he’ll fly in when he has days off but during the season those are almost non-existent. I don’t want him to miss that time with Darby. I don’t want her to be a product of my mistakes.” She’s near tears and I take her in my arms.
“Hey. It’ll be fine. Is he happy?” This may be a solution.
“No. But he has a two-year contract and the money is good. You know his hang up with money.” She huffs with an eye roll. “And I think he is happy but because I’m not it puts a damper on his jubilance. I’m a horrible, horrible person.”
I groan. “No, you’re not, Lee Lee. There’s an adjustment period. Saylor is missing y’all, too. She’s struggling so you aren’t alone. I give it a few months before Avery has her own issues, and Breck will only be pregnant so long. This is home. We’re all spreading our wings but I don’t think any of us feel complete until we are here— together.”
“Promise me. By age thirty— not Brody cuz’ he’s older— we will all be back here. Together. Darby will be ten . . . that sucks. I need my people.” She’s blubbering and I shake my head.
“Promise. Go wrangle the others in this pact. I’d make them swear in blood, but you know I’m good for it.” I wink.
“Love you, Caden.” She hugs me.
“Love you, Lee Lee.”
“Proud of you. And treat my girl good.” She winks.
“Oh, no complaints from her.” I tease.
“I think I just threw up in my mouth.” She saunters off to make some age pact thing and I grab a beer to join her.
My eyes are closing and I still have an hour of studying. Staying home for Christmas was the best idea we had and while our parents joined us, we missed our friends. The last three months of school, going full time, have been hell and rewarding all the same. A full load is kicking my ass but Avery is supporting me every step of the way. My eyes fall to the pictures I have decorating my workspace and my arms yearn to hold her.
I contemplate blowing off this last chapter and I realize she leaves early tomorrow for New York and I can finish it when she leaves. Breck is being induced in two days so Mason could be there and she insisted Avery be there for the birth. All the girls will be. One more thing I’ll miss but it can’t be helped. Deacon is bummed he can’t get away from work but these are the sacrifices we make for our expanding families. And my future one.
Making my way into the room, I stop at the end of the bed and bite my tongue. Seems to be a regular thing for her to put that big ass dog in our bed. Or cuddle on the couch with him. I go to move it and he shows me his teeth— but he’s smart enough not to bite me. Avery calls it protective. I call it a death wish. “Down.” I hiss.
Fucker ignores me. He makes eye contact. And does nothing. “Down.” I’m a bit more forceful. I guess that bores him because he closes his eyes and snuggles closer to my woman. Fuck it— I grab the covers and rip them from the bed.
“Hey!” She shrieks. Her fucking dog doesn’t move. He knows my plans and thinks he’s outsmarted me.
“Hey baby. Dog’s in the bed.” I state the obvious.
“Hmmm. Wonder how that happened.” She tries the innocent act. Hmmm— my ass. She either carried the big fleabag up there or patted the bed for him to get comfortable.
“You leave in a few hours.” I inform her.
“Yeah.” She yawns and stretches, making no move to remove the intruder in our bed.
“I was hoping to give you a send off. You’ll be gone a week.” That grabs her attention and she snaps and points to the floor. Láska tries his best, lifting his head with a whine and fucking puppy eyes. I take matters into my own hands— in the literal sense. I can feel her shifting her attention to the dog so I bring my cock out and stroke.
“Down.” She commands and he obeys her orders— after shooting me a death glare. “Naked.” She gives me the same voice and like the dog, I listen. She’s stripping her clothes as I climb over her.
“Miss me?” I grin.
“Yes.” She moans as she searches for my mouth with hers.
I pull my head back. “Have I been neglecting you?” She nods. Damn— fucking med school. “Sorry, baby. I’ll make it up to you.” She pants as I circle her nipple with a finger.
“Next time. Right now, I just wanna feel you inside me.” As much as her words turn me on— I don’t wanna skip foreplay this time. Ignoring her pleas, I cover her mouth and duel with her tongue. She sinks into the bed as I continue to manipulate her nipple, and as she bites my bottom lip, I drag my hand down to her pussy.
Rubbing the outer edges of her lips, I won’t give her the friction she wants and she growls. I let go of her lips and nip her neck as I thrust two fingers inside her and she bucks her hips to ride my hand. She’s dripping and I kiss along her collarbone soaking up her cries of ecstasy. “Still want me inside?”
“Just a minute.” She throws her head back and clamps down on my fingers, taking what she wants and I’m more than happy to deliver. I press down against her clit with my thumb and hook my fingers up, forcing her to shout my name and come around my fingers. I don’t try to hide the grin as her eyes focus, watching me. She rolls her eyes and smirks. “As you were.” I take her mouth, kissing the sass outta her but she surprises me by wrapping her legs around my waist and rolling us so she’s straddling me.
“You in charge, Picasso?” I question her.
“We’ll pretend, but we both know you own my body.” Her lips and tongue come down to taste my skin and I relax into the pillow giving her time to enjoy. She pays homage to my tattoo; her eyes shine with lust and love— best combination ever. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“Me, too, Picasso. Less talking.” I joke and she snorts, but quits talking and trails her tongue down the center of my torso. Catching the tip of my cock with her tongue, she gives a small lick and pushes her tongue into the slit. “Fuck.” I buck off the bed and she chuckles.
Her lips circling my cock is the sexiest fucking sight. It never gets old— I’m a typical guy. She sucks me in deep, massaging my balls and her hair caresses my stomach. I force myself to keep my eyes open, wanting to watch the erotic scene in front of me. Her hum of satisfaction has my hands tangling in her hair, holding her head and thrusting up deep. She relaxes her throat and takes me deep as her hand drops down and I know she’s rubbing herself. “Don’t do it.” I warn her. “That’s mine.” She nods with my cock deep in her mouth and continues to rub herself but doesn’t get off.
She takes one long swipe up the underside of my dick, tracing the vein and I make my move, flipping her off but putting her face down. “Up on your knees.” She does so with no hesitation and I push her arms flat in front of her. Bringing my hand down once on her ass, I harden further seeing it turn pink.
“Please.” She shakes her ass and I line the tip up and push in halfway. “Caden.” She whines. I shove the rest of the way in and still, letting her acclimate. Her hips push back demanding I move but instead I stay still. Her fingers fist the sheet and she propels herself forward and pushes back, gliding herself on my dick.
Snaking one hand underneath her, I find her clit and pinch and rub as she builds speed and momentum. Lubricating my finger with her juices, I bring my hand back to her ass and push in her hole as she shouts and becomes forceful with her thrusts.
“Find it.” I challenge her and she doesn’t disappoint. With my finger in her ass, my dick in her pussy, she finds it and milks mine from me. Collapsing down to her side, I rub her back while her breathing slows. “Love you.” I pull her in front of me, kissing her shoulder and tuck her head under my chin.
Waking up before her the next morning finds me biting my tongue. I’m spooning her and she’s spooning th
e fucking dog. I narrow my eyes and mouth to the puppy. “Obedience training this week. No more bed.” He yawns and plops his paw down over her hand— covering my ring.
Chapter Twenty-One
Being with the girls is refreshing. Saylor seems happier and says she’s working the pole quite well. Emberlee is still adjusting to New York, but has her footing more so than a few months ago. I’m sure it helped with the off-season break and being home with Brody. Brecklynn is radiant— she’s propped up in bed waiting for the medicine to kick in so she can welcome her baby into the world.
“Good morning, Mrs. Adler. How are you feeling?” Her perky nurse bounces in the room and Emberlee rolls her eyes while sipping coffee.
“Good. Ready.” Brecklynn is pouring happiness.
“Can I have some of this,” Emberlee holds up her coffee cup, “in one of those.” She points to Breck’s I.V. and I shake my head. Girl has issues.
The nurse ignores Emberlee’s intrusion and remains focused with Breck’s comfort. “Who will be in the room with you?” She glances to the three of us and Mason.
“Me. I did this.” Mason is functioning with less brain cells than normal. His excitement, nervousness, and pride— it’s making him look like an ass.
“Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering if it was the guy standing at 5th and Main we met.” I quip and he jerks his head to give me a death glare.
“Can’t everyone be here?” Breck wonders.
“No. Two people.” The nurse bursts her bubble.
“My husband.” Mason takes her hand.
“That’s me.” Holy fucking dipshit.
“Breck, let your mom be here. She went to get another cup of coffee.” I rub her hand.
“Our son will enter the world sporting a Texas accent.” Mason whines.
“What’s wrong with that?” Breck narrows her eyes at him and grips her stomach. “Shit, that medicine is working.”
There’s a bustle of activity and Wanda shows up. I nod to the door so we all make quick work of wishing her luck and giving her a hug for support. “Let us know.” Saylor begs Wanda. “He’ll be useless.” She motions to Mason and he didn’t hear her. He looks a bit green and is focusing on Brecklynn’s pain.
“Will do.” Wanda pats Saylor and we leave.
“More coffee. Who the fuck gets induced at six in the morning?” Lee Lee is heading to the cafeteria.
“Good lord, if we thought the first time she was pregnant was bad with caffeine, imagine it now when she has a toddler to raise. I hope it happens when she’s here so I can support via the telephone.” Saylor pseudo whispers.
“Bitch. I heard that. And I don’t think kids are happening. We’ve been trying for four months.” Her voice drops and I see her chin quiver.
“Lee Lee,” I hug her. “It’ll happen.”
“We weren’t trying last time.” She tries to wipe her nose against my shirt but I duck.
“You have a toddler. You moved less than a year ago . . . a lot of stress. Give it some time.” She nods and dries her eyes.
“I’m under caffeinated and it’s making me mopey.” She brushes me off.
I look at Saylor and we nod. This is something we’ll have to keep an eye on. If she’s trying it means she’s ready for more than a baby but this is her way of avoiding having to say anything. Brody will pressure her again for marriage and she’ll accept under the guise of it being because she’s pregnant. Emberlee carries scars but she presents her wounds different than Saylor. She’s underhanded and defensive when it comes to it . . . sometimes she is her worst enemy.
Nolan Cason Adler arrives at nine pounds thirteen ounces and twenty-one inches long. As soon as we’re allowed to visit we all rush through the door. Mason is holding— shall I say guarding— him. “Wash your hands.” He barks.
I glance to Saylor and Emberlee giving them a look to convey he’s lost his fucking mind. “Mason, shut up.” Brecklynn sighs. She extends her arms to take the baby and Mason moves a step further from the bed. “I swear on your pitching arm, if you don’t give me my fucking son, I’ll castrate you.”
“Did you wash your hands?” He has the audacity to ask her and that’s it— we can’t hold the laughter in.
“Fuck.You.” Her snarl doesn’t hold anger. He wisely gives her Nolan and she passes him to Emberlee never breaking her death glare focused on her husband.
“Be careful.” Mason admonishes Lee Lee.
“You’ve got to be shitting me.” I mumble.
Saylor whispers, “I’m gonna make that little boy fall in fucking love with me. Game on, motherfucker.”
As soon as I get my hands on him I gasp. I’ve never seen a child that’s such a perfect blend of its parents as he is. Nolan’s got Breck’s purplish eyes and Mason’s light brown hair. “Breck, he’s beautiful. Lord, the girls are gonna go crazy.”
Saylor growls beside me and I giggle. In ten years it’s gonna be quite interesting. I’m gonna start stocking alcohol now.
I hate leaving my friends and we all decide a week in the summer will become reality. I squeeze Lee Lee and remind her, “Call me. I’m here.”
“I know. I’m gonna relax and see if it happens. We go to the doctor next week.” I kiss Nolan and leave for the airport.
Saylor sighs. “This sucks.”
“Yeah, Shortstop— it does.” It isn’t the first time I’ve wondered why we have to grow up.
“Aves. I need help.” Breck’s panicked voice greets me.
“You okay? Mason okay? Nolan okay?” I rush.
“Yes. Oh god, sorry. Mommy brain. Those cupcakes you made Mason— can you email me the recipe?” She sighs. “We have his parents here this week and it’s our first night without the baby. He’s wining and dining me.” I can hear the smile in her tone.
And if I know Mason, he’s also gonna sixty-nine her. “So why are you trying to make cupcakes? And you do know that was a box mix— you saw me make them.”
“I know but I couldn’t find cupcake mix at the store.” Jesus take the wheel. She didn’t say that to me.
“Again, I ask why do you need cupcakes for your night out. And Breck, cupcakes don’t have a separate mix. The instructions are on the back of the cake box.” Caden chuckles. “Hurry up, my man has a rare night with no studying and I won’t be wasting it baking.”
“Oh my gosh. Are you fucking kidding me?” Her shriek is over the top. “I walked by thirty cake mixes. This is a fucking mess. I have icing and nothing to frost.”
“Why.Do.You.Need.Cupcakes?” I’m fixing to hang up on her ass.
“The last thing he said to me this morning was he wanted to eat my cupcake.” She wails. “I figured he forgot I didn’t make them.”
“Breck, honey, breathe. I know you’re tired but listen. He meant he wanted to eat your pussy. If you’re determined to create a baked good of sorts, slather that frosting all over your hoo-ha— shave or wax first— get comfortable and let him go to town. Sounds like you need it.” Caden’s eyes widen and he chokes as he drains his beer.
“I swear I’m an idiot.” She sounds discouraged.
“No, you aren’t. You’re tired. Nolan is seven weeks. Have you had sex since you got clearance?” I can’t believe I’m broaching this topic with her— again.
“Nolan is a cock blocker. Fuck no. Hence the hotel room and his parents in town. I don’t even know if it works down there anymore. It’s probably all stretched and he won’t want it.” We’re entering dangerous territory.
“Breck, it won’t be throwing a hotdog down a hallway. That shit stretches and goes back— just like a rubber band. I’m sure it works. Frosting. Pussy. Legs open. I’m gonna go see if I have any frosting.” I laugh.
“You’re a lifesaver.” She exclaims.
“Don’t hold your ears or puff your cheeks.” I tease.
“I still hate you for that.” She grumbles.
“Yet, you dialed my number. Bye.” I end the call to Caden bent at the waist in a full blown laughing
fit. “I do believe I’m up to two weeks of days named after me. But I’m glad she listened. Usually she’s an askhole.”
“Aves,” he wheezes. “It doesn’t work like that. Who do you know that has two weeks of days for their sainthood? We aren’t Catholic, woman. And do you blame her for ignoring your advice— chipmunk cheeks . . .”
“You’re right. Two weeks is a bit much. I should donate one of those days to someone else. The Nobel Peace Prize holder? Who is that? And she deserved it for wanting a backdoor for beginners lesson.” He begins his fit again.
“Baby, that isn’t how any of this works. You aren’t getting sainted, or knighted. You won’t have a holiday or fourteen named after you.” He’s obtuse.
“I don’t need this kind of negativity in my life.” I huff. “And I’m not searching for frosting. You won’t get rewarded for that shit.”
He shrugs. “I’ll eat you without frosting.”
I cut my eyes. “Okay.” Double win for me— I get an orgasm and I don’t have to clean the sheets. Definite sainthood worthy thinking. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. “But our friends are insane. Who doesn’t know what getting a hotel, parents babysitting and saying ‘I’m gonna eat your cupcake’ means? Every time I think they’ve reached a level of insanity never experienced in the human race they take that as a challenge and rise to it.”
“Something’s rising with all that sass. Come over here and sit on it.” He undoes his jeans and sure enough something springs out. Greeting me like the trusty friend it is.
“That’s beautiful, Picasso.” Caden is staring at the canvas I’m painting for Nolan’s room. I could wait until the summer and paint a mural on his wall but inspiration hit.
“Thanks. Look at it.” I watch his eyes take in the baseball field; Deacon’s number is etched in the clay where the Shortstop position is, Caden’s where the catcher should be, and Mason’s is carved into the pitcher’s mound. His name is block style over the dugout and I’ve painted a bat, glove, and mask that combine those three positions.
Changing Fate (Endgame #5) Page 15
