Chapter 32
. . .
Vesper
“You know, I wasn’t sure how well this pink-and-red color scheme would turn out, but this couldn’t have gone any better,” Marley confirms.
I stare at my reflection. The floor-length deep red bridesmaid gown Drew insisted I chose hugs my hips perfectly while the sweetheart neckline and thick straps support my growing breasts.
They’re aching like a bitch these days, and my stomach is definitely getting rounder, even if I did only reach nine weeks today.
“Are you sure it isn’t twins?” June rests a warm palm on my stomach.
Although this girl frequently insists how she doesn’t want children, she sure does have the maternal care and touch, one I hope I can give my baby when I become a mom. Even though my mother wasn’t a great blueprint, I’m determined to use her lack of interest as a checklist of what not to do.
“Just one in there,” I confirm.
She squints her eyes at my belly. “I think you’re having a boy, and that’s why you’re already showing. They say boys are all baby bump.”
I take in the bright pink dress she’s wearing; her dark hair is a similar color to my own, although she is the spitting image of her mom, with a beauty spot just below her left eye.
“You look really pretty, JJ.”
She loops her arms around my neck, and I’m flooded with feelings of friendship and safety. Kane is still lurking—I know he is—but these past couple of weeks have been especially peaceful and allowed hope to bloom.
Maybe this is the start of my ex moving on.
Maybe him thinking that the pregnancy is his has scared him into submission, and I’ll never hear from him again. Kane always did care more about money than anything else, and I’m sure he isn’t relishing the prospect of child support payments.
“And you look happier than I’ve ever seen you before—you know that?
” She pulls back and holds me by the shoulders.
June is at least four inches taller than me, which isn’t surprising, given her family.
“I think having this baby with Silas and just going for it together is exactly what you both needed. I can see the sparkle in his eyes when he looks at you. It’s just like when Will looks at Drew or my dad at my mom. That type of love never fades.”
It’s probably not the right time to raise this subject, although I ask my question anyway. “Have you ever been in love?”
June scrunches up her nose. “Why have a relationship when I can get what I want from a guy in one night?”
I bark out a laugh. “You are just like your brother.”
“Like he used to be.” Marley pokes her head into the conversation. Her gown is shorter than ours and more of a baby pink, which matches her bright blonde hair perfectly. She is the very definition of sunshine, that girl.
June rolls her eyes. “I swear to God, my brother has grown even more intolerable than when he was single and a playboy. Every other sentence is Drew this and Drew that.”
Right at that moment, the woman in question pulls the curtain back and steps into the main room.
I can barely form words as her mom, Mia, steps around her daughter, both hands covering her mouth and tears in her eyes.
“Holy, Vera Wang!” Marley exclaims. Like June and me, she hasn’t seen the lacy fishtail dress Will picked out for his fiancée. “I take it all back. William Jones is, in fact, a genius when it comes to your body and what will suit it.”
Drew props a hand on her hip, eyes fixed on the top of her head. “Okay, yes, I concede too. The dress is perfect, but this tiara has got to go. I look ridiculous.”
Marley gasps and walks toward her sister. “No, no! You have to keep it. It’s beautiful. Plus, it cost, like, ten thousand dollars, so I’d definitely not lose it.”
Drew balks, sputtering out, “What?!”
“More money than sense,” June sings beneath her breath. “I told him the tiara was too much, but he just wouldn’t listen. He never listens to me.”
I quirk a brow at her. “And you listen to what he says?”
She waves away my comment. “I’ll tune in to his opinions and advice when he starts talking sense.”
Mia takes us all in, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. “I just think you all look perfect. A February wedding, dressed in pink and red, was absolutely the right decision and not the cliché I was worried about.”
I smile at Drew. “Thank you for not insisting on us all wearing the same dress style and color, and I really think an additional fitting was the right call. I can actually breathe in this bodice.”
She studies me for a beat. “How are you feeling today?”
As if my body can sense her question, a burp rises up my throat.
Goddamn acid reflux.
“All good.” I give her a thumbs-up and then burp again. “Pregnancy is every bit the walk in the park I anticipated it to be.”
My girls all fall into laughter before one of the dress store owners begins handing out champagne, and I decline the fresh orange juice on offer.
“Are you going to be well enough for work tonight?” Drew asks, swallowing down a sip of champagne.
I already feel exhausted, just thinking about it, but I somehow manage an enthusiastic smile. I need the money, I want to keep my job, and it’s not like Silas is free tonight since the boys are out celebrating Will’s bachelor party.
“Yep!” I burp for a third time. “I promise I’ll be fine.”
It’s past one in the morning when I finally walk into my apartment and kick off my sneakers.
When I do break the news to the owner, I originally planned to tell him that I’d work right up until my due date, but based on the broken way I feel tonight, I’m starting to question how long I’ll actually last.
Working a shift at Riley’s is hard enough, let alone when you’re growing another human.
But in good news, my appetite has returned, and while I have multiple prepared meals Silas dropped off the other day, the baby is craving one of my favorite foods—pizza.
Only this time of the veggie variety. The smell of meat might turn my stomach, but I refuse to sacrifice jalapenos or extra cheese. Acid reflux be damned.
Sending my order through to the pizza joint I always use, I shoot a message to security, instructing not to delay in allowing the delivery guy upstairs because this pregnant girl needs to eat.
Then I pad into the bathroom and start filling the tub with warm water and bubbles.
Back when Drew and I used to live together, she was obsessed with Bath & Body Works, and apparently, that has rubbed off on me.
Lighting a couple of vanilla candles, I set them on the bathroom counter and pull out my phone when I feel it vibrate in my pocket.
Silas
Full disclosure: I’m still out with the guys when all I want is to be wrapped around you. How was your shift?
Me
I just walked through the door, and I’m filling the tub. Care to join me?
Silas
Is that even a question?
A couple of minutes later, I’ve undressed, and I climb into the bath, snapping a picture of my upper half, which is covered only by bubbles.
I forward it to Silas and wait for his unhinged response.
Silas
I’m currently dressed as a cowboy with an annoying-as-fuck groom-to-be who won’t stop talking about the record he set on the mechanical bull tonight. Stay right there. I’m on my way over.
Me
Don’t you dare! You need to go the distance with the guys tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow after my shift.
Silas
You literally work every hour under the sun. You know that’s not necessary, right?
Me
I love my job.
Silas
But it’s not necessary. Not when I can look after you both in every way you need. Just say the word.
Speaking of … how’s my baby?
Shifting some of the bubbles to one side, I snap a picture of my stomach and send it to him.
Me
Making me burp … all the fucking time. But they say, “Hey, Daddy.”
Silas
I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful in my life. I’m so proud to be your boyfriend and for us to be starting a family together—you know that?
Me
How many beers have you had?
Silas
Zero.
Me
What? Why? I thought Coach gave you all a free pass tonight?
Silas
He did, but I didn’t want to drink alcohol. That way, I can drive to your place whenever I want.
Me
You’re obsessed.
Silas
Sue me.
Me
Imagine how wealthy I would be if I did. I once read that you’re the highest-paid defenseman in the league. Is that true?
Silas
I’m pretty rich for now. Although I plan to drop a ton on you and our bump over the next six months.
Me
I don’t want your money—you know this.
Silas
Vesper, if you’re going to upgrade to the superior brother who would burn the fucking world for you, then you’d best believe I’m going the whole way.
Me
Oh, well, in that case, I’ll take a Gucci bag, please. Always wanted one of those.
Setting my phone down on the side of the bath, I relax into the warm water when another text lands a few minutes later.
I bolt up in the bath when three pictures arrive, each of them Gucci bags.
Silas
I wasn’t sure which one you preferred, so I got you the same style in red, tan, and black.
Oh, and a Louis Vuitton weekend bag for when I take you away. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow.
Me
Silas … I was joking.
Silas
I know. But I wasn’t.
I’m partway through typing out a reply when the smart doorbell chimes, and I climb out of the bath and set my phone on the counter.
Shit, that’s the pizza, and I’m fully naked and covered in bubbles. Oh, and also mildly turned on, courtesy of my elaborate boyfriend.
Grabbing my fluffy white robe from the hook on the wall to my left, I quickly check my reflection to make sure my eye makeup isn’t halfway down my face and head for the door.
The bell chimes again, followed by a sharp knock.
“Hang on a second,” I say, sliding the dead bolt across the door.
I don’t even reach the handle before it turns and the door swings inward.
Oh shit.
Acid rises in my throat, although this time, it has nothing to do with the pregnancy.
“I don’t understand.” They’re the only words my brain can summon as I stare at my ex-boyfriend in horror.
Holding a green, red, and white pizza box that matches the jacket and ball cap he’s wearing, I realize he’s the guy sent to deliver my late-night snack.
“Hey there, Vesper.”
Not waiting to be invited, he steps into the apartment and shuts the door behind him.
He doesn’t say another word, although he doesn’t need to, his smug smirk speaks for him. He walks over to the kitchen island and sets the pizza box down, laying a receipt on top.
“I included a twenty percent tip.” He grins at me over his shoulder, and my blood runs cold. “Though you can afford that now that you’re living the high life with rich hockey wives, right?”
Every cell in my body urges me to make a run for the door. Kane didn’t slide the dead bolt across, and I could be out and in the hallway in seconds.
I thumb over my shoulder, trying to think quickly on my feet. My phone is in the bathroom, but he doesn’t know that. I could lock myself inside and call Silas. Or 911.
“My purse is in the bedroom. Let me go and get it.”
He holds up a hand and moves toward me, deliberately blocking my route down the hallway. He’s always been smart, cunning, and calculating, and my insides twist at memories of when we were together.
On multiple occasions, Silas has asked me if Kane has ever hurt me physically, and I’ve always answered truthfully.
Tonight feels different though. The sinister look in his gray eyes is one I haven’t seen before.
“You’re probably wondering why security didn’t recognize me.” He tips the bill on his baseball cap. “It’s amazing what a simple disguise can do for you, along with any kind of uniform.”
“Let me pay what I owe and then you can leave,” I say so quietly that I can barely hear my own voice.
His eyes fall to my stomach, and I pull my robe tighter around me. I’m fully covered, but he’s looking at me like I’m naked.
My skin crawls beneath the weight of his gaze. It’s creepy and disgusting, reminding me of all the reasons why I used to sleep with my bed pushed against the wall so he couldn’t approach me from behind.
“Are you still pregnant, or have you seen the light?” Kane’s voice is as smug as his face.
I bet he’s really fucking proud of himself for getting the better of everyone tonight.
I decide to ignore his question, tipping my chin up. “How long have you been planning this for?”
He cocks his head to one side. “Planning what?”
“Breaking and entering my apartment and then refusing to let me retrieve my wallet so I can pay you.”
Surprise overtakes his face. He was expecting me to be fearful.
Not anymore.
Not now that I’m carrying a child. I’m going to be a mama, and if I’m having a girl, then she’ll learn from me how a guy should treat you with respect. And if it’s a boy, he’ll follow in his dad’s footsteps.
When Kane doesn’t answer, I take a step toward him, pressing my fingernails into my palms so hard that I’m sure they’ll leave crescent-shaped marks.
“The baby isn’t yours.”
He stinks of liquor and cigarettes, just like he always did.
Kane’s laugh is menacing. He doesn’t believe a word of what I just said.
“Oh, yeah? Whose baby is it then, Ves?” He scrubs a hand over his jaw, sharing a private joke with himself. “Is it Mason James’s? Oh my God, you just move from one alcoholic to the next, don’t you?”
I rise onto my tiptoes, still smiling despite him laughing at my expense. “It’s your brother’s,” I softly whisper.
He stops dead, eyes ablaze, jaw flexing. “Tell me that’s bullshit!”
I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t intimidated, but I refuse to let this man take any more pieces of me. Perhaps it’s the pregnancy hormones, or maybe I’ve just rediscovered what it’s like to love myself.
I’m ready to respond when the apartment door flies open, crashing against the wall as Silas stalks toward his brother.
In dark blue jeans, a black jacket and a brown cowboy hat, my boyfriend’s mission is abundantly clear, even before his fist smashes into Kane’s face, blood spraying across the gray tiled flooring.
“Piece of shit! I fucking warned you what would happen if you came near her again!” Silas spits—literally spits—at Kane’s bent-over body.
Pinching his nose, he stands up straight and points at my stomach. “Have you been fucking my woman?”
Silas goes in for another strike, and I rest my hand on his upper arm, asking him to stop.
“Your woman?” I calmly question, adrenaline spiking my heart rate.
“I haven’t been your woman in a very long time, Kane.
You broke me down, dismantled me, and made me believe that the only man I could ever have was you.
Trouble is …” I set a palm over my stomach and look at Silas.
“You aren’t a real man, and I’ve kicked the habit of going back to washed-up losers in favor of a pro athlete who can love me and our baby in languages you will never understand. ” I point at the door. “Now fuck off.”