Chapter Fourteen #3
“Lucky, my ass,” Seth said with a grin. “You earned that starting position.”
With a shrug, Hudson changed the subject. “Can we swim now?”
Seth nodded. “Be sure you each grab a towel from the linen closet before you dive in.”
“Got it.” Hudson took off running, Casen right behind him.
“And don’t forget sunscreen!” Heavenly called as the boys darted for the patio.
“We know,” Hudson said with exaggerated patience as he slung open the sliding door.
“Come on out,” Beck called, closing the lid on the grill.
As the teenagers tossed their towels on the nearest lounge and hastily applied sunscreen, the rest of the men meandered outside, Liam and Hammer greeting Beck with good-natured jibes and smiles.
The second the door closed behind them, Raine whirled on Heavenly, who resumed prepping the food. “Okay, how are you all really adjusting to this new development? I’m sure the fact Seth has a sixteen-year-old son was mind-boggling.”
Heavenly nodded. “That’s an understatement. I mean, he’s no monk, but…”
“Right? And going from a threesome to suddenly having a teenager in the house… I can’t even imagine the upheaval.”
Heavenly pulled cherry tomatoes and chopped celery from the refrigerator, laying them out on the tray with the accompanying dip. “It was awkward at first. Hudson’s a good kid, but when he first arrived? He was so angry at everything and everyone, especially Seth.”
“That’s what my brother said. River swore the kid looked just like Seth, but had an attitude so toxic it was almost nuclear.”
“Seth is trying so hard to be the father Hudson needs, and it’s working…most of the time. But there are moments when he…reverts. I see the attitude again.”
“Well, he’s a teenage boy. I was twelve when River left home, but I remember the way he acted.” Raine rolled her eyes. “He was a shit, always playing pranks on me.”
“Hudson is a total teenage boy. Some backtalk and rebellion is expected. But I can see how much pressure Seth’s putting on himself to be everything the kid needs.”
“That’s a lot for anyone, but especially for the man who’s already lost a son so tragically.”
Heavenly pulled crackers from the pantry and sliced some cheese from the fridge before retrieving another tray. “Exactly, and I keep trying to help out, lighten Seth’s load, find ways to make him smile—”
“A good blow job always does the trick.” Raine winked, taking over the appetizer plate.
Heavenly rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious.”
“I am, too. Don’t underestimate the value of a good orgasm to put a smile on your man’s face.”
“Normally, I’d agree. But everything is more complicated now.”
Understanding broke across Raine’s face. “Oh, because you and Beck want babies. Is Seth even more reluctant now?”
Heavenly glanced toward the patio and lowered her voice. “I don’t know where we stand. The night of your wedding, he came around, and we started…trying. But then he had to go to New York. His mother found the twins in bed with the same girl and—”
“All hell broke loose?”
Heavenly nodded. “Then Hudson turned up, and…we really haven’t talked about having kids again.”
“Well, you don’t get pregnant by talking, girl.” Raine sent her a sassy glance.
“I mean, he says he’s not where he needs to be mentally. I don’t know what to make of that.”
Her bestie frowned. “Have you had sex since he met Hudson?”
Heavenly blushed. She hadn’t stopped thinking about last Saturday night. She’d seen a whole new side of Seth, and she didn’t know what had prompted his uber-Dominant behavior. “Yes.”
“Did either of them glove up?”
“No, but they both knew I was at the end of my cycle.” Heavenly grabbed the baby carrots and arranged them on the veggie tray, pushing down her disappointment. “In fact, I got my period early this morning. But Seth double-checked that I wasn’t fertile before…you know.”
“He and Beck fucked you senseless? What about—” Raine stopped abruptly and grabbed her wrist, staring at Heavenly’s ring as the diamond caught the kitchen lights. “Wait. Is that what I think it is?”
A smile she couldn’t hold back crept across Heavenly’s face. “Maybe?”
“Oh, my god!” Raine squealed. “You’re engaged? When? How? Tell me everything!”
“The night of your wedding. They proposed together. They didn’t plan anything romantic, but somehow it still was.” Heavenly’s smile turned uncertain. “But don’t tell anyone. We want to announce it tonight.”
“I’m so thrilled for you. The three of you will be happy. And bonus, I won’t be the only girl I know with two husbands.” Raine’s expression turned serious. “But you’re worried Seth’s question about your cycle means he’s rethinking having babies?”
Heavenly clutched the appetizer tray. “He’s not only dealing with Hudson; he’s still trying to figure out when and how to tell his mother about our relationship.
Plus, I don’t think he’s fully come to grips with losing his wife and son.
I’m worried that Beck and I pushing is too much for him right now. ”
“You think he’ll crack?”
“Maybe. He seems happy, but sometimes…I can tell he’s not as okay as he wants us to think. I worry he’s just pushing down his feelings to make us happy, and it will ultimately come back to haunt us.”
“Speaking from experience? Upheaval and trauma either make you stronger or break you apart entirely. Seth has you and Beck. Keep reminding him he can lean on you two.”
“I do, but he seems determined to be our pillar, you know?” Heavenly shook her head. “Enough about my problems. How was Paris? Tell me everything.”
Raine’s face lit up. “It was everything I imagined—and more. We toured Notre Dame and the Louvre, took a boat down the Seine at sunset. Liam took us to this amazing little jazz club in Montmartre, and Hammer surprised us with an incredible dinner at this tiny restaurant. They didn’t even have menus, just brought us whatever the chef made that night.
The guys let me shop, and I may have gone a little crazy.
” She grinned before she dissolved into a dreamy sigh.
“And the time together, just the three of us—no businesses, no babies, no distractions—was idyllic. Ten out of ten. Highly recommend.”
“You deserve every moment to celebrate your love and all you’ve overcome. How are you feeling this pregnancy? Morning sickness and exhaustion, like last time?”
“Mixed bag. I’m not as tired, but the sickness sometimes lasts most of the day. And I want spicy food constantly.” Raine dropped her voice. “Yesterday I put hot sauce on ice cream.”
Heavenly tried not to wince. “That’s…creative.”
“Your face says disgusting. Don’t judge.” Raine slid a hand over her middle. “Hammer’s son is very demanding, just like his father.”
“You’re barely pregnant. Liam is sure it’s a boy?”
“Oh, yeah. His mother even called to congratulate us. She knew before we did.”
The O’Neill psychic abilities still surprised Heavenly, but they were too uncanny not to be real.
After a quick knock on the front door, it opened and River appeared in the kitchen. He looked withdrawn. “Ladies.”
Raine took one look at her older brother’s face and scowled. “What’s wrong?”
“The fucking mattress at the rent-by-the-week shithole is almost as bad as Seth’s sofa at the office. I might be desperate enough to take Heavenly’s suggestion and ask Pike about renting a room at his place. I just hate the thought of living with that asshole.”
“You and Pike under the same roof?” Raine shook her head. “That will end in war, especially when he finds out you’ve been stalking Jasmine like some obsessed—”
“Hey, I figured out where she lives, where she gets her coffee, where she works out, and what her daily schedule is. That doesn’t mean I’m stalking her.”
“Um…that’s exactly what it means, big brother.”
“I’m being attentive. Protective, even.”
Raine rolled her eyes. “You’re being delusional. Taking her virginity doesn’t mean you own her.”
River ignored her and turned to Heavenly with an imploring stare. “You understand, right?”
Heavenly grimaced. “Actually…it sounds like stalking to me, too. Sorry.”
“Of course you’re siding with my sister. Jasmine and I have unfinished business, and I’m not letting up until we hash it out.”
“Give her some space,” Heavenly suggested gently. “She’ll come around.”
River wasn’t having it. “I’ve given her months. I’m done waiting.”
“Translation: you still haven’t taken anyone else to bed, so you’re getting horny and desperate.” Raine’s smile was pure saccharine.
“No, I’m annoyed that my little sister won’t stop being a shit.”
“What are you going to do?” Heavenly asked.
“Right now? Go out to the patio and enjoy myself.” River headed for the door.
With the men, who would ostensibly understand him.
“I meant about Jasmine,” Heavenly called to his retreating back.
“Oh, I have a whole new strategy.” His grin was an implacable mixture of determination and mischief.
Based on that expression, Jasmine didn’t stand a chance.
Once he shut the sliding door behind him, Raine shook her head, suppressing a laugh. “It’s official. He’s insane.”
“I think you’re right.”
The doorbell rang, and Heavenly whirled. “I’ll get that.”
She hustled to the foyer and found a familiar man—tall, dark-haired, and casually dressed—on her porch. He wore a polite smile on his stern face and held a bottle of wine. He didn’t look lethal. She knew better.
“Jericho! Good to see you again,” she welcomed. “Come in. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” He smiled as he stepped inside and handed her the vino. “After five years in San Bernardino, I’m happy to be back in LA. But most of my friends have either gotten hitched or moved away. So I appreciate being included.”
“Of course. Happy to have you! How are you settling in?”
“Can’t complain. I like my new place. Was lucky to find it, that’s for sure. Nice neighbors.” He shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“Sounds like you made the right decision. Beers and bottled water are in the cooler on the patio, where the guys are, probably swapping grilling techniques.”
“Or telling dirty jokes,” Raine quipped, appearing beside her. “Good to see you again.”
“You, too, Mrs… What’s your married name?”
“Hammerman-O’Neill. But just call me Raine.”
“So you married Liam, then?”
She grinned. “We chose the name because it’s alphabetical. But who I legally married is a secret we’ll all take to our graves.”
As Jericho raised a brow, Zach appeared on the walkway behind him, his face quietly reserved.
“Zach!” Heavenly moved in to hug him, keeping it brief since he still seemed reluctant to touch his brother’s girlfriend. “I’m so glad you could make it. Where’s your date?”
“Hannah and I decided to take a step back. After what she endured in her sect, she’s not ready for more yet. I respect that.”
“Understandable.” Heavenly hoped he wasn’t hurt. She had no doubt he was lonely. “Tried the pool again?”
“Since I’m still closer to drowning than swimming, no.” Then he turned to Jericho. “Hey! I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Good to see you, man.” Jericho shook his hand. “How’ve you been?”
“Pretty good. You?”
“Can’t complain.” Jericho clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s grab a beer.”
The two headed out to the patio.
Together, she and Raine finished plating the last of the appetizers and side dishes. As they worked, Heavenly could see the men gathered around the grill, their laughter carrying on the evening breeze. Hudson and Casen splashed around the pool, clearly enjoying themselves.
“Are we waiting on anyone else?” Raine asked.
“No. Ready to join the party?” Heavenly picked up a tray of food.
Raine grabbed another platter of food and paused at the patio door. Heavenly watched Seth laugh at something Hammer said while keeping an eye on Hudson in the pool. He looked relaxed, happy even, surrounded by friends and family.
But tonight they were announcing their engagement and introducing his long-lost son.
Soon, Seth would have to devise a strategy for telling his mother about their unconventional relationship.
So many life-altering decisions up in the air and out of their hands.
How long would Hudson stay with them? What kind of impact would he have on their lives?
And, Heavenly wondered, what if she got pregnant?
Would settling all those uncertainties finally heal Seth…or push him over the edge?