by Faye Byrd
Weston gasps and covers his mouth, vibrating in his spot. “Oh my God,” he mumbles underneath his hand.
I side-eye Trystan and step away, leaving him to deal with my over-emotional brother. I can’t help but notice Ryder’s pleased smirk, also, but I roll my eyes and look to my babies. In only a few hours I’ve already missed them so much.
“Boys,” I call, interrupting their play.
“Mama,” Blake says, tossing his toy to the floor.
“We was comin’ to your office, but Weston said we needa see Ryder instead,” Cam adds, following his brother as they make a beeline to me.
I drop down and open my arms. They fly over and wrap me in their tiny embraces. After a good hug and kisses to both of their cute little faces, I pull away. “Did you guys enjoy your ice cream?”
“It was good,” Blake answers, nodding his head rapidly.
“I not cry for Daddy no more. I promise,” Cam says, totally out of the blue.
My brow furrows, and just when I’m about to ask what he means, Trystan drops down beside me and ruffles Cam’s hair. “I know you won’t, dude.”
I give him a questioning look, but he just shakes his head. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
As soon as I stand, Weston has me in his arms again. “Easy, I’m so happy for you. And for my little angels. This is the best thing ever.” He holds me tightly to him for a little bit longer before pulling back and smoothing my hair. “I know this was hard for you to accept, but we’ve all known it for a while.”
My eyebrows climb up my forehead. “Who is we all?”
“Pssh,” he says, waving a dismissive hand. “Myself, Amelia, Charlotte and even Ryder. We all knew since the barbeque.”
I lean to peer over Weston’s shoulder, eyeing Ryder. He shrugs. “My husband’s a smart man.”
Shaking my head, my eyes catch on the family who’s waiting patiently by the door. My family. My possibly happily ever after family. My heart swells inside my chest, the emotion almost too much to contain.
Tears well in my eyes, but my brother is there to keep them at bay. “No tears, sweetie.” He wipes away the one that had already snaked down my cheek. “You’re so lucky. You and Trystan have taken the worst situation imaginable and turned it into a blessing. There’s nowhere to go but up from here.”
I nod rapidly and grab Weston in a fierce hug. Everything he just said is true. Now that I’ve finally allowed us to be whole, our lives can truly begin. “You’re right,” I say as I pull back and grab his hands. “I love you, baby brother.”
“I love you, too,” he replies, popping a hand on his hip. “Even more now that the man meat is going to be joining the family.”
“Whoa,” I say, holding up my hands. “One step at a time.”
“Okay.” He shrugs and taps his temple. “But, trust me, I know these things.”
I tilt my head, holding in a smile. “One step at a time.”
As I turn to join Trystan and the boys, Ryder calls out, “Bye, Easy. And I’m glad to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back.” I toss him a smile, and it stays on my face as I join my family.
When we arrive back to my office, I open my lunch and eat while the boys tell me all about their trip to the ice cream store. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better first day back to work. I walked in a woman afraid and will leave a woman in possession of the greatest treasure.
“All right, dudes, let’s go so Mama can get some work done.” Trystan stands and collects my dishes, stuffing them back into his nifty little backpack.
When I stand to walk them out, a rush of nerves overcome me. But with a simple smile and a grasp of my hand, Trystan soothes the worry away. Our boys are smart, happy and so very accepting. The transition from co-parents to a couple will be as seamless as everything else for them.
When we reach the elevator, Trystan turns and places a quick peck on my lips, stepping back with a smirk. I ruffle the boys’ hair and remind them to be good for their dad as I watch them disappear behind the doors.
On the way back through reception, I ignore Tasha’s eyes as they bore into me. I continue to my office, stopping to close the door as she enters behind me.
“What the hell, Easton,” she says as we walk to our seats. “Clearly you left a lot out this morning. You’ve been hiding out at home with that yummy man and you came back to work?”
“Seems like coming back to work was the best decision I’ve made.” I smirk and lean forward on my desk. “But I’m more interested in exactly how you know Trystan.”
“I met him one morning at that hotel gym I use.” She shakes her head. “Gosh, Easy, it must’ve been when he first arrived in Atlanta. Anyway, I hit on him, and he turned me down. Told me it was the wrong day.”
While I’m happy to hear that it was such a simple encounter, Tasha’s an exceptional woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. Had she met Trystan under different circumstances, she could’ve easily snagged him. My chest constricts with the anxious thoughts.
“I can’t believe I was so stupid,” I say, burying my face between my hands. “I could’ve lost him over my own damn stupidity.”
“Easy,” she says grabbing my arm to get my attention. “I tried, girl. I really tried. He was having none of it. When he walked in here today, I thought the boyfriend gods were shining down on me.” She narrows her eyes. “But that man belongs to somebody else.”
“Yeah, now.” I motion hectically with my hands. “But what if—”
“No,” she says, waving her hand with finality. “No what ifs. He’s yours.” Her voice and expression are so dead serious that I have no choice but to agree.
I blow out a breath. “He is.”
“Well spill, girl,” she says, waving excitedly. “I know you aren’t going to leave me hanging after marking your territory so thoroughly.”
And I do.
I leave out nothing.
When I’m done, she sits back and crosses her arms. “So this is what love looks like, huh?”
“L … love?” I stutter, and though it hasn’t crossed my mind until this very second, my heart swells at the idea. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
11 Unguarded Crossing
Trystan
As Cam and Blake sit on the exam table, chattering among themselves, scenes from this past week play through my head on a loop. The heat that exploded between Easton and me in her office was passionate and a long time coming, but we also made a mistake. We forgot everything else and gave in to our carnal needs.
We’re together, and we’re both happy as fuck about it, but making a baby is still shelved … for now. We revisited that subject on Monday night, easily agreeing that we’d already made the best decision for our family in waiting for Violet’s results. So, for now, my cock is wrapped and all thoughts of sperm donation no longer exist.
Everything else has been fucking phenomenal. The transition from co-parent to couple has been seamless, but why wouldn’t it be? We’ve been a couple in every aspect of our relationship except one—admitting it.
The boys haven’t even blinked an eye. Not when I kissed her, not when I tugged her close under my arm and not yesterday morning when they woke bright and early to find us cuddled together in bed.
David’s voice brings me from my musings, as I didn’t even notice him enter. “All right, Cam. Are you ready?”
Cam nods, and I watch with a grimace as David sticks the needle in his arm. Cam’s a trooper. He comes in here every week and goes through the same routine, acting as though it’s nothing out of the ordinary. It hurts my heart to put him through so much, but at the same time, I know it’s necessary.
When he’s done, and a bandage is placed on both boys―yes, Blake gets one, too―David calls for Estella to take them for their suckers.
Once they’re out the door, I turn to him. “Is everything okay, David?”
He rubs his chin. “His last results showed signs that his counts are going do
wn. They’re not at a critical level, and he isn’t showing symptoms, but I’d feel better if we went ahead with a transfusion.”
I nod, thinking over what he’s saying. “Whatever you think is best. Can we schedule it for early next week? Easton and I are making a trip to Chicago on Friday.”
“Yes, is Monday okay?” he asks, rolling over to write on Cam’s file. “I’ll need him back here for testing by Wednesday?”
“That sounds perfect,” I reply. “Will we go to the hospital?”
“Actually, yes. It will be Kabir who oversees the transfusion,” he explains. “I’ll call the hospital and get him an appointment. Does that work for you?”
I stand and hold out my hand. “Sounds good and thanks, David. You’ve been the best, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“Let me know how it goes in Chicago. I love Cam and Easton as much as you do,” he says with a genuine smile just as I turn to go find the boys.
My brows rise into my hairline. “Uh … yeah, David, I know you do,” I say as I hurry from the room. I shake my head as I walk down the hall.
The following Wednesday, after we make it back from Cam’s appointment with Dr. Logan, I read to the boys until their eyes fall closed. It’s been a busy week so far with the transfusion on Monday, the appointment today and, Friday, they’ll be heading to Easton’s parents’ house to spend the night.
We’ve decided to take a one o’clock flight to Chicago on Friday and return at nine Saturday morning. Neither of us have spent twenty-four hours away from the boys since Blake came to Atlanta, but this is important, and we trust her parents implicitly.
I head down and straighten up the family room before grabbing a Sprite from the fridge and settling on the sofa in the living room. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I hit speed dial number two.
“Did you finally man up?” Coop says without a hello.
I smirk, remembering exactly how well I manned up. “Something worked. I will say, but that’s not why I called.”
“Don’t think you’re going to get away with just that bullshit,” he says, his voice scolding. “What happened?”
I sigh. Do I really want to get into this with Coop?
“Come on, man,” he whines like a baby. “I know you’re not going to hold out on me.”
I’m not, although I’m also not going to spill all the details. Somehow, things feel more personal now. This is our relationship, and for some reason, I don’t feel right discussing it so openly, even with my closest confidant.
“I surprised her with lunch at work,” I say, hoping he’ll think that did the trick.
“And,” he prods.
I rub my forehead and push my hand through my hair. “And what?”
“And, if you think I’m stupid enough to buy that bullshit then you’ve lost your damn mind,” he says, exasperated.
I sigh, weighing exactly how much I’m willing to share. “Fuck, Coop. Can’t I just say that we’re together now and that be enough for you?”
“Hell to the no,” he says, and I can picture him shaking his head. “You call me all sappy and shit because she won’t give you a shot and now that she did, you aren’t even going to tell me what happened? That’s low, brother, real low.”
He’s right, I know he is. I’ve always talked shit with him, so I give him the general rundown of what happened, excluding the hot office sex. Some things just need to be kept fucking private.
“Oh, hell yeah, man,” he says, all excited and shit. “The jealousy card will snag ‘em every time.”
I roll my eyes. “It wasn’t my fucking plan or anything. It’s just how it worked out.”
“I’m happy for you, man. Both of you. Not only do you have your sons, but now you finally have each other. Don’t fuck it up, dude,” he warns, his voice serious.
“Oh, I don’t plan to,” I assure him. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a woman quite the way I want Easton. There’s no way in hell that I’m letting her go.”
“Where’s my brother and who are you?” Coop asks sarcastically.
I shake my head because maybe he just doesn’t get it. “Man, it’s like … it’s like, I don’t know. Ever since the moment she slapped me, it’s as if a fucking switch was flipped. A woman who would stand up to me on that day for her son earned so much respect. It’s so much different than the cunt that actually carried Cam,” I say snidely, but I quickly recover when Easton’s face fills my mind. “I find myself in fucking awe sometimes. She’s so different from any other woman I’ve ever known.”
“Maybe that’s because you wouldn’t give any others a chance,” he suggests quietly.
I shrug and think about what he’s saying. “No, I guess I didn’t.” Then I chuckle. “But I suppose I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I’ve found my woman, and she’s just that … mine.”.
“Wow,” Coop says. “My baby brother is in love.”
“I don’t think it’s love. I adore her. I admire her. I want to fuck her, but love? Not quite yet,” I conclude, shaking my head even though he can’t see me.
He chuckles into the line. “Always the hardhead. You’ll see, bro. One day it’ll hit you, and you’ll realize I was right all along. Be sure and call me when it happens so I can laugh at your dumb ass.”
“Yeah. No worries, bro. I know I can fall in love with her. I expect to love her, but right now we’re just enjoying the togetherness. Can’t a guy catch a break?” I ask, smiling because I miss this on a daily basis.
“Okay, let me say one more thing, and I’ll drop it,” he says, and I pause, waiting to hear this nonsense. “I bet you don’t last another two weeks.”
A bark of laughter escapes before I can stop it. “You’re on.”
“Yes!” I can picture him fist pumping. “So what did you call for if it wasn’t to give me the lowdown? You and Easy are still coming this weekend, right?”
“Yeah. I wanted to firm up those plans,” I reply, taking a long swig of my drink. “Our flight is at one Friday afternoon. I thought we’d do dinner at your house or something. Can you get Mom to watch the kids?”
“Sure, I can do that. Do you need us to get you from the airport?”
“Nah, but you could take my car and leave it parked in the short-term lot. I’m probably going to go by the restaurant first and meet with Brandon. I’ve got some decisions to make.” I blow out a frustrated breath. “It’s hard to toss your dreams in the trash.”
“The car’s no problem,” he says. “And yeah, man, I get that, but let’s not think that way just yet. More like, putting them on hold. There’s nothing stopping you from pursuing this dream a little further down the road.”
“You’re right,” I agree with an absent-minded nod, my mind picturing a different restaurant in a different city. “I have more important things to focus on anyway.”
“You do, bro,” he says, and I can hear his secretary interrupting. After a couple more seconds, he sighs. “All right, I guess I need to get back to work. Who fucking knew I’d be looking forward to my paternity leave.” He chuckles.
“Are you serious?” I ask, my eyes widening. “You’re taking paternity leave?”
“Hell yeah,” he says, affronted. “Dad whined a little, but with three kids, Kari will need the help.”
I shrug. “Hey, if you can’t get it from the family business, where can you get it.”
The secretary speaks again, and my brother sighs. “Let me go, man. Call me after you land Friday.”
“Will do.”
By the time our plane touches down on Friday, the tension that’s settled on Easton’s shoulders is obvious. I hate to see her so worried about how this conversation may go, but I understand it. They’re my family, and she barely knows them. So I’ve tried to be as assuring as I can while not being too pushy. She has the right to feel how she feels.
As we wait for our luggage, I brush my fingers softly down her arm on my way to twine our fingers. “Are you sure you’re up to go by the restaurant? We can
always go straight to my house.”
Easton rests her head against my shoulder and looks up at me with those gorgeous but worried eyes. “I’m actually excited to see a little piece of you, even if it is something you’ve decided to put on the back burner … for now.”
“For now. I like that.” I give her a cocky grin and bring my free hand up to cup her cheek. “When this is behind us. I’ll revisit the idea … a little closer to home.” Easton doesn’t even try to contain her gasp, and I brush her bottom lip with my thumb. “Yeah, home. Atlanta. The place where my family lives.”
“Trystan.” Her eyes mist, but she blinks them furiously. “I …”
I shake my head. “It’s true. There’s nowhere else I want to be.”
I tap her on the nose and step over to grab our suitcase just as it passes on the conveyor. With a cheeky smile, I tug her hand, and we make our way to the where Coop said he left my car. After helping her in, I settle behind the wheel and sigh as I smell the leather. There’s nothing like being behind the wheel of my own car.
“This is nice,” Easton says, brushing her finger across the dashboard and glancing to the backseat where Blake’s car seat is still firmly attached. “I’m not even surprised to see that back there since I know you so well.”
I smirk. “The ladies love a single dad, especially one in a hot car.”
She giggles and it’s so fucking good to hear. “I bet they do.”
I start the car and back from the space, navigating out of the airport as quickly as I can. Once we’re on the freeway, I pull her hand over and hold it with mine as long as I can before we exit into the city. I zip through downtown and finally pull into the lot of what was going to be my restaurant.
Ashby’s Fine Dining.
Brandon is leaning against his car, and his smile widens when he recognizes me. He approaches just as I get out to open Easton’s door. “Man.” He throws an arm around me. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he says, pulling back and clapping me on the shoulder.
“It’s good to see you, too,” I say and tilt my head for him to follow. “Come on, let me introduce you.”
