Everly
Chapter Twelve
Everly
My body aches from the longest day ever. My phone rings and my heart swells to see Julian calling. “Hey beautiful. Are you on your way home?”
“Yes I am. I’m surprised you’re calling me.”
“I had to take some time to call my lovely woman. How was your day?”
“Probably not as tough as yours, but I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sorry, baby. Tell me what happened.”
“We had to work on multiple clients: from kids, men, and women and it included not just haircuts, but styling and coloring. Of course, we tag teamed some of them because hair coloring can be a full on all-day process for some women.”
“Well, go home and get in the tub and soak, eat and then get some good rest. When I get home, I’ll wake you up with kisses and a nice massage.” It sucks when our schedules are so off, but it will be nice to wake up to his touch.
“Mm…that sounds wonderful, but what about you?”
“Damn, baby girl. Don’t get me started on what I want you to do to me, but none of that matters because it’s all for you.” Damn it. I’m no longer so tired and sore. My seat is getting hot, and I have to get some air.
“I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too.” I ended the call and continued my drive. I’m just getting back from class for the day when I pull up to the apartment. It’s a gorgeous, warm day with little to no wind, so I have the windows down. My hair is pinned up in a tight ponytail and Julian’s not coming home tonight, so I don’t have to worry about it looking a mess from the breeze.
My cell phone rings, and I pick it up. “Hey, Kate, how’s it going?”
“I miss you, girl. You haven’t been around since that day. Did your bossy guard dog punish you for getting caught by the cops?”
“Yes and no. Julian punished me in a very good way. We’re together.”
“What?”
“Julian and I are engaged,” I squeal, bubbling with excitement. I’m so in love it’s adorably pathetic.
“Are you freaking kidding me? Oh my gosh, girl. You are so freaking lucky. That man is so damn fine, and I knew he was keeping tabs on you for a reason.”
“I guess so. He wanted to protect me while he was at work.” I noticed my guards and even said hello to them when I visited Steeleville with his mom. They nearly paled when they saw me as if they were going to get Julian in trouble.
“Yeah, and keep all the college guys away too.” I would be offended by that, but my man was faithful to me, so it’s only fair that he was trying to level the playing field. The damn man is obsessed.
I put up the windows, turn off the engine and then hop out of the car.
“What the fuck?” I’m about to knock this bitch out. I can’t believe she showed up here after everything she’s done. “Hey, Kate, I got to let you go. I got this bitch that doesn’t know what the fuck no means.”
“Do you need help?”
“Nope, Julian’s guard dogs are lurking,” I reminded her. I ended the call and stand right in front of Linda who was about ten feet our apartment door. “Do you have a motherfucking problem?”
“Who are you?” Linda asked.
“I’m Julian’s fiancée. Who the hell are you?” I questioned, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it from her mouth.
“I’m the mother of his child.”
A laugh of disbelief falls from me. “Oh, please spare me. I already know you didn’t sleep with Julian.” As I’m about to walk away and when my brother Drake hops out of his rental.
“Linda, why are you harassing my sister?” Drake barks out, storming toward us.
She squints her eyes at my brother. “You look familiar.”
“You don’t remember who you fucked?” I bark out in contempt.
“What? You and I never…” She shakes her head in disgust as if my brother’s ugly which he’s not. If anything, he’s hot, not to me of course, but girls love him and that’s why he has so many flings.
He crosses his arms and nods. “Yes we sure the fuck did, and Julian ran into you in the kitchen that morning, but then went to work.”
She continues to shake her head in confusion. “Wait…that doesn’t make any sense. I don’t remember you, but I remember him.” There’s a pity I actually feel for this woman as a sick realization hits me. Her mind has events twisted and I’m not sure if it’s because of alcohol or something else, but I trust my man and my brother.
“You think you fucked him here?” Drake asked, sounding concerned, pointing to the apartment.
“Yes, I remember going out and then my memory is fuzzy. I had great sex, but it was dark and then he offered me some coffee the next morning before leaving for work.”
“He might have offered you coffee, but you were in bed with me that night. Julian was my roommate. He was pissed about all the women coming and going, but he’s still a gentleman and civil. And most certainly, he doesn’t bring women home.”
She presses her hand to her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “How could I not remember anything?”
“How smashed were you?”
“I was pretty drunk. It was a bad couple of days for me.” She bites down on her bottom lip and I wonder if there’s a story behind it, but it’s not my problem as long as she stops harassing Julian.
“We were both pretty wasted, but I’m sure I used protection that night.”
“I’m confused. I need to go.” She gets in her car and drives off. Damn, she shouldn’t drive off like that when she’s that emotional.
I grab my brother’s bicep and say, “I think you need to talk to her. If she’s pregnant with your baby…”
He presses his hand to his forehead, looking at her fleeting vehicle and then back at me. “I know. Fuck, I swear Linda was all over me and we had a great time. How did she not remember me and think she screwed Julian?” My brother looked truly defeated. Did he actually like her or was he feeling something closer to a blow to his ego?
“Like she said, she remembered the lights were off. Do you remember all the faces of all the women you sleep with?” I reminded him.
“Fuck…” Drake runs his fingers through his dark, fluffy brown hair. “I’m sorry for all of this, Ev. I need to know something.”
“Okay.”
“Are you and Julian serious?”
“Yes, he asked me to marry him.” I showed him my hand.
“Wow, Julian wasn’t playing. I wish I wasn’t such an asshole about the two of you.”
“Well, you can make it up to him later, but I think you should figure this thing out with Linda. If she is having your baby, then you have bigger issues on your plate.”
“You’re telling me. Look, I’ve got to go. Can I call you later?”
“Sure.” He gives me a hug and then leaves. I feel better about the whole thing with Julian, but I’m so worried about my brother, whose problems got a lot worse. Could I be an aunt some time in the near future?
****
“Drake, what brings you over here to see us?” I asked as Drake entered our apartment. I’m surprised he was able to extend his stay for an extra couple of days.
He “First, I came over here to apologize. As much as it disturbs me to see you two together, Julian is a great guy and even if you guys are into some kinky shit.”
I roll my eyes. “Thank you. That’s big of you. Even if it’s coming from a super player who sleeps with anything that breathes.”
“Not anymore.” He throws his hands up. “No way in hell. I just had myself tested, second, I’m getting the safety put on my gun. From now on, only shooting blanks. Then I’m taking it easy with the ladies because there is no damn way am I getting mixed up with the trouble with Linda.”
“So what happened?” Julian asked, sitting me on his lap and Drake, to his own credit, doesn’t flinch.
“Well, first, she actually went to a doctor and had more tests done like a full ultrasound and bloodwork. She’s much farther along than initially expected. It would have been weeks before we hooked up. It was her boyfriend’s baby. The night we hooked up was before I finished my residency, so the kiddo isn’t mine. And apparently, I wasn’t the guy she wanted to sleep with. The reason she remembered you so damn much was because her drunk ass that night had really wanted to sleep with you.”
“Sorry,” Julian remarked drolly, shrugging while sliding his hand slowly up my shirt and rubbing my belly.
“It’s fine. Frankly, sex is getting boring when you get so damn drunk, it blurs into the next one. I needed a reason to slow down.”
“I can’t believe it,” I muttered.
He chuckles. “I didn’t say I’d stop. Just take a breather.”
“That’s good news.”
“So what are you two love birds up to?” he questioned.
“We were about to watch a movie and have dinner.”
“That’s good. I came to say goodbye. I have to fly back to Seattle tonight. Hopefully next time, we will have some fun.” I hope so because I don’t like the awkwardness between them. I love them both and want them to get along like they always did. Especially because we’re in this for the long haul.
“We will.” We give each other hugs and Julian walks my brother to his rental. They share a brief conversation and a one more hug before my brother gets in his car and drives off.