Clinched

by Nikki Ash

  My legs come up at the same time his hands move down to catch me, my ankles locking together as he pushes me against the wall of the house. Our mouths crash into each other, the kiss quickly deepening as our tongues dart in and out of each other’s mouths. I let out a moan as I take in the taste of Tristan—peppermint with a hint of something that is uniquely him.

  My fingers pull at the tips of his hair as his lips break from mine and move to my neck, trailing soft kisses downward. Needing more, I grind my pelvis against his hard body as his lips go to the swell of my breasts.

  “Daddy! Charlie!” Lexi yells, the door swinging opening. Tristan quickly releases me, my body sliding down the cabin wall. I flinch as my back hits the curves of the logs and Tristan curses under his breath, trying to catch me.

  “Yeah, Lex?” Tristan asks, his voice rough.

  “Uncle Mason and Uncle Nathan said they’re going fishing tonight! Are you going fishing with them, Daddy? I don’t wanna go fishing.” Lexi’s hands go to her hips.

  “Who’s Nathan?” I ask.

  “Bella’s younger brother,” Tristan says, wrapping his arm around my waist. “No, Lex. I’m not going fishing. I’ve already caught my fish and I have no intention of ever releasing her.” He shoots me a wink and I laugh.

  “Ewww Daddy!” Lexi yells before stomping back inside, Tristan and me following behind. She gets to Mason and a guy that looks to be in his early twenties. “Daddy said he caught his fish and he’s not going fishing!”

  Twenty-One

  Tristan

  The next couple days go by way too quickly. The days are spent with my family—sometimes Bella’s and Marco’s families joining in—skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and building snowmen at the request of Lexi and Micaela. The nights are spent with bonfires and family dinners, and conclude with me deep inside Charlie. Thanks to my sister Emma for offering to bunk with Lexi, Charlie and I have a room to ourselves. I’ll be buying Emma an extra special gift for Christmas this year.

  It’s Thanksgiving day and the women have been cooking and baking in the kitchen all day. I was worried about Charlie being comfortable but she fits in perfectly with us. The guys are all watching football, but I couldn’t even tell you who’s playing. My eyes can’t seem to veer away from Charlie. In California, she’s almost always in shorts but here she’s wearing some tight spandex looking pants which mold to her ass, paired with an adorable Texas A&M hoodie that looks like it’s been put through the wash a thousand times. Her hair is up in a high ponytail and she’s makeup free. She’s setting the table and every time she leans over I’m checking the clock, counting down the minutes until I can peel off those—

  My view is cut off when a pillow from the couch hits me right in my face before I can dodge it. “Hey!” I glare over at the guys, trying to figure out who threw it. Caleb is smirking and Marco is laughing. My dad is grinning ear-to-ear, and Mason’s face is completely void of all emotion minus the laughter in his eyes. Fucker!

  “What the hell was that for?”

  “I didn’t throw the pillow,” my dad says, “but I’m pretty sure it was because I called your name several times.”

  “And your pussy whipped ass was too busy staring at your woman to hear,” Mason chuckles. I throw the pillow back at Mason as Cooper and Nathan come walking out of the kitchen, their mouths filled with food.

  Not able to go another minute without touching my woman, I use the excuse of wanting some food. The guys all laugh but I ignore them. When I enter the kitchen, it’s filled with women. Bella and her huge belly is chopping something, my mom is pulling something out of the oven, Hayley—Marco’s mom—is filling a bowl full of bread, but the only person I care about is the woman who is reaching up on her tiptoes.

  I come up behind her, my front pushing right up against her spandex covered ass. One of my hands rests on her sexy hips while my other one extends up toward her hand, which is currently trying to reach the good plates. My fingers trail a line up her tricep and forearm, ending at her fingers. Charlie shivers lightly at my touch. “Your ass in these pants are going to have me coming in mine,” I murmur into her ear, and she shakes with laughter.

  She comes down from her tiptoes, her ass purposely rubbing up against my crotch, and turns around to face me. “Are you in here to help me or to distract me?” She tries to sound firm but her lips twitch, a smile breaking free.

  “I’m here to help you in any way you need.” I waggle my eyebrows as my hands go around her back, gliding down to that ass I can’t get enough of. I lean in for a kiss when my mom slaps my shoulder, reminding me we aren’t alone.

  “Tristan Scott, take it to the bedroom,” she scolds with zero seriousness in her tone. Charlie’s cheeks turn pink and I chuckle, not giving a shit.

  “I agree!” I exclaim, grabbing Charlie’s hand playfully, and pretending to pull her toward the bedroom. “Let’s take this to the bedroom!”

  “Oh my god! Tristan, stop!” Charlie squeals, pulling her hand out of mine. “Grab the plates, please.”

  I do as she requests and then head out back to check on Lexi, who is sipping on her hot chocolate while swinging on the bench, watching everyone play. I sit down next to her and steal a sip of her hot chocolate.

  “Why aren’t you playing?” I nod toward the others.

  “I’m mad at Micaela,” she states matter-of-factly.

  “Oh yeah…why?”

  “She said she’s getting a baby sister and that I can’t have one because I don’t have a mommy.” I store the fact that Micaela let it slip the sex of the baby—I’ll definitely be fucking with Marco about that one later—and focus on the issue at hand. I always knew the day would come when Lexi would ask about her mom. I just never knew what I would say. The truth is, I still don’t. It’s a shitty situation. I think a small part of me—the part that knows what it’s like to be without a parent—was hoping Gina would come to her senses one day and show up…or that she would die and I could say she’s dead and that’s why she isn’t around. I know that sounds horrible, but at least it would mean not having to tell Lexi her mom is alive and chooses not to be in her life.

  Unfortunately, neither of those scenarios have happened. “Well, Micaela was right, only mommies can have babies.” Lexi sets her cup down on the arm of the seat, crosses her arms over her chest, and lets out an annoyed huff. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a brother or sister one day.”

  Lexi looks at me, her eyes asking for further explanation. “One day I hope to get married, and when I do, you’ll maybe get a brother or sister.”

  “Can you marry Charlie?” Lexi asks.

  “I would like to,” I answer honestly.

  “Could she be my mommy then?” Lexi’s voice is now a whisper and her words going straight to my heart.

  “I think that’s something we’d have to ask Charlie, but for now, she might not be your mom, but she’s your friend, and I know she loves you very much. Plus, Auntie Morgan is having a baby and we’ll get to see him or her a lot.”

  Lexi nods then picks up her mug to take another sip of her hot chocolate. She doesn’t ask about her birth mother, and I don’t mention her. One day she will ask and hopefully by then I’ve come up with the perfect answer that won’t break my daughter’s heart.

  “I know this isn’t how you planned your future. You have everything outlined and in lists and you check them off as you go, but I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I love you and I’m asking that maybe we can start a new list, one that includes a future with us together as a family. Will you marry me?”

  Everyone sits at the dining room table shocked as Adam gets down on one knee next to Morgan’s chair—a jewelry box open with a shiny diamond sparkling inside. I glance from my mom, who has her hands over her mouth—she’s such a romantic—to my dad, who looks like he’s holding back from knocking this guy out. The little kids have no clue what is happening other than the fact that the food isn’t being served. The other adults a
re waiting for Morgan to answer, but then my eyes land on Charlie. Her expression is mournful. She’s mentioned before that she was married, and I’m assuming the guy she was with is the one that physically and emotionally abused her. She never brings him up. Any memories shared are only about her daughter.

  I haven’t wanted to push her, ask her questions she isn’t ready to answer, but that doesn’t mean I’m not curious. The more time we spend together, the more I notice. For instance, she said her credit is bad and she can’t have her name on anything. All signs point to her hiding out, which leads me to believe she’s hiding from Georgia’s father. In order for Charlie to move forward, at some point we’re going to have to face whatever she’s dealing with head on, and she’s going to have to trust me enough to fully let me in.

  Morgan sniffles. “I’ll never know if it’s just because of the baby.” Adam shakes his head. Poor guy, he’s proposing to a hormonal pregnant woman.

  “I loved you before the baby,” he insists. “You know that.” Morgan nods knowingly and takes a deep breath.

  “Okay, yes, I’ll marry you.” Everyone sighs in relief and says their congratulations, and then it’s finally time to eat some damn food. Lexi is sitting between Charlie and me, and since Charlie goes about making Lexi a plate of food before I can, I focus on piling my plate high: Potatoes, stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, corn, rolls, and some good old green bean casserole.

  “We have an announcement to make,” my dad says once everyone is done stuffing their faces with food. Everyone quiets down and Kaden continues. “After discussing this with Emma, who has agreed, we’ve decided to move to California. With Tristan and Mason over there and now Morgan, who will be starting a family soon. Ashley and I don’t want to miss out on the important events taking place, and it’s clear our kids aren’t planning to move back any time soon. We’re planning to put the house up for sale when we get back. Ashley would like to be moved before Morgan has the baby.”

  “Grandpa and Grandma!” Lexi squeals. “You’re moving to me?”

  “Yes, we are,” my mom gushes as Lexi jumps out of her seat and runs over to my mom, hopping up into her lap.

  Twenty-Two

  Charlie

  “Quit your job.”

  “No.”

  “Please, baby. You spend all day at the studio and all night working your ass off. I miss you.”

  Tristan and I are lying in his bed. It’s three in the morning and I just got to his place from work. I’m exhausted and I know he’s right, but I’m afraid if the studio doesn’t bring in a profit, I won’t have anything to fall back on. While I gave in on renting the place from Tristan, I insisted I pay him a monthly fee, and I’m covering all the renovation costs that are being done to the studio. It’s expected to open right after the first of the year and I am beyond excited. I have finally decided on a name—You Paint Art Studio—and I need to create a website. I even came up with a cute tagline—Paint to Unwind—and had some cards made up. I need to look into advertising, but I want to wait until most of the work is done so I can take some pictures.

  “I’ll think about it,” I say, then change the subject. “I was thinking maybe we could take Lexi to go get a tree this weekend. Christmas is only a few weeks away.”

  Tristan wraps me up in his arms, his legs caging mine in. “That sounds perfect, babe.” He pulls my face up to his and kisses me before we both fall asleep.

  “Lexi, go put your clothes away in your drawers please.” I hand Lexi a stack of her tiny clothes and she takes them to her room. Tristan was doing the laundry and making dinner when Brent called him to let him know the kids’ mixed-martial-arts class was going to have to be cancelled because the instructor called out sick. I told Tristan I didn’t mind watching Lexi while he goes over to teach the class, and since he had to leave in a rush, I figured I would finish up his laundry and dinner for him.

  As I’m taking the pan of baked chicken parmesan out of the oven, the door slams shut and Mason yells out his usual, “Honey, I’m home.”

  “Wrong honey,” I shout back, placing the pan on the stove and meeting him in the living room.

  “Or the right one,” he jokes. “Where’s Tristan?”

  “Teaching the kids MMA class. Evan called out sick. He just left a few minutes ago.”

  Mason drops his bag to the floor and tosses his keys onto the counter. “I must’ve just missed him.” He drops down onto the couch.

  “Uncle Mason!” Lexi comes running over to Mason and jumps into his lap. I head back into the kitchen to check on the vegetables and start the potatoes. I’m almost through peeling and cutting the entire bag of potatoes when I hear a Lexi scream. Forgetting the food, I run into the living room to find Lexi in tears, holding her arm, and Mason nowhere to be seen.

  I drop to my knees next to Lexi just as Mason comes running out of his room and kneels down next to her. Not sure what’s wrong, I don’t pick her up.

  “Lexi, what happened?” I ask, panicking. Tears are flying down her face and she’s grabbing her arm, and that’s when I notice her wrist is dangling in the wrong direction with what looks like a bone popping out under her skin.

  “My-my hand,” she hiccups.

  “Mason, we need to get her to the hospital. I think her wrist is broken.” Mason, who is acting a lot calmer than I am, agrees.

  “Okay, I’ll pick her up. Go make sure the oven and stove are off and call Tristan to let him know to meet us at the hospital.” I jump up and rush over to the kitchen, shut off the oven and stove, and throw the hot pots into the sink. Then I pull on my boots and meet Mason at the door. Lexi is in his arms and is now sobbing uncontrollably.

  Mason sets Lexi into the back of his vehicle and I slide in next to her. The ride feels like it takes forever as I comfort Lexi the best I can while texting and calling Tristan. When he doesn’t answer, I call the gym and ask that he call me immediately. We get to the emergency room, and after Mason sets Lexi down on my lap, he checks her in.

  “It’s okay, sweet girl,” I coo. “The doctor is going to make it all better.” Lexi’s tear-stricken face glances up at me, her chest bouncing up and down. “Shh…it’s okay,” I say as I hold her close, careful not to jostle her arm or hand. Pulling her now wet hair—from all the tears—away from her face, I grab my ponytail holder from my wrist and tie her hair up in a messy bun.

  “Alexandria Scott,” a nurse calls out, and Mason gently takes Lexi from my arms, carrying her back as I follow behind. We’re brought back to the pediatric unit and another nurse appears.

  “Good evening, my name is Mila Sterling and I’ll be looking after Alexandria today. It says here you might have…” The nurse stops reading what’s on her clipboard and looks up. She takes one look at Mason and starts stuttering. “Umm…” She clears her throat and focuses her attention on Lexi. “It says here you might have broken your wrist?” She keeps her eyes trained on Lexi. “Why don’t you set her down on the bed and I’ll get the paperwork started before the doctor comes in.” Her voice is now all squeaky as she tries to look everywhere but at Mason.

  One glance in his direction and I see why. He’s smirking. And I’m not talking about his usual I’m Mason and I know the ladies love me smirk. I’m talking about the go ahead and eat your heart out baby because I’m about to take you on the ride of your life kind of smirk.

  Mila quickly composes herself, though, and her face goes from looking shocked to looking…pissed? Disgusted? Oh no! Please don’t tell me… “Mason,” I whisper. “Did you and her…” I nod my head toward the nurse—who is now taking Lexi’s vitals—and Mason plays dumb. “Did you and her”—He tilts his head. Asshole is going to make me say it—“go fishing?”

  Mason throws his head back in laughter and I groan. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Charlie. I don’t think Tristan would appreciate that.”

  I smack him on his arm and the nurse looks back and forth between the two of us. I lean in closer to Mason so she can’t hear. “I just want to ma
ke sure she won’t try to take her anger out on Lexi.” And this, of course, earns me another laugh. Shoving Mason to the side, I get up and stand next to Lexi.

  “Is my daddy on his way?” Lexi asks, tears welling up in her eyes again. Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I notice I have no service. Shit! Good thing I texted Tristan what happened and where we are.

  “He should be here soon, sweet girl.” I grab the chair I was just sitting in and drag it over to her bed. Taking the hand that isn’t in pain, I lace our fingers together. “Just let me know if you need anything at all. Okay?” Lexi nods.

  Just as the nurse is finishing up taking her temperature, Tristan comes crashing into the room. He’s still wearing his MMA gi and he looks like he’s died a thousand deaths on his way over here.

  “Lexi!” He kneels over her bed and kisses her on her forehead. “What the heck happened?” His gaze darts from Lexi to me to Mason, and the reality of the situation hits me like a ton of bricks. I’m sitting in a hospital room with Lexi because I was watching her and she more than likely broke her wrist, and I was so worried about getting her here, I don’t even know what happened.

  “I-I’m sorry, Daddy,” Lexi lets out another sob. “I was playing with Uncle Mason and when he left to take a shower, I jumped off the couch. My hand…it hurts so, so bad.” Her cries come harder and my heart shatters. I should’ve been watching her. My eyes should’ve never left her. If I wouldn’t have been trying to play house by cooking and doing the laundry, she’d still be at home safe and sound instead of in a hospital bed. What if she had fallen differently and broken her neck? Oh my god! I could’ve been responsible for two children’s deaths!

  “I’m so sorry,” I choke out, tears stinging my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall. I don’t deserve to cry. I stand up, unsure of where to go or what to do. I don’t want to leave Lexi’s side but I shouldn’t be here. I don’t deserve to be here. Tristan steps away from the side of the bed and is in front of me before I can make it out of the room.