33. Sawyer
SAWYER
- Kicking like hell
- Team no sleep
Beckett and I pulled up to Liv’s house at a quarter till ten, and I cursed as I saw the number of cars sitting in her drive.
My palms had already been sweating all morning because I had no idea what to expect regarding today’s festivities.
I’d been forced to leave them, in their entirety, to a woman who wouldn’t know subtle if it punched her in the face.
“What the fuck, Liv,” I muttered beneath my breath.
I told her to keep it low-key, but I should’ve known she wouldn’t listen.
If there was one thing she loved, it was planning a party.
For Charlie’s last birthday, she rented out an entire water park just for a group of twenty or so to enjoy without having to wait in lines.
Like I said… Ridiculous.
Beckett parked his SUV behind Duke’s truck before reaching over and grabbing my hand. “She just wanted you to have the best day. Don’t be too mad at her.”
“But I told her I didn’t want all this,” I groaned. “In case you hadn’t figured it out, being the center of attention isn’t my forte. There is nothing I like less.”
“It’s just one day, sugar. I’ll make it up to you tonight. I promise.” His lips twitched as he brought the back of my hand up for a kiss. “You like being the center of my attention.”
My body heated at his words. Since the rodeo and our little weekend between the sheets, Beckett and I had been inseparable.
I spent every night in his bed, falling asleep in his arms, and waking up with his tongue or fingers pressed against my clit.
Starting my day with an orgasm had definitely improved my mood, even if we hadn’t had sex yet. At least I understood his reasoning.
I did, however, bring it up again at my last doctor’s appointment. Dr. Adler might have been on my shit list since the diagnosis, but that changed the moment she looked him dead in the eye and told him that I was cleared for sex as long as I wasn’t in any pain.
Staying with Beckett did come at a cost, though.
Every morning before work, I had to get up early to swing by the trailer and check on Grams. If she was missing me being home, I couldn’t tell.
She seemed to be living her best life with Harold.
He’d started taking her to all of her doctor’s appointments, and joining her at the retirement home with the rest of her friends.
It was actually kind of cute seeing them together.
We even offered to drive her today, but she told us that Harold was her hot date and she would meet us here.
“You’d better,” I warned. “Or else there’ll be hell to pay.”
Beckett winked, hopping out and walking around to my side to help me out. “Is that a threat or a promise?” he asked, whispering in my ear.
I shivered as his hot breath skated down my neck. He was standing so close to me, all I could think about was how he’d already made me come once this morning. “Both.”
“Good. That’s what I was hoping for.” Beckett grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “Come on. Let’s go see what the evil mastermind is up to.”
The moment we walked in, I wanted to run back out the door.
Everyone turned to look at me as a chorus of congratulations rang out.
People I hadn’t seen in months came up to shake both Beckett’s hand and mine.
Judging by his wide-eyed expression, I was willing to bet he was just as overwhelmed as I was.
Even our regulars at the bar had ventured out of their natural habitat to join the festivities.
The crowd around us parted as Liv slipped through, watching me carefully for my reaction. “Okay, so don’t be mad…”
“Olivia, this is too many people!” I whispered harshly, dragging her closer. “This is too much.”
“It’s perfect, Sawyer. I know you don’t believe you deserve to be celebrated and loved, but you do.
” Her gaze softened as she took my hand.
“I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable. I just wanted to show you that, with or without Beckett in the picture—” she shot him an apologetic glance “—you are never alone. There are so many people who want to support you.”
“I’m pretty sure that making a pregnant woman cry at her baby shower is illegal or something,” I muttered, wiping the fallen tear away.
Liv wrapped her arm around me and squeezed. “I love you, Sawyer. There’s no length I wouldn’t go to in order to show you that.”
Even though I grew up in this town, I never felt like I truly belonged. Everyone I graduated high school with had either moved away to chase big-city dreams or settled down and popped out a few babies of their own, while I simply floated through life not knowing what I wanted.
It was strange how quickly that had changed because of one single night of reckless fun. Beckett had pulled me from whatever trance I’d lost myself in. There wasn’t a day that went by that I wasn’t thankful to him for waking me up.
“Come on. Let’s get this party started,” she said, pulling me into the living room where a mountain of gifts sat. “Everyone is ready to get started.”
I looked back at Beckett as Liv dragged me away. “I’m going to get us some drinks, okay? I’ll be right back.”
In the middle of the room was a chair decorated just for me. A sparkling sash that read “mom” sat on the cushion, while different shades of blue balloons were tied to the back.
I took my seat, glancing around nervously as Liv clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Okay, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us to celebrate Sawyer and Baby Montgomery. We’re gonna play a quick icebreaker game, and then we can get started on the fun stuff—presents!
” Liv grinned over at me. “Over here we’ve got a pin the face on the baby game.
I know we’re all hoping this little bundle of joy comes out looking just like Sawyer, but genetics can be weird. ”
She laughed, gesturing to a poster board and pile of what looked like cutouts from photos.
“Grab a parent’s face, you can pick either Sawyer or Beckett, and Charlie and Harper can help get your blindfold tied on.
Whoever gets closest gets the honor of having their gift opened first!
” Most of the guests got up, making a haphazard line in front of the poster of a giant cartoon baby body, and Beckett and I both struggled to contain our laughter as they tried, and failed, to get our heads into the right position.
Surprisingly, Grams ended up the winner, flashing me a wicked smile that I knew darn well meant she’d peeked.
Sudden applause had us turning to look at Gram beaming on the sofa nearby. Harold smiled at her as he yelled, “Get’em, baby!”
As the guests sat back down, Liv clapped her hands again to get everyone’s attention. “If you haven’t already, be sure to grab a onesie decorating kit to work on while we go through all these lovely gifts.”
Beckett pulled up a chair and handed me a glass of Cherry 7UP. “Here you go, sugar. Made sure we had them on hand for you.”
“Thank you,” I said, leaning in for a kiss.
The laughter quieted down as Liv grabbed Gram’s present and handed it over.
It was a pale blue bag with pacifiers all over it, so I thought it might be safe, but I should’ve known better.
Inside was a heather gray onesie that said, “I came from nuttin’.
” As if it could get any worse, a grinning sperm smiled out at me, wiggling its little tail.
I gritted out my thanks as I shoved it back into the safety of the bag.
“What did that say?” Beckett asked, but I just shook my head. “What’s next?”
Beckett and I worked in tandem, opening the rest of our gifts and offering our thanks to whoever brought them.
We got so many things. It took us nearly an hour to get through all of them.
I had no idea how we were going to get any of this home or where we would put it.
Liv might just have to hold onto everything until we figured something out.
Things had quieted down once the presents were gone. Some people left while others mingled in groups throughout the family room. Liv and I were taking notes of who brought what when I heard Lukas say,” Oh, looks like you forgot one.”
Liv turned over her shoulder. “That’s right. Where’s dad’s gift for the expectant mother?”
“I don’t think that’s a thing,” I said, laughing.
“Push presents are absolutely a thing,” Liv corrected. “When I had Charlie, Grady bought me a diamond tennis bracelet and a new handbag.”
Grady raised his beer. “Seemed like the least I could do considering the ass-chewing I got during labor.”
I turned toward Beckett. “Okay, well, you’ve done more than enough,” I reassured him, laughing. “Anything more might just make me—”
My words cut off as he pulled a little blue box from behind him. “Too late,” he said, handing it over. “I know you’re a little touchy about gifts, but I think you’re going to like this one.”
“Better hope,” Lukas muttered beneath his breath. “Be embarrassing if she didn’t.”
Beckett ignored him. “You don’t have to open it here—”
“The hell she doesn’t,” Liv and Lukas said at the same time.
I swung toward the siblings who, to their credit, didn’t look sorry in the slightest. “Do you two know something about this?” They both shrugged, which meant they absolutely did. “Traitors,” I hissed.
“Just open the damn thing,” Liv said. She was nearly vibrating in her seat.
With trembling fingers, I reached for the lid and pulled it free. Inside, on a little silk pillow, was a shining set of keys. “What is it?” I asked cautiously, glancing up at Beckett.
He sucked in a deep breath before speaking. “I want to start out by saying please don’t freak out when I tell you. This is just as much for me as it is for you.”
My heart quickened as I looked back down.
They looked an awful lot like house keys, but that couldn’t be.
It wasn’t like Beckett bought me something like that.
That would be crazy, right? It would be absolutely ridiculous.
Even though I stayed with him most nights, I had somewhere I called home.
What about Grams? I couldn’t just leave her, or spend every day driving over to make sure she was okay. Especially not with a newborn.
“I bought a house,” he said cautiously. “And I know you’re probably freaking out right now.
That’s understandable. But, sugar, I needed to plant roots here if I’m going to be in this baby’s life.
We need roots. Liv and Lukas helped me find the perfect place.
It’s an old farmhouse not far off the highway.
We could set up a nursery, and you can decorate every room to your heart’s content.
Even if you choose to stay where you are for now.
” He reached out and gently took my hands in his.
“But I hope you stay the night and never leave come morning.”
With striking clarity, I realized that no one had ever cared about me the way Beckett did.
He could’ve easily walked away when he found out I was pregnant, or any of the other times I tried to push him away, but he stayed every single time.
He stayed and showed me what it was like to be truly loved.
Because that’s what this was, wasn’t it?
It was love. Pure and messy and chaotic even on the best days.
And I loved him back, just as much. Even if I hadn’t said it yet, even if I’d been too damn scared to make the first move.
I knew that in my bones as well as I knew the feeling of our son’s kicks in my belly.
“Please say something,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “I know I probably shouldn’t have done it here. I’m sorry. This was a bad idea. It was too much. I should’ve—”
“I love you.” I blurted the words out before I could realize what I was saying. The best part was that I didn’t even care whether I said them or he said them back, because they were my truth.
I couldn’t give Beckett a new vehicle, nor could I buy him a house, but I could give him this.
Beckett blinked. “Really?”
I laughed and reached for the collar of his shirt, tugging him closer. “I, Sawyer Sutton, love you, Beckett Montgomery, so fucking much. You make me happier than I have ever been.”
Beckett closed the distance between us, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss. I didn’t care that we were in a house full of people who were likely watching this play out, or that this declaration would’ve been more romantic in private.
If there was one thing we did well, it was throwing tradition out the window. Nothing had gone by the book since the day we met. Why should we start now?
“I love you, too, sugar. There’s no one else I’d rather do this with.”
“Does this mean you’re finally moving out?” Grams asked.
I turned to gape at her. “Finally?”
Grams nodded. “It’s about time for you to fly the nest, don’t you think?”
“What about your doctor appointments? Who’s gonna take you?”
“That’s what I have a man for.” The smile on Harold’s face didn’t budge as she smacked him in the chest for emphasis.
“Plus, we have really been enjoying all the privacy lately. You should see the positions this man can twist me into. Probably show all you young bucks up,” she said, swinging her cane around to Beckett, Duke, Grady, and Lukas.
“Oh my god,” I muttered, covering my face with my hands. The last thing I wanted to think about was my Gram’s sex life.
“I’m just saying. Consider this my blessing, baby.
You deserve all the happiness life can afford you.
I’m glad you’re finally chasing it yourself.
” She walked over and squeezed my shoulder.
“You know you can always come home if you need to, but it’s time for the safety net to drop.
That man right there ain’t gonna let nothing bad happen to you if he can help it.
I’d be willing to bet he’d find a way to move heaven and earth if you asked nicely. ”
“Yeah,” I said, turning to look at Beckett. “I think you’re right.”
“‘Course I am, girl. Have you ever known me to be wrong?” Grams snorted. “Now, I’m gonna go get me a refill of that sweet peach tea in there, and then I’m gonna sit my happy ass right there and watch men fail at changing a diaper.”
Liv had all kinds of games planned, some of which were going on quietly around us. But one of the things she was most proud of was the one where people could test out how fast they could successfully change a diaper.
I watched her go, hobbling past with her rhinestone cane at the ready. Harold got up to follow her, but was stopped when Lukas placed a hand on his chest. “Do you mind if I pick your brain about that pretzel position?”