“You don’t have to announce me,” Monique huffs. She hasn’t made it into my office physically yet, but I can hear her. “Twig is my girl from way back.”
I grimace at her use of that nickname.
Monique enters my office and places the large, brown paper sack on my desk.
“You need to check that new assistant of yours. Ms. Agnes knew what was up.”
“Leslie does well,” I protest.
“She made me wait in the lobby while she checked to see if you were available,” Mo fusses, plopping a hand on her hip.
“The nerve of her.” I giggle.
“So stop stalling, Twig. Take the damn test already.”
My heart nearly freezes with fear when Monique pulls three pregnancy tests from the bag. I don’t think I need to take one. Periods can disappear, breasts can be tender, bodies can be bloated and not be pregnant.
“Nope.” I place them all back in the bag in the same order that she had pulled them out. “My body is just playing tricks on me, that’s all.”
Monique pulls out her cellphone.
“Devlin. Hey. This is Monique. There is a situation with Ayron, and I kind of need your help.”
I snatch the phone away from Monique in horror.
“Dev. I’m sorry she called you,” I stutter into the phone. I wish I could really shoot darts with my eyes. I give Monique my best evil glare.
“You all right?” he asks. “I just walked out of a meeting. You need me to come downstairs?”
“No,” I respond, a little too eagerly. “I’m good. Monique is just being Monique. I love you.” I add those words to try and smooth the situation over, but I feel like they set off more alarms in Devlin instead.
“I’ll see you for lunch today. Whatever it is that you’re keeping from me, I want to know then.” His voice is serious before turning sweet. “I love you, too.”
“Real fucking great, Mo,” I chide, allowing her phone to freefall from my hand. I hope it breaks. “Now he’s coming to check on me at lunch.”
“I don’t care about you being mad, or trying to break my phone. Your baby daddy got big bucks anyway and I’m on his good side.”
I cringe at the word “baby daddy” because then I would be his “baby momma.” Not cool. What would be even worse is me forcing him into a marriage to avoid stupid titles.
“I don’t even know yet if there’s a baby.”
Monique pushes her lips to the side.
“You know your body. You already know the answer. Quit being fucking chicken and take the test. Do I need to go get Agnes and wheel her ass in here? She’ll pop you with her cane.”
I laugh at the thought of Agnes trying to whoop me with her cane. She is still on hospice care, but she’s still as feisty as her body allows.
“For someone who wouldn’t let me live with her when I needed to, you sure are bossy.”
Monique throws her hands up in the air.
“Here we go with that again,” she sighs. “Mr. Money Bags bribed me to tell you “no.” He wanted you to stay with him. It worked, didn’t it? I bought you a killer birthday present out of guilt, and you got a fine-ass man with a lot of money. I think I deserve a thank you.”
Monique had told me about Devlin’s plan over drinks when she returned from England.
“Quit trying to change the subject.” She shoves a test box in my hand, just as a knock comes from the door.
“It’s Brian. Can I come in?” he calls out from behind the closed door.
“Hell no,” Monique whispers to me harshly.
I smile.
“If you talk to Brian, I’ll take the test.”
She glares at me.
“He’s a fine-ass man with a lot of money.” I wink.
“And we don’t mention the whole “turning-you-away-in-a-time-of-need” thing anymore?” Monique counters.
“Deal,” I agree, gathering the tests into the bag.
“You can come in, Brian,” I tell him.
Monique releases a heavy sigh.
When Brian enters, polar opposite looks stamp the faces of my two comrades.
He doesn’t say a word, just watches her like she is a unicorn, like she is something he thought he’d never see.
Brian’s smile takes over his entire face, while Monique has flared her nostrils and lowered her eyes like a charging bull.
“Brian, would you mind keeping Monique company for a few? I need to run out for five to ten minutes.” I smirk and excuse myself, shutting the door behind me.
Every single last one of the tests say the same stupid shit: pregnant. This can’t be right. Dev and I had slipped up a couple of times, but I took my pills faithfully. Except for after the fire. I had to refill the prescription. I cancel lunch with Devlin through our assistants and head to the medical office of a friend of Brian’s for an emergency visit.
Dr. Isaiah Graham is a handsome man with chiseled features and an athletic build, but my guy is sexier. Damn. Sex is what had gotten me into this mess in the first place. Dr. Graham decides to walk with me outside once I become a blubbering mess in his office. He had confirmed the same thing that the store bought tests had. Pregnant.
“Do you have anyone that you can call?” he asks.
I nod my head yes. The thought of telling Devlin about a baby frightens me. We don’t really discuss children, hadn’t discussed marriage. We are just enjoying each other, but I had promised to let him into my life, so I will have to let him know about the new life we created.
“It’s perfectly normal to be emotional,” the doctor continues. “I would feel much better if someone drove you home.”
The doctor hands me a tissue and pats my shoulder.
Epilogue
I made it clear to everyone that if Dr. Ayron Winters calls, put everything else on hold. Her last name should be Masters, she should be my wife, but she is strong and stubborn. Getting her to marry me will be a battle, so I’m giving her time to adjust to the idea of us living together. I still can’t get her to take money from me, and she insists on paying the water bill since she found out how much my mortgage and electricity bills run. Sharing my business with her is all a part of my master plan to ease her into being Mrs. Ayron Masters.
I was worried when Monique called. I avoid contact with the abrasive woman as much as possible, but we have an understanding: if there’s something about Ayron, don’t hesitate to call me. I was concerned when Ayron said she loved me, out loud, outside of our home. That was new. I became worried when she canceled our lunch through Gloria. We always talk about it over the phone if our schedules conflict. I became desperate when I found she had left for the day and didn’t let me know.
“Are you all right?” I ask, sliding my hand across my face and leaning back into my office chair.
“No. I’m not,” she says wearily. She sounds like she has been crying. “I need you to come home.” I hear a sniffle.
“I’ll be right there. Do you need me to stay on the phone?”
“No, just come home.”
I make it home in record time, unsure why I need to be there. I want to call Monique and get some insight. I have a feeling that she already knows what is going on, but obviously Ayron needs to tell me. Did Agnes die? That can’t be it. Ayron would have been hysterical. Is she having an affair? Doubt that. We have been together every minute, for the most part. I even went with her to the Rhonda Raven Show, especially once I found out Brian would be there. Damn.
When I walk into the home, I find Ayron in the kitchen, crying over a bag of hotdog buns and a jar of Prego spaghetti sauce. Is she hungry?
“What’s going on honey?” I ask, wrapping my arms around her.
She sniffles and turns to face me.
“Do you love me?” she asks.
“With all my heart,” I answer, feeling a thump there, as I’m not sure where this train of questioning is leading.
She sighs.
“I wanted it to be all cute and memorable for you, and I can�
�t. It’s not turning out right,” she babbles, picking up the bag of hotdog buns and then placing them in the oven.
One hundred…ninety-nine…ninety-eight…ninety-seven…I count in my head. Why can’t she just tell me what’s wrong?
“See, I’m making you angry,” she sobs. “What am I going to do with a baby?”
I freeze at her words. The one word that I wasn’t expecting. Baby. Then it all starts to come together, buns in the oven, Prego sauce.
“You’re pregnant?” I gasp.
“Yes. The doctor told me today.”
I hug her as close to me as humanly possible and kiss her face.
“That’s awesome,” I exclaim. “No need to cry. We got this.”
I kiss her cheeks and mouth.
“Why are you so upset?” I ask. “Is something wrong already? I’ll get you the best medical team.”
This makes her smile a little.
“No, everything looks fine so far. I just don’t want to be a baby momma. What’s the baby’s last name going to be? Where do I fit into all of this?”
I scratch the side of my face.
“You know that you’re my everything. You’ve given me purpose, direction, strength. You are my wife, whether we’ve signed papers yet or not. The baby will be a Masters, no doubt…just like you.”
“I was so worried. That’s why Monique called you. She was trying to get me to take a test. I skipped our lunch to go to the doctor.”
“Well, no more appointments without me.”
She nods.
“I want to be there for you every step of the way.”
“Thank you,” she sighs, falling into my arms again.
“And promise me, for baby number two, I’ll be the first to know besides you,” I tell her.
“I promise,” she replies with a smile.
I can’t wait for our future together.
Preview
Excerpts:
Excerpt from Touchdown: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
My head was still buzzing from the weekend’s excitement on Monday morning. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that I saw a vulnerable side to Alexa Hall. She tries to appear so perfect, but it was nice to see that she’s human too.
I was excited to see her in Sociology class. I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking about what I would say to her.
She always sat directly in front of me, so maybe I would lean down and whisper something in her ear. It would be like an inside joke between us. Or, I could just flash her a seductive, knowing smile and watch her blush. I don’t mean to brag, but it’s too easy for me to make girls blush.
Maybe I’d just go for it and ask her out. Say something about how I want to spend another night with her that ends with both of us being conscious. I was nervous, but it was the perfect moment. I really felt like we made a special connection Saturday night.
I got to the classroom a little earlier than normal to make sure I had enough time to talk to her before the lecture started. I was feeling a bit anxious, but ready. It was now or never.
A few minutes passed. She was usually in her seat by now, with her notebook and pen out, ready to take notes. Her hair always draped over the back of her chair. Sometimes, a few locks would fall onto my knees and I would carefully brush them away with my finger.
The professor entered and began the lecture. No Alexa. I figured she must be sick. Maybe her hangover was so bad that she was still not feeling well today. I was a little concerned. I pulled out my phone and texted her.
Are you sick? Do you want me to take notes for you? We can meet up later and I’ll fill you in on what you missed in class.
I hit send. This was just as good. It would give me a perfect reason to see her again. Because it had to do with school, she would never accuse me of trying any funny business with her.
I checked my phone a few minutes later. No response. Poor girl, maybe she was really sick. Would it be weird if I showed up at her dorm later? Maybe with flowers or chicken soup and apologize to her for getting her so drunk?
I tried to take good notes, but I kept getting distracted. I was daydreaming a hundred different scenarios where I approached Alexa and she was so thankful that I took care of her that she wanted to show her appreciation. Any possibility from a nice dinner, to a kiss, to a night in my bed—I thought of them all.
Before I knew it, class was over. I followed the herd of students exiting through the door in the back of the classroom. That’s when I saw Alexa, quickly stuffing her books in her bag. She never sits in the back row of classrooms. That’s where the slackers sit, and she was definitely not that. I called out to her, but she was already lost in the crowd.
I felt confused. I was so nice to her and I really thought she had a good time with me. She wanted to come back to my place, and when that obviously didn’t happen, she told me I was nice. That’s a lot coming from this girl. She seemed to have a general mistrust of men, and I thought I had finally broken through by proving to her that I just want to be good to her.
Now I was angry. I texted her with concern about her well-being and she didn’t even have the decency to respond? She deliberately avoided me and ignored me when I wanted to talk to her. I could have any girl I want, and she knows that. Did she hate me so much that she couldn’t even look at me?
I was right. My friends told me that she was worth pursuing, and they were totally wrong about that. She was a cold person. She only cared about herself. Of course she would, though. Girls who come from money never have interest in guys like me. I was stupid to think that this was going to work out.
I fumed the whole way back to my dorm. It was probably better this way. Before long, the school year would be over. I didn’t have time to chase girls, anyway.
I needed to focus on finishing up my degree and preparing for the professional football combine. With any luck, I would be moving, and she’d go back to her hometown, or wherever rich girls go when they graduate with a degree they’ll never use.
I was done with Alexa Hall. I had been turned down by plenty of girls in my life, and it was no big deal. I was just so surprised that she, of all people, wanted nothing to do with me.
In my anger, I typed out a text, my fingers shaking.
Sorry I made sure you got home safely the other night. I didn’t think it would upset you this much. Next time, I’ll leave you on the street, puking your guts out.
My finger hovered over the send button before I quickly deleted it. I didn’t need to make things worse than they already were. I decided to take a page from Alexa’s book and just ignore her too. I’ve been dumped many times for doing the wrong thing with girls. This was just the first time I was ever rejected for doing the right thing.
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Excerpt from Fast and Loaded: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
It had been three days since my world started to spin that night in the bar. I kept blaming it on the alcohol but in my heart, I knew it was a lie. Since then, I had done everything in my power to stay busy and avoid Desmond. I didn’t want to become another notch on his belt. Plus, no one would take me seriously for the next few weeks if I slept with my boss.
I needed to keep my head in the game and steer clear of him and any chance of complications. Each time that I saw him, I repeated to myself, “I’m here for my shop,” over and over again in my head until I was able to calm down my burning desire for him.
Today was no different, between each press release he would come in to see how the new improvements were coming. Each time he came in, he seemed more determined than the last to pull my attention away from the car.
I was starting to lose my battle of wills against him. I wanted to spend time with him, but I wouldn’t risk my reputation to do so. As the shop door opened, I braced myself for another round of banter.
“Can I help you?” I said in a friendly tone when the man who walked in wasn’t Desmond.
The man grinned, “I
bet you can. I just came to meet this famous mechanic Desmond has.”
I smiled, “You must be looking for someone else then, I’m just doing my job.” I said politely.
I knew who he was, he was Luke Chambers. I also knew that Desmond despised him above all other racers. He was attractive, but not like Desmond.
“I don’t think so,” he said politely, “I believe you are more than what I have been looking for.”
“Boy, you know how to charm a girl, don’t you?” I asked playfully.
He smiled, “I wouldn’t know a thing about that. I just call it as I see it; beautiful, smart, and talented. Desmond is a lucky man.”
“I’m just doing my job, but thank you,” I replied.
“That’s a shame, if I had you on my team, I would treat you like a queen,” he cooed.
My senses were tingling, “He treats me just fine, thanks. Is there something I can help you with?”
My temper was starting to show. I didn’t like Luke being in the shop or around the car. He seemed a little too interested in me and my skills for my liking.
“Oh now, there’s no need to get upset. You never know, after this race there might be a future for us,” he said slyly. “Professionally, of course.”
I didn’t believe that he meant only professionally, and in any case, I didn’t want anything to do with him in either way.
“Sorry, but I have my own shop,” I replied as I started working on the car again.
I could see how interested he was in what I was doing, but I also knew that he wouldn’t be able to tell what was happening for the most part. He didn’t strike me as they type to work on his own cars or even to know how they were running. When the door to the shop opened for the second time, I looked up and let out a sigh of relief. Desmond was back, and he looked angry.
Game Winning Catch: (Secret Baby Sports Romance (Pass To Win #5) Page 42
