Charlie flashed me a bright smile. Ryder’s gaze was a bit more confused—almost like he was trying to figure out the math, but the math wasn’t mathing with the size of my stomach—but overall,he looked genuinely happy despite that. Bad and Aunt Violet shared in their astonishment. But Cash’s expression was the most noteworthy. If I didn’t feel like my stomach was in my throat and I’d throw up at any minute, I might have laughed.
He made his way to me, his free hand immediately going to my belly as he prodded it like he needed to make sure it was actually real.
I smacked his hand away, letting out a disbelieving laugh. “What the hell, Mooney? You don’t just touch people’s stomachs!”
The thought of anyone touching my stomach aside from Maverick was so weird and foreign to me, but it wasn’t surprising. Cash had no sense of boundaries. He bestowed a shit-eating smirk at me before glancing toward Maverick, who wore a possessive scowl on his face as he dried his hands off with a dish towel.
Cash’s lips somehow pulled wider on his stupidly handsome face. “Y’all have been busy, I see.”
That hit like a ton of bricks to the chest, bringing me right back down to reality. I couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze as I spoke—not even Maverick's. “Um…it’s not his.”
Well, if the silence in the room had been quiet enough to hear a pin drop, Aunt Violet’s surprised gasp was louder than a train horn. “What do you mean?” Her words were fine enough, but there was an angry layer to her tone, mingled with the shock.
A warm hand wrapped around my waist before resting on the side of my stomach. I glanced up to meet Maverick’s fierce gaze. I hadn’t even noticed him make his way over. My chestconstricted, fear and frustration and anxiety snaking around my heart like boa constrictors. It hurt to breathe. I opened my mouth to respond but it’s like words failed me, leaving me floundering like a damn fish out of water.
Maverick’s deep voice was like a balm to my soul. “Cheyenne’s ex got her pregnant. She’s gonna keep it, and we’re gonna raise it up together.”
We.
My heart fluttered at the thought. Out of both excitement and a hint of terror. If I was being completely honest, a part of me—one that grew smaller more rapidly by the day—still worried about the “we” part. Still worried whether or not I’d be able to stay settled in one place for the rest of my life. But Maverick proved nothing if not tenacious. He’d given me countless reasons to stay. Each and every day proving more and more what an amazing boyfriend and father he was already shaping up to be.
I think the only thing stopping Maverick’s aunt from going absolutely ballistic was the fact Charlie and Ryder were there. Anger burned like hot coals in her eyes, her scowl saying everything she hadn’t said aloud. Bad’s usual easy grin—so similar to his son’s—was drawn into a thin, straight line.
Well, that’s just fuckin’ great. I wasn’t really surprised, though. I’d expected this.
Cash’s low whistle drew my gaze. “Well, shit, man. You’re gonna be a dad.” He grinned at Maverick and held out a hand for his cousin to shake. Maverick hesitated only a moment before shakingit back. Cash’s hazel stare flicked to me then. “Congratulations, Trouble. Kid’s gonna have one kickass mom.”
Tears lined my eyes, a broken little laugh escaping me. I hadn’t expected Cash’s approval to mean so much, but hearing it—without a trace of accusation—made my heart swell so much it hurt.
Charlie and Ryder came up to us next. “I’m so excited you decided to keep it!” she squealed as she wrapped me in a hug.
I grinned. “Well, you made a pretty convincin’ argument with gettin’ to raise up our babies together.”
“Wait…you knew?” Ryder whirled to Charlie, shock ringing in his words. “And you didn’t tell me?”
Charlie placed a hand on Ryder’s chest. “Baby, it wasn’t my place to say anything.” She pressed a soft, apologetic kiss to his lips, stopping any argument from him.
Ryder offered her a soft look before turning back to me. “Congratulations. Kid’s lucky to have parents as cool as y’all.”
I grinned. “Not as cool as havin’ a professional bull rider for a daddy, but thanks.”
Charlie grinned, leaning into Ryder, whose hand tightened around her instinctively. “When’re you due?” he asked.
“February second.”
“Well shit, you’re farther along than Charlie!” He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
I smiled and shrugged. “Only by a couple weeks.”
Cash came up to my other side, cracking open a beer. I swear, it’s like he pulled them out of thin air. “Aw, come on now... Y’allare makin’ me feel left out. Maybe it’s time Big Daddy becomes a daddy too.”
“Cash Ulysses Mooney!” Aunt Violet’s stern voice cut through the room like a whip. Murder shone in her gaze as she pegged him with a harsh glare. “You bite your tongue.”
Cash’s lips pulled up into an impish grin. “What? You’re always talkin’ bout how you want grandbabies. I’d be doin’ y’all a service.”
I bit back a laugh at his name. Of course, he’d have some crazy middle name. But then I thought of the initials. “Wait…”c…u…m. No. No fuckin’ way.“Your initials are C.U.M?”
Maverick groaned at my side while a hushed chuckle escaped Ryder. Charlie shook her head, even as a smile graced her lips. Cash’s infamous grin shone brighter than a star exploding.
