Hard, powerful thrusts take me, mark me in ways I never thought possible, until I’m crying out, the eruption of my release mixed with his flooding my entire body. My heart opens completely. And I know it’s not just me who’s been consumed. He’s as much mine as I’m his. Together we’re whole. The broken pieces inside of us fusing together into something new.
Something unbreakable.
Chapter Twenty-One
Blake
“You’re sure this is okay?” Kiley asks, fidgeting in the seat next to me.
I turn off the ignition and take her hand. It wasn’t easy tracking Lucy down. And for a few weeks, I’d worried that Amy had lied to Kiley about the child still being alive. But I’d gotten the call two nights ago from my PI, telling me that she’d been adopted by a husband and wife, both teachers, who live twenty minutes outside of the city.
“I talked to the husband, and he said they were happy to meet with you. But if it’s too much—”
“No.” She gives me a small smile. “I want to see her. Even if it’s just once.” She opens her door, but I see the worry that tugs at her mouth when she gets out.
The weeks following the shooting, I had a hard time letting her out of my sight. Even though I know the danger has passed, I think there will always be a part of me that feels like I need to protect her. But I also need to trust her.
And I do.
Completely.
With my heart. With my love. With my child.
We’ve kept it a secret, even from Kane and Brynne, needing the time for ourselves. But we plan on telling them today. And I know it’s another reason why she’s nervous.
I have my own reasons for being nervous. Today is her birthday and when we leave here, I have a surprise for her. But my focus has to be one hundred percent on her right now, because I see the fear creeping into her expression as we walk up the cobblestone pathway toward the house.
I stop and take Kiley’s hand, kissing each knuckle. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m just having a hard time processing it all, I guess. Two years I thought Lucy was...”
“I know.”
“But she’s alive and Amy is gone. I know it’s not my fault, but...”
I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead, wishing I could take away all the pain she’s been through. Sometimes when I let my mind wander and think about the horrors she’s seen, a fierce anger builds inside of me.
It makes me want to make sure the rest of her life is free of pain.
But I know the truth, I can’t protect her from everything. There will be trials and heartbreak ahead of us. And that’s okay. Because what I can do, the only real thing I’m capable of is making sure she’s loved.
“I love you,” I murmur against the top of her head.
It seems insane to me now, that I’d tried to deny the emotion existed. Because there’s nothing more real than the way I feel about her.
Kiley leans up and kisses me softly. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me strength.”
I grunt. “You’re the strongest person I know, Kiley.”
A small smile touches her lips. “I’m stronger when I’m with you.”
I nod, understanding. Because it’s how I feel too.
“I’m ready,” she says, exhaling a heavy breath and straightening her shoulders.
I squeeze her hand and we walk up the steps.
The woman who meets us at the front door greets us with a broad smile, her dark eyes friendly and welcoming. “You must be Blake and Kiley. Come in. I’m Heather and this is my husband, Jeremy.”
“My God,” Jeremy says behind her. “I didn’t believe it when you called, but you really are Blake Starowics. Shit, Blake Starowics is in my freaking house.”
I shake his hand and chuckle. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
They usher us into the living room, and we sit on the couch, Heather and Jeremy across from us on the matching loveseat. The house is warm, inviting and I see Kiley relax slightly.
“Lucy is napping, but she should be up soon,” Heather says. “It’ll give us a chance to talk.”
“Thank you for letting us come by,” Kiley says. “I know it’s probably awkward for you.”
“Not at all.” The woman takes her husband’s hand, leaning into him, and it’s easy to see their connection. Right away, I get a good feeling about them, even if the guy is slightly star-struck by my presence.
“Blake told me a bit about your story on the phone,” Jeremy says.
“I’m so sorry about your friend.” There’s real compassion in Heather’s eyes. “We didn’t know anything about Amy, but I’ll always be grateful that she gave us Lucy. I was happy when I heard you called, because we want Lucy to know where she came from. Who the woman that gave birth to her was.”
“Amy had a... a hard life,” Kiley says. For a moment, she goes silent, eyes glazing over, but then she swallows and refocuses on Heather. “But I’m hoping Lucy’s will be better.”
Jeremy places an arm around his wife’s shoulder and squeezes it. “We’ll make sure of it. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Mama.” A little girl with white-blonde pigtails runs into the room, jumping into Heather’s arms and burying her face against the woman’s chest.
“Hey cupcake.” Heather strokes the girl’s cheek. “We have visitors. Can you say hello to Kiley and Blake? They came here to see you.”
Kiley tenses beside me, and I can feel the emotions rolling off her. “Hi Lucy.”
The girl twists slightly, peeping over her shoulder at us. “Hi.”
“I know you don’t remember me,” Kiley says, swiping at a tear that rolls down her cheek. “But I knew you when you were a baby.”
“I’m f-ree now,” Lucy says, holding up three fingers.
I’m free. It hits me square in the chest. I know the child was trying to say three, but it’s poetic that it came out as free. Because in a way she is. Free from the cycle of neglect and abuse Amy finally succumbed to.
And so is Kiley.
Free.
“You’re getting so big.” Kiley places the giftbag she brought on the coffee table, and I can tell she’s struggling not to scoop the girl up and hug her. “I brought you something.” She looks at Heather. “I hope that’s okay.”
Heather nods, then says to Lucy, “Go see what it is.”
Lucy slips off her mom’s lap and hesitantly walks toward Kiley, taking the bag and pulling out the brown stuffed rabbit.
“It’s a wabbit,” Lucy says, hugging it to her chest.
“I gave you one just like it when you were born.” Kiley swipes at her eyes again, and I see the tears pooling there, tears that she can no longer contain.
“Why are you sad?” Lucy looks up at her.
“I’m not. I’m just... happy.” Kiley smiles at her, and it’s a real smile. Full of hope, relief, and love. “I’m so happy, Lucy.”
“Why?”
“To see you.” She leans forward, forearms on her thighs. “And I’m happy that you have a good mommy and daddy. They love you very much. I can tell.”
Lucy grins at her. “Mommy is the best singer in the whole wide world.”
“She is?”
Lucy nods animatedly, and the two of them fall into an easy conversation that eventually leads to cookies and milk in the kitchen. I stay in the living room with Jeremy and talk sports, letting the girls have their moment.
An hour later, we’re saying our goodbyes, and I see a lightness to Kiley’s step that I haven’t seen before. It’s like she’s been released from a burden, the heaviness of guilt gone from her eyes.
“Please, stop by anytime,” Heather says.
“Thank you.” Kiley hugs her like she’s known the woman for a lifetime. “Thank you for giving Lucy the life she deserves.”
By the time we’re walking away, both women are in tears, and even I’m choked up.
In the car, I don’
t push Kiley to talk. I’ve learned that she’ll open up when she’s ready. When I first met her, my only intention was to keep her safe, to protect her. It’s still one of my main goals, and it always will be. But it’s so much more than that now. If I can do one thing right in this world, it’s to make sure she knows she’s loved.
And God, I do love her.
I glance over and take her hand, my chest squeezing with all the emotions that build there every time I look at her.
She gives me a smile, one that lights up her whole face.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Better than okay. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Thank you for that.”
“I’m glad we were able to find her.”
“She’s doing so well. Heather seems like a wonderful mom. I think Lucy really has a chance...” Her eyes go distant and she looks out the window. “It’s crazy...”
“What is?”
“How being surrounded by the right people can break you or lift you up. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but it seems like Lucy ended up where she was supposed to.” Her hand flutters to her belly. “I just hope I don’t screw this up.”
“You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
Her lips lift slightly, but I see the worry in her eyes. “I don’t know anything about being in a normal family.”
I grunt. “Is there even such a thing as a normal family? Our baby is going to be loved, that’s all that matters.” I pull the car to the curb in front of Kane and Brynne’s new house and put it in park. “And that you’re happy.”
“I am. Happier than I’ve ever been. And it’s terrifying. I keep expecting something bad to happen. But then I look at you, and I know everything is going to be fine.”
“I love you.” I stroke her cheek. “And I’m not the only one. You have a family now.”
Kiley glances over at the large house and takes in a deep breath. “Do we really have to tell them today?”
“Yes,” I tell her, kissing her before getting out of the car.
Because today is about new beginnings. About creating something that can’t be broken. It’s about celebrating her life. A life that for one paralyzing moment, I thought I’d lost.
“I’d much rather spend my birthday in bed,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her body against mine.
I groan, my cock turning to steel at the temptation. “Trust me, sweetheart, tonight I’ll make all your birthday wishes come true,” I say, grinning down at her. “But it’s not fair to keep you all to myself today.”
She frowns, not looking convinced. And I know she thinks Brynne and Kane forgot about her birthday. But in order to pull off what’s waiting for us inside, and keep it a secret, I needed them both to keep their distance this week.
“Today we celebrate not just your birthday, but the life of our child, and our family.”
“Our family?” She blinks up at me.
I grin down at her. “You may not have a ring on your finger yet. But that’s what we are. You. Me.” I place my hand on her stomach. “This baby.”
“Family,” she says softly, and I see the acceptance there.
Pride fills me as I look at her and see my own emotions reflected in her eyes. A love that matches my own. And it gives me the courage to do what I’ve been planning for the last three weeks.
I take her hand and lead her toward the house, toward our own, slightly broken, happily ever after.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kiley
“Everything will be okay,” Blake says softly against the shell of my ear. “Trust me.”
But the knots in my stomach warn me not to expect a joyful reaction from my brother. I’d thought I’d made some progress with Kane the last couple of months. But both Brynne and he have been awkward with me this past week, avoiding my calls, and being short with me when they have answered.
And today, of all days, I’d thought one of them would have at least sent me a text. I’ve never made a big deal about my birthday, but even if they forgot about it, they knew I was going to see Lucy. I’d hoped that at least Brynne would have called me.
I’m not sure if they’re angry with me, but the last thing I want is to cause any more tension. And I have a feeling that our news will cause just that. No matter how positive Blake seems to be, I’m nervous.
They love you, my heart beats, despite my insecurities. And I know it’s true. But my hormones have made me a giant blob of emotions lately.
When Blake rings the doorbell and no one answers, I say quickly, “See, they’re not here.”
He tugs me to his chest, and chuckles, kissing my temple. “You’re not getting out of this.”
I groan. “All I’ve ever done is disappoint Kane, and I can’t imagine what he’s going to think of me when I tell him I’m knocked up by his best friend.”
“If he’s upset, that’s on him.” Blake smiles down at me, unfazed by my grumbling. “But I think you’ll be surprised by how he’ll react.”
I sigh. “Always an optimist. Why are you so intent on telling him today?”
“Because I’m happy, Kiley.” He holds my gaze. “You’re mine and I want everyone to know it. I know you’re worried about what Kane’s going to think, but this baby isn’t a mistake, it’s a new start. For both of us.”
“I know, but—”
He kisses me, silencing my protest. “Trust me.”
“I do.”
“Good.” He smiles, taking my hand before opening the front door.
“Surprise,” multiple voices yell as we walk inside.
I startle backward, and Blake’s arms wrap around me as I take in the hoard of people, the balloons, streamers, and the large, homemade banner that hangs from the staircase that reads ‘Happy Birthday, Kiley!’
Brynne is the first to rush toward me, pulling me into a hug. “Happy Birthday.”
“You did all this?” I ask, looking around at the people. Friends I’ve recently met at school. Some of Blake and Kane’s team mates that I’ve gotten to know well over the past couple of years. Moms that I met at the park when I’ve taken Noah. The whole house is full.
“Were you surprised?” Brynne asks, smiling. “It’s been so hard keeping it from you. I’m so bad at keeping secrets.”
Emotions build inside me, and I can only manage to nod.
Kane comes up behind Brynne, handing Noah to her before pulling me into a hug. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe you did this.” All the fears I walked in here with are gone.
“The party was Blake’s idea, but I wanted to do something special this year. Especially since...” He rubs the back of his neck and grimaces. “One of the worst fucking moments of my life, when I thought...” He gives me a stern look, or at least attempts to, because I see the small smile he unsuccessfully hides. “Just don’t scare me like that again. I like having a sister.”
“I love you too,” I tell him, hearing his unspoken words.
He grins, and I see the acceptance in his eyes, the affection that I’d been hoping for when I’d first met him. It hadn’t been there then. And I realize the truth about family. Blood doesn’t make you close to someone. It connects you, sure. But it’s the time you put in that nurtures those bonds. That’s what family is. Time. Acceptance. People who know your flaws, and love you not just in spite of them, but because of them.
Maybe it’s my hormones, but I can’t help the tears that form. So much for not being a person who cries. I think I’ve spilled more tears the last few months than I have in my entire life. But it’s been healing.
I’m pulled into more hugs and conversations, and then people start to sing Happy Birthday and a large cake is rolled out.
“Make a wish, sweetheart,” Blake says, coming up behind me. His hands are on me, steadying, powerful and yet tender.
“I already have everything I want,” I tell him. It’s the truth.
Blake smirks at me. “I’m sure you can think of someth
ing to wish for.”
I close my eyes for a moment and let myself dream a little. Then I blow out the candles and make a wish - for more moments like this.
Moments when everything fits together.
Moments when I’m surrounded by people who really love me.
“What did you wish for?” he whispers against my ear.
“I can’t tell you, or it won’t come true.”
“Maybe I can make one of them come true now?” he says, smiling and when he starts to kneel, it takes me a moment to realize what he’s about to do.
There’s a hush that surrounds us.
“I love you, Kiley.” He pulls out a small, velvet box from his pocket. “I know you already said yes, but I didn’t do it right the first time.”
I suck in a small breath when he opens the box and I see the diamond ring. But it’s the look he gives me, so full of love, warmth, and hope that takes my breath away.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” My chest constricts with so much happiness.
He slips the ring on my finger and stands. His gaze is intense, and I see a flash of worry there, before he asks, “Now? Today. I want you to be my wife, Kiley.” He cups my jaw. “But, if you want a big wedding, I’ll give you it. Or if you want to go to an island somewhere, then we’ll go. I just want you to be mine.”
“I am yours.” The tears I’d managed to hold back earlier, fall down my cheeks now. “I always was.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes,” I manage to say. There’s nothing I want more than to be his wife.
He kisses me. Hard. And people cheer.
And then I’m being pulled away from him by Brynne and a few of the other player’s wives, who lead me upstairs to one of the bedrooms and start primping and gushing over me. A simple white gown hangs in the corner, and I wonder how much Brynne was involved with all this.
“How?” I ask.
“Mostly Blake. But I helped a bit. Do you like it?”
I run my fingers over the silk. “It’s perfect.”
Brynne grins and then a whirlwind of activity surrounds me, and when they’re done, and I look in the mirror, I suck in a small breath.
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