by M. A. Stone
“The game,” he hissed. Floyd shook his head and smiled.
“Try again, Bryce,” he told him. Bryce leaned back in his chair and frowned.
“Fine, you rat bastard! We were watching figure skating. The Olympic trials for the Winter Games. Fucking figure skating. Skeeter recorded it on his DVR and we watch it when our wives aren’t around,” he spat out. Moe covered her mouth with her hand and choked back a laugh.
“Good boy. That’s not all you two watch together is it?” he asked our eldest brother. Bryce flipped him off with both hands and muttered under his breath.
“What was that? Sorry I can’t hear you,” he replied. Bryce’s face got red again.
“Nashville, you bastard. We watch Nashville together too. I don’t see what the big damn deal is. You watch Designing Women and Will & Grace with Mama,” he replied. Floyd’s eyes got wide and then they narrowed.
“You little shit. I told you to never tell anyone about that!” yelled Floyd. Bryce grinned like a demented jack-o-lantern and laughed.
“Tough titty says the kitty,” he replied. Floyd lunged for him and Moe let out a whistle that stopped them both in their tracks.
“Boys! Don’t make me get your Mama! Floyd, you’re at work! And Bryce, who gives a shit what you watch on TV? Own that shit! Hell, my brother Baylor watches Scandal and pretty much every show on HGTV and he still pulls all the pussy. So, stop arguing in the hospital and behave yourselves or leave!” she yelled. Floyd’s jaw dropped, and Bryce just looked at her like she was Xena Warrior Princess. Moe looked at me and smiled.
“Woman, I think I love you,” I moaned as she leaned forward and hugged me.
“Pulls all the pussy?” I whispered in her ear. She leaned back and shrugged.
“What can I say? My little brother is a pimp,” she replied with a giggle.
After everyone had left that night, Moe sat with me on the bed and ran her fingertips over my arm; giving me goosebumps.
“What do you want?” she asked out of the blue. I looked down at her and smiled.
“As far as?” I asked. She sighed.
“You’re a teacher and you were married. I mean, do you want to get married again or would you prefer to stay single?” she asked as she brushed a stray curl off her forehead. I looked up at the ceiling and then back down at her.
“I want to get married again and have a whole houseful of kids. My Mama did it alone and it wasn’t her choice. But I loved the noise, the teasing, all of it. I want that. I want someone to come home to and I don’t know, someone to be with,” I told her, kicking myself inwardly for sounding like a gigantic pussy.
“You want someone to do the important things with,” she told me. I nodded and kissed the top of her head.
“What about you?” I asked. She sighed happily.
“I want to have a house on lots of land, with animals. And I want kids, lots of them. I want to decorate my house for every single holiday and have it be the place where everyone comes. And I want Sunday dinners at my house. I want slow dancin’ in the living room after the kids go to bed and quickies in the laundry room because it’s the only time we get to be alone,” she replied. I laughed softly.
“Sounds crazy,” I admitted. She nodded against my chest.
“It does. I’ve never found anyone to do it with. I used to think it was something far out of reach,” she admitted.
“I can understand that feelin’. What woman wants to hear a guy confess he wants a houseful of kids? None,” I told her. She giggled.
“I loved hearin’ you say it. Does that make me a weirdo?” she asked, looking up at me.
“The best kind,” I told her, smiling as she mock frowned at me.
“We’re gonna do it,” she stated plainly.
“We already did. Last night. A few times,” I told her. She smacked my arm.
“Ouch. Hey, I just had surgery you brute. Where’s my call button, I think my nurse needs to escort you out of here,” I teased. Moe narrowed her eyes at me and smiled slyly.
“Touch that call button, buddy and see what happens,” she threatened. I smiled.
“Are you gonna get naked and ‘teach me a lesson’? Because if so, I’ll push the hell out of that button,” I told her with a wink. Moe shook her head and sighed.
“I meant, we’re going to get married and have all those kids,” she replied seriously. I looked into her beautiful eyes and smiled. ‘
“Are you proposin’ to me?” I asked. Moe bit her lip and shrugged.
“I sound like a psycho, don’t I?” she asked. Shaking my head, I took my hand in hers. ‘
“My brother just confessed to me today, that after fifteen years with his husband, they’re splittin’ up. My other brother is a serial dater and Bryce…dear Lord I don’t know how his wife hasn’t murdered him yet. The point is, everyone is different. Love happens when it happens. Do I love you? Not yet. Am I falling in love with you? Hell yes. So, if you’re saying that down the road, you want to marry me and have all my babies . . . then I’m game,” I replied. Moe cocked her head to the side and looked confused.
“This is impossible. No one falls for someone that they barely know,” she muttered.
“Um, if I remember correctly, you told me you’ve been kind of stalking me for a couple of years now. So, I wouldn’t exactly call us strangers, Moe,” I told her. Moe slowly smiled.
“Good point, but I wouldn’t call it stalking. I mean, we’ve been on committees together and worked alongside one another for a few years. We knew each other in a professional capacity. And yes, I admired you. I just didn’t have the nerve to ask you out,” she explained. I put my hand on her cheek, caressing her jaw with my thumb.
“Stop. You’re in your head again. I have had you on my mind ever since you started working at the school. I just figured you would see me as just another good-lookin’ guy and that’s it,” I admitted. Moe shook her head and blushed.
“You’re so much more than that, Jacoby. You have to know that,” she told me as she sat up, spun around and cupped my face with her hands. She leaned in and softly kissed my lips. Closing my eyes, I let the kiss happen, feeling the electricity between us down to my toes.
“Mm, I like kissing you,” she told me as she pulled back and licked her lips. I chuckled.
“I’m a pretty damn good kisser,” I told her. She laughed and shook her head.
“Did you know that my Daddy and Mama were married one month after they met?” I asked her.
“No, you didn’t tell me that. One month? Really?” she asked. I nodded.
“Her car broke down on the side of the road and he was her tow truck driver. She told me she couldn’t stop lookin’ at him the whole way back to the garage and when they got there, he asked her to dinner,” I told her. She sighed and smiled.
“Wow. That really is love at first sight,” she admitted with a wistful smile. I shrugged.
“She said the true love happened later, once they got to know one another. But, she did tell me she couldn’t get him out of her head and she just wanted to be with him all the time,” I said.
“I get that. Been there,” she said sarcastically. I nudged her, and she giggled. I leaned up and kissed her lips softly, framing the side of her face with my hand. Both of our heads jerked to the door as Bryce ran back in with Floyd on his heels.
“Hey guys,” I said. Bryce frowned.
“What’s wrong?” asked Moe, as she looked at my two older brothers curiously. Ashton waddled in behind them, sweat beading her forehead.
“Hey, Jacoby,” she huffed as she came over to me. I looked at her curls plastered to her skin, her heavy breathing and dull looking eyes.
“Hey, Ashton. You okay?” I asked her. She lowered herself into the chair next to the bed and let out a long breath. Bryce hovered beside her and when he attempted to caress her bare arm, she swatted at him.
“I’m fine,” she breathed. Bryce frowned.
“You’re not fine. She’s not fine. She’s in labor! But she’s bein
’ pigheaded and stubborn. Said she won’t go up to labor and delivery until she sees that you’re okay,” he spat out. Ashton glared at him and then fixed me with a sweet smile.
“You feelin’ okay, Jacoby? When do the doctors say you’ll be going home?” she asked, ignoring my brother. She leaned forward a bit and huffed for a few minutes, looking down at her feet the whole time. Suddenly, she looked up at me, an eerie smile pasted on her face.
“Um, I’m good. Don’t you want to go upstairs? I wouldn’t want you to deliver the baby here,” I told her. She shook her head.
“You really should, Ashton. The doctor is expecting you,” said Bryce. Ashton’s smile faded, and she flashed him a nasty look.
“The baby isn’t comin’ out until I’m ready. I’ll just keep her in here until I’m ready,” she hissed, her face contorting in pain and anger.
“That doesn’t even make sense. You can’t do that,” he replied firmly. She put her hands on her massive belly and groaned as a contraction hit.
“I can do whatever the hell I please! If I want this baby to stay in here, they’ll stay in here,” she said, a nasty edge to her voice. Bryce grabbed her arm and she bit him hard. Bryce yelled and moved away from her, cradling his arm. Floyd moved closer to him and checked out his arm.
“Dude, she fucking bit me! Ashton bit me,” shrieked Bryce. Floyd chuckled and then swallowed it down as Mama came into the room. She looked at all of us with a sharp expression and then walked over to Ashton; her expression changing to one of warmth and concern.
“Ashton, honey. It’s time to go upstairs. Bryce will follow us once he can behave himself. Jacoby is fine, you can see that he’s fine and I’ll be with you every step of the way,” she told her in a soothing voice. Ashton nodded, took Mama’s hand and waddled slowly to the door. Bryce made a move to follow them, but Mama, sensing it, turned and gave him a look.
“Did he just back away like a vampire does from sunlight?” asked Moe, a smile on her lips. I nodded.
“Mama does have that effect on us boys. Especially Bryce,” I told her. Bryce stood next to Floyd and sulked.
“Calm down, bitch tits. Mama will let you back up. Meanwhile, let me check out your arm,” stated Floyd.
“It’s fine,” he snapped. Floyd shook his head.
“Not its not fine. You’re bleedin’,” he replied calmly. Bryce looked down and paled a bit. He held out his arm and Floyd shook his head.
“We have to go in a different room to clean this up, dill hole. You might need a stitch or two, she did a number on you,” Floyd told him as he motioned for Bryce to follow him out of the room. Bryce gave me a smile before obediently following him out of the room. Moe let out the laugh that she’d been holding in.
“Your family is way better than mine,” she laughed. She tangled her fingers in mine, her fingertips tickling the palm of my hand.
“Come on, seriously?” I teased. She nodded.
“Yes, seriously. My sister doesn’t talk to anyone. We’ll be in the dining room after dinner, having coffee and dessert; she’ll go into the living room and read. My dad says she’s a ‘pain in the ass’ and her husband just puts up with it. Baylor is hardly home and when he is, he’s either working or studying,” she replied. I leaned back against the pillows and sighed; pain and fatigue starting to creep back.
“You want a pain pill? I can get your nurse,” she asked. I nodded and let go of her hand for a moment. She ran out and came back with a nurse who handed me two white pills in a plastic cup and my water. I took the pills and after drinking the water, I handed the cup back to Moe. Closing my eyes, I let sleep take me.
Chapter Seven
Isadora Pauline Garcia was born at one am the next morning, weighing in at a whopping nine pounds, twelve ounces. She had Ashton’s curls and Bryce’s nose. Bryce came down and showed me pictures of her that he’d taken on his cellphone.
“Bryce, she’s beautiful. Congrats, brother,” I told him as he slid his cellphone back into his pocket. He rocked back on his heels and grinned.
“Thanks, Jo. Ashton is wiped out and they’re giving the baby a bath and checking on her. I thought I’d run up here and show your first,” he replied.
“Did you send the pics to Mama?” I asked. He nodded. He was without a doubt, one proud papa. He sat down next to me, hands in his lap.
“You okay, Bryce?” I asked him. Bryce looked down at his shoes for another minute and then looked up at me.
“I’m a dad. Can you believe it?” he asked, his voice soft. I chuckled.
“I’m still finding it hard to believe that you found someone to not only marry you, but let you touch them sexually,” I joked. Bryce frowned and shook his head.
“Why do I always have to be the mature one?” he asked. I chuckled at that.
“You? The mature one? Last year you got kicked out of your HOA meeting for calling the lady down the street a ‘raging whorebag’ when she complained that your Halloween decorations were too scary. You were almost banned from the movie theater in town, for life, for removing your pants to watch a movie. Oh, and let’s not forget shootin’ me with a BB gun,” I told him. Bryce waved me off.
“You’re gonna bring up the BB gun? That happened when we were kids,” he explained.
“It happened last summer, when I was mowing the lawn for Mama, asshole,” I told him. Bryce scoffed.
“I’m a dad now. I’m going to be more mature and level headed,” he replied, then broke out into laughter.
“Who’re you kidding?” I asked, shaking my head. Bryce laughed loudly and long.
“I’m surprised I was able to get that whole sentence out with a straight face,” he said as he continued laughing.
“That Moe really likes you, huh Joker?” he asked me suddenly. I nodded.
“It would appear so. Even if I did end up in the hospital after taking her out on a date,” I replied. Bryce smiled.
“Same shit happened to me after my first date with Ashton. We went to some steak house and ended up with food poisoning. Shit happens. She still chose to continue dating me. And we just had a kid,” he said in awe.
“Things are going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay,” I told him cheerfully. Bryce snorted.
“What kind of drugs do they have you on, Joker? Listen, I gotta get back upstairs to my ladies. I’ll check in with you later, okay?” he asked. I nodded.
“Congrats again, Bryce. Give Asthton a big hug and kiss from me okay?” I asked. He nodded.
“You know it,” he replied before practically racing out the door. I smiled to myself, feeling warm inside despite the post-surgery pain.
The next day, I was home. Mama cancelled her mornings appointments to drive me home from the hospital. After a fifteen-minute argument, I got her to agree to drop me off by the front porch so that I could walk inside by myself. Shuffling into the kitchen, I chuckled at the brand, spanking new farmhouse style kitchen table that was front and center in the kitchen/dining room. Slowly, I made it to me room.
“What’re you doing here?” I asked Moe, as I saw her lying in my bed. She smiled slowly and sat up.
“I’ve been here keeping an eye on your nephew. Your Mama camped out in the waiting room on Labor and Delivery. Besides, I thought I would take care of you today,” she told me. I sat down on the bed, wincing until I got comfortable. Moe hopped up, left the room and came back a few minutes later with a tumbler full of water and some snacks. She slid on the bed beside me and I pulled her to me; resting her head on my chest.
“So, I have a confession to make,” she said. I kissed the top of her head and sighed.
“Yes?” I asked.
“I’ve only seen one Indiana Jones movie,” she whispered. I mock gasped and she giggled, burrowing her face into my side. Grabbing the remote control to my tv, I switched it on and queued up Netflix.
“Well get comfy, woman. We’re going to watch all of them,” I told her as the theme song for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom started to pla
y. I was happy, so fucking happy. And all because I’d allowed my friend Nadine to auction me off for charity.
The End
The Bid on Love series unites the talents of eight romance authors to bring you stories that will leave you breathless and begging for more!
Book 1: Souled by KL Shandwick
Book 2: Going, Going Gone by Samantha A. Cole
Book 3: Joker by M.A. Stone
Book 4: A Chance at L.O.V.E. by KL Myers (Coming July 2nd)
Book 5: For Her Amusement by Heather Anne (Coming July 16th)
Book 6: Stab at Love by Kristine Mason (Coming July 30th)
Book 7: Bidding on the Bodyguard by Kristi Avalon (Coming August August 13th)
Book 8: Afraid of Love by Annelise Reynolds (Coming August 27th)
Other books by M.A. Stone
The Drawn Series
Riveted
There Goes the Neighborhood
Caught Up
Twisted
Somethin’ Bad
About the Author
M.A. Stone has been writing and making up stories ever since she was a little girl and had her Sesame Street coloring books taken away for filling them with dirty words. She was born and raised in Upstate NY (which oddly makes her sound like she is from Wisconsin) and has moved around all over the East Coast. She currently lives in South Central PA with her amazingly sarcastic husband and their four incredibly entertaining children. She’s also addicted to root beer, peanut butter, horror movies, and the tv show, Supernatural.
Connect with M.A. Stone:
Join her reader group, M.A. Stone’s Rockin’ Readers, on Facebook.
Email: [email protected]
JOKER
Copyright 2018 M.A. Stone
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author or publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use the material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author at [email protected].
