Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“I count myself lucky every second I get with you,” I murmur, lips finding her neck. “If I can extend my time with you, I’m going to fucking do it.”
She grows quiet and swallows hard. I can sense a wave of grief overcoming her. Hugging her tight, I murmur assurances as she starts to cry. Losing that baby was hard for her and won’t ever truly go away. I hope to God I can give that to her one day. If anyone deserves all the happiness in the world, it’s Casey.
“What if I…” She shudders, not finishing that statement. Lose another one. “I can’t go through that again.”
“The difference, if it happens again, is that I’m not going anywhere. I’ll hold you through all your ups and downs, babe. The good and the bad. I’m hoping I’ll be able to give you a helluva lot more good than bad.”
“You already have.”
She sits up so I can see her tearstained face. God, she’s incredibly beautiful. I can’t help but reach up and touch a silky strand of her blonde hair. She’s like an angel. Fucking perfect.
“This morning, I got the closure I needed to fully move on.” She runs her fingers over my chest and smiles. “I knew right then Derek and I had something safe and comfortable, but we didn’t come close to having this.”
“What’s this?”
“Love. Real, explosive, messy, untimely.”
“You’re welcome.”
She giggles at me which makes my dick perk back to life. Conveniently, I’m right where I need to be. Cockwarming is definitely our thing.
I wonder how many other things will become ours.
I can’t fucking wait to find out.
Casey
A few months later…
“Stop being a baby.”
Riko howls as I press my fingers into his reinjured thigh. I’m immune to his over-the-top reactions. He’s dramatic and loud. Thankfully I scored a private room for him today. When he’s on the floor, he irritates the other patients with his brashness.
“If you would have listened to me months ago,” I say grumpily, “you wouldn’t be here right now. What part of ‘no more soccer’ didn’t you understand?”
I know it’s unfair. He loves soccer. But I know he hates pain. Soccer and pain are married to each other when it comes to Riko Valentine. Unfortunately, that’s his lot in life. The sooner he comes to terms with it, the better.
“I’m on an athletic scholarship,” he says, breathing heavily. “I can’t just quit. My parents would lose their shit.”
Since I don’t know much about his home life, I don’t weigh in with my opinion. He drives an expensive car and his parents are loaded. That much I do know. I’m sure they could afford to pay for college for him, or at the very least help him get a loan. If they’re pressuring him to keep playing the sport that causes him so much pain, well, that’s just cruel.
“Nice ring,” Riko says, changing the subject. “Is it rubber to remind you that you don’t know what those are?”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re a thorn in my side, Riko. You know that?”
He gives me a goofy grin that makes me shake my head in exasperation. He’s not wrong, though. Brayden gave me the rubber ring, so I could wear it at work, later the same day I gave him the news.
I’m pregnant.
It’s surreal, most days, and I freak out with worry, but I’m happy.
We’re going to get married at the courthouse next week. Clara is going to throw me a “shotgun themed” bridal/baby shower tomorrow. She’s extremely tickled over her “clever” idea to combine both the events with the theme. My mother was less thrilled over it, especially considering my grandma and great aunts are invited.
Someone knocks on the door and Jenna peeks her head in. “Cute boy with a watermelon chiller is waiting in the lobby for you.”
“Probably to try to get her pregnant again,” Riko offers. “Is that how twins are made?”
She rolls her eyes at him and shuts the door.
“Maybe you should pay attention in your science classes,” I offer, giving him a saccharine smile.
We continue giving each other a hard time until he’s done with his session. As much as we mess with each other, I’ve grown to really care about Riko’s wellbeing. I want him to do what’s best for his body, not for his college career or for his parents. Every day, I worry about him. Behind his jokes, there’s a darkness that breaks my heart for him.
After I get Riko on his way, I clock out for lunch, and head over to Brayden who’s chatting it up with Sophia. Both her and Jenna each have a Starbucks drink in hand. Not only does he spoil me, but he’s sweet to the girls I work with too.
“Hey babe,” he says upon seeing me, eyes lighting up and then darting down to my stomach. “You look hot today.”