Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
DAYLEN
“If she doesn’t rip a fart, she doesn’t have your heart,” my father happily announces.
My sister and I burst out laughing, while Ashleigh covers her face in mortification. I have to hold my stomach. “That’s the funniest story I’ve ever heard.”
Apparently, Ashleigh came to watch my dad in court this week, and during a particularly tense moment, she accidentally farted. Of course my dad is trying to make her feel better about it, telling her that farting in front of your significant other is a sign of being comfortable and in love.
She shakes her head. “In front of you, maybe. All those people? Horrific. They all knew who it came from.”
My sister is hyperventilating, she’s laughing so hard.
I hear BJ release her protective bark and then go running toward the gate. My father sucks in a breath. “Oh shit. D, do something.”
I turn in time to see Kennedy and Pierce walking through to my backyard. BJ stops right in front of Kennedy and then gently lifts her snout for a kiss, which Kennedy happily obliges along with a sweet rub behind her ear.
It’s like BJ knows to be careful around Kennedy. It’s unbelievable.
And Kennedy looks fucking hot. I knew she was playing pickleball, but perhaps it’s time for me to take up this sport.
She’s in a tiny little white skirt and a sleeveless matching top that is only slightly more material than a sports bra.
There’s about an inch or two of her sexy stomach showing.
I can’t help but stare at it, knowing my baby is growing inside her.
My heart swells with affection for both of my girls. Three, if you count BJ.
Yes, I’m convinced it’s a girl. I was born to be a girl dad. I keep imagining holding her little body in my hands and loving her, the same way I did with Jagger.
Pierce is wearing athletic shorts and a T-shirt. His eyes immediately zero in on my sister in her bikini. Little fucker.
I turn to my family. “I invited some friends. They’re Coach Jeffries’ kids.” I look at my sister. “Pierce is going to be a freshman this year at a college nearby. I thought you two could chat about it. He might have some insights for you.”
She stares at him and licks her lips. “Thanks, bro. You’re the best.”
What the fuck is happening?
I stand and make my way over to them, first shaking Pierce’s hand and then kissing Kennedy’s cheek. I whisper into her ear, “Thanks for coming. You look edible. I’m going to fuck you in this skirt sometime.”
She takes a sharp inhale. I lift my head in time to see her face flush and her lips part. She likes that idea. All hope isn’t lost.
“How was pickleball?” I cheerily ask both of them as if I didn’t just tell her I was going to defile her.
Pierce answers, “Kennedy carried us. She ate and left no crumbs.”
“She’s a professional athlete,” and the mother of my child, “of course she was awesome. She’s good at everything. Come,” I wave in invitation, “meet my family.”
I introduce everyone. My father takes one look at Kennedy and then wiggles his eyebrows up and down at me. Yeah, no shit she’s hot. She looks like Wonder Woman with all those curves and her height. Ooh, I bet she’d look amazing in a Wonder Woman costume. New fantasy unlocked.
I offer Pierce a bathing suit of mine. It will be big on him, but he can tie it tight. He disappears inside to get it. I told him to ask Benny where to find it. In no time at all, he and Jagger are yapping away in the pool like long-lost friends.
Dad looks at them. “I think we have a love connection.”
I lean back. “Normally I would intimidate the crap out of any potential suitor, but I happen to like Pierce.”
Kennedy smiles with amusement as she watches them interact. She’s probably never seen her brother this way before.
My dad and Kennedy talk for a while. I sit back and let nature take its course. I’m just happy they seem to be getting along so well.
Eventually, I stand. “I’m going to visit Uncle Charley.”
Kennedy rolls her eyes. “Stop announcing it, freak.”
Dad chuckles. “He loves doing that. Always has. Why don’t you pee in the pool like everyone else in the world?”
“In my own pool?” I ask with genuine disgust. “Pass.”
He shrugs. “I pissed in the deep end at our neighborhood pool last week.” He smiles. “The lifeguard blew the whistle so hard I almost fell in.”
Kennedy starts laughing, as does my father. “Oh my god,” she says, “you two have the exact same laugh. It’s scary.”
Ashleigh, who I’m confident didn’t get my dad’s joke, nods. “Oh yes, since baby boy was little. Always the same laugh.”
Ashleigh didn’t know me until I was a teen, but whatever. I don’t correct her. I never do.
I return a few minutes later, and Chef Benny is serving the steaks. “Thanks, Benny. These look awesome. Did you make one for BJ too?”
He nods. “Of course. All dogs should eat expensive steaks because they know the difference,” he says sarcastically.
“Exactly,” I happily agree.
He motions his head toward Kennedy and mouths, “Is it her?”
I nod.
He mouths back, “She’s hot.”
I mouth, “I know, right?”
The lovebirds emerge from the pool to eat. Pierce smiles at me. “Thanks, man. These steaks are lit.”
Dad agrees. “Maybe I should have Chef Benny cook for Ashleigh’s birthday next week instead of...”
He purposefully stops speaking and then pretends to zip his lips.
Ashleigh smacks his arm. “Darn it. I thought you were going to spill the beans. Ugh. Where are you taking me?”
Dad kisses her cheek and answers, “Hopefully from behind.”
Jagger squeals, “Dad! Stop it. You’re so embarrassing.”
He lets out his loud, booming laugh, and Ashleigh giggles before not so quietly whispering, “You got it, Daddy.” Yes, she calls him Daddy all the time.
Kennedy’s body shakes in laughter at the whole interaction.
Dad gives Jagger a bemused look. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ve got the perfect spot all picked out for yo mama.
” His eyes then move to mine as they sparkle in amusement.
He loves busting out the yo mama jokes in front of new friends.
Embarrassing Jagger in front of her new crush is just an added bonus.
Jagger sighs. “I beg you not to do this right now, Dad. Please.”
Dad wipes his mouth with his napkin and then places it on the table. It’s his sign of what’s to come.
Jagger knows it. She then explains to Kennedy and Pierce what’s about to happen. She also apologizes in advance.
Dad steals his face. “Yo mama’s so stupid, she went to the dentist to get a Bluetooth.”
Everyone snickers but me. I take a breath as I think of my next line. “Yo mama’s so fat, when she sat on an iPhone, it turned into an iPad.”
Everyone else bursts out laughing. Dad actually has to bite his lip to keep his own laughter away. That’s progress for me.
He eventually wards it off and asks me, “Do you know the difference between a washing machine and yo mama?”
I smirk as I shake my head that I don’t.
“When I dumped a dirty load inside the machine, it didn’t follow me around for two weeks.”
I can’t help but laugh loudly, right along with the rest of the table. “Oh my god. Classic. You’re the master, Dad. I can’t beat you.” And I never want to.
Dad winks. “Your time will come, son.”
About an hour later, Kennedy is exiting the bathroom, but I push her back in and close the door. I pull her hips to mine and brush my lips over her mouth. “You look so sexy in this outfit. I’ve been hard since you got here.”
She smiles into my mouth as she wraps her arms around my neck. “I love your family.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Is this how meals always are with them?”
I nod. “Yes. Exactly like this. Every single time. Never a dull moment.”
She gently and lovingly runs her fingertips through my scruff. “I hope you realize how fortunate you are.”
“I do.” I lick my lips nervously. “It could be like this for us one day. If you want.”
She looks down. “Daylen—”
“I know I went a little crazy yesterday,” I quickly interrupt before she can shoot me down.
“I was excited. I saw the future I wanted and pressed the fast-forward button. It was wrong of me to make assumptions like I did, but I won’t give up on the possibility of us.
There’s something here.” I toggle my finger between the two of us.
“Maybe we’re not at the marriage or baby-making phase of our relationship, but there’s a spark I’ve never shared with anyone else, and I personally want to see where it goes. ”
She looks up at me and nods. “I do too.”
I can’t help but smile widely at her unexpected response. “You do?”
“Yes. We’ve done this in the weirdest order ever, but I feel it too.” She runs her hands up and down my arms. “You make me feel so safe, Daylen. I’ve never felt safe with anyone in my life before. It’s a big deal for me.”
My chest swells with pride. “I know it is. Thank you for trusting me. I promise I won’t let you or our daughter down. Ever.”
She rolls her eyes. “I hope it’s a boy just to spite you.”
I chuckle. “Of course you do. Not a chance. BJ said she wants a sister.”
“Did she say that? In those precise words?”
“Yes,” I joke.
“I bet.”
I pull her as close as possible again, and she happily obliges me.
“Can we maybe go on a real date?” I beg.
“One that doesn’t involve basketball. We can still practice all the time.
I’m committed to you dunking one day, but can we go to dinner?
Anywhere you want. I know you don’t want to be seen in public.
We can go off the beaten track. I don’t care.
I just want to give things a real go. I want to spend time with you talking and doing normal dating things. ”
She smiles softly as she nods again. “I’d like that.”
I can’t help but kiss her, and she lets me. In fact, she also allows my hand to move under that sexy skirt. I’ve been dying to do that since she got here.
An orgasm later, when we’re walking back to the pool, she asks, “Why does Ashleigh use WTF inappropriately? Does she not know what it means?”
I chuckle. “It’s a funny story.”