3. Aspen Webb
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me, Lance? The one appointment I need you at, you really can’t say forget work and come?”
“I’m sorry, baby. For real, but you know how it is. This is an opportunity I can’t turn down. I swear, I’ll make it up to you.”
Aspen paced in her bathroom with tears cascading down her cheeks.
Today was the day she and Lance would find out the genders for the twins, and once again, he was bailing on her for work.
No matter how important an event was in Aspen’s life, Lance would always choose work over her.
While she understood he was the breadwinner and was grinding, he could slow down for her occasionally.
Sniffling, Aspen fussed. “I don’t want to hear that shit, Lance. I’m tired of you always having to make things up to me. Why can’t you simply prioritize me for once?”
“You don’t think me grinding is prioritizing you?”
“Hell no. It’s you following your dreams and doing what you feel is best for you and your career. I understand it to a certain degree, but damn. I’m carrying your kids. You can at least show up for the important things.”
The heavy breath Lance released let Aspen know he wasn’t going to fold. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Whatever.”
It took everything in Aspen not to throw her phone across the room when she hung up on him.
She plopped down on the toilet, covered her face with her hands, and bawled her eyes out.
For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why Lance wouldn’t change.
His actions were speaking louder than his words, but still, Aspen stayed in hopes the twins would change him.
Who was she kidding?
If he wasn’t showing up for them while they were in the womb, what made her think he would when they were born?
Mentally coaching herself to get it together, Aspen got up and wobbled over to the sink to wash her face.
She hated how puffy her eyes were and how pale her skin looked, making her freckles pop more.
On top of Lance upsetting her, she woke up not feeling the best. Every part of her body hurt, and she was super nauseous.
The only thing she desired to do was ball up in bed and sleep, but the thought of finally knowing what her babies were gave her the strength to push through.
Just as she grabbed her slides to slip on, she heard a voice that stirred her soul call out her name.
“Aspen?”
“I’m up here!” she yelled back, sliding her feet into her slides. She was grateful they weren’t swollen today, but she knew once she got to moving around, they would be.
His scent greeted her before he did. Aspen closed her eyes and deeply inhaled, loving the notes of cedar oak and amber. He smelled heavenly, and when he appeared in her doorway, Aspen saw he looked just as divine.
Mahari Creed.
Mahari stood there with his stormy gray eyes resting on Aspen.
She took him in, loving how he wore all black with a nice diamond chain resting against his neck.
His locs were pulled into a man bun on top of his head, showing off the diamonds dancing in his ears and his handsome facial features.
Between his full, well-oiled beard and his full lips, Aspen had to look away to rid the thought slowly creeping into her mind.
“Let me guess,” she started and tried to stand up but fell back down.
Chuckling, Mahari swaggered over with his tattooed hands outstretched.
Aspen placed hers in his, appreciating how soft and warm they were.
Her body crashed into his when he pulled her in for a hug that Aspen instantly melted into.
With her head resting on his broad chest, Aspen took another deep inhale of his scent.
Being wrapped in Mahari’s strong embrace had Aspen’s emotions on a whirlwind.
Her arms rested around his waist as she listened to the thumping of his heart.
The immense amount of comfort and safety she felt with him stirred her emotions.
She deeply inhaled and slowly exhaled, trying to swallow the lump forming in her throat.
“You know I got you, right, Bunny?” Mahari asked. The old nickname he had for her made Aspen giggle. She hadn’t heard it in forever, but it felt good.
“At least I know you do.” She pulled away from Mahari, and he thumbed away her tears. “I’m so sick of him, Mahari. How is it that you’re just as busy as him but always find the time to show up for me? He should be here taking me to my appointment, not you.”
“Damn. Am I not good enough?”
Aspen playfully rolled her eyes. “You know that’s not what I mean. You do get what I’m saying, right?”
“You know I do, but Lance is busier than I am. I can pretty much make my schedule, while he has other shit. And no, I’m not excusing his behavior, because if you were mine . . . Just know you’d never have to worry about me missing a beat. Pun intended.” He winked.
Why must Mahari do that to her?
Aspen mushed her lips together and rubbed her belly. She was trying her hardest not to read in between the lines with Mahari, but his statement made it almost impossible. Knowing exactly what he meant, Aspen cleared her throat and changed the subject.
“Oh, well. Are you ready?” she quizzed, picking up her crossbody. “I don’t want to be late, or they’ll reschedule the appointment.”
Mahari gazed at her for a few seconds before thumbing his nose and nodding. “Yeah, let’s ride.”
Without pause, Mahari laced their fingers together and led Aspen outside to his car.
She held on for dear life, secretly never wanting to let go.
Over the years, Mahari had become her safe space.
Outside of Lavender, he was her best friend.
The bond they had created came well before she and Lance got together.
They’d known one another since they were ten, and she didn’t meet Lance until she was a teenager.
Time had been good to them. Aspen truly valued their friendship.
Once she was safely buckled in, Mahari jogged to the driver’s side and got in. They could’ve easily been chauffeured, so Aspen appreciated him taking the time to drive.
They made it down the street, and Mahari’s phone rang. Dynasty displayed on his large screen causing Aspen’s arched brow to raise.
“Are you going to answer it?” she interrogated with her head tilted to the side.
“I’ll call her back later.”
“No, don’t miss out on a conversation because of me, Mahari. I’ll mind my business.”
Mahari snorted. “Sure, you will. You’ll grasp on to every word we speak, digest it, then ask me about it. I know you very well, Bunny, so I’ll wait.”
“Mmm. She must be someone you’re seeing if you’re not answering around me.”
“She’s just a friend, one I don’t feel like conversing with because I’m with my best friend.” Mahari reached over and gently nudged Aspen’s chin with his fist. She swatted it away. “Don’t be like that.”
“I’m not being like anything. I’m just . . . I’m sorry. My frustration with Lance is coming off as me being upset with you.”
“Are you sure that’s what it is?”
Aspen didn’t answer right away. She stared out the window, watching the many buildings pass them by.
The thought of Mahari having a girl didn’t sit right with Aspen.
While she knew it was selfish of her to think that way, she couldn’t help it.
Outside of Denver, Mahari was the one man in her life she knew she could depend on.
He never failed to pick up where Lance dropped off, and she’d honestly grown accustomed to it.
Was it right? No.
Did she want it to change? No.
But it wouldn’t be fair to Mahari, so Aspen swallowed her pride and forced a smile before peering at him. “Yes, that’s what it is. You know how your cousin can get underneath my skin.”
“Whose skin doesn’t he get under? I let his ass have it when he called me earlier, asking if I could take you to your appointment. He swore up and down it wouldn’t always be like this.”
“Bullshit. I feel like it’s gotten worse since I’ve been pregnant. He’s only been to one appointment, Mahari. One. You’ve been to the others.”
Mahari raised one hand in mock surrender. “I can’t control his actions, but as for me, I’ll continue showing up for you and the twins.”
“And that’s why I love you.”
“I love you too, Bunny.”
Talks with Mahari always made Aspen feel better, but there was something in the back of her mind wondering who Dynasty was. Usually, Mahari would let her in on if he was seeing someone. The fact he was being secretive bothered Aspen more than she wanted to admit for more than one reason.
They pulled up to the doctor’s office ten minutes later.
Excitement coursed through Aspen’s veins as she signed in and waited for them to call her back.
Mahari was deep in his phone, going through emails while Aspen texted back and forth with Lavender.
When they called her name to go back, Aspen wobbled so fast that Mahari and the nurse laughed.
“Someone is anxious, I see,” Nurse Janet said, leading them back to the room.
“Extremely. I’ve been waiting for this day since I found out they were twins,” Aspen expressed, panting. “I have a feeling I know what they are, but I could be wrong.”
Janet asked, “What do you think?”
“A boy and a girl,” Mahari answered for Aspen, smirking. “I think it’s two girls with how bad her attitude has been.”
“Is that the only reason why you think that?”
“I don’t know, Bunny. You tell me.”
Aspen swung at Mahari, and he jumped back just in time. He poked her side, causing her to yelp. She swung at him again, making sure it connected.
“Stop playing with me, Mahari. You know I can’t stand for anyone to poke me,” Aspen spat.
He hunched his shoulders. “You started it.”
“Okay, you two.” Janet snickered with a shake of her head as she and Mahari helped Aspen up onto the table. “I thought y’all would be good today since it’s such a joyous occasion, but I see y’all don’t know how or when to behave.”