I tell him how it went down, and just as I’ve finished speaking, the door opens, and Heather enters the room. I stand, going to her immediately. She grabs me into a hug, and her body trembles against me. “Thank you for being there for him,” she whispers, releasing me, and taking one of my hands in hers.
“It’s lucky we happened to be walking past,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at Slater.
“Thank you too, Slater.” She smiles weakly at him.
“I’m glad I could help. Is he going to be okay?” Slater asks.
“The doctors want to keep him in for a day or two to run some tests. They need to determine what caused the seizure.”
“You should tell them about his migraines too. They were more frequent in the—”
“What the hell is she doing here!?” a high-pitched voice shrieks, cutting me off mid- sentence.
Bianca storms into the room, glaring at me like she wishes I was dead.
“Bianca.” Heather touches her arm, attempting to placate her. “Gabby and Slater were the ones who brought Dylan here.”
“That doesn’t explain why she’s still here,” she snaps, sending venom-filled glances my way.
“I’ve known Dylan since I was ten years old, and I have every right to be here. More of a right than you.” Every muscle in my body is locked tight, and I’m in no mood for putting up with her catty shit. Slater comes up behind me, placing his hand on my lower back.
“I’m his girlfriend, and I don’t want you here.” She pouts like a toddler getting ready to throw a temper tantrum.
“Tough shit, and I don’t answer to you.”
Tension bleeds into the air as we face off, and I have to quell the urge to swing my fist in her face. I don’t think I’ve every truly hated anyone before, but I’m pretty sure I hate Bianca. She got her way. She coaxed Dylan out of my arms, and he’s no longer mine, so what difference does it make if I’m sitting here?
“If you won’t leave, I’ll get the staff to throw you out,” she threatens.
I very much doubt she’d be able to do that, and it’s not like having girlfriend status gives her any weight around here, so I’m tempted to tell her to shove her threat up her ass and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. But Heather looks really upset, and that’s the only reason I back down.
“I don’t want to cause a scene,” I tell Heather, ignoring Bianca completely. “So, I’ll leave, but I’m doing this for you and Dylan. Can you text me updates as you receive them?”
“Of course.” Her expression is one of complete gratitude.
“Let’s go.” I take hold of Slater’s hand. “I’ll talk to you later, Mom and Dad,” I say as Ryan and Myndi rise.
“We’ll come with,” Ryan says, glowering at Bianca. “Let’s leave Banging Bianca to look after her boyfriend. I’m sure she’ll make an excellent caretaker.” His tone is thick with sarcasm, and I could happily kiss him for coming to my defense. Bianca digs her nails into her palms, and I can tell she’d love to have a go at Ryan, but she doesn’t want to risk upsetting Heather further.
The four of us walk outside, and I only release the breath I’d been holding in the corridor.
“Jealous bitch,” Myndi fumes. “She’s clearly worried if she feels you’re still a threat.”
“She’s right to be worried,” Ryan adds. “I’ve spotted Dylan around campus the last few weeks with plenty of girls who aren’t Bianca. I highly doubt she’s even his girlfriend.”
“Can we stop talking about her? She puts me in such a foul mood.”
Slater presses a kiss to my temple as we wait outside the elevator.
“Gabby!”
I turn at the sound of Heather’s voice, watching as she runs toward me.
“Gabby, I’m so sorry about that.” Unhappiness is transparent on her face. “If anyone is leaving, it should be that rude young woman, but she’s Dylan’s girlfriend, and I’m not sure he’d want me to do that.”
It hurts that Heather can’t stick up for me even if throwing Bianca out might upset Dylan. But I won’t add to her woes, and she’s clearly beside herself with worry, so I can afford to push my hurt under the carpet and be the bigger person. “It’s fine, Heather. I understand. Just make sure Dylan knows I was here and that I’m worried about him.”
“I’ll ensure he knows. Thank you again.”
She scurries back to the waiting room, and we make our way out of the hospital in silence.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Heather is true to her word, texting me regular updates from the hospital over the course of the next two days. My parents got to speak to Dylan the first night, and they confirmed he seemed okay, and he was asking for me. Slater and I haven’t talked much about it, and I’m trying to focus on getting through my exams and not worrying too much, but it’s challenging because I can’t shake the awful thought that something is seriously wrong.
“I feel guilty for worrying about Dylan, like it’s cheating on Slate to even be thinking of my ex,” I tell Myndi on Friday night. We’re having a girls’ night out with some of our classmates to celebrate the end of our exams.
“If it was anyone but those two guys, I’d probably say I understand. However, Slater knows your history with Dylan, and he was worried about him that day too. I think he’d worry if you weren’t concerned about your ex.”
“Hmm, that’s probably true,” I say, sipping my soda. “And he was amazing when it was all going down. Helping me with Dylan and insisting I go in the ambulance with him.”
“Slater’s an amazing guy, Gabby.” She slurps her cocktail through a straw, and I momentarily reconsider my choice of beverage, but I’m just not in the mood for alcohol tonight. Since the night I got trashed and almost made a huge mistake with that asshole Jack, I’ve stuck to soda anytime I’ve gone out. I prefer to have a clear head so I don’t risk making any more stupid decisions, and I haven’t really felt like drinking anyway.
“He is. He’s the best.”
“And there it is,” Myndi deadpans. “The dreamy look of love.”
I chink my glass against hers. “It takes one to know one,” I tease back.
“Amen to that sister. We did good, Gabby. Real good.”
“I know, and I’m deliriously happy with Slate, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t crazy concerned about Dylan. It’s not like I can just switch off my feelings. We might not be together, but I don’t want anything to happen to him.”
“I’m sure if it was anything serious, you’d have found out by now,” she reassures me.
Slater and I hang around Newark for another few days, working some extra shifts at the club, before we pack up and head home for the holidays.
We’ve decided to stay at Slater’s place, but we’ll sleep over at my parents’ house Christmas Eve and Christmas Day night. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the time alone—especially the ability to have wild, noisy, monkey sex whenever we want and wherever we want.
Sex with Slater is my new addiction, and it’s just as well I’m flexible from yoga because the positions he gets me into demand extreme flexibility and stamina. While we’ve been going at it like rabbits the last few weeks, neither of us have been able to fully let go back at the house because we’re conscious of my brother and Austin and the paper-thin walls.
So, yeah, I’m going to enjoy this break, and I’m planning to make the most of it, including taking the time to find out what’s going on with my ex. I’ve all but decided I’m going to drop by Dylan’s house to find out what’s going on when he texts me from his mom’s phone, confirming he has meningitis and he’s being kept in the hospital for observation and treatment. When I offer to come visit, he confirms there’s a strict no-visitor policy in place. He tells me not to worry and wishes me Merry Christmas, and I get the distinct impression he just doesn’t want or need me around.
“
Penny for your thoughts,” Slate says, coming into the living room and throwing his coat and scarf down on the couch. I shriek when he places his cold hands on my cheeks, hopping up and knocking him off the arm of the chair. He chuckles, pushing himself up from the floor.
“Shit, your hands are like icicles.”
“It’s fucking freezing out there. I think it might snow this year.”
“Oh, I’d love it if it did,” I say in a whimsical voice. “I love the snow.”
“I know you do.” He draws me into his body, tweaking my nose. “Remember the time we tried to build an igloo in your backyard?”
I giggle. “We were such idiots. There was only about four inches of snow on the ground, barely enough to make a snowman let alone attempt an igloo.”
“Remember Dylan printed out that ‘how to make an igloo’ guide he downloaded from Google and he got real mad at the three of us because we kept trying to skip some of the steps.”
“Yeah, he’s a bit anal like that at times.” My smile fades a little. “I hope he’s okay.”
Slater sinks into the chair, pulling me down onto his lap. “I thought you said he doesn’t have a serious strain of meningitis and that he’ll recover?”
I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Yeah, but I can’t help worrying.”
He rubs his hand up and down my spine. “He’ll be fine.”
I look up at him. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. It’s not fair to keep mentioning my ex.”
“It’s a bit of an unusual situation, and you and me both know Dylan is much more than just your ex. He was your best friend growing up. I’m trying to remember that and not get too jealous.”
“You have nothing to be jealous of.” I move around in his lap until I’m straddling him. I lean down and brush my mouth against his. “I’m with you now. I love you, and you’ve made me unbelievably happy. That’s not going to change, but I can’t pretend that I don’t care about Dylan or worry about him. Maybe I shouldn’t, because what he did to me was horrible, but I can’t force myself to feel a certain way.”
“And I wouldn’t want you to.” He smooths a hand over my hair. “I might be jealous, but I also don’t want you to change. Dylan was a huge part of your life, and I know how big your heart is and that you won’t ever completely turn your back on him. I know you’ll always care about him, especially when he’s unwell.” He grazes his thumb along my cheek. “And you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t feel like that. Don’t worry about me, I can process my own selfish thoughts.”
I kiss the shit out of him after that speech, pouring every emotion into it. When I pull back, both our cheeks are flushed, our lips swollen. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m going to offer thanks to God every single day.” Tears prick my eyes. “Jeez, Slate, you couldn’t be any more perfect, and I fucking love the shit out of you. Trust me, you have nothing to fear, nothing to be jealous of. I’m all yours.”
“Prove it.” His eyes twinkle mischievously.
“Challenge accepted.” I slide off his body, whipping my sweater dress and leggings off in record time. Slater’s pupils dilate as he watches me through hooded eyes. His hands are locked behind his head, and his lazy sprawl belies the heat in his gaze. Keeping my eyes locked on his, I unclip my bra and fling it aside. Then I shimmy my lace thong down my legs, standing in front of him completely naked.
His erection is straining against the denim of his dark-stained jeans as I lean over him, popping the button and dragging them down his legs. “Do you ever wear underwear?” I inquire, amusement coloring my tone while I remove his jeans and socks.
“Around you? Never. Easy access, babe.” He smirks, and I swat his hand away as he reaches out to cup my breasts. “No touching until I tell you you can.”
“Fuck. I love it when you turn all dominatrix.”
I lift the hem of his shirt, and he helps me pull it up and over his head. I stand in between his legs, drinking him in from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. His hard-on stands proud against his stomach, the tip of his cock already glistening with precum. No matter how many times we fuck, he’s always aroused and ready for action at the drop of a hat.
I crawl over him, keeping my body aloft as I bend down and capture his mouth in mine. Our tongues duel fiercely, and he slaps my ass firmly. I moan into his mouth as liquid drips from my pussy. “Touch me,” I command in a breathy voice, and he instantly dips two fingers into my wet heat. I push down on his fingers as he nips at my nipples with his teeth, gently biting the puckered tips. I grind against his hand, already dying for him.
“Fuck, Belle. You’re always so wet for me.”
“You turn me on so much, Slate. And I can’t wait any longer. I need you.” I take hold of his wrist, pulling his fingers out of my body, and then I position myself over his throbbing length, lowering onto his cock until I’m fully seated. I don’t move for a moment, enjoying the fullness of his body in mine and the intimacy of our connection.
His hands glide up my thighs and skate over my stomach. He fondles my tits, rolling and pinching my nipples, sending darts of desire shooting to my core. I start moving, leisurely at first, up and down, and circling my hips. A groan leaves his lips, and the hands on my tits grow more urgent. He rocks his hips up, pushing into me as I press down, and I moan as pleasurable tremors invade my body, heating me all over.
“Come here,” he says, pulling me down to him so he can devour my mouth. We rock gently against one another as we kiss, and his fingers trace a path up and down my spine. I’m squirming against him, on fire all over, and craving everything he’s offering. “I love you,” he whispers.
“I love you too,” I murmur against his mouth.
“Show me how much, baby. Ride me hard.”
I don’t need any more encouragement. Sitting up, I lift and slam back down, going harder and faster, picking up speed and thrusting my hips forward, so his cock is angling perfectly inside me, hitting my sweet spot. Slater grabs one of my hips and starts thrusting up into me, while his other hand moves lower and his thumb starts rubbing my clit. We’re both moaning, bucking our hips and riding harder and faster, until my orgasm creeps up on me out of nowhere, and I shatter on top of him, milking his cock, clenching and pulsing as my release rockets through me.
Lightning fast, he flips us around, pulling out as my back hits the chair. He strokes himself over my stomach, and streams of hot semen shoot over my slick skin. He empties his load on top of me, roaring my name as his orgasm reaches a peak. Then he collapses on top of me, uncaring about the sticky present he just gave me, and I wrap my legs and arms around him, just holding him to me. His face is pressed against my chest, and I kiss the top of his head, threading my fingers through his hair. He hasn’t cut it since returning to UD, and I love it longer like this, curling around his ears and the back of his neck.
“Fuck, that was incredible,” he says after a bit as I continue to run my fingers through his hair.
“Every time with you is incredible,” I truthfully reply.
“Way to stroke a guy’s ego,” he jokes.
“In your case, it’s true.”
I protest when he gets up, extending his hand toward me. He chuckles. “We need to shower, babe, and I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”
His cock is already hard again, and I lick my lips, reaching for it as he pulls me to my feet. “Show me what you’ve got, stud,” I say, caressing him slowly. “And maybe I’ll make it worth your while.”
He throws me over his shoulder and smacks my ass. “Now you’re asking for it, and you know I never back down from a challenge.”
He spends the rest of the night proving that to me.
Christmas comes and goes, and we’ve only a few more days left here before we return to college. Snow made an appearance, as Slater predicted, and I enjoyed being confined to S
later’s house, watching TV and making love in front of a roaring fire, enjoying one another’s company and each other’s bodies. But the last couple of days I’ve been feeling unwell. It’s hard to describe, but I’ve been experiencing these weird stomach cramps, and Slater was insistent I go to the doctor, so I’m currently standing outside the doctor’s office, in complete shock after leaving my appointment.
My mind is whirling a million miles an hour, and I’m trying to put some structure to my thoughts before I walk to the restaurant to meet Slater. We’ve barely left his house the whole vacation, and, as the snow has now cleared, he was adamant he was taking me out for an early dinner.
I start walking in the direction of the restaurant, but I’m locked in my mind the entire time, wondering how this happened and how the hell I’m supposed to break this kind of news. Before I know it, I look up, and I’ve arrived at the new little Italian place we’ve heard so much about. I don’t even remember the journey here, and, as I push through the door into the welcoming warmth, I’m still in a daze, still no wiser as to how to tell Slater my news.
The waitress escorts me to a small booth tucked into the corner of the restaurant. As it’s early, it’s not busy, and there are only a couple of other tables filled. Slater stands, pressing a kiss to my lips and helping me out of my coat. The waitress looks on with evident envy on her face.
“What can I get you to drink?” I vaguely hear her ask.
“Belle? Baby?” Slater’s brow puckers in concern. “Do you want a sparkling water or a soda?”
“I, uh, I’ll have a sparkling water. Thanks,” I mumble, sliding into the seat beside my boyfriend.
“What is it?” he asks the minute the waitress is out of earshot. “You’re scaring the hell out of me right now.”
I gulp over the wedge of emotion in my throat, turning to face him. He takes my hands in his. “Shit, Belle. You’re trembling. What’s going on?”
Tears well in my eyes, and I’m almost choked with emotion, but, somehow, I manage to blurt the words out. “I’m pregnant, Slater. We’re having a baby.”
When Forever Changes Page 25
