“Hmm, I might actually like that.” He pretends to growl. “Ooh what are we liking?” Archie stands there, looking between the two of us, as my face starts to blaze.
“Uhm, Cole?” I look at Cole helplessly, but he shrugs.
“Ewww! Oh my– Jeez…come on!” Arch fakes gagging, sticking his tongue out for emphasis.
“You done?” Cole’s patience wears thin as he watches Archie’s exaggerated performance.
He senses the shift in his brother’s tone and stands up straight, nodding. “Yeah, I’m done being weirded out by you two being gross.” He looks at me, his eyes sparkling in the sun. “I blew up your birthing ball for you and left it in the living room.” He surprises me by kissing me on my cheek. “I just want you to know I’m really proud of you, Lace." Then he walks off into the house, leaving us standing there staring after him.
“I feel awful about this next part.” Cole nudges me with his shoulder.
“Why? Are you…Are you regretting it?”
“Fuck no. But I am regretting getting knocked over and not being able to lift you through the doorway, bridal style.” He gives me that smile that knocks me off my feet.
“Well, hate to break it to you, but I’m not a bride yet, so…” I shrug one shoulder and start to walk towards the house.
“Yet, being the important word, there, Wild Cat. You’re not a brideyet.”
He hobbles off next to me on his crutches. I look down at the papaya fruit in my hand, and my lips tilt. This is the size of our Peanut right now, another gift from Cole, reminding me he’s here. He’s with us.
Chapter 31
Cole
36weekspregnant.BabySize = Baguette
“I’m sorry, Mr Peterson, we’ve exhausted all avenues. Without solid evidence, we can’t move forward with an arrest.” The police officer gives me a curt nod as she walks out of our door.
“Thank you for all your help anyway.” With a defeated sigh, I hobble my way back into the kitchen, where Lacey sits, perched at our island.
“I’m fed up with having him hang over us, Cole. We know damn well it was him behind your accident. Your brothers saw him get out of that car and run away!” She slams down the lemon and poppy-seed muffin she has been eating, crumbs flying everywhere.
“Okay, less of the lemon muffin rage. Get yourself ready, I have a surprise for you.”
“Ooh, what is it?”
“Not telling, because then it wouldn’t be a surprise.” She rolls her eyes at me, but hurries off to get herself ready anyway.
I quickly fish my phone out of my pocket and open the group chat.
Me
Police just left. Nothing they can do. Insufficient evidence
Ethan
Bullshit *angry face emoji*
Rafe
I hope he gets fleas that bite his balls
Arch
I hope his arms fall off so he can’t itch said balls
Nate
