Hammered with You: Book 2 (Ross Brother's Trilogy)

by Nikki Mays

  “Are you going to say anything?” She huffs.

  “Are you sure that you don’t want to do any Black Friday shopping today? Because I have to tell you, you would probably be able to scare a decent amount of people away from anything that you wanted to buy right now.” I may or may not regret those being my first words to her after she told me that she’s pregnant. But what’s done is done.

  She bites her bottom lip while glaring at me. “You’re probably right. I’m definitely in a stabby kind of mood right now.”

  I grimace. “There’s no way to back track from that, is there?”

  She shakes her head slowly while getting up from the couch. Is it bad that my first thought is that I hope she’s kidding about the whole homicidal rage and that she isn’t armed? She walks over to me and holds out her hand. I swear that I didn’t flinch, too much.

  I look down at her hand and back up to her face. “What is it?”

  Her eye lids lower slightly. “It’s the pregnancy test. Haven’t you ever seen one before?”

  I shake my head. “No, before you I made sure to stay as far away from anything that looked long term, or like it would take up too much of my time. I sure as hell never forgot to use a condom. Plus, I didn’t date very often since the company took priority after Dad died.”

  “I don’t know whether to think that you’re sweet, or an asshole.”

  “Maybe a little of both?” I smile helpfully as she hands me the stick. I look down and smile widely when I read the white and purple stick that says pregnant. And then I look at Jessie in disgust.

  “What’s wrong?” She questions with her arms folded across her chest.

  I hold out the stick in between my index finger and thumb. “Did you really just hand me something that you peed on?”

  She leans in closer to me and grabs my face between her hands. “Ben, you realize that we’re having a baby, right?”

  “Yes, I’ve caught onto that fact.”

  “Then you just need to suck it buttercup. Because guess what? That baby is going to puke, pee and poop on you, a lot, and you just have to deal with it.”

  “Can’t we just send the baby to Ma’s until it’s potty trained?” I ask reasonably.

  She releases my face and walks around me towards the kitchen while muttering. “The worst part of that freaking sentence is the fact that you are completely serious.”

  I follow dutifully behind her since she still can’t seem to make anything edible. “What? Mom is great with babies. She loves them. Why not just have her watch the baby and do all of the gross stuff for us? It’s a win-win really. It keeps Ma busy and we stay clean.”

  She sits down at her spot at the table. “Well for starters, it’s our baby. And your mom has a new boyfriend. One who I’m sure is keeping her plenty busy.” She giggles evilly.

  I turn around from where I was looking in the fridge to give her a nasty look. “Just for that comment, you’re only getting yogurt and granola for breakfast.”

  “You can’t do that!” She laughs and jumps up into my arms. “I’m pregnant with your child. Eggs and bacon are a must.”

  I catch her and pick her up. She wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I nuzzle my nose against hers. Her eyes look happier than I’ve ever seen them.

  “Are you happy?” I ask.

  She gives me a brilliant smile. “Yes. I’m terrified and have no clue what it takes to be a mom, but I’m really happy. How about you handsome?” She asks while scratching her nails through my hair.

  “Happy enough to make you bacon and eggs.”

  “Are you going to tell us why you’ve been so fucking happy?” Mason asks me a few weeks later at work.

  Truthfully, it’s been killing me not being able to tell anyone about the baby. We even went to the doctor’s office last week and got to see the baby through an ultrasound machine. The coolest thing in the entire world was hearing the baby’s heartbeat. It sounded like a bunch of horses galloping through a field or something. We’re even in the clear to start telling people or something. I didn’t understand the whole thing about twelve weeks but Jessie seemed happy.

  I wanted to run right over to Ma’s house after the appointment and show her the pictures of the baby. Jess decided that we should wait until Christmas and give Ma a framed picture of the ultrasound. Personally, I doubt my mother will care one way or another. She’ll just be happy about getting another grandbaby to spoil and try to turn to the dark side. But Jess seemed really happy about it. Honestly, she’s just been randomly crying about things lately. I was too scared to say no to her idea.

  I look over at him with a huge smile. “I’ll tell you on Christmas Eve.”

  Noah and Mase look at each other before looking back at me with matching frowns. “Why are you going to wait until Christmas Eve?”

  “Because, Jessie says it’s a present for Ma.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Look, I’m going to do whatever I’m told. And I was told to keep my mouth shut until Christmas Eve. It’s a few days away. Just deal with it.”

  “Ya know, you could be a little nicer to the awesome brothers who helped you and your girlfriend move all of her shit into your house last weekend.” Mason sniffs.

  I look over at Noah with raised eyebrows and tilt my head in Mason’s direction. “Do you want to tell him or should I?”

  Noah’s lips twitch. “I’ll do it.”

  Mason looks between us with a pout. “Tell me what?”

  “You’re beginning to sound like Mom.” Noah grins evilly with his hands clasped in front of him.

  “No I don’t.” He huffs and looks over at Elle who’s pretending not to laugh. “Elle, help me out here.” He whines.

  “I’m Switzerland, thank you very much.” She says primly with twinkling eyes.

  Mason gives her a dirty look. “Is that anyway to thank the person who went along with your team building day.”

  She leans her face on her hand and gives him a droll look. “Don’t act like you wouldn’t rather spend the day throwing axes than sitting in the office. And it will be great way to get everyone to have a fun day all together.”

  I still don’t know how she talked us all into this. But four day after Christmas, we’ll all be going to an indoor axe throwing arena, as a team building exercise. Supposedly, it will help the whole company work more harmoniously together. I’m sure that it will be a lot of fun, I just don’t see how it’s supposed to bring us all together or whatnot.

  “You used to be nice.” He huffs.

  She gives him the smuggest look that I’ve ever seen. “And you used to not sound like your mother.”

  Noah and I can’t even keep a straight face at the look of shock on Mason’s face.

  “Everyone’s just jealous that I’m her favorite.” He grips.

  “No, that would be Marc, little brother.” Noah chimes in while reclining in his chair with his arms behind his head. Ever since their weird truce where him and Elle only acknowledge each other’s presence when absolutely necessary, he’s been in a great mood. It probably has also helped that none of the guys have been hanging around her like flies on horseshit. Even Cody doesn’t come around much either.

  “No it’s me.” Mason s grumbles pitifully. “Anyway, are you both sure that you can get that playhouse put together? You know that you both didn’t have to go so crazy when it came to presents.” He says referring to how Noah and I may have gone a little overboard when it came to Christmas gifts for Ella.

  I just shrug and smile. It’s not every day that you get the world’s sweetest niece, especially when you’ve only had little hellions for years. I love my nieces, but between Kayla and Marc, those kids are going to be nothing but hell on wheels. “Eh, money comes and goes. The memory of her face when she sees everything will be worth it.” I say as Noah nods his head in agreement.

  “You know that Kellie is going to kill us all, right?” Mason smirks.

  Noah snorts and shakes his head. “I saw her walki
ng out of the pet store the other day with three huge bags full of dog treats and toys. She can’t say a damn thing. At least we’re spending money on a human.”

  Mason just smiles and shakes his head. “That dog can do no wrong. She’s been sneaking him food and treats at every turn. He’s going to get so fat that we’ll have to roll him around.” He chuckles. “Did she see you?”

  Noah barks out a laugh. “Yeah she did. She turned bright red and looked so damn guilty. She even tried telling me that they weren’t all for Bos.”

  I’m about to respond when my phone rings. I look down and see that it’s the salon calling. Jessie probably let her battery die. “Hello.”

  “Hey Ben, you might want to get down here.” Kellie says in a worried tone.

  “Why, what’s wrong Kel?” I ask as I start to shove all of my paperwork in my drawers and pull out my wallet and keys.

  “Her father just came in drunk and is yelling at her about her mom being dead and him needing money from her.”

  I take a sharp breath. “What the fuck?”

  Mason and Noah are standing now as well, giving me questioning looks.

  “She’s really upset and he won’t leave. He just keeps making a big scene.”

  “Call Marc and have him or your brother go down there. I’ll be there in less than five minutes.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  “What’s wrong?” Noah asks as him and Mason follow me out the door and toward my truck.

  “Jessie’s father is at the salon drunk and making a scene. Apparently, he’s telling her that her mother has passed away and he needs money.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Mason mutters as he hops into the backseat. “Kel has said that she doesn’t talk about her family much, I guess I know why now.”

  “Yeah,” I say as I put the truck in drive and haul ass out onto the street, “the only person she really considers family is Edge, since they grew up together.”

  “I thought her ink looked familiar.” Noah says offhandedly.

  Less than four minutes later and we’re pulling up to the salon. I hop out of my truck and see Edge walking towards me with a scowl on his face. It makes sense that Kellie would call him too, especially since he has dealt with her father before.

  “Hey man.” He gives us all a chin lift. “How bad is it?”

  “You don’t know?” I ask as we all walk towards the door.

  “Nah, Kel only got as far as telling me that Rick was in the salon. I hung up and sprinted over here.”

  “It’s not good.” I say as I open the door.

  “You selfish little bitch! What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I used all of my money crematin’ your worthless whore of a mother. I need money.” The words are the first thing I hear and they roll through me with a vengeance. My eyes take in the man that’s responsible for spewing them. I’m guessing it’s her father, Rick.

  He’s normal height, scrawny and malnourished, except for his beer gut. His hair looks like it’s days past needing a good wash. The tattered jeans he’s wearing were probably once blue, but are now gray. His wife beater is stained yellow, with what smells to be cigarette smoke. He can barely stand as he tries to drunkenly slur out his words. Christ, no wonder why she always changes the subject whenever her family is brought up.

  “Son of a bitch!” Edge growls beside me.

  I rush in and go straight to a tear stained Jessie. She all but collapses into my arms and silently shakes. I wrap my arms around her and rub her back in gentle circles.

  Off to the side I can hear Edge yelling at Rick. After what I walked in hearing, I will never be able to call him her father, ever again.

  “Rick, shut the fuck up and get out of here. No one needs your drunk ass around here.” Edge states in a voice so menacing that I almost want to comply for Rick.

  Over the last few weeks, Jessie and I have hung out with Edge a few times. He’s always fun loving around Jess. Truthfully, he’s usually trying to piss her off, which is beyond entertaining. But this Edge, this is one that I think other people see and the one I’ve gotten to know is reserved for Jessie. He looks at ease towering over Rick with murder written all over his face.

  “I need my money. I raised this useless, ungrateful little slut and she…” Is all that I let Rick get out before I stomp over to him.

  “Do not say another word about her. Do you understand me, you old disgusting drunk? She doesn’t owe you shit!” I spit out while trying to cover Jessie’s ears with my arm. “The only person that she owes any loyalty and gratitude towards is Edge for helping her survive life with you.”

  “Who the fuck are you to talk to me like that? Huh, rich boy?” He’s so drunk that he wobbles and almost falls over, grabbing onto a chair at the last minute.

  Jessie takes a step back and looks at Rick with so much venom that I’m actually taken aback. Jessie is sweet, funny and nice to people who are even rude to her. To see her looking like this is a bit of a shocker.

  “He’s my man. My love, the father of my child and my future.” She hisses and misses the few gasps from her announcement. “He gets to talk to you any damn way he pleases. Hell, everyone in this room can talk to you however the hell they want. You’re pathetic. You come in here drunk to tell me that my mother died.” She gives a humorless laugh. “No wait, you didn’t come to tell me that she died weeks ago, no you came here begging for money for more booze. You are a waste of life and I will never give you a single cent of my hard-earned money. Now you need to leave and never contact me again Rick. You are nothing to me, just like I’ve always been nothing to you.”

  By the time she finishes her statement, she’s shaking. I wrap my arms around her again and she cuddles in without a thought.

  “You little…” Thankfully we are saved from hearing whatever bullshit he was about to say by the next voice.

  “Is there a problem here?” Damon growls. And I know it’s Damon just because of the air of pure menace that has suddenly filled the room. You would never believe that his wife is an absolute sweetheart.

  Rick looks like he’s about to say something to him before getting a good look at Damon and wisely shutting his mouth.

  Damon walks in and heads straight for Rick. “I asked you a question.”

  Marc comes strolling in a second later like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “What seems to be the problem? You okay Jessie? Did the drunk bum try to come in for a haircut and make your eyes water because he smells so bad?” He asks with a straight face. I swear to God, I don’t know whether to feel sorry for Kayla some days or realize that she truly did meet her match with him.

  “I’m not a bum!” Rick huffs.

  Marc purses his lips and looks him up and down. “You look like one.”

  “He smells like one too.” Damon drawls.

  “I can have your badges for this. I’ll tell the police chief that ya’ll are unprofessional to good people.” Rick slurs.

  Marc blinks a few times before looking around the room and then smiling. “Hello Doris, you are looking mighty beautiful today.”

  Doris gives him a smile. “Why thank you sugar.”

  Marc gives her a charming smile. “Can you do me a favor?” He winks.

  “Sure thing sweetheart, what do ya need?” Her grin is nothing short of mischievous. Jessie was right on Thanksgiving, Doris is just as bad as Ma.

  “Can you call your husband,” Marc looks at Rick real quick. “The chief of police and tell him that some bum is upsetting Jessie. You know, the reason that your hair always looks so fabulous.”

  “Well you bet I can. He’ll be very upset since she always makes sure to leave my hair feeling nice and soft for him to run his fingers through.” She taps her index finger to her lips. “Plus, Jessie is the one who set him up with Edge for his tattoo.” Doris gives Rick a look that could peel paint. “I’m sure he’ll be real interested to hear about what you were saying to our sweet Jessie.”

  Have you ever seen a mama bear’s claws come out and attac
k someone? Because I’m pretty sure that’s what we all just witnessed.

  “I’m goin’, I’m goin’”. Rick stumbles forward and is saved from falling by Damon grabbing the back of his collar.

  “You’re not going anywhere but to a cell to dry out.” Damon grunts.

  “I didn’t do nothin’!” Ricks flails around uselessly. Damon could probably keep him still with two fingers.

  “Public intoxication. Disorderly conduct. Solicitating. Just to name a few.” Marc says casually as he watches Damon hold onto Rick.

  “You gonna help me?” Damon looks to Marc.

  Marc purses his lips and then grins. “Nah, you got this buddy. I’ll take everyone’s statements.”

  “Why do you always leave me with the drunks that smell?” Damon growls.

  Marc folds his arms across his chest. “Name one time that I’ve done that to you.”

  “When we picked up their brother Craig a few years ago. I ended up smelling like shit for the rest of the day.”

  “And like I told you last time, it doesn’t make sense for both of us to smell bad for the whole day.” Marc counters as Damon puts Rick into handcuffs.

  Doman stares at Marc like a serial killer the entire time he’s walking Rick towards the squad car.

  “You sure that you should be pissing him off like that?” Mason asks what we’re all thinking.

  Marc shrugs with a grin. “Michelle texted me earlier and asked me to do my best to annoy him today? And since she’s like a sister to me, I take her requests very seriously.” He adds a solemn nod.

  “I don’t believe that.” Jessie says from my arms. “She is one of the sweetest people in the world.”

  Kellie nods her head. “Yeah, I don’t really see her doing that.”

  Marc rests his hands on top of his belt. “Normally you would be correct. However,” he says wearing a shit eating grin. “Damon said some shit about her macarons still being dry or something equally as stupid.”

  “Never mind.” Jessie mutters while Kellie, Doris and Katie nod their heads.

  Edge looks around in confusion. “I don’t get it, what’s the big deal?”