by Paige Steele
It’s Thursday and we are having the shower tonight. The race this week is in Oakland, California, so the guys don’t need to leave until tomorrow. We got lucky that it’s a close one so they could be here. Once we decided on a date, we also thought it needed to be a Jack-n-Jill type of shower. It only made sense because, well…Cooper is up Ansley’s ass twenty-four seven, so it was either that, or we kidnap her to get her away from him. And he probably would have hunted us down and killed us with his own bare hands. So we opted for a party that included the guys.
Kenna and Ryan will be hosting it at their house, and if Josie and I don’t get on the road, in the next ten minutes, we are going to be late. Decorating still needs to be done before the food gets delivered and Cooper’s parents will be landing at five thirty and heading right over. Then our guests of honor will be arriving at seven.
I slip on my Chucks and fold them over before I yell over to Josie’s room to see if she’s ready.
“Lady, we leave in ten.”
“What did you decide to wear?”
“Don’t tell me you aren’t even dressed yet?”
“Okay, I won’t,” she giggles.
“Josie, I’m going to strangle you, girl. Just throw something on.”
“What are you wearing?”
“My jean mini, grey Motocross and Mascara tank by 151 Brand, with my black Chucks. Now get your ass dressed and get out here.”
She comes out all ready, two seconds later. She was just yanking my chain. She’s been dressed and ready to go, she loves to see me sweat.
“So, this will work?” she asks, as she twirls around in a circle, dressed in jean capris, a hot pink t-shirt that hangs off one shoulder, matched with a cute pair of silver sandals.
“You’re a brat, now get your cute ass in my car.”
We arrive, decorate, and the caterers deliver the food on time. Mr. and Mrs. Brewis walk in shortly after we finish putting out the finger foods. It’s a matter of time before the others will be arriving, so we start handing out drinks to everyone. The guys have even broken their rule of no alcohol right before a race, but they limited themselves to just a couple beers.
Everyone has arrived and now we are just waiting on the soon to be parents to a come through the door. Ryan just got a text from Cooper, stating they are leaving now so it should be a matter of minutes. I see them pull up so we have everyone move to the other room, so we can yell ‘Surprise!’ What’s a surprise party if you don’t yell it?
The door handle turns and Ansley walks in first, Cooper is right behind her. His hand is resting on her lower back as they walk toward the kitchen. As everyone here comes in to her line of vision, they yell out, ‘Surprise’ at her, and she starts crying.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Cooper is instantly in front of her, holding her face in his hands as his fingers wipe away her tears.
“I’m fine, it’s these damn hormones. Don’t get me wrong, my heart skipped a beat, the baby did a backflip, and I might have peed a little when everyone yelled, but I’m just so happy.”
The entire room starts laughing as Cooper wraps her up in a hug. After she goes to the bathroom, we dive into the food. There is salad, roasted garlic potatoes, BBQ pulled pork, grilled chicken, as well as shrimp and vegetable skewers, not to mention all the other dips and chips we already had out.
The entire party gathers in the living room, there’s two chairs upfront for Cooper and Ansley, it’s now time to open presents. One by one, each gift is handed over to them. Cooper decides to demonstrate what he calls is the daddy pouch. It’s the front baby carrier, he’s all strapped in, and I have to say he might be the hottest dad I’ve ever seen.
By the end of the night, Ansley is once again in tears, she sheds them at the drop of a hat. It doesn’t matter what it is; she’s tearing up. Mr. Protector is by her side before the first tear has a chance to slide down her cheek. He holds her tight, not letting her go. Cooper is going to make one hell of a dad to their little one.
There is a crazy amount of yellows and greens in this room, as we still don’t know what they are having. Though a few of us threw in an outfit that is in a color that we think the baby is. I think all of us females had bought something pink, purple, or just overall girly. Of course, the guys are determined it’s a boy, so they received a ton of toy dirt bikes and baby clothes that were related to riding. We all laughed as Cooper opened the bikes, to find that each one given was of the rider that handed over the gift. Yes, they all had toys replicated of themselves. Oh, they are beaming with joy, like little boys on Christmas morning.
“You guys are so pathetic!” Josie shouts out giggling, as she rolls her eyes. Which gains around of laughs.
“I know, right?” I say.
“You girls are just jealous because you don’t have dolls made of yourselves.” Jesse smirks back at us.
“We don’t need dolls to know how cool we are, plus if we had them, we’d probably find you guys playing with them anyway.” I smile back and yes I’m being a smart-ass.
“Oh, Cupcake, why would we do that when we can have the real thing anytime we want?” The smile that spreads across his face makes mine turn red in front of everyone else.
“Ohhhhhhh.” All the guys say at once and laugh.
I’m trying to hide my amusement of him, though I don’t think I’m doing a good job of it. I raise my eyebrows at him and stand up before saying, “Anytime you want, huh? Hey, Ansley, do you think I can get a doll made for Jesse? Looks like he may need something to play with soon.”
“Ohhhhhhh.” Another round comes from the guys mouths as they chuckle.
“I don’t think so,” he says, and follows me to the kitchen.
I hear words of harassment being shouted from the guys as they pick on him for backing down so quickly.
“Fuck you all!” Jesse yells over his shoulder to them.
As I’m reaching up to grab a glass out of the cupboard, I feel two hands grip my waist and a mouth on my neck. He swipes his tongue on my earlobe causing goosebumps to cover my body.
“You know when I said anytime we want, I just meant it because we are together now,” he whispers.
I contemplate letting him think it bothered me little longer…but I can’t handle his hot breath on my neck and his body being so close. My head falls back on his chest, and I’m a goner, I give in immediately.
“I do, but it’s nice to see you grovel a little.”
“Is it now?”
“Hmm, hmm.”
“Maybe I should make you beg a little later.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Maybe we should leave now.”
“No, we can’t,” I say, turning around in his arms to face him.
“I know.” He smirks, plants a quick kiss to my lips, and swats my ass before walking away.
I’m a bit shocked at his playfulness, we haven’t been a couple for all that long, and it’s the first time I’m seeing this side of him. It’s actually a turn on for me to see him this way. I love that he’s touchy feely all of sudden, and that his hands need to me on me whenever we’re close.
The last two weeks have gone by in a flash. The guys have been coming and going to races, while all of us ladies have been packing up and moving in with Ansley the minute Cooper leaves. Well, actually, he won’t leave the house until at least one of us arrives to stay with her. His mom is coming today to stay until after the baby is born. I think it’ll make him feel better with her here.
I plan on picking up Jesse today at the airport, as they all arrive back home from Arlington, Texas. His flight gets in at noon, and I can’t wait to spend some time with him. Between his racing and training, I feel like we haven’t had a lot of time together. He thinks he’s riding home with Ryan, but I just can’t wait any longer. I’m feeling somewhat like the needy girlfriend already.
Standing just outside of eye shot, I watch him walk through the security gate with Ryan, and they are both chuckling over something. Walking out so I’m in his line of
vision, I see his eyes go to wide then heat up with lust. I smile back, knowing I wore something to get his attention nicely. My jeans are ripped from side to side, up and down my legs, both in the front and back. I paired them with my spike-heeled, black leather boots, which I know are his favorite, they hit just above my knees, and are eye-catching. The light pink sweater I picked out to wear, is hanging perfectly; leaving my shoulders exposed.
“Later, man.” Jesse throws the back of his hand against Ryan’s chest as he stalks toward me.
“Yeah, man,” Ryan says back as he nods his head in my direction.
“What are you doing here, Cupcake?”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.”
He snakes his arms around my waist and plants a kiss on my mouth that causes my entire body to tingle. Before pulling back a little, he places two more pecks on my skin, one to my neck, and the other on one of my bare shoulders. My hands and arms grip tighter around his neck, as I need to get my balance before I can let go.
“We should get out of here before I strip you naked and we get arrested for indecent exposure in public.”
I nod my head and giggle leaning back slightly; making my eyes meet his. Jesse slides his hand down to my ass, swats it, rubs it, and then takes my hand in his. Pulling it up, he kisses the back of it as we begin to walk toward my car.
I pop the trunk and he throws his bags in it and takes the keys from my hand.
“I’m driving, Cupcake.”
“It’s my car,” I pout.
He pulls me against his body once again and whispers his words against my lips, “I’m driving and you’ll like it.” A smirk forms on his face and I can’t say no.
“Well, since you put it that way.”
He opens the passenger side door and I get in, before he walks around to sit behind the wheel. As we take off the song “Mind Reader” by Dustin Lynch comes on and Jesse glances over at me.
“What?” I smile.
“You know what those boots do to me, and yet you wear them where I can’t attack you.”
“Haha, attack me, huh?”
“Just like the song says…you’re a mind reader and you know it, too.”
We drive back to his place and spent the next twenty-four hours getting to know each other, all over again. He showed his dominant side last night and then made sweet love to me this morning, just like before. As we lay in each other’s arms relaxing, my phone chimes.
“You going to get that?”
“Yes, in a minute,” I huff out. I just wanted a few more minutes enjoying this moment. Another chime and then another.
Jesse chuckles, “I think you’re a wanted woman.”
Then Jesse’s phone starts.
“What the hell, people?” I roll over, picking up my phone, Jesse does the same while I start moving quickly out of bed.
WE HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY!!!
JESSE
As we fly into the hospital parking lot, Maddie is bouncing in her seat, and I can’t slam her car in park fast enough. She’s out of it, sprinting toward the door, and I’m running behind her. The minute we hit the information desk, she’s blurting out Ansley’s name and asking where the maternity ward is. As we get off the elevator, we see the tiny waiting room filled with our friends and family. Both Cooper and Ryan’s parents are here, along with Kenna, Ryan, Josie, Cole, Trey, and Adam.
“Hey, everyone,” Maddie says as we enter.
“About damn time,” Kenna says.
“Sorry, we were…oh, forget it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…you were just what?” Josie giggles.
Maddie’s wide eyes travel to Josie. The room got quiet as she did the same. The sound of laughter spreads across the room which helps break up the embarrassment that I think she is feeling. Considering she’s usually a little smart-ass in front of others, it’s nice to see this side of her.
“Okay, any news yet?” she asks.
“We were told she is seven centimeters dilated and her epidural is working, so she’s not in the pain she was when we first got here.” Mrs. Brewis answers the question with a smile. You can tell both her and Cooper’s father are on pins and needles, waiting to see if they will have a granddaughter or grandson. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mr. Brewis so on edge. He’s usually so calm, cool, and collected, this side is something I’m sure he doesn’t display often.
“I’m going to head down to the café for some coffee, does anyone want any?” I ask.
I take orders and Ryan offers to walk with me. Once out of the room, we talk about last week’s race and what each of us has been working on to improve our ride. We also discuss how Cooper got lucky that she’s delivering now, because he’ll have a couple days before we all have to head back out to the next event.
“You know he would have stayed home and not raced, had it been Friday morning,” I state.
“Of course, he would have, though I think we’d all do the same thing if we were in his shoes,” Ryan says.
By the time we return, we’re told they are hoping to have a baby in the next hour. I hand out the coffees and I place the muffins and croissant sandwiches I picked up on a table. I knew both Maddie and I didn’t get a chance to eat before we flew in and out of the shower, then out the door to come here.
Twenty minutes pass when a nurse comes into the waiting room.
“Is there a Mrs. Brewis here?”
“Yes, that’s me.” As she steps forward so does Cooper’s dad, his arm slips around his wife’s waist. Concern spreads across their faces.
“I was instructed to come out to see if you’d like to come in for the birth of your grandchild?”
“Oh my goodness.” Her fingers cover her mouth as she stands still for a few seconds before turning in her husband’s arms.
“Go, welcome that little one into the world,” he says, then kisses her lips.
A smile now replaces the worry as she walks with the nurse out the room. Ryan’s dad goes over and pats Christopher’s shoulder. I can hear what they were saying as they stand right next to where a group of us are talking.
“So you ready to be called Papa?
“More than you’ll know. If someone had told me two, three, or even four years ago that this would be happening, I would have told them they were crazy. But Cooper and I have repaired all that was wrong with our relationship and we are now closer than ever.”
“I’m glad to hear that. He’s grown up to be a fine young man.”
“Your boy has done the same.”
“That he has. They are all a good bunch of kids.”
As their conversation dies down, ours heats up. The ladies start to argue with us guys that the baby will be a girl. They have their reasons; they insist they know by the way Ansley is carrying the baby, the heartbeat, and other crazy factors. I’m not buying what their selling.
Making my way over to Maddie, I step behind her, and lean close to her ear. I speak in a low tone, as what I’m about to say is for her ears only.
“Want a make a friendly wager, Miss Camp?”
“Hey, that’s usually my line,” she says with a little pout, “but what do you have in mind, Mr. Anderson?” She continues to look forward, but I can see her cheeks rise in a smile. I’m speaking her language, she loves a good bet.
“If I win, I get to say where and when.”
“And if I win?” She glances over her shoulder at me, with her eyebrows raised.
“I get to say where and when.”
Turning fully around, placing the palms of her hands on my chest. “So let me get this straight, if you win or lose you get to call the shots?”
“Good idea,” I say, placing a tiny kiss against her lips.
She giggles as Cooper enters and we all come to a complete halt. All sounds escape the room as we wait for him to say something.
“You’re killing us here, Coop,” Ryan mentions what we are all thinking.
“I have a son.” We can barely hear him as it comes out just over a whisper. He�
��s choked up, you can tell.
“Yes!” Comes from us guys as we fist bump each other.
“Dad, you want to come meet your grandson?” Cooper looks over at his dad and asks.
“Of course, Son.” He walks over and gives Cooper a hug.
“Wait, before you leave, what’d you name him? How much does he weight? How long is he?” Kenna quickly blurts out all her questions at him.
“Oh, I’d like you all to meet Ryder Christopher Brewis. He weights seven pounds eleven ounces and he is twenty inches long,” Cooper says, holding up his phone like a proud dad.
All the girls rush over to him to get a glimpse of the new man in town, the one that has now captured all their hearts. Every single one of them fell in love with the little guy.
“How’s Ansley doing?” Josie asks.
“Are they both doing okay?” Kenna is right behind her asking her own question.
“They are both doing great. Ansley was amazing in there. She’s the reason I’m out here, she made me leave to tell you all. I wanted to just send the nurse, but she said no, I had to do it myself. But now I want to get back to my wife and son.”
“Go and tell her we love her.” Maddie smiles over at him.
“Congrats, man.” I nod in his direction.
“Thanks, guys. As soon as they clean up the room, they said you can come in, two at a time.”
He walks away and the ladies all start talking about how cute he is and how beautiful Ansley still looked after going through the delivery. Before we take our seats again, I can’t help but remind Maddie that I just won our little bet.
“You’re mine.”
She grins and I continue to talk, “I won, so you know what that means, right?”
Her head just nods at me so I answer for her, “You’re sweet ass is all mine, Cupcake.”
Just by looking at her I can see that my words have affected her. Her expression gives it all away and I love it. Who knew how good falling in love can be? Certainly not me. My eyes race over her face until they land on her mouth. I watch the tip of her tongue come out slightly, wetting her lips, before her teeth drag across the bottom one. The heat in her eyes is the same heat that fills my entire body.
