Chapter 4
“Blake!” a man yelled in consternation, and it took me a second to realize it was Gavin, thanks to his new voice.
I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to that.
My head was pounding, and my body was still wracked by pain, but I forced my eyes open. The first thing I noticed was Gavin kneeling above me. The second thing I noticed was the plush beige chairs. Finally, a sob escaped when I recognized them as the chairs that decorated the clinic's waiting room in the mountain retreat.
My pain was momentarily forgotten thanks to the realization that I was home. I was home!
The double doors in front of me were pushed open, and Dr. Wyatt and Nurse Paula came rushing out from the exam rooms. They did a double-take as if they didn’t believe their eyes.
Dr. Wyatt seemed to shake himself from his stupor first. “Blake, what happened?”
He rushed over and knelt beside me. The pain in my shoulder came blazing back, and I whimpered in agony. The sight of the ninja star protruding from it didn’t help matters.
“Well, that’s not good,” I inappropriately joked.
I heard Mercedes snort.“Now I know why she’s your best friend,” she murmured to Gavin.
I looked up and gave him a crooked smile.It would take me a while to get used to his… new face.
Nurse Paula sniffed good-naturedly. “I see not much has changed with you, girlie.”
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears, and I could see she was happy I was home.
“Aww, Paula, you know you missed my sarcastic ray of sprinkles and sunshine,” I teased as I gritted my teeth.
Dr. Wyatt slid on gloves and began to probe the area around the weapon, his touch gentle.
The doors leading to the compound were thrown forward, and I cried out in pain as Dr. Wyatt inadvertently brushed against my wound. I looked up, helpless to stop the tears from falling.
Drake, Jace, Jaxson, Lincoln, Remy, Noah, Troy, Micah, and Kade took in the situation before Bentley and Mercedes were thrown against the wall with what appeared to be duct tape.
“Mommy! Uncle Bent,” Lexus cried in distress as she and Gavin were encased in a forcefield.
“Stop,” I cried out despite the pain I was in.“They helped me get here!”
“He tricked you,” Kade accused Gavin as he pointed at him. “He probably has you drugged into a false sense of security with his gift.”
The guys converged on me, but Noah reached me first.“How does it look, Doc?”
Dr. Wyatt gave him a reassuring smile.“Good.It’s not too deep.On three, I’ll pull, then you can do your thing.”
I was almost overwhelmed when Remy sat behind me and braced his chest against my back. Drake and Troy each took one of my hands while Jace gently caressed my hair off my face. Lincoln placed a calming hand over my knee, and Jaxson lightly stroked my protruding belly. Tears lingered in his eyes, and he kept looking at me with something like awe in his gaze.
“You’re back.” He laughed with a happy sob.“And my baby can be in there.You’re so damn beautiful, honey,” he crooned.
So many emotions crashed into me, and I began to laugh too. It felt so surreal to be here, but the long, lonely nights were now in the past.
“Three!” Dr. Wyatt called out, and I bit down a scream.
The pain lasted only a moment before Noah touched my shoulder. Warmth spread over the wound, and the relief was almost instantaneous. I sighed in relief and opened my eyes, finding my guys watching me with varying looks of concern and love.
Three things happened simultaneously: blue lights began to strobe above us, low sirens wailed, and the doors were opened again. Jemmy, Rachel, and Sierra came stumbling through the doors, and Dr. Wyatt quickly stood up.
“They let the medical staff know they're needed in our other clinic,” Drake quietly explained as he rubbed a hand down my cheek.
I closed my eyes and sighed. Drake’s touch brought me the same comfort a favorite pair of sweats did. That contact brought the coziness of slipping into a clean, made bed at the end of the day. I would never stop craving their touch.
“I’m going to check on our injured,” Dr. Wyatt immediately volunteered.
The doors from the clinic hallway were pushed open, and several more people exited to the rest of the facilities. My eyes rounded when I noticed many more healers and healthcare workers than we’d previously had. So much had changed in my absence.
“Blake!” Jemmy cried out in delight, and I was converged upon again.She sobbed and held me tight.
“Jem,” Drake gently rebuked her.“She’s pregnant.”
“Like I can’t see that,” Jemmy scoffed. “My best friend is back and packing a basketball or two. Damn, girl, you’re huge. I thought you were only five months pregnant. You’re a lot bigger than Si!”
If she wasn’t my best friend, I could believe she was being her usual blunt, outgoing self. However, I knew her too well. The pain and despair lingering in her gaze were obvious to me. Something else was different, though. In her eyes was a maturity that she’d never had before. I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized a difficult conversation would need to occur very soon.
I shook off those feelings of dread and laughed. Then I began to cry with Jemmy as I attempted to hug her back. “Let me get up, crazy. And I’m carrying twins, unlike Si.”
A choking sound reminded us of Bentley, Mercedes, Lexus, and Gavin’s presence. Noah and Drake gently helped me up, giving me a clear view of the shock and devastation on Gavin’s face as he gaped at Sierra.
She looked quite a bit smaller than me, like she had lost a lot of her natural curves. I knew she hadn’t been doing well, but it was evident in her sharp features, protruding collar bone, and thinner arms. She was already eight weeks along when she found out she was pregnant, and she’d suffered from morning sickness similar to mine. It was hard to regain the weight she had lost while grieving Gavin’s death… well, his apparent death.
“Lock them up,” Jace said with a tic in his jaw.
“No, Jace,” I immediately insisted.“Let them go. We… need to talk.”
Jemmy sneered. “They’re the enemy!”
She stepped away from me and stalked toward them, her fierce protective streak stronger than before. Now, she seemed less absorbed in only her own feelings and more concerned about the “pain” our “guests” had inflicted on our family.
Lincoln appeared just as stunned to see his siblings as he had been the first time. I reached over to link his fingers through mine and gently squeezed even though it was a little weird. Affection wasn’t something we had done much of before I was taken, but somehow, oddly enough, our separation and stolen moments had made us closer.
He seemed to appreciate my concern because he pulled me into a warm embrace. I closed my eyes at the rightness of it all, breathing in his alluring scent.I felt the slight tremble in his body and heard his heart racing against my cheek. He laid his head on top of mine and lightly caressed my back in a soothing rhythm that felt amazing.
“They're really not,” I insisted, opening my eyes. “Can we go back to the apartment? I really think we all need to be sitting to have a much-needed discussion.”
Jaxson clenched his fist by his side. “We can’t trust them.”
I sighed and tried to think of a way for my family to realize what they had done. They were not the enemy, and Sierra and Jemmy needed to know Gavin was very much alive and well. Maybe he wasn’t in his once-inhabited body, but he was standing before us. Rachel shifted closer, and I realized I hadn’t hugged everyone yet. I gently extricated myself from Lincoln and hugged her next. Then it hit me. I was embracing our human lie detector.
“Ga… er, Max, Mercedes, and Bentley, do you have any ill intentions toward me or my friends and family?” I inquired before I hugged Micah next.
“No,” Gavin said immediately. “I never have or will never cause any of y’all harm.” He looked over at Mercedes and Bentley. “Rachel’s gift can detect untruths.”
Rachel seemed surprised that he knew this, but then her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Like me?” Lexus asked excitedly.
Rachel seemed to soften at the sight of the adorable little girl.
Gavin’s pained expression changed fleetingly before he kissed Lexus’ forehead.“Yes, ma’am, just like you.”
It made me wonder how much time he had spent with the girl since it was clear that they were comfortable with each other. I knew Mercedes hadn’t had time to spend with her, but maybe Gavin had in her absence.
“Horatio made us work for him,” Bentley husked.
Jace looked at Rachel, and she nodded.“They’re telling the truth.How about you?” she glared at Mercedes.
Mercedes looked like she wanted to be her caustic self, but with one glance at Gavin, she sighed. I could see her attempt at restraining herself for his sake. My heart panged, knowing Jemmy and Sierra’s lives were going to be turned upside down again.
“We voluntarily worked for him at first, but it didn’t take us long to realize the nice house, cars, and all the comforts of life came at a price.” Mercedes looked momentarily insecure as she looked at Gavin, then Jemmy and Sierra.
It had to be difficult for her to realize the man she was connected to also had two other connections. My transition to this life had been hard, but I didn’t think I could have ever shared one person with others. Hypocritical, I know, but it was my truth.
Micah uncharacteristically began to cry, and I couldn’t help but notice how he seemed to have grown in height and breadth in my absence. “Shh,” I whispered, trying to comfort him, while Remy patted the teenager's shoulders.
From my conversations with the guys, I knew that Micah had seemed the least affected by my absence. However, his reaction now showed me that he was more adept at hiding his emotions than any of us were aware of. I might not have known my brother his entire life, but I loved him as if I had. Unfortunately, his dad and our mom had caused damage that would affect him for years.
“I’m okay.I’m home,” I crooned in reassurance.
Micah took a deep fortifying breath, straightened, and nodded.“I’m glad you’re home.I missed you.”
My heart melted. I knew my brother cared for me, but he wasn’t always so verbal. “I love and missed you too. And why the heck did you have to get taller and bigger!” I jokingly grumbled.
He gave me a tremulous smile and wiped his face, almost embarrassed.“That’s not very hard, even when you’re pregnant!”
Nearly everyone in the room laughed, and I shook my head with a smile. “You’re a brat!”
He chuckled and shrugged.
“You’re a liar!” Kade suddenly bit out as he glared at Max. “You loved to taunt me and kept me drugged almost constantly,” he insisted.
Gavin looked pained for a moment. “Maybe Max did that to you, Kade, but believe me when I tell you. I’m not Max.”
Rachel huffed out laughter before confusion morphed her features. “Umm, he’s telling the truth.” She looked over at Jace. “I can always tell even if it’s partial truths.”
“Maybe Bridgette messed with his mind,” Jace explained cautiously.
“Or Horatio,” Noah added as he gently wiped the blood from my arm.
I grimaced at my clothing and realized I would have to change. “Umm, we really should have this discussion somewhere more comfortable.” I slowly walked over to Gavin, able to see the torment he was going through. “Drake, Jaxson,” I implored them.
Drake and Jaxson immediately dropped the shield and other bindings. Bentley directly took Lexus, and Gavin turned to me. “Why didn’t you tell me, Ake?” he whispered hoarsely.
I felt a pang of regret. I knew Gavin would have told me immediately had the situation been reversed. He might look like another man, but he was still my best friend inside.
“When did I have time?” I gently placed my hand on his shoulder. “A lot has happened in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Oh, hell no,” Jaxson nearly whined.“Is he one of yours too?”
I gaped and gnawed at my bottom lip. “No, but… we all need to talk.” I was still trying to find the right words when my stomach growled embarrassingly loudly.
Gavin seemed to shake off his thoughts and looked at the guys. “Her last check-up was this morning. Despite appearances, she’s still underweight and needs to eat more often. Drake, can you rustle up something for her to eat?”
That was further proof that he was my best friend. He always took care of me. So many people might say that men and women could never really be friends or even best friends, but I didn’t think we could ever be sexually attracted to each other. Our friendship was born from wanting to protect the people we loved, and it had grown from there. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Drake canted his head to the side as if he were “seeing” more than what everyone else did. “What are you hungry for, beautiful?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, soaking in his words. After months of hopelessness and despair, I longed to hear those endearments, and now he was mere feet away from me.
“French fries, a banana and chocolate milkshake, and a grilled cheese sandwich with pickles, mayo, and mustard,” I answered without thought.
The guys laughed. Troy took the opportunity to pull me into an embrace, and I melted into him. It was times like this that I wished I could be more than one person. I knew the guys were craving the nearness as much as I was.
“Ugh,” Jemmy playfully groaned.“Not another weird pregnancy craving.”
Gavin stood before Sierra. “What have you been craving?”
Sierra gave him a weird look and took a step back. She seemed uncomfortable, and Remy was frowning as he put a protective arm over her shoulders. Gavin quickly masked his hurt and frustration, and I sighed. “Let’s go.”
η
“How’d you guys figure out where I was?” I asked as I snuggled into Remy’s embrace. “I thought you were going to the zoo. Where are Ella and Alex?” All these questions were spinning in my head, so I just plucked out the most significant ones first.
The feel of his arms around me was like coming home. I wanted to cuddle with them all, but there was only one of me, and Remy had plucked me up first. I felt so torn.
Drake, Micah, and Kade were busy in the kitchen, whipping up a late-night snack, while the others had claimed spots near me. Gavin, Mercedes, Bentley, and Lexus had taken seats at the dining room table. They seemed uncomfortable but understanding as we all settled in.
Well, the adults were. Drake had made sure Lexus was given a snack immediately. Jaxson returned to one of the rooms and handed the little girl a Nintendo Switch that Alex had left the last time they had a sleepover.
“We went to the zoo. On the way home, we got the call that they might have found you. I’ll text Dad. He didn’t want you to feel overwhelmed.” Jace stood to return to his room, but then he paused. “Randy, Greg, Megan, Hazel, and Pops are together.”
Understanding what he was implying, I reluctantly nodded. It wasn’t just the kids that would be coming by. From all accounts, Miranda was really trying. With the exception of Micah, all the kids had warmed up to her. Apparently, she showed no signs of even wanting to get high, so I was optimistically cautious about the whole situation.
He smiled, his eyes roving over me as if he were committing me to memory—or as if he were worried I would disappear once again.
“I’ll let them know,” Jace repeated before looking at Gavin and the twins suspiciously. “Noah, would you mind setting up the room for the kids to watch a movie or play games after seeing Blake?”
Jaxson sat in front of me, unsurprisingly pouting as he leaned his head against the couch Remy had sat us on. I reached over and began trailing my fingers through his thick, dark hair. Troy took the spot at my feet and began massaging them, and I had to stifle a groan. A girl could get used to this.
Lincoln sat on the floor beside Jaxson and looked at me questioningly, his hand hovering over my belly. I understood his unspoken request, and it suddenly made me feel shy. He’d constantly antagonized me before I was taken, so his new side was rather weird. Our conversations had improved, but could we maintain this camaraderie now that I was back?
I nodded, and he reverently caressed my distended belly.“Can you feel them?”
If you had asked me if he would have shown interest in my unborn children before I left, I would have laughed. We had a truce, but I fully expected him to go once he got bored with this life. He was rich and famous. He didn’t need me . However, his willingness to stick around and bond with the others proved otherwise.
“Not yet.” I smiled and nearly shivered at his touch.
“She should feel them in the next few weeks, though,” Jaxson said with a touch of smugness.
Troy snorted and rolled his eyes.“The only reason you started reading those books was because Drake was.”
Jaxson shrugged a broad shoulder. “Potato, potahto.”
I noticed they seemed broader and made a mental note to ask him about it later. He had told me he had been slacking on his conditioning and wanted to ensure he was in top shape for football next year. His school was highly competitive, and the team had three quarterbacks. He wanted to outshine the sophomore quarterback because he hoped he could attempt to take his position when the senior graduated the next school year.
“Still wanted to see how my baby mama was going through while she carried my son.” Jaxson moaned as I ran my nails over his scalp.
Remy snorted. “First, you don’t know if the babies are boys or girls. Second, you don’t know if one of them is yours. I have my money on Jace.”
Jaxson smirked. “Don’t be jelly that I have a fifty percent chance, while you have a one-in-six chance.”
I smiled and shook my head.Leave it to Jaxson to make it a competition.
The door opened, and Sierra, Jemmy, and Rachel entered the apartment. Jemmy and Sierra had insisted on changing into their comfy clothes and bringing ice cream. Apparently, the guys hadn’t bought any in a while. Sierra was also bringing some maternity clothes for me to use until we could order or purchase mine.
Rachel had gone with them to help them carry some stuff back.She immediately unpacked the bags on the table, ignoring its occupants.
I rolled my eyes.“Anyways, what happened?How did you guys find me?”
“ I did,” Jemmy gloated as she put some tubs of ice cream on the counter.
“Jemmy’s gotten really good with her computer skills.” Rachel beamed. “She tracked any and all properties Horatio might be affiliated with, then narrowed the properties down to three. So, Pops, Paul, and Greg sent three teams out today, and the guys chose the right one.”
My eyes widened at the amount of ice cream Jemmy was carrying, and she must understand my surprise because she grinned. “I’m a good bonus mommy.” Sadness flickered across her features for a second. “Si was on an ice cream kick all last week, so I had to ensure we were well-stocked in several flavors. You’re in luck. We have chocolate!”
Gavin seemed to be on the edge of his seat. His eyes hungrily roved over her, pride shining in them whenever he looked over at Jemmy.
“She’s more mature.” He looked over at me as if he felt my eyes on him. “I’m so damn proud of how she handled this all.” Even in my head, I could hear his voice break.
I longed to comfort him but knew I couldn’t until the air was cleared.
“She is, and me too,” I agreed, infusing sympathy into my words.
Gavin blew out in frustration. “This is killing me.”
Sierra was trying to juggle a bag and an extra blender. She let out a sound of frustration as one of the bags began to fall from her hand.
“Are you as clumsy as I am?” she asked with a frown.
I laughed.“Not clumsy, per se.However, my center of balance is definitely thrown off.”
Gavin immediately hopped up and took the bags Sierra was carrying. Sierra frowned at him but allowed him to take them. Jace came from the back room. He started to intervene, but I stopped him.
“I know this is hard to believe, but that’s Gavin. We’ll explain everything. He’s feeling guilty for not being here and a bit stunned that he will be a father… Well, a father to his own child,” I said telepathically.
I had to remind myself that this was an option since I’d become accustomed to speaking to the guys only in the morning and at night. It was amazing to be able to speak to them so freely once again.
I didn’t elaborate further about the whole child thing, but the more I observed Mercedes, Gavin, and Lexus, the clearer it was that Gavin had stepped up to the plate as a stepdad of sorts to the little girl.
Suddenly, metal clanged off the floor. Drake must have dropped his tongs, but he quickly recovered.
“Are you sure?” Drake inquired as he washed his tongs.
“No way!” Troy exclaimed.
“Did Horatio or Bridgette mess with your brain?” Jaxson tentatively asked.
“Gavin,” I said, linking him in. His head snapped up. “Prove to them that you’re Gavin.”
Gavin set the bags down then returned to the table. He draped his arm behind Mercedes' chair, though he continued to avidly watch Jemmy and Sierra. Mercedes attempted to give him a reassuring smile, but I could tell she was struggling with the situation. Knowing Gavin, he would have told her about Jemmy and Sierra. He would have explained Jemmy’s character as well. Regardless, I didn’t envy his position.
In a way, I had been in the same one with Lincoln. I remembered Gavin laughing at that once I came to terms with it. When the tension wasn’t so high, I would tease him about this. He was horrified when he found out I had more than one connection, and he’d struggled with only two at the time! I could only imagine the tumultuous state of his feelings after finding out about Mercedes, but he’d teased me first. It was only just if I returned the favor.
He slowly looked over at Drake first. “Before your mother dropped you and Jem off at the hospital,” he began, “you tried to comfort Jem as much as possible after your dad passed. There was a store around the corner from your old house. You would get a twenty-five-cent popsicle for her nearly every day, even when it was cold outside.” He looked over at Jace next. “ When we took the boys to that hockey game, you spilled mustard all over your shirt and had to buy a jersey.” He looked at Noah next. “You hate syrup, so your waffles and pancakes always have fresh fruit, peanut butter, or Nutella.”
“None of that proves anything. Someone could have looked intoour pasts or spent some observing us,” Jaxson scoffed.
Gavin didn’t even roll his eyes or refute his statement. “You behave all hardcore, Jax.” He smirked. “But you like to listen to K-pop when you work out. I found that out nearly a week before Blake was taken while we were working out in the gym together. You set your phone down, and I accidentally grabbed it, thinking it was mine. When I teased you, you threatened to put itching powder in my workout gear.”
My eyes widened as I looked over at Jaxson. He wasn’t easily embarrassed, but his cheeks were tinged pink. Noah broke out in laughter first, followed by Troy, Jace, and me. Soon, all the guys were laughing at Jaxson’s expense—even Drake.
Jemmy pouted dramatically.“Aww, man, I didn’t miss the secret conversations.Secrets don’t make friends, so what were you guys talking about?”
“Sex,” Troy blurted out and looked over at me.“Lots of it.”
“Eww.” Jemmy wrinkled up her nose.“I didn’t need to know that .”
“Well, you wanted to know.” Remy smirked before he moved my hair to the side and brushed his lips against my neck.
And just like that, I was horny. I didn’t know if it was the lack of touch over the months or my pregnancy hormones, but I was instantly turned on. My skin seemed to be more sensitive to the caress too.
“Wait…” Jaxson frowned. “Can we still do that ?”
Most of the guys laughed while Jaxson and Lincoln exchanged looks.
“I thought you read all the books,” Remy teased as he ran a calloused hand over my arms.
My arms broke out in goosebumps, and suddenly I couldn’t wait to become intimate with him. I didn’t know how we would work this out, but I didn’t care. I needed one of them to ease the ache that had flared up in my abdomen.
“Are you horny, honey?” Jaxson whirled around so that he was facing me.He seemed to have forgotten that Gavin had leaked his little secret.
“Please stawp!” Rachel groaned playfully. “Silent conversations or not, we can all see how you guys look at Blake like she’s a piece of meat.”
“Oh, we’ll be devouring her.” Troy sexily bit his bottom lip.
I groaned and covered my face, but it was more to play into the fun of the moment. I should feel embarrassed to have my sex life on blast, but I couldn’t muster the effort to feel mortified. I had missed my guys and was eager to explore our relationships in every way.
“We’re pulling straws!” Jaxson jumped up.
“Oh my goodness!” Jemmy exclaimed. “Are you for real? She might not even want you guys yet. She just got back. She hasn’t been fed, and she might be like some girls and not crave it.” She looked over at Sierra.
Sierra was pink as she shrugged. “I mean…” She cleared her throat. “When I’m not puking my guts out… There are some lonely nights. These pregnancy hormones are real!”
Gavin made a choking sound. I really, really hoped Jemmy and Sierra accepted him as I had. Sure, he might look different, but I knew he was still my best friend as each minute passed. This was the closest way I could describe it: it was like if your friend was in an accident and, unfortunately, sustained physical injuries. Your love for them wouldn’t change. Nobody's physical appearance should alter how you felt about them, even if they differed from how they looked when you met them. Weird, I know, but I had to come to terms with it in my own way.
“Is this a thing?” Jemmy turned to me next.“Are you hornier?Aren’t you afraid you’ll hurt the babies?”
I covered my face and groaned.This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have with Jemmy.This was a conversation for my guys and me.“Really, Jem?”
Mercedes snickered from the dining room table. She readjusted Lexus’ headphones and kissed the top of her head. “It won’t hurt the baby. No man can be that big. Some positions may not work well, but the deed can be done.If she’s anything like I was, she’ll be hornier than ever.”
“Eww.” It was Bentley who groaned this time.“I really didn’t need to know you were horny while pregnant with Lex.”
Mercedes rolled her eyes at him. “I was pregnant and still using my gifts. Obviously, I didn’t act on it, but the urges were there. And don’t act like a saint! You might have watched over me, but I knew you weren’t going to the bar just to get a drink. You were using your fake id to hook up with women.”
Bentley looked unashamed as he shrugged. “I’m a healthy male with a high libido. Speaking of which… Are there any single ladies here? Can we get this conversation rolling so I can find them?”
Mercedes snorted and rolled her eyes while Jemmy and Rachel regarded him like he was no better than vermin. I knew Rachel would be all over him if the circumstances were different—if she didn’t have Sam in her life.
“My dad and the others should be here shortly,” Jace said enigmatically. “We’ll eat, send the kids off, and then we’ll talk.”
Drake came over, carrying a plate with my grilled cheese sandwich and fries, and just like that, my other appetite was pushed to the back burner. “Do we have malt vinegar?” I asked hopefully.
After taking my plate, I grabbed Drake and pulled him down to me, brushing my lips across his. I didn’t want to full-on make out with him, but I wanted to show him how much I appreciated him cooking for me at eleven o’clock at night.
When he pulled away, he placed his forehead against mine. His eyes were closed, and I knew he needed a moment to gather himself. He kissed the tip of my nose before giving me a beatific smile. “I’ll get you some.”
I could feel all the tumultuous emotions around me. We’d longed for this moment, yet we still had to resolve some issues before we could finally be alone.
“Hey, where’s my food?” Jaxson whined playfully.
“Hold your horses.” Kade playfully rolled his eyes as he placed some grilled cheeses on a platter.
Sierra handed a milkshake to Micah.“Give this to Blake, please.”
I frowned at her. “Shouldn’t you be resting too?”
Sierra smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks.” She lovingly caressed her slightly protruding belly. “Some days, I can barely leave the bed with the morning sickness and sheer exhaustion. But today’s a good day, so I’m taking advantage of it. Plus, I’ll let Micah take over in a second.”
She smirked at Micah, and he grinned back.“You know I don’t mind.Let me finish these grilled cheeses.”
“Can I have some, Mommy?” Lexus asked, pointing to the shakes Sierra was making.
Mercedes looked discomfited for a second, probably thinking she was at the mercy of our generosity. In a way, she was in a hostile environment, no matter how much I attempted to reassure her. The others didn’t understand her position yet.
“Of course you can.” Sierra gave her a warm smile. “If it’s okay with your mom. What flavor would you like? Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry? I even have bananas if you want one of those in there.”
I admired her for being so kind to Lexus. Clearly, she didn’t trust Mercedes, Bentley, and “Max,” but she wasn’t going to take her feelings out on an innocent child.In my heart of hearts, I believed Sierra would be the easiest to sway about her new situation.
Lexus looked at Mercedes hopefully, and Mercedes gave a strained smile and nod. She didn’t have many chinks in her armor, but the longer she sat there, the more I could see the vulnerability beneath.
She had been a young teen mom forced to grow up quickly after having a father that should have been locked up. I was positive her hard shell had been developed in an effort to protect herself. However, the fact that she was willing to put herself in a vulnerable position for the sake of Gavin and their connection spoke volumes about her overall character.
Lexus scrunched her nose for a moment. “Can I have just strawberry, please?”
“Sure can.” Sierra smiled at her as she began to add more ingredients to a blender.
“Thanks.” Lexus smiled before slipping her headphones back on.
“So, she is yours?” Lincoln inquired tentatively, his brows knitted together as if he were doing the math.
He gently caressed my stomach before standing and making his way to the front closet to pull down paper plates. It was clear he was a lot more comfortable in the apartment now. I sighed as I took a bite of my sandwich. I wished I could have seen how easily he had transitioned in my absence.
Mercedes snorted, but I knew her caustic response was a way of protecting herself. I had been her once upon a time. In many ways, I was still her.
“I was fifteen, and no, she wasn’t planned. Despite the circumstances of her conception, I don’t regret my decision to keep her,” she said in an argumentative tone. “She’s also the reason why Bentley and I had to work for Horatio. He used her against us.”
“Maybe we should wait until the others get here.” He rubbed the back of his neck before letting out a long exhale.
“Ask your truth-teller.” Mercedes sneered.“I can see in your eyes that you don’t believe me!”
“Merci,” Gavin quietly implored her.
“Reel it in.” Bentley crossed his arms over his chest, leaned his head back, and sighed. “They have a right to be suspicious.”
“Reel it in,” Mercedes scoffed. “I’ve been playing nice! I could have easily left. My presence should prove my innocence.”
My first instinct was to rescind my earlier thoughts, but I knew if the situation were reversed, I probably would be reacting in the same manner. Mercedes felt cornered, and the hostile glares she continued to receive from Jemmy, Micah, and Rachel weren’t making it easier. My guys’ indifference to her wasn’t making her feel at ease in the least, either.
“You’re not innocent!No one cares about your sob story,” Jemmy suddenly snapped.“Why are they here again?” She pointed an accusing finger at them.
Unexpectedly, she slammed her hands on the table and leaned toward them aggressively. “Because of you, I lost the man I loved!” she screamed, angry tears shining brightly in her eyes. “Without your help, Horatio never would have been able to breach our walls! My connection never would have been murdered!”
“Jemmy…” Gavin stood up, taking a protective stance in front of Lexus, who was now crying in fear. “Please just hear us out before you react. You’re scaring Lex.”
Lexus whimpered, her eyes wide. Jemmy must have been loud enough to be heard through her headphones.
“I’m going to find it hard to believe any of your lies, Max,” Kade said, his voice full of vitriol. However, he kept his voice down, seeming more mindful of Lexus and sympathetic toward her fear.
Bentley grabbed Lexus and began to gently pat her back.He crooned to her in comfort before standing up.“Can I take her elsewhere?”
Sierra nodded, her eyes filling with tears as she pointed toward an open bedroom door. I set my plate down and stood up. The situation was escalating, and I needed to defuse it.
“Kade, I’m telling you. I may look like Max, but that’s not me .” Gavin breathed a frustrated sigh as he braced his hands on his hips.
Bentley disappeared into the room with Lexus, and Jemmy continued the moment they were gone.
“Then who the hell are you?” Jemmy snarled. “And don’t think I’ll easily forgive your friends, or you for that matter, just because Blake says to.” She looked over at me with a grimace. “I’m sorry, but I’ve watched the footage repeatedly. None of them can be innocent. They all have Gavin’s blood on their hands.” Her voice finally broke, and she began to sob earnestly.
Drake immediately embraced her, murmuring comforting words, while Rachel and Kade hugged Sierra.
“Jemmy, please,” Gavin said in a pained whisper.“I promise not everything is as it appears.”
A gasp came from my left, and I barely had a second to brace myself before Alex and Ella launched themselves at me. They seemed oblivious to the tension in the room. Noah stood behind me as if to brace me from their exuberance, but they slipped past him. Their words were unintelligible as their tears soaked my front.
“They need to leave!” Jemmy cried out.“I can’t stand to look at them.”
“Just hear us out,” Gavin pleaded. He looked like it was killing him not to embrace his women, and Mercedes stood by his side, looking mutinous.
“Why should we!” Jemmy hysterically yelled.
“Because that’s Gavin,” Greg said in a shocked whisper.
His quiet words brought silence to the room.
“Excuse me, what?” Megan gaped.
“I don’t know how it’s possible, but that’s Gavin.” Greg looked pale under the scrutiny his declaration brought.
Once again, the room erupted in a cacophony of chaos.