Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
She’s Alright
Cheyenne
Cash’s loud laughter echoed through the entire house. Dear Lord, how was he so damn loud? Ryder and Charlie’s voices drifted into the room at a much lower rate. Aunt Violet and Bad were here by the sound of it as well.
I took a deep breath and fussed with my shirt in the mirror for the umpteenth time.
It was weird, I typically wore tighter fitting clothes, but had been wearing more flowy, looser fabrics the past two weeks, not wanting to risk anyone noticing my bump, and now that I was wearing a fitted tank top and denim shorts, I felt almost paranoid.
Like any second I was going to ruin this massive secret.
But that was the whole point of tonight.
Not having to hide this anymore. I know it was killing Maverick, and not gonna lie, it sucked for me too.
His friends and family had become a vital part of my life and keeping this from them hurt.
I wasn’t worried about Cash or Ryder finding out so much, but Mav’s aunt and uncle were a completely different story.
They were the closest thing he had to parents. While Maverick’s undying resolution and kindness literally knew no bounds and was admirable, to say the least, would they see this pregnancy as the great thing he seemed to think it was? Or would they hate me?
Might as well go and find out.
I walked into the living area, finding them all hanging out in the kitchen and connected dining room.
Maverick hovered over the stove—typical.
Cash already had a beer in hand. Also, typical.
Ryder sat in one of the barstools at the island with his arm wrapped around Charlie who leaned against him, his hand protectively resting on her stomach.
I couldn’t help but admire the two of them for a moment. They were such a gorgeous, striking couple. With his scar, her tattoos, and their blend and clash of fashion that just worked.
Aunt Violet fiddled around at Maverick’s side while Bad hung back, leaning against one of the countertops while trying to get Cash’s attention to sneak him a beer.
But Cash wasn’t paying attention to his dad. Not as his hazel gaze flicked to mine, then my stomach, then back up again once more. “Now wait just a damn minute! When the fuck did you get pregnant? I just saw you earlier!”
It was like someone turned the volume off in the room. I swear to God, you could hear a pin drop as everyone turned to me.
A nervous laugh bubbled up my throat as I tucked a stray curl behind my ear. “Um…yeah. So…surprise.”
Charlie flashed me a bright smile. Ryder’s gaze was a bit more confused—almost like he was trying to figure out the math, but the math wasn’t mathing with the size of my stomach—but overall, he looked genuinely happy despite that.
Bad and Aunt Violet shared in their astonishment.
But Cash’s expression was the most noteworthy.
If I didn’t feel like my stomach was in my throat and I’d throw up at any minute, I might have laughed.
He made his way to me, his free hand immediately going to my belly as he prodded it like he needed to make sure it was actually real.
I smacked his hand away, letting out a disbelieving laugh. “What the hell, Mooney? You don’t just touch people’s stomachs!”
The thought of anyone touching my stomach aside from Maverick was so weird and foreign to me, but it wasn’t surprising.
Cash had no sense of boundaries. He bestowed a shit-eating smirk at me before glancing toward Maverick, who wore a possessive scowl on his face as he dried his hands off with a dish towel.
Cash’s lips somehow pulled wider on his stupidly handsome face. “Y’all have been busy, I see.”
That hit like a ton of bricks to the chest, bringing me right back down to reality. I couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze as I spoke—not even Maverick's. “Um…it’s not his.”
Well, if the silence in the room had been quiet enough to hear a pin drop, Aunt Violet’s surprised gasp was louder than a train horn. “What do you mean?” Her words were fine enough, but there was an angry layer to her tone, mingled with the shock.
A warm hand wrapped around my waist before resting on the side of my stomach.
I glanced up to meet Maverick’s fierce gaze.
I hadn’t even noticed him make his way over.
My chest constricted, fear and frustration and anxiety snaking around my heart like boa constrictors.
It hurt to breathe. I opened my mouth to respond but it’s like words failed me, leaving me floundering like a damn fish out of water.
Maverick’s deep voice was like a balm to my soul. “Cheyenne’s ex got her pregnant. She’s gonna keep it, and we’re gonna raise it up together.”
We.
My heart fluttered at the thought. Out of both excitement and a hint of terror.
If I was being completely honest, a part of me—one that grew smaller more rapidly by the day—still worried about the “we” part.
Still worried whether or not I’d be able to stay settled in one place for the rest of my life.
But Maverick proved nothing if not tenacious.
He’d given me countless reasons to stay.
Each and every day proving more and more what an amazing boyfriend and father he was already shaping up to be.
I think the only thing stopping Maverick’s aunt from going absolutely ballistic was the fact Charlie and Ryder were there. Anger burned like hot coals in her eyes, her scowl saying everything she hadn’t said aloud. Bad’s usual easy grin—so similar to his son’s—was drawn into a thin, straight line.
Well, that’s just fuckin’ great. I wasn’t really surprised, though. I’d expected this.
Cash’s low whistle drew my gaze. “Well, shit, man. You’re gonna be a dad.
” He grinned at Maverick and held out a hand for his cousin to shake.
Maverick hesitated only a moment before shaking it back.
Cash’s hazel stare flicked to me then. “Congratulations, Trouble. Kid’s gonna have one kickass mom. ”
Tears lined my eyes, a broken little laugh escaping me. I hadn’t expected Cash’s approval to mean so much, but hearing it—without a trace of accusation—made my heart swell so much it hurt.
Charlie and Ryder came up to us next. “I’m so excited you decided to keep it!” she squealed as she wrapped me in a hug.
I grinned. “Well, you made a pretty convincin’ argument with gettin’ to raise up our babies together.”
“Wait…you knew?” Ryder whirled to Charlie, shock ringing in his words. “And you didn’t tell me?”
Charlie placed a hand on Ryder’s chest. “Baby, it wasn’t my place to say anything.” She pressed a soft, apologetic kiss to his lips, stopping any argument from him.
Ryder offered her a soft look before turning back to me. “Congratulations. Kid’s lucky to have parents as cool as y’all.”
I grinned. “Not as cool as havin’ a professional bull rider for a daddy, but thanks.”
Charlie grinned, leaning into Ryder, whose hand tightened around her instinctively. “When’re you due?” he asked.
“February second.”
“Well shit, you’re farther along than Charlie!” He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
I smiled and shrugged. “Only by a couple weeks.”
Cash came up to my other side, cracking open a beer. I swear, it’s like he pulled them out of thin air. “Aw, come on now... Y’all are makin’ me feel left out. Maybe it’s time Big Daddy becomes a daddy too.”
“Cash Ulysses Mooney!” Aunt Violet’s stern voice cut through the room like a whip. Murder shone in her gaze as she pegged him with a harsh glare. “You bite your tongue.”
Cash’s lips pulled up into an impish grin. “What? You’re always talkin’ bout how you want grandbabies. I’d be doin’ y’all a service.”
I bit back a laugh at his name. Of course, he’d have some crazy middle name. But then I thought of the initials. “Wait…” c…u…m. No. No fuckin’ way. “Your initials are C.U.M?”
Maverick groaned at my side while a hushed chuckle escaped Ryder. Charlie shook her head, even as a smile graced her lips. Cash’s infamous grin shone brighter than a star exploding.
But Bad’s answering smirk was the best. “It’s what he started out as.”
“Clint Mooney!” Aunt Violet gasped, placing a hand to her chest, horror marring her pretty features.
Bad answered with a chuckle and a shrug. “What? It’s true.”
The room dissolved into the usual chaos that consisted of any family gathering. I’d gotten used to their constant presence—for the most part.
Overall, the tension that accompanied my announcement vanished. But then I’d meet Aunt Violet’s stare and my nerves would skyrocket. From the heated look in her gaze, she’d be pulling me aside at some point. I didn’t know when, but I knew it was coming. I could feel it.
After asking at least a dozen times if I could help Maverick wash dishes and hearing about a dozen different excuses of why I couldn’t, I finally made my way out onto the front porch.
But not before hearing Aunt Violet’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Maverick, honey. You sure about this? This ain’t like bringin’ in some stray animal. ”
Anger sparked to life in my chest, like fire to a match.
I wasn’t looking for handouts. In fact, I’d already gotten my store back up and running and was trying as much as I could to contribute in any way I could with horse feed or groceries.
But she was just being protective. I didn’t blame her—not really.
I closed my eyes and tilted my head up at the dying sun, letting the weak rays tickle my cheeks with warmth.
July and August had been hot as hell, and if the weather kept up like this, September would turn out just the same. But the evenings brought the promise of cooler weather.
Leave. The whisper went through my mind and soul like a soft breeze. Wyoming or Montana would be nice right now. I looked back toward the door, my heart constricting in my chest. Blowing out a breath, I let the idea drift away.
I’d show Aunt Violet I wasn’t going anywhere.