by Kaylee Ryan
“Kinley too. Women just have a knack for that shit. She wouldn’t have offered if she didn’t want to help. She’s slow right now while she gets her studio ready. I say take her up on it.”
The waitress brings our food, and just as I’m about to bite into my cheeseburger, the diner door opens and in walks Misty with Tom fucking Harris. He’s bad fucking news and everyone knows that, including Misty. “Motherfucker!” I say, placing my cheeseburger back on the plate, my appetite suddenly gone.
Aaron looks over his shoulder to follow my stare. “Shit, what’s she doing with that jackass?”
“I have no fucking clue.” I close my eyes, willing them to be a figment of my imagination. I count slowly to ten and then open them—-no such luck. Misty and Tom are being seated in a booth on the opposite side of the diner. She sits first and instead of sitting across from her, Tom slides in next to her, throwing his arm around her shoulders.
“Fuck, man, she needs to keep better company.”
No shit! “Yeah, when she’s carrying my baby she damn well needs to. I better not find out her ass is taking anything,” I seethe.
“Is she trying to make you jealous?” Aaron asks.
I shake my head. “No, not once since she told me she was pregnant has she indicated she wants us to be together. I offered, man. She turned me down cold.”
Aaron studies me, trying to see if her rejection bothers me.
It doesn’t.
He’s not going to find any remorse in me for her, only my unborn child she’s carrying. There’s a fucking cigarette behind his ear. She does not need to be around that shit. Without thinking, I’m standing and striding toward them. I reach their booth and Misty’s eyes lock on mine.
“Evan,” she greets me. She’s not being mean or hateful. She greets me as if I’m just some guy she knows.
Indifferent.
“Misty,” I repeat the gesture. I’m trying hard not to lose my shit over her choice of company. I decide to make small talk. Maybe Tom doesn’t know about the baby. “When’s your next appointment? I forgot to ask you earlier.”
Nothing. No change in expression. “I haven’t set it up yet. I’ll text you.”
Tom pulls the unlit cigarette from behind his ear and places it in his mouth. He lets it hang there unlit. “That’s not good for the baby.” I don’t bother to elaborate. I know she knows what I’m talking about.
“It’s not lit,” she replies.
“You can’t smoke around her,” I tell Tom.
He laughs. “Like I’m going to listen to you.”
Placing my hand on the table, I lean down, nose to nose with him. “You will. You see, Tom, Misty here is carrying my baby. Just a few short hours ago, she signed over all rights to me. In that same agreement, she signed she would not put herself in harm’s way, in turn not putting my unborn child in a harmful situation.” I stand back to my full height.
Misty continues to sit there unaffected.
Tom turns to her. “You carrying his kid?” he asks.
What a fucking tool.
“Yeah.”
“He telling the truth? You sign those papers?”
“I did. I didn’t read them. I skimmed to make sure the baby would be his full responsibility and signed.”
Done with this conversation, I reach over and snatch the cigarette out of his mouth. I crush it in my hands, then dust them off on the table. I know there are more where that came from, but I want to get my point across.
“See that you follow the contract. I would hate for you to be in contempt.” I stalk back to Aaron, slide in the booth, and pick up my now cold burger. I have to choke it down.
Aaron motions for the check as I make quick work of my food. He pays the bill and we leave. I feel sick at the thought of what types of situations she’s getting herself into.
I’ve spent the last six weeks working on my studio. I painted each of the four walls a different color. I’ve been picking up props at flea markets and clearance sales. It’s all really starting to come together. Aaron is supposed to help me hang blinds today. Sometimes I’ll need the natural light and others I won’t. I’m going to get him to help me setup my green screen bar and lights when he’s here as well. What are brothers for if you can’t use their muscles?
Stepping back, I survey the large room. It’s better than I had hoped. I have my first shoot in two days.
I can’t wait!
Not wanting to lose my momentum waiting on Aaron, I drag the ladder to the far wall, gather my hooks for props, and climb up. I want the hooks high enough so the kids won’t be able to get to them. I know how little ones like to explore in new places. Raising my arms to hammer in the first nail, I feel the ladder wobble. The next thing I know, I’m falling backward. Nothing but hard wood floor waits for me below. I brace myself for impact. However, it’s not the hard floor I collide with—-it’s strong arms.
“I got you,” a deep, husky voice whispers in my ear.
Evan.
He gently places my feet on the floor while holding onto my arms to make sure I have my balance. “Thanks,” I mumble.
“You’re welcome. Why didn’t you wait for Aaron to do this?” he asks.
“I’m on a roll. I have my first shoot in two days and I’m excited to get everything finalized.” My brain finally registers he’s here. “What are you doing here? Not that I don’t appreciate your impeccable timing.”
“Aaron’s stuck in traffic coming home from the stockyard. He called and asked if I had time to run over and help you. I believe he said, ‘Kinley is chomping at the bit to get this done.’”
“I’m excited,” I defend.
He chuckles. “I can see that, but we can’t have you getting hurt. Now, show me what needs to be done. We can get this place whipped into shape.” He reaches down and picks the hook up off the floor.
“I was . . . um . . . hanging them for those,” I point to the box of hats and scarfs I’ve acquired for props.
Evan nods and starts to climb the ladder. “Why so high?”
“I plan to do a lot of family and kids shoots. As a matter of fact, my first shoot is with twin boys for their first birthday. Little people like to explore in new places. I wanted the props out of the way of temptation for them. Besides, there will be less of a distraction and it will be easier for me to maintain their attention.” I look up at him and all I see is his ass, front and center in all its glory. Let me just tell you, Evan Chamberlin can fill out a pair of worn Levi’s. My mouth waters and I feel my face flush. Damn! I quickly look down to get myself under control.
“Can you hand me the next one?” Evan asks.
Shit!
Bending down, I pick up the other hook and attempt to hand it to him without looking. “Kinley,” his deep voice rumbles my name.
I get lost in the sound and forget I’m hiding my blush, which only makes me blush harder. “You good?” he asks.
Am I good? Um, hell yes I’m good. Turn back around and let me get back to ogling your fine ass. “Yeah,” I say instead. “Why aren’t you working today?” I ask to get my mind off his ass.
“Misty had her four month check-up today.”
“How did it go?”
“Good. She hasn’t gained much weight. The doctor told her she needs to eat more. She measured okay, but the doctor is just worried about her getting enough calories.”
“What did she say about it?”
“Hmph. Nothing as usual. I offered her money for clothes and stuff and she refused. Said she didn’t need anything from me. She’s starting to show. I placed my hand on her belly when I saw her.” He climbs down the ladder. “It’s still hard for me to grasp the fact my baby’s in there, you know?”
Gah! Evan is one of the sweetest guys out there and hot as hell to boot! Misty is a damn fool. “Yeah, it really is a miracle when you think about it.”
“I was thinking, if we can get this all squared away, maybe you would want to go shopping with me? I’ve only got five months an
d I need . . . well, everything.”
“Absolutely! I’m happy to help you.” I don’t bother to hide my excitement. It’s hard not to get excited about a new baby, no matter whose it is.
“Thank you.” I can hear the relief in his voice. “I’ve read a few books and looked online, but I don’t have the first clue as to what this kid is going to need.”
“Well, we can start with the easy stuff. You’re going to need a crib, dresser, changing table,” I tick each item off one by one. “Do you have a rocking chair?”
His eyes are huge as he shakes his head no. “Add that to the list.”
He motions to my hand where I have my fingers raised. Instead, I hold my hand out. “Let me see your phone.” Evan reaches into the back pocket of those Levi’s I was just drooling over and hands it over.
“Do you have a task list?” I ask, even though I’m already searching his phone. Finding what I need, I tap the icon and make a new list. I title it “Baby Chamberlin.” This brings another question. “Have you decided? Do you want to know what you’re having?”
“I don’t have a strong feeling either way. I just want him or her to be healthy. I can’t ask for much more than that.”
His honest, heartfelt confession has me swooning. Misty’s an idiot, plain and simple, no other way to describe her.
I tap away on the app, adding a checklist of items I know he’s going to need. When I’m finished, there are at least twenty items shining bright on the screen as I hand it back to him. I watch as he reads through the list and finally his eyes meet mine. “You said you would help me, right?”
“Yes, but I need my studio ready beforehand.”
“Let’s do this. What’s next?” I instruct him on the blinds and he gets to work. I would love to say I work just as diligently right along beside him, but that would be lying. Instead, I make a halfhearted effort. I spend the rest of the time stealing glances at him. I think it’s a rite of passage that all little sisters have a crush on their brother’s best friend. Time has been good to Evan. He’s going to make some girl one hell of a husband someday. This baby is lucky to have him.
Even with my slacking, Evan and I are able to finish all of the last-minute projects in the studio. “This place looks great,” Evan says as he hangs the final blind.
“Thanks. I’m fortunate to have the space. I’m excited to get started, but I didn’t want a studio in town. I don’t want to have structured hours. I want to be able to plan shoots on location. Next week, I’m shooting an eight-year-old’s birthday party. Her parents are buying her a horse and they want me to be there to capture it all.” I stop my rambling to turn and look at Evan. He’s watching me with rapt attention, a grin lighting his face. “That’s what I love about photography, capturing life’s moments. Studio work is great and necessary for some shoots, but I don’t want that to be my main focus. I want to be able to be there to capture memories for my clients.”
Evan is still watching me and I can feel my face heat with embarrassment. I just rambled on and he let me.
He takes a few steps forward, and suddenly, he’s standing in front of me. I have to tilt my head back to look up at him. His chocolate eyes are boring into me as he lifts his hand as if he’s going to touch me, but then drops it. “Will you do that for me? Help me capture memories for my baby. I’m going to be both mom and dad, and I don’t want to forget to take pictures and videos while getting wrapped up in being both parents. I’m going to need you there to help me catch it all.”
I know he’s talking about me taking pictures, but from the intense look on his face, it feels like something more than that—something I can’t describe and don’t know if I really want to. Today has been filled with simple touches and looks. Obviously, I’m attracted to him. How could I not be?
Taking a step back, I nod. “Absolutely. I would love to take pictures for you.” Taking another step back, the distance eases the thickness of the air between us. “Thanks for your help today.” I offer him a smile.
“You’re welcome. You feel like going to the store? I don’t know that I’ll buy anything today, but I would like to at least look. I’ve never even been in the baby section. I’ve bought all my books online.”
“Sure. Let me run in and freshen up a little. Give me ten minutes?”
Evan nods, and I turn and rush down the stairs. I don’t want to keep him waiting.
McKinley sprints out the door like her ass is on fire. Why wouldn’t she? I don’t know what the hell came over me? She’s fucking gorgeous, but she’s Aaron’s little sister. Not to mention, I’m about to be a single father. She doesn’t need my drama. I’m just grateful she’s helping me out. I’m overwhelmed by all this.
I can’t fuck that up.
Surveying the small studio, I can see her here. She’s put a lot of effort into it to make it her own. After listening to her talk about photography with fire and passion in her eyes, I wanted to make sure she did that for me, captured my baby’s moments. I won’t deny there was an undertone to my request, something I have no business feeling or even wanting.
I lock up and decide to wait for her in my truck. As I hit the bottom step, I see her come bouncing out of the house. She’s always been that way, full of life, taking each day as it comes. I used to chalk it up to her being young, but she’s still that same girl. Only she’s not a girl, she’s all woman now.
“Ready?” she asks as she pulls open the passenger door. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I can’t help but smile.
“So, where should we go?” I ask her.
“There’s a Babies“R”Us in town. Let’s go there first,” she suggests.
“Sounds as good a place to start as any.”
“So . . . have you thought about the possibility of getting rid of this old thing?” she asks as she pats her hand affectionately on the dashboard.
“What? What’s wrong with my truck? This baby has been with me from day one.”
Laughter escapes her lips. “Yes, I’m well aware. You and Aaron are both attached to your trucks. However, you are going to be hauling precious cargo in just a few months. It’s safer for babies to be in the backseat.”
Shit! I let her words sink in. “Okay, so it looks like I have something to add to the list.” I hand her my phone.
“Don’t look so sad,” she teases, handing the phone back to me.
“It’s not sadness as much as . . . apprehension. I’m doing this on my own, Kinley. That’s not how I imagined this would play out.”
“Maybe not, but this is your reality, Evan. Life is messy and unplanned. Very rarely do things work out exactly as we wanted them to.”
“I know that. Trust me, I do, but I feel like I’m spinning out of control here. I have no idea how to take care of a baby. Gran and Gramps are not in good health. Dad is . . . not well. Besides, he and Mom need to stay in Alabama to be near his doctors. I’m fucking scared to death I can’t do this.” The words leave me in a rush. I feel ashamed for admitting it out loud, but it is what it is.
Reaching over, she places her hand on my arm. “Evan, from the minute you found out Misty was pregnant, you wanted this baby, right?”
With a quick glance at her, then moving my eyes back on the road, I answer, “Yes.”
“That’s all you need to remember. This baby is a part of you. You will love him or her unconditionally and do your best. Do you think our parents had it all figured out? Not hardly. You take each day as it comes. You face the challenges life throws at you. You make sure your child knows how much you love them. Everything else will fall into place.”
“I hope you’re right,” I mumble the words. The rest of the drive is spent in silence. It’s not awkward or uncomfortable. McKinley gives me the space I need to process what she said. Space to work through this fear I have of ruining my kid’s life.
I pull into the parking lot of Babies“R”Us and kill the engine. It’s full of SUV’s and minivans. I can’t see myself driving a minivan.
“What�
�s wrong?”
I point to the silver van parked in front of us. “I don’t think I’m a minivan dad.”
Kinley throws her head back and laughs. “Of course not. You’ll be the cool dad with a big four-door truck. That’s the most practical for your job, you know.” She winks at me and my jeans tighten just a little. Just enough that I know my body responds to her; to remind me she’s Aaron’s little sister and only here to help me; to bring back that my kid’s mother wants nothing to do with either of us.
“Let’s go, old man. We have some shopping to do.”
Kinley hops out of the truck and waits for me by the tailgate. I slowly climb out and join her. Linking her arm through mine, she guides me into the store. Once inside, she stops to get a cart. “Just in case we find any deals.” She grins and again I find myself under her spell.
Kinley pushes the cart, glancing up and down the aisles. I walk beside her, taking it all in. She leads us to the back of the store where a huge sign reading “Furniture” hangs from the ceiling.
“Okay, so you will need to decide what color furniture you want. I would suggest going with the color of the trim in your house. Make it all match.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” I say, pulling off my hat and running my fingers through my hair.
“There are several designs. I guess you should also decide how you’re going to decorate the room.”
“Umm. . . .” Decorate the room? Shit! I’m in way over my head. Kinley must notice because the look on her face is one of understanding.
“Yeah, usually there is a theme, you know—cars, planes, movie characters, things like that. Unless you go completely unisex, you should probably wait to find out what you’re having before making any big decisions,” she rambles on.
“Yeah, we, uh, we can find out at her next appointment. She doesn’t care either way, and at first, I was on the fence. But seeing all this, I think knowing could only help me prepare better.” I decide.
“I agree.” A woman with a baby on her hip and too many items in her arms walks by. “Ma’am, would you like this cart? We’re just looking,” Kinley offers.
