Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Sophie
“I’m pregnant,” Lexi blurts out and we all freeze. We’re sitting around in a circle, enjoying our morning coffees and bagels, like we do at least once a week. It’s then I notice Lexi has a smoothie today and it registers.
“Girl we suspected because you’ve been a hag,” Adley says with a laugh and Lexi glares at her. “See, right there.” She points and this time Lexi smiles along with the rest of us.
“Sutton you don’t seem surprised.”
“I'm not.” She takes a sip of her water. “She told me last night.”
We all shift our attention back to Lexi.
“I’ve known for two weeks and I was terrified to tell anyone.
I was scared I’d be taking away the attention of Sutton and Brant’s little one.
” She looks at us with genuine concern. “We didn’t do this on purpose.
We weren’t even trying, but damn Ben and his sporadic sex me silent visits.
We argue and bicker and he shuts me up, I’m a hooch and I can’t resist him.
So here I am knocked up and damn it, I feel like I am steeling the thunder. ”
“And I’ve told you over and over, I love that our little ones are growing to be so close in age. I want the rest of you bitches to get moving and start popping out babies so they can all grow up together like we did.”
“There will be no babies over here,” Kendall says.
“I second that.” Jillian holds up her hand to high-five Kendall.
Then Sutton and Lexi look at me. “Don’t look at me, Finn and I haven’t even lived together for a month, there aren’t going to be any babies here for a long time.”
“How long is a long time?” Adley asks.
“You’ll be having babies before me,” I tell her and she flips me off.
“I call bullshit,” she says. “Though Rory and I love to practice, like as often as we can.” She winks and I pretend to gag. “We are going to give it a few years. I want to finish school first.”
“Order up,” the lady behind the counter hollers and a guy steps forward taking the cup.
“Thanks, Charlie.” He waves before walking toward the exit.
“Charlie?” I repeat, turning back around to face the girls, then glancing back a second time at the woman that has been serving me coffee in this very cafe for months. “Wait?” Spinning back around I look between Sutton and Lexi. “Did he call her Charlie?”
They both nod, looking at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.
“Maybe short for Charlotte?” I ask.
Again they both share a look but I bounce in my seat already knowing the outcome of this realization. Glancing back at the woman, she passes the next person in line their freshly made mocha.
“Maybe Charlotte Miller?” I whisper.
“Sophie, are you feeling alright?
Ignoring Sutton’s question I feel all giddy as I rub my hands together.
“Is her last name Miller?”
“I think so,” Lexi says with a smile and she widens her eyes like I’m certifiably insane.
“Oh my God, you guys, do I have a story for you ladies.”
I enter the house to find a roll of spiky wire sitting on the countertop in a box. I peer inside wondering what Finn could be doing with this stuff.
Hearing his boots on the steps, I lift my gaze just as he enters from the back door. He sees me standing there as he approaches. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t smirk, only watches me as he moves in my direction.
“What’s this?” I ask, pointing to the box.
He doesn’t answer me, instead holds my stare.
“Finn?” He rounds the counter still saying nothing. He positions himself before me, placing one hand onto the counter at each side.
“Is there something you want to tell me?”
“I have an idea what you are talking about,” I say, confused by what is taking place.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Are you drunk?” I ask with a laugh.
Without warning he bends down and tosses me up and over his shoulder. Slapping my ass he carries me toward the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I say, trying to wiggle away but he grips me harder.
When we make it to the bedroom, he kicks the door closed behind us and tosses me to the bed.
I bounce on impact and try to scurry away, but he grabs hold of my feet.
Pulling me closer he climbs over me, holding my hands above my head.
“I guess there was a little bit of story time at breakfast this morning.” He lifts a brow and I am just about to ask him what he’s talking about then it hits me.
I smile.
“I see it’s all coming back to you now?”
“Maybe.” I bite my lip.
“I thought we talked about keeping that little story to ourselves.”
“Uh no,” I correct him. “You said we’d keep it to ourselves. Me, on the other hand, I was just waiting for the day I could share. Charlie at the cafe is Charlotte and today when that all clicked I couldn’t wait to share.”
He nods, narrowing his eyes at me.
“I’m just surprised how quickly that ran around our little group. I’m impressed actually.”
“We carry razor wire at the store,” he tells me. “Tory was told to drop one by to me.”
“Impressive, which one of the guys placed the order?”
“It was Kendall,” he says with a very serious face. I burst out laughing and he continues to hold me hostage.
“She is my favorite person ever,” I announce with laughter as tears roll down my face.
“I give it a few hours and I’m sure all the guys will come up with something.”
I know he is not wrong.
“So I’m gonna spend these next few hours reminding you that some things should remain between you and us.”
“I can’t really see how you sexing me silent is a punishment.”
“Oh baby, this isn’t a punishment. This is a tension release.”