Bye.
(Your) Ace (or at least I used to be)
I fold the final letter back up and put it back in the box. I push my hands through my hair, and no matter how much I try not to let the words affect me, they do. Violet told me to stop reading, but I think I’m a glutton for punishment. I stuff the shoebox back under the bench and try to remember they have no effect on us now what-so-ever.
We found each other again and got our second chance.
So, stop thinking about the past, Coop.
My phone rings with and Louie’s name pops up on my caller ID. What the hell is he doing calling me at this hour?
“Hello?”
“Hey, Coop. Umm, I don’t know if you noticed yet, but your wife made the tabloid news this morning?”
“My wife?” I question, wondering what the hell he’s talking about? She’s been with me all week, “When, and doing what?”
“Sometime last night it seems, maybe during the show? She was at a pharmacy. If you don’t know you might want to see for yourself. Check TMZ.”
“Is it bad?” I pull out my laptop from under one of the couch seats and plug it in. “It’ll take me forever to get my computer loaded up and hooked up to the Wi-Fi hotspot.”
“No. Listen if it isn’t true, it’ll go away. If it is, you might find yourself hounded a little more…”
“Can’t you just spill? Geez, you’re talking around in circles and I get that enough from fucking Brody.” I groan as I type in my password to log into the Wi-Fi.
“When you see it you’ll know why. But also, you might want to go talk to your wife,” he adds firmly, sounding like my father. “Call me back if you need anything.”
We say our goodbyes and I’m left scratching my head.
Once I get everything finally loaded I go to TMZ’s website.
On the front page is a grainy picture of Violet in a store grabbing something off the shelf. Below, the headline knocks me backward.
IS VIOLET REID PREGNANT?
Violet Reid, wife of Cooper Reid, was seen inside an Atlanta Pharmacy, picking out—you guessed it—pregnancy tests. Not just one, but five different types.
A customer captured the pictures above. The new wife of the Grammy Award Winner was by herself at the time, which makes us wonder if Reid knows about this nighttime adventure in the middle of his concert.
I guess only time will tell if there’s a little Reid on the way.
TMZ is now on Baby Watch!
I click through another two big tabloid sites, saying the same things. I zoom in on the picture and indeed I’m looking at my wife reaching for a pregnancy test.
Why didn’t she tell me? And why the fuck didn’t she take Tucker with her?
I shut the laptop down and make my way to the back of the bus. Along the way, I pass Brody snoring like a freight train in his bunk. Violet is lying in bed with the covers up to her neck, looking peaceful. She told me she didn’t feel good yesterday morning, but I would’ve never guessed it could have been morning sickness.
Why wouldn't she tell me she thought she could be pregnant?
After our fight and she joined me on tour, we found someone to talk to about our loss. It’s helped a lot for both of us to get everything out at once. And last month we'd started trying. I didn’t think it would happen this fast.
With a deep breath, I move to the bed and sit on the edge beside her. I brush her hair back with my fingers and her eyes flutter open. A sweet sleepy smile spreads across her face. “Hi.”
“Hey, we need to talk about something…”
“Now? Can’t you come and snuggle in here with me? It’s so early.” She hums and reaches out her arm for me.
“Is there something you need to tell me?” I blurt out the words refusing to get distracted by the warmth and softness I’ll find under those covers with her.
She looks at me curiously, her eyebrows knitting together. “No? I don’t think?”
“Where did you go last night?” I try a different tactic and watch as she instantly pales.
“The pharmacy?” She sits up on the bed and wraps the blankets to her chest, chomping down on her lip.
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering why she’s giving me the runaround. So, I’ll do it for her. “Vi, you were all over the internet this morning buying pregnancy tests. Why the hell wouldn’t you tell me?” The urgency in my voice bites a little rougher than I was expecting it too, causing her to flinch.
Okay, Coop, calm down. Take a deep breath.
Her head drops and she pulls the covers tighter. “Sorry. I was going to tell you.”
I lean my forehead against hers, laying a kiss on her nose, trying to convey to her that I’m not mad. Her grip on the covers relaxes telling me she got the message.
“Why didn’t you tell me when you went out and bought them?”
“Because I was scared. I went during the show just in case they came up negative. I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Not after everything, and we’ve only started trying,” she mumbles.
My heart drops, and I reach out to touch her face in a way to comfort us both. She’s not screaming she’s pregnant so it only means… “Were they?”
She shrugs, her glassy eyes dart to my face. “I don’t know. I didn’t take them. I was too scared they’ll come up negative. When I noticed I missed my period, it was the first time I thought I really want this now and this was our time. I want a baby with you. And for once, the fear of what could happen doesn’t freak me out as much. I think talking to someone finally helped.”
Grabbing her face, I push my lips to hers, forcing my tongue into her mouth. She moans against my me, her fingers immediately finding my hair, to pull me closer, both of us expressing how we feel for one another through this heated, passionate, needy kiss.
I don't think there are enough words to express how elated I feel knowing she's ready for this next step. My wife, my baby, our family.
The way it was meant to always be.
I break away, leaving small pecks on her lips before I completely separate from her.
“Do you think we should, um, take them? Now?” she asks.
“Yes. And no matter what we can keep trying if they're not positive. It’s half the fun, right?” I push a long strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, it is, but I still just want to wing it. No planning days or hanging by my feet to help it…trickle down to the egg.”
I shake my head as I try not to laugh. Trickle down?
“Why don't we see what they say first? Then go from there before we worry about that?”
I stand outside the bathroom, waiting for Vi to take one of the tests she bought. When I hear the toilet flush, a sweat breaks out on my forehead, anxiously awaiting the results. The door opens and she steps outside, holding the handle.
“So?” I step closer to her, my heart beating faster when her eyes say nothing. If it was yes she’d be shouting.
“It said to wait five minutes.” She bites her finger and glances back at the test laying on the sink.
“Five?” That’s a fucking lifetime.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to stand there looking at them. You might have to tell me.”
“Alright love birds, you don’t need to canoodle by the bathroom.” Brody brushes by us and removes Violet’s hand from the handle.
“Do you mind?” I growl at him.
He turns back to me and flips me off. “I have to drain the fucking hose, bastard. Give me a minute.” He steps into the bathroom and closes the door. I roll my eyes annoyed. At least we’re waiting anyways.
Or I might have kicked his ass.
I take Violet’s hand and pull her to my chest, my back leaning against the wall, to hold us steady. My hand travels down her face and she gives me a small smile.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Uh-huh. Nervous.” She lays her head on my chest and takes a deep breath. “You’re nervous too. Your heart is beating out of your chest.”<
br />
“I am. But I have a good feeling. The only thing is, if you’re pregnant, we can’t go anywhere without Collin or Tucker.” I pull her back and look her dead in the eye. “Actually even if you aren’t it goes the same. They’ll wonder for a while and I don’t want to find out in a tabloid again.”
She twists her lips annoyed. “Fine. If I have too.” I bend down to kiss her when the bathroom door opens back up. Both of our heads turn to Brody who is smiling too wide for it to be simple relief from ‘draining the hose’.
“Hey, do those two pink lines mean I'm going to be an uncle?” He points his thumb back towards the bathroom.
“There are...two…?” Violet stutters and Brody nods. She turns to me, squealing into my arms. “We’re having a baby.”
“We’re having a baby.” I hug her tight and lift her off the ground.
I stand her back up and take her face in my hands to kiss her. “You okay?” My eyes search hers. I know she’s doing better, but I know it doesn’t mean the thoughts and the memory don’t peek in once in a while.
“Yeah. For right now, at least. This is—” She trails off and Brody clears his throat, drawing our attention to him.
“Um, you guys didn’t already know?” He looks curiously between us.
“No, you shoved us out of the way you brute.” Violet shoves his shoulder.
“Well, I had to pee and you were in the way.” He shrugs. “Butttt congrats. Though you shouldn't be surprised with the way you two go at it. Eli says you two make the bus hard to drive because you're rocking it so damn much.” Wiggling his eyebrows he slaps me on the shoulder. “This is gonna be awesome. I plan on teaching them ‘Brody’s Guide to Driving Their Parents Insane’.”
“Yeah, you have that mastered, you don’t need the training guide.” I roll my eyes and take Vi’s hand. “Now if you don’t mind, we’re going to go rock the bus some more, so don’t come a knocking.”
“Oh my god.” Violet groans, “Really? You had to add that to what he said.”
“Um yeah? Now come, wife.” I smack her ass and drag her towards the back of the bus, where I plan to have my dirty way with her.
“I’ll tell Eli to hold on for another bumpy ride,” Brody yells and I close the door behind us.
We arrived in New York several hours ago and settled into the Marriott in Times Square for the night. The plan was to go out tonight with the crew, but it seems my wife has other plans for me.
And so does Violet’s phone, which has been ringing nonstop for the last ten minutes. She keeps telling me to ignore it, but the ringing isn’t helping me keep it up.
Not being able to take it anymore, I reach for the phone on the nightstand. Violet stays latched around me as I shift, kissing the inside of my neck, her dripping core moving up and down my achy shaft.
When I see the name on the caller ID, it isn’t who I expected it to be and answer, wanting to have a little fun with the person on the other end.
“Violet Reid’s phone. She can’t talk right now, she’s too busy sucking her husband's dick.”
“Cooper!” Violet whacks my chest and reaches for the phone, probably thinking it's Brody.
“Put my daughter on the phone right now, Reid,” my monster-in-law barks like the bitch she is. Violet freezes for a second, but can’t control the small giggle that leaves her lips.
“Sorry, I had to,” I say covering the microphone, giving her a wink.
It was too good to pass up, especially after what happened in Arizona last time. I see the spark of remembrance in my baby’s eyes and I know she wants to play too—and not very nicely either.
“Put her on speaker,” Violet whispers in my ear and I can practically feel her smirk against my neck.
I hit the speaker button and I swear the bitch is growling while she waits.
“Fuck, Cooper…” Violet moans loudly. She’s wigging her core on my dick, making me groan in response. I’m not sure if it’s for added effect, or to torture me as well, but I’ll take it.
“You feel so good, Ace…”
“God, I love you…” she screams, adding to the over exaggerated passionate noises.
“Violet Harper cut that shit out. We need to talk!” Amber bellows, and I swear even through the phone she’s shaking the walls with her anger.
“I’m...busy…and there’s nothing to talk about.” She fake whimpers, and stops rocking on my cock.
“There’s lots to talk about, Violet. I read you’re pregnant! You're too damn young to have a baby, and you don’t want to have a baby with him. He’ll just fuck it up like he’s fucking up your life now.”
“Excuse me?” I growl and Vi puts her hand over my mouth, telling me to hush.
“Who said I was pregnant?” she asks casually.
If I could stop the media, we might avoid the wicked witch from ever knowing.
“I saw you buying those tests in the tabloids.”
“Oh, they could’ve been for anyone. But if I was, what should I do? Get an abortion?” she hisses through her teeth.
Amber is silent and Violet continues. “I mean I already had one before right?”
“Vi—” she starts and Vi screeches telling her to shut up.
“Don't even try to play me, Mother. I know all about the papers you made and what you told Evelyn. How could you do something so vile to your own daughter? I don't care about your messed up reasons. What you did hurt me. Do you even care? Did you enjoy your sick game?” Violet seethes, and her chest heaving with anger.
“Ace,” I whisper, while Amber remains quiet. The phone drops to the bed and I maneuver myself to sit up, taking Violet with me to cradle her body in my lap. “Try to breathe, she’s not worth it.”
The bitch doesn't deserve any of her energy. My hand rubs her back and I feel her relax, but it hasn't killed her fight.
Hell, who am I kidding? She needs this. Get her baby.
Violet picks up the fallen phone, the line still connected. “Do you have nothing to say?”
“I did what I had to do. I’m only trying to protect you. I mean how many celebrity marriages work? I can tell you about one in a million. He’ll leave you with nothing after he cheats on you and you get ripped apart by the public.”
I can’t contain the growl that leaves my throat. I’m so sick of this bitch assuming I would ever do something like cheat on her or leave her. I’m going to get enough bullshit from the media, and her mother should be the last person filling her head with that bullshit.
Vi grabs my hand and squeezes, the same deep throaty growl leaving her throat. “That’s never going to fucking happen, Mother. And you know what? Such is life, and it’s a lesson I’ll have to deal with if it happens, but guess what, it won’t because Cooper and I have something different and always have.”
“You’re so damn blind, Violet. Always had your damn head in the clouds,” her mother spits out. “You needed to see how quickly the boy would leave you. I was pissed when Evelyn said she had enough of trying to get you to leave him, so I had to step up.” It's like I almost hear her evil leer over the phone.
“Fucking bitch,” I mumble, gripping my wife’s hips.
“Step up?” Violet laughs sarcastically. “Oh, you're brilliant, Mother. So, when that failed what else would you have you tried to do?”
“I was certain it would have worked, but I was waiting for Evelyn to put it into motion…” she snarls, “I should’ve known when I didn’t hear from her she'd fucked it up. Giving you both a chance to confirm they were wrong.”
“The only person who fucked up is you, Mother. I want nothing to do with you. You’re no longer a mother to me. I lost her a long time ago.”
“He was and is fucking up your life. I’ll stand by it,” Amber yells.
Vi blows out a large puff of air, annoyed. “Change the fucking record, Mother. Your reasons for not wanting us together are dated because they happened seven years ago. You keep telling me he's going to fuck up my life, yet as we figured out months ago
, you are the only one fucking it up. You took the bribe money and you broke my heart countless times. And to get what out of me? I want you to just stay out of my life.”
“I am your mother.”
“I. HATE. YOU.” Violet bellows and her whole body tightens. Her cheeks are bright red, heated from her anger, and when I put my hand on them, I swear they burn me. “I want nothing to do with you. I told you at the Ball I wanted nothing to do with you. I thought you got the point finally when you haven’t called me in four months. But here you are again putting in your two cents. Now this is the last time I’m going to say this. Stay out of my life or I’ll be forced to take drastic measures.”
“Oh? Like what?” Her mother challenges with a bitter hiss, but there’s a hint of fear in her voice.
My wife’s lips lift maliciously, and her eyes dance savagely. “Wouldn’t you like to know? I got lucky; my husband is famous with huge bodyguards who will protect me from anybody threatening me. His father was a respected lawyer and I'm sure I can get a restraining order, so if you come close to me, I'll have you arrested. Oh, and let’s not forget his grandfather is a pretty powerful person. So, just do yourself a favor and stay away from me. Forever.”
Lacking any kind of dramatic effect Violet hits the end button, so instead, she screams and throws the phone against the wall, where it breaks into three pieces.
I grip her shoulders and rub them, feeling the tension under my palms. Slowly with each knead and light kisses to her neck, her breathing begins to steady and her body relaxes. She’s not crying, just staring ahead, silently at the wall.
“I'm here, baby,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say.
She turns around in my arms and straddles my lap. Her breasts squish into my chest and she buries her face into my neck. “I hate her,” she murmurs. “You think she’ll stay away? I need her to stay away.”
“I hope so, but we’ll deal with it then if we have to, or we can do something now if you really want to.”
Her head lifts, a somber look in her blue eyes. “I don’t want to think about her anymore. She only keeps proving how unhappy she wants me to be. That’s not what a mother does.” Her eyes close and she takes a deep, shaky breath. “And the last thing I need is this stress, right?” Giving me a small smile, she grabs my hand and places it on her belly where our baby is growing.
I Found You Page 28
