Infamy (RiffRaff Records Book 3)

by L. P. Maxa

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Landry

  I was on bed rest, but I didn’t have to be chained to it or anything. I was allowed to get up for meals and take small walks to the mailbox and back. When Dr. Woodsen had come in with my discharge instructions, he’d let me know that he thought passing out was most likely an isolated event due to stress and my long surgery-filled days. But he wasn’t going to take any chances with my life or the baby’s. Thus the bed rest.

  Beau and Brody had joined forces in that hospital room and gotten me to agree to spend the next six months on the compound. When I got off the plane with my brother, my whole damn family had been waiting. My Aunt Dilly called and got all my OB records transferred to the practice in Austin that all my aunts had used when they were pregnant with us Spawn. My dad had turned the media room into my new bedroom. It was on the first floor and it had the biggest screen in the house. My uncles came over every morning, and we did gentle flow prenatal yoga, which I’d had to get okay’d in writing by Dr. Woodsen.

  Beau and Halen came for lunch most days, showing me pictures of their house’s progress. My younger cousins all took turns coming by after school and practice, updating me on their lives. I was living vicariously through six teenagers. Our family dog, Crest, spent hours sleeping in my room. Even Evie pitched in, sending me care packages of trashy magazines and expensive facemasks. I was being pampered, all day every day. I hadn’t been alone in seven weeks.

  And it was fucking driving me insane.

  The only time I got a reprieve was when I was playing my drums. Uncle Luke had moved my old set from the studio into the media room. I hadn’t played since I’d left for college over a decade ago. But it was like riding a bike, and the loud sounds kept my family out of my new massive room.

  “Knock, knock.”

  Well, most of the time it kept them away. I reached out, silencing my cymbal. “What’s up?”

  My mom was a floating head in my door, a smile on her face. “Dinner is ready.” She opened the door wider, waiting for me to step around the drum set and follow her out into the hallway.

  It was Friday, so everyone was in my parents’ backyard. Usually, the families alternated hosting Friday family dinner, one family a week. But since I was on bed rest, every Friday family dinner was at my parents’ house. So I didn’t have to miss one.

  Wasn’t that thoughtful?

  I put a smile on my face as I walked out onto the back patio, taking my seat between Cash and Jett, across from Beau. My plate was already made—grilled chicken, black beans, and a salad. I glanced over at Cash’s plate, a confused frown on my face. He had fajitas with cheese and lots of peppers. I leaned forward, peering down the table, noticing that everyone else had fajitas too.

  I sat back in my seat, raising my hand. “Why does everyone have yummy food but me?”

  “I talked to Talon today and he wanted me to make sure you were eating enough vegetables.” Uncle Luke took a large bite of his taco, queso dripping out onto his plate.

  “Are you kidding me?” I rested my chin in my hand, bewildered and still staring at my uncle. “This is a joke, right?”

  “He’s worried about you, Buttercup. He’s used to being around to take care of you.”

  My mom smiled at me. “I think it’s really very sweet.”

  I think there was a sexy drummer boy that was about to feel my fucking wrath. If Talon told Uncle Luke that he was worried about my diet, that meant that Brody was worried about my diet. Just like “Talon” had been concerned that I wasn’t drinking enough water because I’d forgotten to pack the bottle that yells at me. So Uncle Luke ordered me a new one. Now the caveman was using my uncle’s obsession with all things Talon to his advantage.

  I stood up. “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” I waited patiently until all eyes were on me. “I am twenty-eight years old. I am a surgeon. I can make my own plate. I can make my own choices about what I eat and when.” I picked up my healthy meal. “Now, who wants to trade dinners, because I’m sure as hell not eating this.”

  ***

  “Hey you.” I turned on my side, smiling at my tablet screen. “You have enough service for FaceTime tonight.”

  “I do. Finally.” Brody let out a contented sigh. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, baby cakes.”

  “Two more weeks and you’ll be here.” I was five months and one week pregnant, which meant by the time Brody and the rest of Clashing Swell came to the compound, I’d be almost six months along.

  “I have a countdown calendar.” Brody winked at me, alluding back to an old joke. “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “And this belly.” I laughed. “It’s going to be even bigger by the time you get here.” I had officially started to show last week. And now, I swore le bump got larger every day.

  “Let me see the tummy bug.”

  I pulled my shirt up and angled the screen down. “There it is.” We’d agreed to wait on the envelope, but that also meant we were waiting to find out the sex. My doctor in Texas, the one that made house calls, had offered to tell me during my last sonogram. But Brody had been doing a radio interview, and for some reason learning if it was a boy or a girl without him seemed wrong.

  “Kicking a lot today?”

  I moved the screen back up, nodding. “Yeah, I can feel it, but no one else can yet.”

  “Good.” He grinned. “I want to feel it first.”

  I wanted that too. I wanted Brody to have all the baby’s firsts. I loved that he wanted them, that he was asking for them. We hadn’t really talked about what he’d do or how he’d feel if the baby wasn’t his. And I still hadn’t told him about my conversation with Travis the day I passed out. Everything had happened so fast, it was like I woke up in the hospital and then I was on a jet flying to Texas.

  Minka had texted me a few days after I’d arrived home; she wanted my address so she could send the baby blanket. I guess I’d dropped it when I passed out. She let me know that Travis had been fired. Did it make me a bad person that I was glad?

  “Hey. Did you tell Talon to tell Luke that I needed to eat healthier?” His eyebrows rose but his mouth stayed shut. “Are you kidding me, Frost? I walked outside to a dinner of grilled chicken and veggies when the rest of the family was eating queso-filled fajitas.”

  He laughed quietly. “I’m sorry, baby cakes. I didn’t think he’d take it to that obvious of an extreme.”

  “I got pissed and made him switch dinners with me.” Teach him to mess with a pregnant chick’s Mexican food.

  “He’s still up Talon’s ass, checking in with him every day to make sure you’re happy at the compound and that you have everything you need.” Brody was lying in his bunk, one arm behind his head. “What’s going to happen when the band comes to Austin? Luke will notice if you and Talon aren’t acting like besties.”

  I rolled on my side, taking the tablet with me. “Maybe I can tell him Talon and I had a falling out after the no-queso incident.” That got a smile out of Brody, but he still seemed kind of blue. “What’s going on with you tonight? Did something happen?”

  He shook his head, and I swear it looked like his eyes were teary. “Seeing your face—it makes things better and worse at the same time.” He sniffed through his nose. “I miss you so damn much. I want to be lying next to you right now. I want to put my hands on your belly. I want to kiss you and hold and fuck you.”

  “I know, it’s hard for me too. But you’ll be here soon.” We each had good days and bad days. Luckily, on the days I was missing him too much to function, he could make me laugh. And on the days he got down, I could always lift him back up. Lord help us if we ever had bad days at the same time.

  “I’m not sharing you with Tal when I get there, baby cakes.” He shrugged. “I can’t. It’s been too long.”

  “You won’t have to, I promise. We’ll figure something out.” I smirked. “Now, tell me what I can do to make you feel better.”

  “Take your shirt off.” A real smil
e was starting to form on his gorgeous face.

  “Of course that’s what would make you smile.” I sat up and removed my shirt, revealing the fact that my old bras could no longer hold in my rapidly growing breasts.

  “Holy shit. Where the hell did those come from?”

  I glanced down at my chest. “My belly grows, my chest grows. Neither shows any signs of stopping.”

  “I cannot wait to fuck you. I mean see you.” He winked.

  And just like that, my Brody was back.

  Chapter Thirty

  Eight days ‘til Austin

  Brody: I actually made a countdown calendar today. The bus had Post-Its and we ate lunch by a drug store.

  Landry: Good. Lord. What picture did you use?

  Brody: One of you at the beach right after we met. You’re wearing the tiny white bikini.

  Landry: I don’t think I’ll ever fit into that swimsuit again.

  Brody: I would give my left nut to see your massive boobs falling out of that bikini top right now.

  Landry: It would barely cover my nipples.

  Brody: You’re making my dick hard.

  Landry: You’re making your own dick hard. I’m over here contemplating the fact that my body will never be the same.

  Brody: I will always want to see you naked, always.

  Landry: Thanks. That helps a little.

  Brody: How’s my tummy bug today? Has anyone felt it kick?

  Landry: No. After we talked the other night, I stopped letting people try. I want you to feel it first.

  Brody: I’m not crying, you’re crying.

  Landry: I miss you a lot today.

  Brody: I miss you too baby cakes.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Brody

  Today was the motherfucking day. We played in Austin last night, and most of the label came to watch. Luke was up Talon’s ass, introducing him to Landry’s parents like he was already the prodigal son-in-law. But not even that could dampen my mood. I got to see my girl today, for the first time in almost three months.

  “Dude. You look like you’re about to levitate out of the damn car.” Dane put his hand on my knee, attempting to stop my bounce.

  Talon was sitting across from me in the oversized town car. “Did you two come up with a plan on how to deal with Luke?”

  “No, we’ll just have to handle each situation as it comes.” I pulled out my cell, letting Landry know we were driving through the compound’s massive gates. “But at some point you guys have got to get everyone away from her house. We’re opening the envelope with the paternity test results in it today.”

  “Holy shit.” Brax leaned forward in his seat. “What are you going to do? I mean, you know, if…”

  If the baby wasn’t mine. The question that had been on my mind from the moment I’d learned there was a chance I wasn’t the baby’s father. I knew where my heart was. I knew what I needed to do. What I needed to say.

  The town car came to a stop and we all filed out. We were parked in front of Jacks and Bryan Cole’s house. I recognized it from the pictures Landry had sent. My cell vibrated in my hand.

  Landry: Tell my dad you need to use the restroom.

  Jacks was coming out of the house, Luke right behind him. They came down the wide concrete walkway, arms wide, welcoming us to the ranch.

  Jacks held his hand out, and I shook it. “Hey, can I use your restroom? It was a longer drive than I thought it would be.”

  “Of course. It’s the third door on the left.” Jacks pointed back toward the house. “Talon, you can follow him in if you want. Landry is excited to see you.”

  I jogged up to the front door, ignoring T altogether. Landry was coming out of the kitchen, a big smile on her face. “Brody.”

  “Holy shit, come here.” I crossed the large living room in three strides, chuckling when she skipped to meet me in the middle. She threw her arms around my neck and I buried my face in her hair. “I missed you so fucking much.”

  “I can’t believe you’re here. I can’t believe I’m touching you.”

  I pulled back, taking her face in my hands, wiping her tears with my thumbs before kissing her. No finesse. I didn’t have it in me. I invaded her mouth, bending her back a little to kiss her deeper. I never wanted to stop. I never wanted to come up for air. Visions of throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her to the nearest bed danced in my head. I wrapped my arm around her lower back. I wanted her closer but something was getting in my way.

  “Oh wow.” I stepped back, my hands on her hips. “I was so fucking excited to see you that I forgot about this.” I moved my hands around, placing my palms on her rounded belly.

  She laughed. “It’s huge.”

  “It’s perfect.” I lifted her black tank top, touching her skin.

  She put her hand over mine, moving it down and to the right. “I don’t know if you can feel it, but tummy bug is kicking right here.”

  “Holy shit.” I smiled so big I felt like my face was going to crack in half.

  Landry looked up at me, her eyes overflowing with tears once again. “You felt that? Really? I didn’t think you’d be able to.”

  “We figured we’d do dinner here tonight so Landry could…Landry? Why are you crying?” Jacks had walked into the house in the middle of me feeling the baby kick for the first time. I wanted to tell him to leave, but instead I stepped back.

  “I’m so happy everyone is here.” She grinned at her dad, taking the hem of the shirt that she was holding up so I could touch her belly, and drying her eyes with it.

  Talon walked around the long sectional couch, coming to stand by Landry. He glanced at me and then tentatively put his arm around her shoulders.

  Luke was beaming and Jacks was watching them with an odd look on his face. “Okay, well, we thought we’d hang in the backyard, barbeque, and have some drinks. Tomorrow Lex wants Beau to get some shots of you guys hanging out at the compound, and we thought we could go over your prelim tour numbers after lunch.”

  Brax nodded. “That all sounds great to us.”

  “Yeah, thanks again for inviting us out.” Dane walked toward the back door, looking out a large bay window. “I haven’t fired up a pit in years.”

  “Well, come on out back and we can get the coals started.” Jacks patted Landry’s shoulder on the way out. “You want to come out with us, Buttercup?”

  “I, uh…”

  “I’m sure Landry and Talon want to spend some time catching up, they haven’t seen each other in almost three months.” Luke winked at T and I almost flew across the room to punch him.

  The front door opened and Beau walked in, carrying a dark green tank. “I didn’t want to go all the way into town, so I just grabbed the CO2 from my Kegerator.” He shifted it from one hand to the other. “Oh hey, you guys made it.”

  “Perfect timing, we were just about to head out back.” Jacks took the tank from his son. “Everyone else should start arriving soon. Emmie had a dance recital this afternoon and Jett had a baseball tournament.”

  Luke looked put out when Talon and Landry followed everyone else outside instead of taking his suggestion and spending some time alone. I didn’t know how much of this I’d be able to handle. I hadn’t seen my girl in three months. All I wanted to do was hold her. And you know, other stuff.

  But with her whole family around and Luke watching her and Talon like a hawk, it didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon.

  ***

  Landry’s family was huge. I knew this. But seeing them all together in one space was something else. And there was even one missing: Evie, the sorority chick. Landry and I were standing in the shade underneath this fancy misting system, talking to Beau and Halen.

  “Landry talks about you all the time.” Halen was sweet with pretty green eyes and a kind smile.

  Apparently Halen and Beau were the only people in her family that knew the truth about us. “Well, she talks about you guys all the time too.” I chuckled. “I feel like
I know everyone already. It’s nice to put faces with all the names and the stories I’ve heard.”

  “You’ve gotta be in hell right now.” Beau took a sip of his beer, wincing. “I know how it feels to be standing next to your girl and not be able to touch her.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” One of the twins walked up, taking the beer from Beau’s hand and draining it in one long swallow. “I swear these family dinners are lasting longer and longer.”

  “Ah. You must be Crue.” I held my hand out. “I’m Brody.” Landry had told me about his and Avory’s secret relationship. It was kind of odd how many of these kids were fucking each other.

  “Nice to meet you, man.” Crue looked over at Landry. “Which one is Talon? My dad won’t shut up about him.”

  Halen pointed to T who was talking to Dylan near some kind of water feature. “That’s him, standing with Aunt Dilly.”

  Crue turned toward the house when a young pretty chick with long straight hair walked out onto the porch. She was wearing short cut-offs and a tank top. I watched Crue and he watched her. That must be Avory. “I need another fucking drink.”

  I handed him mine.

  “Thanks, man.” He drained it, then passed my cup back to me and headed in the direction Avory had gone.

  Landry wrapped her arm around mine and then leaned her head against me. “You should be sitting down, baby cakes.”

  “Landry.” She picked her head up at the sound of Talon’s voice, both of us turning to the other end of the yard where he was standing. “Why don’t you come sit down for a bit?” His eyes darted from us to Luke. I clenched my teeth to keep from protesting when she let go of my arm.

  I really didn’t know how much more of this I could take.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Brody

  Landry’s whole family (minus Evie, the sorority chick), and Clashing Swell was sitting down to dinner in her parents’ backyard. She was next to Talon and across from me. Luke had practically placed T and her in assigned seats. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to unclench my jaw. I was trying too damn hard to keep my cool, but seeing her for the first time in months and not being able to touch her was fucking torture.