Baby for my Dad's Best Friend (Seaport Billionaires #2)

33. Kaylee

33

KAYLEE

W hen I pull into the driveway after work, I’m surprised to see Kinsley’s car parked against the curb.

I kill the engine, remove my seatbelt, and climb out of the car, walking up the sidewalk to the house, where she’s sitting on the front steps.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, coming to a stop at the bottom as I look up at her.

“You have some explaining to do.”

“Dad told you?”

She shakes her head. “No, I heard him and Mom fighting about it last night. He stormed out of the house and didn’t come home until he was good and drunk.”

I take a deep breath and nod toward the door. “Come on.”

She stands and we move up the steps and into the house.

I drop my bag and keys by the door. “Make yourself at home; I’m going to go change.”

I suddenly feel more uncomfortable than ever.

I move up the stairs and into the bedroom where I close the door behind me.

I remove my jewelry and kick off my heels. I put everything away before taking off my skirt and top, trading it for a pair of sweatpants and a crop top.

I gather my hair up into a messy bun, and loop a scrunchie around it to hold it in place. Then I make my way back down to find my sister in the kitchen.

“I’m starving. Why don’t you have any junk food? No snack cakes, no chips, nothing to throw in the microwave?”

I laugh. “Because we don’t eat that stuff. I have some fruit, crackers, or nuts.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Want some coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

I brew us a couple of cups that we take to the living room.

We sit on opposite ends of the couch, facing one another. “So, Mom and Dad were fighting about me and Austin?”

She nods. “Dad wanted Mom to be as mad as he is.”

“She’s not?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “No, I mean, she seemed a little surprised at first, but she told Dad that you’re both adults and get to live your lives the way you want.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“How in the hell did this start, anyway?”

I shrug. “After spending a couple of months living back at home, Mom was pushing me to get back out there. That’s when I decided to focus my time and energy on redoing this house so that when school started, I’d have a home.”

She nods.

“Dad overheard us talking and he said he had a friend in construction. He said he’d call him and see if he would meet with us to give me an estimate on the work.”

She gasps. “So, Dad introduced you two?”

I bite my lower lip and nod.

“Man, no wonder he’s pissed.”

“Anyway, that night, Austin met us here. From the moment we met, I just felt drawn to him. I was obviously attracted to him, but it was deeper than that. I don’t know; it’s hard to explain. It’s just one of those things that you feel. I had never felt it, but it was intoxicating like the best high you’ve ever experienced. Like…” I blush.

“Just seeing him check me out was a turn-on, Kin. And after he took the job, any time I walked into the room, he was watching me. Things with us were just easy. We could talk and understand one another on a level I’d never experienced. When we were together, we were always laughing and having fun. We just… synced perfectly and in every way.” My blood warms just from talking about it.

“Anyway, every time we were together, we got closer until one day, we slipped. We were here alone, working in the backyard. We were covered in dust from sanding the cabinets, so we went to rinse off with the hose. He held it for me and then I held it for him, but I was wet, and my hand slipped, and I drenched him with the hose. And then things just spiraled. One minute, we were nothing, the next, we were playing, wrestling, and fighting for the hose. He was grabbing me, trying to take it, and we were both laughing. I think it was the first time I laughed since the day I was supposed to get married, and it just felt so good to be looked at, teased, and enjoyed. I’m not sure who kissed who, but there we were, soaking wet and making out like high school kids. Of course, he got control of himself and pulled away. He left and avoided me for a week.” I laugh, thinking back.

“But that was the last straw for both of us. The next time we were alone, I wasn’t going to stop. I wanted what I wanted, and I knew he wanted it, too.”

She grins. “You seduced him?”

My grin spreads and I roll my eyes. “I hate that word. Let’s just say that I finally got him to take what he wanted. And once that happened, it became easier to forget how wrong it was.”

She shakes her head. “This is insane. This story you’re telling me sounds hot as hell. I mean who doesn’t love a forbidden love story? But I just can’t picture you getting it on with an old guy.” She shivers.

I laugh and pull my phone from my pocket. I scroll through my pictures until I find my favorite one.

He’s shirtless, lying on his back while I’m riding him.

His dark eyes are open and locked on me, he’s biting his lower lip, turned on, and looking sexy as hell.

I turn the phone for her, and her eyes pop out. “Wait. This is the guy?”

I smile and nod.

“This guy is as old as Dad?”

I nod again.

“How?”

We laugh. “I mean, Dad settled down young, got married, and had kids. The sooner you settle down, the older you get, I guess.”

The front door opens, and Austin walks in. He sees me on the couch and smiles, but then he notices Kinsley, and his grin falters.

We stand and I move to his side. He wraps his arm around me, his hand settling on my hip. “Austin, this is my younger sister, Kinsley. Kin, this is Austin.”

Kinsley smiles wide, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I know she’s thinking about the picture. She holds out her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

He shakes her hand quickly. “You, too.” He looks down at me. “Did I forget about something?”

I shake my head. “No, Kin just dropped by to catch up after she heard my parents talking last night.”

He nods, seemingly understanding what I mean. “Oh, I see.” He looks between us. “Should I leave you two alone to catch up, or…”

“No, stay,” I tell him, pulling him to the couch. “I was just telling Kin how we got together.”

I push him to sit down and crawl onto his lap. “You mean how you seduced me?” he asks, his hand moving to my thigh to rub it.

“Such a dirty word,” I tease. “I just showed Kin a picture of you.”

She giggles and her face reddens again.

He looks from her to me. “You didn’t.”

I grin and nod. “It’s my favorite picture. I would get it tattooed on my body if I could find someone to do those dark eyes of yours justice.”

He groans, letting his head fall back onto the couch. He raises his hand, rubbing his palms against his eyes. “Because every guy wants to see a tattoo of himself when he has his girl bent over in front of him.”

Kin laughs, reminding us of her presence.

“God, she’s going to think we’re fucked up.”

Kin sips the last of her coffee, places the cup on the table, and stands. “I’ve known my sister my whole life. I already know how fucked up she is. And sorry, but that means that you’re just as fucked up to be with her.” She laughs and starts toward the door. “Bye, Kay.”

I laugh, watching her go as I wave. Once the door shuts, I look at Austin, who has a serious look covering his handsome face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I couldn’t sleep last night, so I went out for a drink.”

“Okay?”

“Bumped into your dad at the bar.” His hand begins to move up and down my thigh again, almost like he’s trying to soothe me.

“And? What happened?”

“We talked. He listened to what I had to say. And then he told me he’d gotten in an argument with your mom. She told him that it was your decision, and that made him realize that it’s also his decision who he lets into his life.” His dark eyes meet mine. “He’s no longer letting me in his life. Our friendship is done.”

My heart breaks and falls to my stomach. “Baby,” I coo, hugging him. “I’m so sorry.” I squeeze his neck a little, and he kisses my collarbone.

“It’s fine. I knew this would happen. It just hurt to hear the words and see all the anger and pain in his eyes.”

“He’s still processing, Austin. He needs more time. Just because he’s upset now doesn’t mean he’ll be upset in a month, or two, or ten. He’ll come around. You’ll see.”

He nods. “It’s just that… I’ve always looked at Dave as a father figure. I know that sounds stupid because we’re the same age, but he grew up faster than I did. I was still hanging out in clubs and sleeping with random women while he was married, raising a family, and working full-time. Any time I had a problem, I called him, and he always made me see things differently. He’s always had this wisdom to pass on to me. And now that I’m going to be a father and need some of that wisdom, he’s done with me.”

I comb my fingers through his hair, unsure of what to say.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love you, and I’m staying with you for the rest of my life. I’m in no way regretting this.” He squeezes my hand. “I just wish there was some way that we could have it all. Each other, our families, and our friends. I guess that’s just too much to ask for.”